Entries by Ellie Fazzi

Spring Highlights: Engaging With Learning Period 8 Events!

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A collage of photos of Visions students with the text "Learning Period 8 Events" in the center.

Spring Highlights: Engaging With Learning Period 8 Events!​

Spring has been buzzing with energy across our school, with students taking part in a variety of enriching and fun events that showcased their creativity, curiosity, and spirit.

Home School students engaged with families and staff during our annual Project & Performance Fairs. From innovative science experiments to engaging performances, students had the opportunity to present their work, share their talents, and celebrate their learning in a supportive, festive environment. These fairs highlighted the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our Home School students throughout the school year.

High School students enjoyed a variety of exciting off-campus and cultural experiences this spring, including a day on the USS Hornet, where they explored a historic aircraft carrier, learning about naval history, engineering, and life at sea, roller skating and line dancing, fun-filled outings that combined physical activity and social engagement, and attending Michael Jackson the Musical, a theatrical adventure that brought music, dance, and storytelling to life.

These events reflect Visions’ commitment to providing students with opportunities to grow academically, socially, and culturally, while fostering meaningful connections with peers and staff. We look forward to more memorable experiences as the school year comes to a close!








Spring 2026 Graduates: Grad Letters, Checkouts, and Webinar Info Available Now!

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White and yellow text that says "Grad Info Available Now!" with the Visions logo underneath, next to a photo of two smiling graduations in front of a Visions backdrop holding graduation props.

Spring 2026 Graduates: Grad Letters, Checkouts, and Webinar Info Available Now!

Within the week, Visions will be mailing all potential grads a grad letter with graduation information, including ticket information. Included in this letter are parking instructions, a graduation checklist, and a list of graduation expectations that students are expected to abide by (see links to the PDFs below). To make accessing this information easier, we have created a Graduation Information page.

Graduates are responsible for reading and understanding this information prior to Grad Checkout and Graduation.

PDF Links:

For questions, please ask your teacher or contact us at graduation@viedu.org.

Grad Webinar

We will be holding an informational Graduation Webinar on May 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM. During this webinar, we’ll walk you through ceremony requirements, mandatory practice schedules, and essential graduation checkout procedures. Plus, we’ll provide you with key details to pass along to your guests who will be joining you for the ceremony. There will also be a chance to ask any questions you may have.





Register here!

Grad Checkouts

We will have five grad checkouts in May at different locations throughout our service area for students to get cleared for graduation, get caps and gowns, pick up tickets, and return outstanding materials. All sites will have staff to collect outstanding books, materials, and computers. All graduates must complete a grad checkout to be eligible to walk in our ceremony.

Mentorship Matters: Visions & Improve Your Tomorrow

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A group of young male students gather in a circle with their fists raised together. Blue text in a yellow box at the bottom that says "Improve Your Tomorrow" with the Improve Your Tomorrow and Visions In Education logos.

Mentorship Matters: Visions & Improve Your Tomorrow

At Visions In Education, we believe every student deserves the support, guidance, and opportunities needed to reach their full potential. Through our partnership with Improve Your Tomorrow, we are strengthening pathways to success for young men of color and helping them build confidence, develop leadership skills, and prepare for college and beyond.

About Improve Your Tomorrow

Improve Your Tomorrow works to bring mentorship opportunities to young men of color throughout California and prepare them for higher education and future careers. The organization envisions “a nation in which young men of color are overrepresented in higher education, underrepresented in the criminal justice system, and are leaders in their communities.”

Through this partnership, students receive individualized mentoring while also participating in group sessions that create safe spaces for connection, reflection, and growth. These experiences allow students to explore identity, build resilience, and develop skills that support both personal and academic success. Improve Your Tomorrow works closely with Visions staff to ensure students remain supported, engaged, and on track toward graduation.

Hear From Our Students

Watch the videos below to hear Visions students share how Improve Your Tomorrow has shaped their confidence, strengthened their goals, and helped them see new possibilities for the future.

Growing Impact at Visions

Currently, 19 Visions students are actively involved in Improve Your Tomorrow.

Throughout the year, students participate in:

  • Weekly study halls focused on academic support and accountability.
  • Workshop meetings centered on cultivating positive habits, building strong decision-making skills, and choosing activities and friendships that encourage personal growth. Here, students engage in conversations about learning from difficult situations and turning challenges into opportunities.
  • Leadership development activities that empower students to use their voice and lead with confidence.
  • Ongoing mentorship and coaching from dedicated mentors.

