Justina Janas, Author at Visions In Education

About Justina Janas

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Entries by Justina Janas

Steve Phelps American Dream Scholarship Receives Generous Donation

December 9, 2021/in News

Steve Phelps American Dream Scholarship Receives Generous Donation

Thanks to the efforts of former Visions employee Peter Breton and the members of the Sober Riders Motorcycle Club, Sacramento Chapter, the Steve Phelps American Dream Scholarship received a $500 donation on behalf of the club.

Peter, who retired from Visions in 2019, helped to raise funds for the scholarship by selling raffle tickets to Visions employees in July. Sober Riders members also raised funds by reaching out to people in the larger Sacramento community. Each year, the club selects a local charity to receive a $500 donation. Since many of the members have a heart for education and the future of our youth, Visions In Education has been their selected charity for eight years.

Steve Phelps was also a former employee of Visions, but tragically died of ALS in 2008. Before passing, Steve set up the scholarship as a final wish and out of a hope that students would realize their potential and see that dreams become a reality through hard work and dedication.

“Steve was a personal friend of mine who I used to fish with,” Peter said. “He was a loving and caring person who cared about his students and their success above all else. I think this reflects all the teachers at Visions, and since the Sober Riders feel our youth deserve a reward for going above and beyond, Visions has been a natural choice for the scholarship for many years.”

The Steve Phelps American Dream Scholarship essay contest will open in Spring 2022. Watch this video to hear from Steve himself about why he set up the scholarship before he passed.

Thank you, Peter, and the Sober Riders for your generous donation!

Visions Recognized with 2021 APLUS+ Pioneer Award

December 9, 2021/in News

Visions Recognized with 2021 APLUS+ Pioneer Award

At a conference this October in Southern California, the APLUS+ Association of Personalized Learning Schools and Services recognized Visions In Education with a Pioneer Award for Proactive Policy Initiative. This award acknowledges Visions work to develop personalized learning policies and legislation to support school choice for students and families.

Founded in 2002, APLUS+ is dedicated to “supporting high quality personalized learning schools that are committed to academic excellence and to the highest standards of integrity and accountability.” At their annual conferences, APLUS+ recognizes several charter schools for their ongoing efforts in the area of personalized learning and student-centered education. We thank them for honoring us with this award. Visions was also recognized by APLUS+ in 2019 for our Exemplary Sustainability.

Thank You!

A big thanks to our Board of Directors and Leadership Team for working on legislation to support students and families in the personalized learning community. Your hard work and support ensures our school and others will be able to continue to offer high quality education options to students in California.

Student Spotlight: Aspiring Entrepreneur Gets Head Start on Her Dreams

December 2, 2021/in Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Aspiring Entrepreneur Gets A Head Start On Her Dreams

An aspiring filmmaker, homeowner, and business owner, Sanaa Brooks is keen to get a head start on her dream life and willing to put in the hard work required to get there. So when the time came to choose a high school that would allow her to work at her own pace and pursue her entrepreneur dreams, Sanaa and her family chose Visions In Education.

“I chose to come to Visions because I wanted to graduate early and the school I was currently enrolled in wouldn’t help me with my goal,” says Sanaa. Visions connected Sanaa with credentialed teacher Jessica Wall who worked with Sanaa and her family to create a schedule that helped her pursue her goals and put her on track to graduate early.

Girl Boss

“Managing my schedule as a student is very exciting for me because it keeps me very busy and it challenges me,” says Sanaa. “And who doesn’t love a good challenge?”

This go-getting attitude has served Sanaa well at Visions, and as her teacher explains, Sanaa has also developed key soft skills like communication and collaboration with her teachers.

“Sanaa is one of the hardest working students I’ve ever had,” says Jessica. “She’s also very communicative and reaches out for questions consistently.”

