Growing Inland Achievement

Tag: Season 2

  • Education Insight: Emerging Technologies and Innovation in Our Local Schools

    Education Insight: Emerging Technologies and Innovation in Our Local Schools

    About This Episode

    Season 2. Episode 6.

    Technology-focused industries are popping up all over the Inland Region, and that begs the question, are students learning the skills they need for highly technical jobs that are right here in our own backyard? From grade schools to universities the response is notable. In the next Education Insight, we explore immersive media, virtual and augmentative reality, artificial intelligence, 3D modeling, and animatronics. We meet some people that are bringing all of that into local elementary schools and universities to make our kids truly competitive.

    Featured Guests

    Sarah Alfonso Emerson

    Director of Creative Learning for Garner Holt Education Through Imagination.

    Kevin McCarty was elected to the California State Assembly in 2014 to represent the 7th Assembly District, which includes Sacramento, West Sacramento and parts of unincorporated Sacramento County.

    McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, which oversees the largest component of California’s multi-billion dollar budget. As Chair, McCarty made historic investments in public education including expanding access to preschool for low and middle income families, providing greater career technical education programs, and increasing student enrollment at our public colleges and universities.

    Other legislative priorities for Assemblymember McCarty include addressing housing affordability, fighting climate change, championing criminal justice reform, curbing gun violence, tackling the opioid crisis and advocating for the middle class.

    McCarty began his public service career as a Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner and served on the Sacramento City Council from 2004 to 2014. As a Councilmember, he created innovative youth programs and wrote common-sense gun laws, tackled sub-standard rental housing, and crafted clean air policies. He created Sacramento’s Little Saigon district, the City’s Whistleblower Hotline program, and the Independent Auditor department.

    A lifelong Sacramentan, McCarty went to local public schools, attended American River College, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from CSU Long Beach and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from CSU Sacramento.

    McCarty and his wife live in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Sacramento with their twin daughters.

    Like, follow and connect with Assemblymember McCarty on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @AsmKevinMcCarty

    James Trotter

    Assistant Director, Academic Technologies & Innovation.

    Karen Scott is the Executive Director of the Children and Families Commission – First 5 San Bernardino, a funding organization of services for children prenatal through age 5, by investing revenue received from Prop 10, a tobacco tax initiative in California.

    Ms. Scott’s education and background is in Public Administration and Administration of Justice and she has worked in the realm of Human Services for San Bernardino County since 1977.  Karen has served as Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino for 14 years leading the organization’s efforts to promote, support and enhance the health and early development of children, prenatal through age five through coordinated and comprehensive systems of care that strengthen children, families and communities, ensuring children are safe, healthy and ready to enter and succeed in school.

    Karen is married to James Scott and has 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren.

    Interview Highlights

    5:19 – James shares why he believes it’s so important for students to be more immersed in learning technology right now.

    13:09 – James describes the relationship today between learning and technology.

    15:03 – James goes into detail about immersive technology and putting students into situations.

    19:16 – James explains that the department of Academic Technologies & Innovation serves all departments on campus.

    21:48 – James shares if he feels his department is in tune with the coming technology needs of the Inland Empire.

    26:43 – Sarah gives insight into what inspired the Education Through Imagination program.

    29:48 – Sarah elaborates on what the program does at various schools and districts.

    33:43 – Sarah describes the custom-designed classroom that they call the Animakers space.

    36:05 – Sarah discusses skillsets these students gain from this program.

    37:23 – Sarah reflects on how important she believes technology education is right now and some of the benefits that come with it.

    39:39 – Sarah shares what technology learning opportunities our local kids are getting that she’s most excited about.

    47:54 – Special Feature: Journey Parrot

    View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

    Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.

  • Education Insight: Equitable Discipline in K-12 Schools

    Education Insight: Equitable Discipline in K-12 Schools

    About This Episode

    Season 2. Episode 5.

    We hear stories on the news of threats to teachers, mass suspensions, and bullying. Some teachers say that laws just don’t protect them in the class like they used to, so we’re digging deep into the handling of discipline at Inland Empire schools. Where is the problem coming from and who is trying to resolve it? Two experts with rather innovative approaches are finding success and helping to change legislation from here to Capitol Hill. Join us as we explore the discipline in the Inland Empire this week on Education Insight.

    Featured Guests

    Marlene Bicondova

    Director of the Positive Youth Development department for San Bernardino City Unified School District.

    Kevin McCarty was elected to the California State Assembly in 2014 to represent the 7th Assembly District, which includes Sacramento, West Sacramento and parts of unincorporated Sacramento County.

    McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, which oversees the largest component of California’s multi-billion dollar budget. As Chair, McCarty made historic investments in public education including expanding access to preschool for low and middle income families, providing greater career technical education programs, and increasing student enrollment at our public colleges and universities.