These experiences are designed not only to support academic achievement, but also to foster belonging, purpose, and long-term success.

Expanding Opportunity: Visions In Education Joins RAPSA

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The Reaching At-Promise Student Association logo above the Visions In Education logo.

Expanding Opportunity: Visions In Education Joins RAPSA

At Visions, we’re committed to serving every student – no matter their background, circumstances, or learning journey. Our mission is to provide a personalized, high-quality education that meets each student where they are and prepares them for success in school and beyond.

In support of this mission, we’re proud to join the Reaching At-Promise Students Association (RAPSA), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering educators who serve at-promise students. Through RAPSA, teachers, administrators, counselors, and community members gain access to meaningful professional development that helps them better support every learner.

“At Visions, our students are at the heart of every decision we make. Partnering with RAPSA allows us to deepen our impact, equipping our educators with the tools and understanding needed to better support each student’s unique journey and unlock their full potential,” said Superintendent Steve Olmos.

Through research-based professional development and training, RAPSA bridges the gap between academic research and real-world practice – helping educators better understand and support At-Promise and Opportunity Youth. In partnership with Visions, RAPSA will expand access to the knowledge, resources, and cross-sector collaboration needed to improve student outcomes, supporting our mission of ensuring all students reach their full potential.

What This Means for Our Students

For students, this partnership means stronger support, deeper understanding, and more opportunities to succeed, both academically and personally. By equipping our staff with proven strategies and insights, we are better able to recognize each student’s unique strengths, address challenges with empathy, and create learning environments where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success.

Whether a student is overcoming obstacles, re-engaging with school, or accelerating toward their goals, this partnership enhances our ability to meet their needs every step of the way.

Our collaboration with RAPSA reinforces what matters most – ensuring every Visions student has the opportunity, support, and confidence to reach their full potential and define their own path forward.

About RAPSA

The Reaching At-Promise Students Association (RAPSA) is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting educators who work with at-promise students. By identifying students as “at-promise,” RAPSA highlights the belief that every student – regardless of challenges – has the potential to succeed.

“RAPSA’s mission is to improve the lives of at-promise students by providing professional development experiences for educators who work with the opportunity youth population.” Learn more about RAPSA here.

Attention Class of 2026, Save the Dates! Spring Graduation is June 2 & 3, 2026!

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Two smiling graduates life their hands in the air in front of a Visions In Education backdrop, with the words "Save the Dates!" at the bottom.

Attention Class of 2026, Save the Dates! Spring Graduation is
June 2 & 3, 2026!





Graduation Info Page

Graduation is fast approaching, and we are excited to celebrate the incredible journey of the Class of 2026! You have worked hard, grown in meaningful ways, and helped shape the community around you. Below you’ll find the important details about your assigned graduation ceremony so you and your loved ones can prepare for this special milestone. We can’t wait to celebrate you and all that you’ve accomplished!

Graduation 2026: Ceremony Breakdowns

In order to accommodate our growing graduating class, this year we will be holding three graduation ceremonies over a two-day period! Graduation ceremonies will be held at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Students will participate in the graduation ceremony based on their principal group.

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

AM Ceremony

Ceremony Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Students arrive by 9:00 AM

🎓 University Prep Students (McKinnis)
🎓 Moses Community

PM Ceremony

Ceremony Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Students arrive by 3:00 PM

🎓 Lewis Community
🎓 Patel Community

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

No AM Ceremony

PM Ceremony

Ceremony Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Students arrive by 2:30 PM

🎓 Alward Community
🎓 Home School Academy
🎓 Fall Grads Attending Spring Ceremony

How Do I Find My Principal Group?

If you haven’t met your principal or have forgotten which community you are in, you can check in LPAD under the My Contacts section in the left-hand sidebar.

You will also receive a letter with specific instructions and will be reminded as we get closer to our ceremony date. If you have any questions, please reach out to graduation@viedu.org.

The Visions Advantage: Instructional Coaching at Visions In Education

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Close up photo of two people working together with sticky notes, pens, and a laptop.

The Visions Advantage: Instructional Coaching at Visions In Education

At Visions, we believe powerful professional learning happens when it’s grounded in practice, aligned to purpose, and enriched by continued learning. That’s the mission behind our in-house model for meaningful, customized instructional coaching.

And last spring, our Professional Learning & Innovation (PLI) Department deepened that mission by returning to the classroom themselves—this time at UC Berkeley’s International House, where they studied the transformative work of Elena Aguilar’s Art of Coaching Teams.