Taking the Next Step

Sanaa is currently seeking to enroll in community college to get a jump start on her college education. Her goals after she graduates include attending college, starting an AirBnB business, and pursuing her dreams of becoming a filmmaker. In the meantime, she hopes to continue spending time with the people she cares about, enjoying good music, and good films as well. Looking to the future, Sanaa is undaunted by the challenges that lie ahead and relishes the opportunity to realize her full potential.

“The more I do and learn, the more of life I get to experience,” says Sanaa. “And the more I experience, the more prepared I am for my future.”

Visions Student Signs National Letter Of Intent to Swim at Master’s University

November 17, 2021/in Student Spotlight

Visions Student Signs National Letter Of Intent To Swim At Master’s University

Visions In Education is proud to announce that Home School Academy Senior Kylee Sears signed to The Master’s University Swimming and Diving Team on November 10, 2021.

Kylee has been a Visions student for the past four years and during that time has swam competitively with the support of Spare Time Aquatics. Her brother, John “JT” Sears, is also signed to The Master’s University swim team.

One of her high school coaches, Matt Paige, had this to say about Kylee regarding her improvement over the past three and a half years: “In the 500 freestyle she’s gotten 47 seconds faster over the past three and half years. That’s monumental and it goes to show her dedication and that she’s always willing to put in the work … .bottom line she gets the work done, is willing to bring her smile and joy and her teammates certainly love her. I know at Master’s she will do so well in the NAIA. She had plenty of Division I offers but the fact that she’s willing to go to a school that shares her values so she can contribute to their program is fantastic. Congratulations.”

Master’s University Aquatics Director and Head Swim Coach, Olympic medalist Gabe Woodward, is eager to welcome Kylee to the team saying: “We are very excited to have Miss Kylee Sears come swim for The Master’s University! We see her as an outstanding addition to the team both in and out of the water and are excited to see the Lord grow her and use her. We will be watching her this season in anticipation of the beginning of her career as a Mustang next Fall. Go Mustangs!”

Kylee had this to say about her education: “I chose The Master’s University because it believes in educating the whole student, both mind and heart, inside and outside the classroom and intentionally has a small student body that allows for individual mentorship and discipleship in all areas of student life, academics and athletics. These are the qualities that I appreciate about Visions also … the individual attention and the development and concern for the student with individual learning goals and strengths.”

Congratulations, Kylee!

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

November 17, 2021/in Events

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

November is recognized as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, also known as Native American Heritage Month. Check out the video and resources below to learn more and get connected.

National Museum of the American Indian – includes informative recorded webinars and historical information.

PBS Video Playlist – includes programs about Native American leaders, art, music and cuisine.

NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov – official heritage month site including videos, events, history and more.

Sacramento Native American Health Center – provides native health services.

American Indian Child Resource Center – youth programs and support.

CA Consortium for Urban Indian Health – mental health resources.

Quotables

Get inspired by these quotes from respected Native leaders.

“When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists — as it surely will. Then act with courage.” – Chief White Eagle, Ponca

“I do not think the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, but rather how well its people have learned to relate to their environment and fellow man.” – Sun Bear, Chippewa

“I have seen that in any great undertaking it is not enough for a man to depend simply upon himself.” – Lone Man (Isna-la-wica), Teton Sioux

Heritage Month Origins

Grad Spotlight: Aspiring Law Student Raises the Bar

November 3, 2021/in Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Aspiring Law Student Raises The Bar

“I have had a lot of different ideas for careers I’ve wanted to go into over the years,” says graduate Nora G. “But they’ve mostly been centered around politics and law.”

As an aspiring law student, Nora always took her education seriously. But in 2019 she was confronted with an unexpected challenge when her former school closed. Faced with a choice, Nora and her family sought a different school. One that would support her interests and offer her a structured path to success.

In Visions’ University Prep program, Nora found the support she needed to chart her career and plan her life after high school. She developed essential skills like time management and personal accountability.

“Managing my own schedule was great for me,” says Nora. “Managing what work I need to get done mostly on my own was fairly natural.”