    Other legislative priorities for Assemblymember McCarty include addressing housing affordability, fighting climate change, championing criminal justice reform, curbing gun violence, tackling the opioid crisis and advocating for the middle class.

    McCarty began his public service career as a Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner and served on the Sacramento City Council from 2004 to 2014. As a Councilmember, he created innovative youth programs and wrote common-sense gun laws, tackled sub-standard rental housing, and crafted clean air policies. He created Sacramento’s Little Saigon district, the City’s Whistleblower Hotline program, and the Independent Auditor department.

    A lifelong Sacramentan, McCarty went to local public schools, attended American River College, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from CSU Long Beach and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from CSU Sacramento.

    McCarty and his wife live in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Sacramento with their twin daughters.

    Like, follow and connect with Assemblymember McCarty on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @AsmKevinMcCarty

    Khieem Jackson

    Founder of Black Men for Educational Equity (BMEE).

    Karen Scott is the Executive Director of the Children and Families Commission – First 5 San Bernardino, a funding organization of services for children prenatal through age 5, by investing revenue received from Prop 10, a tobacco tax initiative in California.

    Ms. Scott’s education and background is in Public Administration and Administration of Justice and she has worked in the realm of Human Services for San Bernardino County since 1977.  Karen has served as Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino for 14 years leading the organization’s efforts to promote, support and enhance the health and early development of children, prenatal through age five through coordinated and comprehensive systems of care that strengthen children, families and communities, ensuring children are safe, healthy and ready to enter and succeed in school.

    Karen is married to James Scott and has 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren.

    Interview Highlights

    2:51 – Khi shares why he feels discipline is a critical focus for educators and lawmakers right now.

    7:17 – Khi explains the new AB 2806 Assembly Bill.

    13:17 – Khi goes into detail about what this assembly bill will do and why it matters.

    19:00 – Khi reflects on why historically marginalized groups such as Black boys and girls, people with disabilities, etc. are treated differently.

    21:44 – Khi explains what Black Men For Educational Equity does for students and families

    26:59 – Khi shares the most important thing people need to understand about children displaying bad behavior in school.

    29:08 – Marlene describes how disciplinary actions in K-12 schools have changed in recent years.

    38:57 – Marlene explains how bullying is affecting San Bernardino schools.

    41:12 – Marlene gives insight into how the bullying issue is getting better because of innovative practices.

    42:44 – Marlene shares how the pandemic has affected children’s behavior.

    44:13 – Marlene discusses the relationship between social media and student conduct.

    46:26 – Special Feature: Graduating Class of 2022.

    View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

    Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.

  • Education Insight: Middle School-Where Planning your Future Begins

    Education Insight: Middle School-Where Planning your Future Begins

    About This Episode

    Season 2. Episode 4.

    An extraordinary number of television shows and movies focus on the struggles of kids in middle school. The struggle is real for kids at an awkward age where decisions are often poorly made. The brain of kids between ages 10-14 is growing at an amazing rate, and experts agree that is when they need to begin to think about a career and college, often despite their indifference. So how do parents and educators get middle schoolers thinking about the future? In today’s program, we find answers to the tough questions: How to talk to kids, how to successfully get them to begin preparing for college or a successful career, and when they just need to focus on being a kid. Our guests today work through that with kids and families every day, in the Inland Empire.

    Featured Guests

    Carol Tsushima

    Administrator for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

    Kevin McCarty was elected to the California State Assembly in 2014 to represent the 7th Assembly District, which includes Sacramento, West Sacramento and parts of unincorporated Sacramento County.

    McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, which oversees the largest component of California’s multi-billion dollar budget. As Chair, McCarty made historic investments in public education including expanding access to preschool for low and middle income families, providing greater career technical education programs, and increasing student enrollment at our public colleges and universities.

    Other legislative priorities for Assemblymember McCarty include addressing housing affordability, fighting climate change, championing criminal justice reform, curbing gun violence, tackling the opioid crisis and advocating for the middle class.

    McCarty began his public service career as a Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner and served on the Sacramento City Council from 2004 to 2014. As a Councilmember, he created innovative youth programs and wrote common-sense gun laws, tackled sub-standard rental housing, and crafted clean air policies. He created Sacramento’s Little Saigon district, the City’s Whistleblower Hotline program, and the Independent Auditor department.

    A lifelong Sacramentan, McCarty went to local public schools, attended American River College, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from CSU Long Beach and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from CSU Sacramento.

    McCarty and his wife live in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Sacramento with their twin daughters.

    Like, follow and connect with Assemblymember McCarty on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @AsmKevinMcCarty

    Randall Olson

    Family Engagement Specialist at San Bernardino City Unified School District

    Karen Scott is the Executive Director of the Children and Families Commission – First 5 San Bernardino, a funding organization of services for children prenatal through age 5, by investing revenue received from Prop 10, a tobacco tax initiative in California.