📚 Learning the Art of Coaching Teams

Group photo of Visions staff

The multi-day intensive at UC Berkeley offered our instructional coaches hands-on training in building high-functioning, equity-centered teams. The content is grounded in Aguilar’s framework for trust-building, identity work, and team transformation.

Key learning included:

  • How to build emotionally resilient teams
  • Tools for addressing conflict and resistance
  • Strategies to lead team development through a lens of equity
  • Techniques to align coaching work with school and program goals

This experience directly strengthens how we support PLCs, facilitate coaching cycles, and facilitate collaborative learning environments across our academies.

A special thanks to Montoya Mayo, proud UC Berkeley alumna, who reminds us that learning is both a personal journey and a professional calling.

🛠️ Expanding Our Toolbox: Training from PCOE

Placer County Office of Education - Guide to Coaching cover

In addition to Berkeley, PLI also participated in training with Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) focused on:

  • Coaching for content-specific pedagogy
  • Feedback strategies for adult learners
  • Data-informed instructional decision-making

Together, these trainings sharpened our coaching skills and affirmed our core belief: when professional learning is paired with effective coaching, transformation takes root.

🔍 The Research is Clear: Coaching Works

Studies show that professional development followed by coaching has a far greater impact than PD alone:

  • A meta-analysis of 60 studies that found teacher coaching yielded pooled effect sizes of 0.49 SD on instructional practice and 0.18 SD on student achievement was conducted by Matthew A. Kraft, David Blazar, and Dylan Hogan. Their research can be reviewed HERE.
  • Educators are more likely to implement new strategies when supported by ongoing coaching (Darling-Hammond et al., 2017).
  • Instructional coaching increases educator efficacy and leads to stronger student achievement outcomes (Kraft, Blazar & Hogan, 2018).
  • Coaching builds collective educator efficacy, one of the most powerful influences on student learning (Hattie, 2019).

🗣️ What Our Educators Are Saying

At Visions, our coachees agree:

“I really appreciate the process of observation and reflection. This time we focused on strategies for increasing engagement in an online setting and I will continue to reflect on how my lessons went and what I could improve upon.” – Independent Study Educator

“With my coach, I developed some really specific documents and presentations that I will continue using and adjusting as I need to. I enjoy the process of thinking about a problem that I have or anything that didn’t work as well as I wanted it to or was expecting and talking through ideas with somebody to improve my teaching practice.” – Independent Study Educator

“I was looking for a little validation that where I was putting my energy was valid, and looking for some ideas (through collaboration) to improve my practice in this medium. My coach helped a ton in both regards.” – Home School Educator

Recent coachee data from September 2025 backs this up: The jump in understanding shows that coaching creates the bridge between learning and real-world practice.

Instructional Coaching Data for PLI

Average Scores on a scale of 1-5 as of September 5th, 2025

Satisfaction rating

🔗 The Visions In Education Coaching Advantage

With a refreshed vision grounded in The Art of Coaching Teams, and bolstered by continued training with partners like PCOE, Visions instructional coaches are more prepared than ever to:

✔️ Collaborate deeply
✔️ Challenge respectfully
✔️ Build equity-driven learning environments
✔️ Equip educators for long-term growth

Group photo of Visions staff

Sharing Our Story at CSDC

This fall, a few of Visions’ PLI Department staff will be presenting at the California Charter Schools Development Center (CSDC) Conference, showcasing our approach to in-house professional learning paired with instructional coaching and highlighting how we build systems that honor educators while driving student success. This opportunity reflects both the innovation happening at Visions and the growing recognition of our model across the state. You can learn more about our specific session HERE.

Instructional coaching at Visions isn’t just support—it’s strategy, reflection, and partnership in action. That’s the Visions Advantage.

Professional Learning at Visions In Education

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White notebook with the work "Teamwork" surrounded by colorful images and icons of the different elements of teamwork.

Professional Learning at Visions In Education

At Visions, we believe that the growth of our educators directly fuels the success of our students. That’s why professional learning isn’t outsourced—it’s custom-built, in-house, and designed specifically for the unique needs of our staff and students.

Our Professional Learning & Innovation (PLI) Department works side-by-side with our educators, instructional leaders, and administrators to design engaging, relevant, and impactful learning experiences. From PLC implementation and curricular resources to instructional best practices and leadership coaching, every offering is grounded in our shared mission of equity, excellence, and student achievement.

What makes professional learning at Visions a true Visions Advantage?