Nora tackled her coursework with determination, working hard to progress at her own pace. As part of the Find Your Voice writing class, Nora had the opportunity to write and share her original work in a published book. She even returned to mentor middle school students after she had completed the course. She also got a headstart on her college credits with the support of her teachers and counselors, developing her French skills while earning her high school diploma.

“My relationship with my mentor teacher Ms. Nichols was great,” says Nora. “She was very encouraging and was always very supportive; I enjoyed having her as a teacher.”

Graduation and Beyond

Through hard work and determination, Nora was able to graduate early as part of the Class of 2021! Her goals are to work for a few years to save money for college and then attend a four-year university to complete her degree in law or politics. She credits Visions with helping to further her personal goals and help prepare her for post-graduation life.

“Visions honestly was better than I expected for preparing me for life after graduation,” says Nora. “If I could choose to do high school over again, I’d probably decide to go to Visions sooner.”

Filipino American History Month

October 20, 2021/in Events

Filipino American History Month

Filipino Americans are the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinos and African Americans, and they are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation. Their rich history is recognized in October as it commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the United States. On October 18, 1587, “Luzones Indios” arrived in what is now Morro Bay, California.

Immerse yourself in Filipino American culture by checking out these learning resources, activities and community groups.

Art & Recipes

Create a mixed-media painting inspired by Filipina American artist Pacita Abad.

Try making pancit molo, a wonton soup recipe. Watch this video for a step by step guide on making the dish and to learn it’s history.

Books & Virtual Storytelling

Picture book reading list for younger children – learn about folk tales, the Filipino language and more.

Reading list for teens and adults – includes poetry, fiction and nonfiction recommendations.

Watch this Oden the Giant storytime with Asian Art Museum storyteller, Ann Riley.

Podcast

Listen to the “This Filipino American Life” podcast – the Filipino American hosts explore the experiences of Filipinos in the United States.

Additional Resources

Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) – includes history, learning activities, curriculum, art and more.

Community Groups

Fil-Am of FSV: Filipino-American residents of Fairfield, Suisun and Vacaville.

Visit their Facebook page for history, facts and events

Little Manila Rising – Stockton: After school programs, dance, health assistance and martial arts.

Asian Resources – Sacramento: Youth employment resources, support services and workshops.

Filipino Americans of Northern California – Sacramento, East Bay & Beyond: Community resources, scholarships and workshops.

Philippine National Day Association – Sacramento: Youth leadership, scholarship opportunities and mentoring.

Lead Filipino: community organization serving San Jose and beyond.

Grad Spotlight: Lifelong Learner Follows Her Own Path

October 20, 2021/in Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Lifelong Learner Follows Her Own Path

Faten Seyoury has always known the value of a good education. A passionate and curious student, Faten worked diligently for years until her family had to move and she was faced with a choice. She needed a school that would support her love of learning, allow her to pursue her goals at her own pace, and support her unique needs as a learner.

At Visions, Faten was connected with a qualified credentialed teacher Forouzan Soufi-Siavosh. She also gained the support of counselor Nina Handal who helped her chart her educational course.

“She not only helped me reach my goals but helped me become a better person,” says Faten. “She always believed in me, encouraged me, and still encourages me to do better and to further my education.”

With the support of her teacher, counselor, and other Visions support staff, Faten settled into the flow of the Independent Study program. As an Independent Study Student, she learned vital soft-skills like accountability and time-management while working on her high school diploma. She also received support as a bilingual student and improved her English skills, working with her teachers to work and learn at her own pace.

“Being an independent study student taught me to be more responsible and helped me become more independent not only school-wise but also in my life,” says Faten. “It taught me to trust myself.”

Life After Graduation

Faten successfully graduated as part of our Class of 2017 and has moved on to pursue a career in the medical field. She currently works as a medical assistant while finishing up her nursing education and hopes to become a registered nurse once she’s finished. She thanks her teachers and Visions’ staff for helping her awaken her true potential and navigate the challenges of life after high school.

“Visions’ staff helped me grow so much as a person and improved my English skills,” Faten says. “I had such great staff that I remember their names to this day.”