    Ms. Scott’s education and background is in Public Administration and Administration of Justice and she has worked in the realm of Human Services for San Bernardino County since 1977.  Karen has served as Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino for 14 years leading the organization’s efforts to promote, support and enhance the health and early development of children, prenatal through age five through coordinated and comprehensive systems of care that strengthen children, families and communities, ensuring children are safe, healthy and ready to enter and succeed in school.

    Karen is married to James Scott and has 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren.

    Interview Highlights

    3:02 – Randy shares why he believes attention to education for middle schoolers is so important

    4:10 – Randy describes the greatest areas of need for middle school students when it comes to their family engagement and education

    7:30 – Randy discusses how a parent who has never gone to college can prepare their child for higher education

    9:50 – Randy briefly summarizes the top 5 findings that are important for us to understand as it pertains to the value of family engagement

    14:30 – Randy explains what parents should do to help their kids make a tangible plan for college

    18:14 – Randy gives advice to parents who would prefer to give their kids the college talk in high school as opposed to in middle school

    27:37 – Carol shares her opinion on the most important things a child must be learning or gaining during middle school

    28:55 – Carol describes the top 3 things that a middle school student needs to consider regarding moving from K-12 to college or a career

    32:29 – Carol explains what issues are easier to address in middle school as opposed to later on in high school

    37:54 – Carol gives insight into how students should go about creating a six-year plan

    39:50 – Carol discusses what a “growth mindset” is

    44:10 – Carol shares the courses that are most important for middle schoolers to hone in on during the crucial learning period of 7th and 8th grade

    45:39 – Special Feature Original Song: Love Theme by: Victoria Romano

    View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

    Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.

  • Education Insight: The Relationship Between Education, the Workforce, and the Economy

    Education Insight: The Relationship Between Education, the Workforce, and the Economy

    About This Episode

    Season 2. Episode 3.

    In the 1970s and 80s, traditionalist educators insisted that a great education should include lots of structure, specific standards of performance, and a heavy dose of memorization of key facts and concepts. These they assured, would help our students to enter the workforce already proficient in language and writing skills, mathematics, science, social studies, and some critical thinking. Are those skills enough for an IE student to succeed in the current and coming workforce? What do students in the Inland Empire need to know today? Are our schools preparing graduates with what they really need to know and preparing our community with upcoming graduates ready to take local businesses and industry into a brighter future? Find out in today’s episode.

    Featured Guests

    Michael Goss

    Director of the Inland Empire/Desert Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research

    Kevin McCarty was elected to the California State Assembly in 2014 to represent the 7th Assembly District, which includes Sacramento, West Sacramento and parts of unincorporated Sacramento County.

    McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, which oversees the largest component of California’s multi-billion dollar budget. As Chair, McCarty made historic investments in public education including expanding access to preschool for low and middle income families, providing greater career technical education programs, and increasing student enrollment at our public colleges and universities.

    Other legislative priorities for Assemblymember McCarty include addressing housing affordability, fighting climate change, championing criminal justice reform, curbing gun violence, tackling the opioid crisis and advocating for the middle class.

    McCarty began his public service career as a Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner and served on the Sacramento City Council from 2004 to 2014. As a Councilmember, he created innovative youth programs and wrote common-sense gun laws, tackled sub-standard rental housing, and crafted clean air policies. He created Sacramento’s Little Saigon district, the City’s Whistleblower Hotline program, and the Independent Auditor department.

    A lifelong Sacramentan, McCarty went to local public schools, attended American River College, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from CSU Long Beach and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from CSU Sacramento.

    McCarty and his wife live in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Sacramento with their twin daughters.

    Like, follow and connect with Assemblymember McCarty on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @AsmKevinMcCarty

    Paul Granillo

    President & CEO, Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP)

    Karen Scott is the Executive Director of the Children and Families Commission – First 5 San Bernardino, a funding organization of services for children prenatal through age 5, by investing revenue received from Prop 10, a tobacco tax initiative in California.

    Ms. Scott’s education and background is in Public Administration and Administration of Justice and she has worked in the realm of Human Services for San Bernardino County since 1977.  Karen has served as Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino for 14 years leading the organization’s efforts to promote, support and enhance the health and early development of children, prenatal through age five through coordinated and comprehensive systems of care that strengthen children, families and communities, ensuring children are safe, healthy and ready to enter and succeed in school.

    Karen is married to James Scott and has 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren.

    Interview Highlights

    8:17 – Michael shares the most in-demand careers right now and in the future for the Inland Empire

    10:15 – Michael describes how the Inland Empire is doing as a region in keeping up with workforce demand

    13:02 – Michael discusses particular industries that he believes are economically critical to the Inland Empire

    14:20 – Michael details what we can do as a region to be more competitive going forward

    15:12 – Michael talks about some of the most significant challenges that we’re facing in regards to training and meeting the needs of businesses in the region.