  • Custom Design: Sessions are created by Visions educators, for Visions educators—aligned to California standards and tailored to our unique learning environments.
  • Practical Application: Every workshop, webinar, and coaching cycle connects directly to student and staff learning, ensuring strategies can be applied immediately.
  • Ongoing Support: Professional learning is not a single event but a continuous cycle of growth, reflection, and collaboration. We offer follow-up individual and group coaching sessions, along with asynchronous courses to meet the varied needs of our staff.
  • Shared Expertise: Our educators are learners and leaders, building a culture of collaboration that strengthens teaching and learning across all academies.

Impact in Action

In just the first two weeks of the school year, PLI provided a wide range of professional learning opportunities, reaching educators across programs. Early data shows:

  • High levels of participation and engagement in live sessions.
  • Positive feedback from educators on the relevance and usefulness of content.
  • Immediate application of strategies in planning, as reported in reflections and coaching conversations.

Professional Learning Data August 2025

This early success demonstrates the power of customized professional learning to accelerate both educator growth and student achievement.

Learn More About Our Approach

At Visions, we honor the professionalism of our educators by ensuring professional learning is relevant, responsive, and respectful of diverse learning styles. To do this, we draw on:

  • Adult Learning Theory – recognizing that educators learn best through collaboration, practice, and reflection.
  • Instructional Best Practices (IBPs) – evidence-based strategies proven to engage students and support learning.
  • PLC Frameworks – providing structures for collective teacher efficacy and shared accountability.
  • Continuous Feedback – gathering input from staff to ensure sessions meet their needs and build on their expertise.

This commitment ensures that professional learning at Visions is not only informative but also transformative—equipping our educators with the tools, strategies, and confidence to make an impact every day. 

Sharing Our Story at CSDC

This fall, a few of Visions’ PLI Department staff will be presenting at the California Charter Schools Development Center (CSDC) Conference, showcasing our approach to in-house professional learning and highlighting how we build systems that honor educators while driving student success. This opportunity reflects both the innovation happening at Visions and the growing recognition of our model across the state. You can learn more about our specific session HERE.

Professional learning at Visions: Designed here. Delivered here. For our staff, our students, and our future.






On the Road to Opportunity: Celebrating Our HopSkipDrive Partnership

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HopSkipDrive logo - a blue and orange seatbelt in the shape of a heart with the words "HopSkipDrive" next to it.

On the Road to Opportunity: Celebrating Our HopSkipDrive Partnership

The 2024-25 school year marked an exciting new chapter for Visions In Education as we partnered with HopSkipDrive to launch a pilot program designed to remove transportation barriers for students. The goal was simple but powerful: make it easier for every student to access school events, practices, and enrichment opportunities. And what a year it has been!

Students on the Move

Since the launch, HopSkipDrive has completed over 281 rides, helping students attend a wide range of events and activities. Thanks to this program, students were able to:

  • Cheer on their classmates and compete in basketball, soccer, and volleyball games.
  • Take part in club events, like The Stock Market Challenge, where Visions proudly earned 2nd place.
  • Experience the excitement of college tours.
  • Enjoy field trips to the River Cats game, Topgolf, MOSAC Museum, Alcatraz Island, and more!

These opportunities would have been out of reach for many without the support of HopSkipDrive.

Memories That Last

The rides didn’t just get students from point A to point B—they opened doors to new experiences and lasting memories.

  • On the Alcatraz field trip, students explored California’s history, from the ferry ride across the Bay to walking through the historic cell blocks.
  • At Park Socials, families joined in fun activities like tie-dye, puzzles, and yard games. These events became a chance for families to connect, laugh, and create moments they’ll always treasure.





A Community Effort

This pilot year was successful because of our families, staff, and community partners. Their support, patience, and collaboration made it possible for students to show up and shine. Together, they made sure no student was left behind, whether on the court, in the classroom, or at a family event.

Looking Ahead

In true Visions spirit, we’re committed to being “1% better” every year. That means growing this partnership to reach even more students and families who need transportation support. Here’s to more adventures, more connections, and more opportunities for every student!

Scaling Student Success: How Technology Enables Growth

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Beyond the Page and Visions In Education's logos on a blue gradient background.

Scaling Student Success: How Technology Enables Growth

At Visions In Education, a non-classroom based charter school serving over 7,700 students across 9,000+ square miles, learning has moved beyond classrooms and the one-size-fits all education model. For over 25 years, they’ve been serving Northern California families with a mission to educate and empower their students by leveraging technology and outstanding service.