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month: Superintendent Spotlight

October 8, 2021/in News

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month: Superintendent Spotlight

For Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month we want to spotlight our new Superintendent, Dr. Steve Olmos. His Hispanic heritage played a large part in his journey to becoming an educator.

Steve’s parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico. Although his parents came to the US before they started a family, Steve was raised speaking Spanish and frequently visited his grandparents in Mexico. He vividly remembers when he started school how scared he was, as English was his second language and he was still learning to translate the basics like colors and shapes. Luckily he attended a small elementary school and was able to receive the one-on-one attention he needed to learn English and excel in school.

High School Years

His transition to high school wasn’t as easy. He went from a small rural school to a large high school and his grades declined. He stayed involved in sports and CTE/ROP automotive classes but struggled when it came to excelling and planning for his future. After graduation he started working in a factory while attending community college. The words of his favorite and most supportive teacher, Mr. Perez, got him to return to college after dropping out to work full-time.

Mr. Perez had been Steve’s Spanish teacher all four years of high school. He had even written the recommendation letter that helped Steve get the factory job. But the letter came with one condition, that he didn’t give up on his education.

“I could have easily continued down this path if it were not for Mr. Perez planting the seed to not settle for what I had,” said Steve. “He is the reason why I became a teacher.”

College and Beyond

After attending Butte Community College he transferred to Chico State where he received his Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies with a minor in Spanish and a multiple subject teaching credential. He then earned his Master’s Degree from Pepperdine University and a Doctorate from the University of Southern California.

Steve taught middle school, served as vice principal, principal and high school site administrator before becoming a superintendent at Willows Unified School District. Before transitioning to Visions he worked with two offices of education, the Butte County Office of Education and the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Embrace Your Heritage

Steve’s story is inspiring. As a first generation child of Mexican immigrants he had to overcome hurdles. But with a personalized education and a supportive teacher relationship he was able to get a high level of education and now has a fulfilling career serving students that face many of the same challenges.

The connection between his story and Visions In Education’s mission and values is clear. Steve intimately understands the importance of individualized education, personalized learning, one-on-one teacher relationships and dedication to students.

We’re so happy to have him on board and we hope his story inspires you to continue learning and reaching for the stars no matter what struggles you face.

Grad Spotlight: Award-Winning Graduate Reaches for The Stars

October 4, 2021/in Student Spotlight

Grad Spotlight: Award-Winning Graduate Reaches For The Stars

For Tia Kawazoe, Visions was part of her family life from Kindergarten to graduation. A dedicated reader, swimmer, and avid knitter, Tia’s parents wanted to offer her the same personalized learning and flexibility that her older sister already enjoyed as a Visions student.

With the help of a team of qualified credentialed teachers, Tia was able to get a quality education that allowed her to pursue her interests. At Visions, Tia learned valuable time-management skills and how to balance a rigorous course load with a schedule of extracurricular activities.

“I had to be diligent about my time,” says Tia, discussing her strategies for completing her schoolwork. “I would set an hour timer and do school for an hour. Once the timer rang, I would take a break and then start up again.”

Once in high school, Tia distinguished herself by tackling new academic challenges in preparation for college while still finding time for extracurricular activities. With Visions’ support, Tia began taking community college classes to get a headstart on college. She participated in the Find Your Voice writing program and became a Life Member of Visions’ branch of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), earning scholarships for enriching her community. Tia also had the opportunity to shadow members of the Sacramento District Attorney’s office, gaining valuable insights into a career in the criminal justice field.

Next Steps

Tia was part of our graduating Class of 2021 and one of the recipients of the Steve Phelps American Dream Scholarship! She plans on attending Solano Community College to continue her undergraduate work before transferring to a four year university. She credits her mother and her Visions’ teachers for helping her succeed and discovering her true potential.

“All of them have been extremely supportive,” Tia says. “They helped me flourish as they worked with my mom to create the best academic and life plans for me.”