As schools return to in-person education, school leaders look back to see what lessons can be learned from the two years of distance learning. As a school with more than twenty years of hybrid-learning experience, Visions In Education was able to pivot to a fully remote model of education and support our students with minimal learning loss.
Last Friday, Superintendent Steve Olmos participated in a panel of educators on KVIE’s Studio Sacramento to discuss how learning during the pandemic changed and how schools can best serve students in a rapidly changing world. Dr. Olmos was joined by Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica and Placer County Elementary Teacher of the Year Tiffany McGuire to look back on learning in 2020-2021.
“The students that we had enrolled with us, we didn’t see a lot of learning loss because they were already used to that distance learning,” said Dr. Olmos. “Over the last few years, we’ve learned that not all students learn in the traditional [school] setting.”
Dr. Olmos also shared an anecdote about how non-classroom based education benefited students who had been expelled by their previous school.
“We really thought we were going to lose these students academically,” said Dr. Olmos. “And actually we found they performed better. When I personally talked to these students they would tell me, ‘I do better because I don’t have to worry about drama in the classroom.’”
“There are children who do not thrive in a classroom of twenty to thirty children and there are children who thrive in a more unique educational setting,” said Superintendent Garbolino-Mojica. “Charter schools have really come to the surface in the past couple of years as a vehicle for families who may have a child who thrives in that type of environment.”
The pandemic changed the world as we know it and Visions is thrilled to contribute our lessons-learned to the discussion surrounding the future of education.
“I saw a lack of creative engagement around literacy in the schools,” says Visions In Education Board of Directors Vice-Chairperson Katie McCleary in an article written by SacTown Magazine on the rise of writing nonprofit 916 Ink. “And I saw a lack of confidence, a lack of skills and a lack of knowing how to actually express your […]
The California Department of Education recognized Visions with a Pivotal Practice Award in the Distribution of Technology category. The Pivotal Practice Program was created to recognize schools and districts who rose to the challenges of the pandemic and continued to provide excellent services to their students. Visions was one of only four schools in Sacramento County and the only school in its authorizing district of San Juan Unified to be recognized by the state in this capacity.
“I’m incredibly proud of these schools and districts for their creativity, dedication, and innovation in the face of adversity,” Thurmond said in a press release announcing the award winners.
“Technology education has been a cornerstone of Visions In Education’s success for more than twenty years,” says Tom Tafoya, Visions’ Chief Operations Officer. “When the pandemic hit in 2020, Visions was able to transition to a fully remote model of education and work with minimal disruption to our students. We were able to take what we’ve learned from years of experience and share it with other schools to help them serve their students as well.”
Part of this process was developing new ways of connecting students with technology to ensure minimal loss of learning. This was only possible due to the hard work and creativity of our staff, especially our Student Technology Services (STS) team and LPAD Student Support System programming team, who quickly adapted to a tumultuous situation. Thanks to their dedicated work, creative problem solving, and flexible solutions, our students were able to continue learning throughout the pandemic.
Thank You!
A big thank you to all the staff that came together to make this happen! Thanks to the STS Team, (headed by Brandon Neal and supported by Ahmed Alogaidi, Najee Burnette, Brandon Fan, Manny Morteo, Connor Puckett, Blake Sims, James Umiker, and Wellington Wong) and our LPAD SSS programming team (Michael Miller, Francois Tcha, Yamin Noor, Tony Cervo, Matthew Mueller) for ensuring that our students have top-notch technology support.
Thanks also to Justina Janas, Ben Drahmann, Mike Brubaker, Uriel Gonzalez, Soren Gutierrez and Carl Sorenson, who all helped with the award submission!
Visions In Education strives to prepare students for life after high school by providing college, career, and life-readiness (CCLR) resources to help students make informed decisions about their future. To better serve our growing community, Visions In Education is partnering with Naviance by PowerSchool to deliver high-quality CCLR resources to our students. Through Naviance, students […]
Congratulations to our graduating seniors of the Class of 2022! On June 8th, more than one thousand seniors graduated as a part of two different ceremonies in Visions’ biggest graduating class ever! Friends and families were happy to return to an in-person ceremony after two years of social distancing, and the event reflected their enthusiasm! […]
June is recognized as Pride Month across the world, a time to commemorate and recognize the history of activism that has paved the way toward a more equitable society for our LGBTQI+ communities. Celebrated in countries across the world, Pride Month commemorates the 53rd anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a six day protest in […]
Dear Visionaries: I know all of you are working hard to finish out this year strong. I just wanted to take a moment to share my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for you and the work you have done this year. For over two years, we have all had to make seemingly constant adjustments to the […]
After a successful visit from the Western Associations of Schools and Colleges (WASC) earlier this year, Visions In Education received WASC Accreditation for another six years! This accreditation means that the transcripts and diplomas students earn through Visions will continue to be recognized as coming from a valid institution and will be able to transfer between schools and to universities across […]
“To me, words are a powerful way of bringing others truth and hope and light,” says Eliana Duran. Ever since she first began writing fiction at a young age, Eliana has loved expressing herself through creative and non-fiction writing. She even started authoring her own blog (elianathewriter.com) and working on a few novels in her free time.
A Visions student since kindergarten, Eliana has had years of experience as a self-directed learner. Working with her family and credentialed teacher, Judith Flora, she created a learning system that worked best for her. As a student, Eliana managed to work at her own pace and balance her extracurricular activities, such as writing, serving as Girl Troop Shepherd for her American Heritage Girls Troop, and working as a communications specialist for her father’s business.
“All these experiences have taught me so much,” says Eliana when looking back at her experiences as a student. “I like to keep a planner and write down my short-term and long-term goals.”
Taking advantage of her flexible schedule, Eliana took classes online at American River College with Visions’ support, including public speaking and marketing classes to begin exploring careers after high school. In 2022, Eliana’s writing was even acknowledged by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) with the 2022 Bragato Scholarship. This scholarship helps public charter school students like Eliana pursue their education after high school.
“I was so honored and grateful to be awarded the scholarship,” says Eliana. “I plan to put it to good use as I go to college and continue to develop both my education and my character.”
Eliana is part of the Graduating Class of 2022 set to walk across the stage on June 8th! After college, she intends to accept an offer to Purdue Honors College but not before traveling out to the Realm Makers writing conference with a long time friend! Whether she majors in Marketing or English as she plans to, writing seems like it will always be a part of Eliana’s life. When looking back at her school career, Eliana gives thanks to her teacher, parents, and her faith for helping her reach the next step in her educational journey.
“Keep learning and keep growing!” Eliana says as a parting message to her fellow high schoolers.