At Beyond the Page, education is more than just textbooks – it’s creativity, hands-on learning, and critical thinking. Their unique and tailored approach to education allows families to take learning into their own hands, creating an educational experience personalized to each student.

Power in Partnership 

This past year, Visions and Beyond the Page partnered to improve and scale up distance learning for all types of students. Serving thousands of students across a vast geographic area, Visions requires a seamless, user-friendly digital platform that delivers essential educational resources – empowering families to support their students’ success.

Tom Tafoya, Chief Operations Officer for Visions, believes the partnership between Visions In Education and Beyond the Page will improve services by making it easier for families to find, purchase, and access personalized curriculum that best serves their students. 

Most importantly, this integration will enable Visions to scale resources by reducing administrative work for teachers, allowing them to focus on instruction and student success. In addition, this new integration will reduce the work of purchasing and accounting teams, enabling them to process more orders in the most efficient way possible.

“In addition to offering a user-friendly core curriculum that is engaging for Visions students, it is vital that Visions students receive curriculum in a timely manner so that they have curriculum on the first day of school. By partnering with Beyond the Page and implementing cXML, students receive an engaging curriculum in a timely manner, thus enhancing their educational experience,” said Michael Brubaker, Senior Director of Operations at Visions.

To achieve this partnership, Visions’ operations and technology teams worked with Beyond the Page to develop a Commerce Extensible Markup Language (cXML) integration, making it easier and more efficient for families to purchase curriculum and other educational items.

Uriel Gonzalez, Director of Technology Services for Visions, shared, “cXML partner integrations feel like magic, but it’s actually quite complex. Beyond the Page and Visions In Education integrations teams made adding this new vendor look easy. We are very fortunate to have such technological firepower at our disposal!”

The Proof is on the Page

As one of the most popular curriculum options with Visions’ Home School Academy families, Beyond the Page is now an Express Vendor in Visions’ trademarked LPAD Student Support System™, meaning families are routed directly through LPAD to the vendor’s website for easy ordering. They are also currently a Core Curriculum choice for ELA, Science, and History-Social Science.

“Visions selected Beyond the Page as a core curriculum because families and teachers have long enjoyed its literature-based approach to Language Arts and its engaging, hands-on projects, reflecting its long history of success in the homeschool sector and strong support from our communities,” shared Victoria Soria, Professional Learning & Innovation Manager at Visions. “It is because of this connection and commitment to our students that we are delighted to offer Beyond the Page with Visions’ custom pacing guides to ensure access to all grade level standards.”

We are proud to partner with Beyond the Page and look forward to our continued work in supporting students and streamlining our operations.

About Beyond the Page

Beyond the Page provides literature-based homeschool curriculum for families and teachers working through a distance learning or charter school. Their curriculum integrates language arts, science, social studies, and math for a comprehensive learning experience that engages students beyond the textbook. Through encouraging critical and creative thinking, providing challenging and engaging projects, and supporting different learning styles, Beyond the Page helps children grow in their love of learning.

About Visions In Education

Visions In Education is a tuition-free public charter school dedicated to supporting personalized learning within public education. For over 25 years, Visions has offered high-quality educational opportunities through four distinct programs, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and future. By providing a flexible and individualized educational experience, Visions In Education helps students succeed on their unique academic journeys.

Visions In Education Announces Inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees!

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Blue background with text that reads "Visions In Education Alumni Hall of Fame" and has the official Visions In Education logo.

Visions In Education Announces Inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees!

In August 2024, Visions In Education proudly launched our Alumni Hall of Fame through the Visions Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award, honoring those who have demonstrated exceptional professional and personal achievements.

We are thrilled to announce the inaugural class of inductees, whose accomplishments reflect Visions In Education’s values and serve as inspiring examples for our students:

Brian Abrigana

Class of 2010

Read his bio here.

Jessica Chavez

Class of 2008

Read her bio here.

Alyssa Edens

Class of 2017

Read her bio here.

William Lynch

Class of 2017

Read his bio here.

 

 

Tanner Zumwalt

Class of 2010

Read his bio here.

The awards celebration will take place on the morning of Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at Folsom Lake College, where we will have the privilege of presenting the awards to this year’s inductees in person.

The honorees’ photos and biographies will be proudly displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame at Visions’ main office and will also be permanently featured on the official Visions website and Visions’ internal website (The Wire).

This momentous occasion highlights a key milestone in Visions In Education’s 25-year history, honoring the contributions of our alumni and reaffirming our commitment to student success.