    18:28 – Michael gives insight into how COVID-19 has changed the workforce in the Inland Empire

    23:16 – Paul shares the greatest challenges facing the Inland Empire today

    25:36 – Paul describes how the Inland Empire is doing when it comes to training and education of a workforce to meet the needs of employers

    26:40 – Paul reflects on the lessons we’ve learned about our local economy as a result of the pandemic.

    30:34 – Paul explains what he believes is needed from our workforce and our local educational institutions to create a more vibrant regional economy.

    34:37 – Paul shares whether or not he believes education is necessary to earn a living wage in our region

    38:46 – Paul discusses whether or not more college graduates = more businesses in the Inland Empire

    46:08 – Special Feature Original Song: Romeo by: Micha Justice

    View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

    Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.

  • Education Insight: Early Childhood Education: Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK)

    Education Insight: Early Childhood Education: Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK)

    About This Episode

    Season 2. Episode 2.

    Educators, researchers, scientists, and politicians have proven that if you want your child to make it to college, starting them at pre-school has extraordinary payoffs for lifelong learning. Unfortunately, pre-school operates differently in every community. There are many programs providing free pre-school to very poor communities and a number of almost ivy-league pre-schools for wealthy families. Many middle-class families have been unable to afford what was left for their children.

    But Kevin McCarty, the State Representative from Sacramento crafted AB 22 — a bill aimed at making pre-school or Transitional Kindergarten possible and free for any family in California that chooses to enroll their child. It passed in August and with the assistance of AB130, which provides wrap-around services like additional child-care and extra funding — California is setting up programs across the state. Today we’re sorting thru the differences in pre-school and transitional kindergarten, plus what parents can expect.

    Featured Guests

    Kevin McCarty

    California State Assembly Member, 7th district. 

    Kevin McCarty was elected to the California State Assembly in 2014 to represent the 7th Assembly District, which includes Sacramento, West Sacramento and parts of unincorporated Sacramento County.

    McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, which oversees the largest component of California’s multi-billion dollar budget. As Chair, McCarty made historic investments in public education including expanding access to preschool for low and middle income families, providing greater career technical education programs, and increasing student enrollment at our public colleges and universities.  

    Other legislative priorities for Assemblymember McCarty include addressing housing affordability, fighting climate change, championing criminal justice reform, curbing gun violence, tackling the opioid crisis and advocating for the middle class.

    McCarty began his public service career as a Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner and served on the Sacramento City Council from 2004 to 2014. As a Councilmember, he created innovative youth programs and wrote common-sense gun laws, tackled sub-standard rental housing, and crafted clean air policies. He created Sacramento’s Little Saigon district, the City’s Whistleblower Hotline program, and the Independent Auditor department.

    A lifelong Sacramentan, McCarty went to local public schools, attended American River College, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from CSU Long Beach and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from CSU Sacramento.

    McCarty and his wife live in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Sacramento with their twin daughters.

    Like, follow and connect with Assemblymember McCarty on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @AsmKevinMcCarty

    Karen Scott

    Executive Director, First 5 San Bernardino.

    Karen Scott is the Executive Director of the Children and Families Commission – First 5 San Bernardino, a funding organization of services for children prenatal through age 5, by investing revenue received from Prop 10, a tobacco tax initiative in California.

    Ms. Scott’s education and background is in Public Administration and Administration of Justice and she has worked in the realm of Human Services for San Bernardino County since 1977.  Karen has served as Executive Director of First 5 San Bernardino for 14 years leading the organization’s efforts to promote, support and enhance the health and early development of children, prenatal through age five through coordinated and comprehensive systems of care that strengthen children, families and communities, ensuring children are safe, healthy and ready to enter and succeed in school.

    Karen is married to James Scott and has 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren.

    Interview Highlights

    2:52 – Karen explains the difference between Pre-K and TK

    4:38 – Karen shares what research shows as far as the value of Universal TK

    6:43 – Karen describes the biggest challenges were going to encounter when adopting high-quality universal TK in the Inland Empire.

    9:04 – Karen details what skills children are learning or developing when they attend TK programs

    9:50 – Karen talks about the ongoing teacher shortage and how they plan to combat it

    15:57 – Kevin gives insight into what inspired him to make transitional kindergarten free for children in California

    20:21 – Kevin estimates how many children he thinks will enroll in this program

    24:36 – Kevin shares why he thinks Californians are in support of this initiative

    26:26 – Kevin describes how TK will implement quality improvements to address social, emotional, and early academic development

    33:46 – Kevin talks about how California State preschool and Head-Start programs will be affected when Universal TK begins.

    42:09 – Special Feature: Josh Maya

    View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

    Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.