Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

Student Spotlight: Marching to the Beat of His Own Drums

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Student Spotlight: Marching to the Beat of His Own Drums

 

On Christmas morning 15 years ago, two-and-a-half year old Brayden C. woke up to see his first set of drums under the tree. A gift from his “mema” and “papa”, Brayden describes immediately feeling “a deep connection to the drums” and the way they made him feel, even at such a young age.

Three years later, Brayden began taking formal drum lessons with ABC Music. At this time, he was also enrolled in Visions’ Home School Academy, remembering himself as an active child who needed something a little different.

“I was already drumming when I started kindergarten and was a very wriggly kid, so we knew a brick and mortar school would not fit,” shares Brayden. “I was already reading when I started kindergarten, so my mom had the creative freedom to create a custom education plan that kept me interested and challenged.”

Over the past twelve years, Visions has allowed Brayden to make music part of his everyday learning. He is still taking drum lessons with teacher Jeff Campitelli, using Visions’ vendor 851 Music Studio, and working closely with his credentialed teacher, Crystal Linnet, to stay on top of his school work and plan for his future. Not being confined to a traditional school day means Brayden can set his own schedule, work at his own pace, and stay inspired to create music at any time of the day.

“Most days I will use the beginning of the day to do part of my school lessons, then I have time to pursue my drumming and music production, and at night time, I get my lessons finished for school,” shares Brayden. “My favorite part about being homeschooled is that I can take my school work anywhere I go, so I can get the real world experience as well as finishing the personalized classes I’ve selected with Visions’ Home School.”

Taking His Show on the Road

Brayden is currently in six bands, playing everything from jazz to progressive rock to metal. One of the reasons Brayden was first enrolled at Visions was due to his family’s love of travel, which Brayden has experienced through touring with his different groups.

“I have performed at the Gilman and The Cornerstone in Berkeley, Cafe Colonial in Sacramento, in Seattle on a tour, in San Diego on a tour, The Phoenix Theater, 6 Flags Discovery Park, in Ukiah, [at the] Sacramento State Fair, in and around San Francisco, and…various places in the Greater Bay area,” says Brayden.

Currently doing dual enrollment at Diablo Valley College to get his associate’s degree in Music Industry Studies, Brayden wants to pursue a career in music, including touring with his current bands and becoming a sound engineer for other groups. Brayden also has his own studio where he records, mixes and masters his bands’ songs, and wants to one day open his own official recording studio.

“With every hit [of the drums] I feel like I’m telling an emotional story and instantly letting go of everyday stress,” explains Brayden. “I would never have had the freedom to play my drums like I have and get to where I am today with my drumming, guitaring, bass playing, recording, college and my busy schedule [without Visions].”

Fun Facts About Brayden:

He started playing on stage when he was eight years old and “caught the bug.”

His longest-running band is Raccoons at the Party. They’ve been playing together for eight years.

He is Pro Tools certified, which makes him more reputable in the recording industry.

Want to hear some of Brayden’s music? Check Out his Instagram, YouTube, and these groups on Spotify: Smilin’ Violet, The Jellyfish Method and Context is King. Stay tuned for more of Brayden’s Music coming soon!

Visions Community Enjoys A Blast From The Past at Living History Event!

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Visions Community Enjoys A Blast From The Past at Living History Event!

Earlier this month, students and families had the opportunity to travel back in time and experience history first-hand at our Black History/Living History event. 

Students were instructed to choose a historical figure who positively contributed to history. Once selected, students worked on project boards with facts, trivia, research and details that surrounded their figures. 

Before in-person meetings were affected by the pandemic, Living History Day was in high demand. Bringing this event to life post-COVID was a goal for Principal Edwina Cirelli, “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to bring it back in person this year, and to combine it with Black History Month.”

Our Black Student Union Club set up a table with free school supplies and drawing activities for attendees to draw inspiration from African American leaders in history. 

As families arrived, they were greeted by costume interpreters and were encouraged to explore all “exhibits”.

Visions hosted two rounds of figures totaling 22 total participants. Students dressed as their figure of choice to represent their project board as our audience of staff, parents and guardians walked around the room stepping on homemade paper plate “buttons”. 

Fashion First










Presenters waited nervously for someone to step on their button before starting a small pre-written script talking about their figures’ lives. Figures spoke about what types of meals were popular during their time periods and what past generations overcame to be successful in their fields. 

“The student presentations were really well developed, giving parent educators as well as students ideas for presentations next year,” Principal Cirelli said, “I learned so much from students, from King Tut to Amelia Earhart, and so many more, as did all who attended.”

As students transitioned from the first group of presenters to the second, attendees were treated with a presentation, “The Spirit to Overcome”. Students were invigorated with highlights including various historical achievements and the many “firsts” achieved by African American women. Students shared their goals and were encouraged by the stories shared of Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Bessie Coleman, and many more.

Students used the opportunity afterward to walk to the front of the audience and state their goals for their future professions. Students inspired by the figures and presentations actively used critical thinking skills to discover new and exciting career paths.

For Our Visions Communities

Our passionate Visions staff is committed to providing its students with unique and enriching educational experiences, and the success of this event showcases the dedication of our charter community.

Principal Cirelli added, “The lesson plans created by CT Mica Clements were well used, engaging students not only in historical research but also in practicing their oral speaking standards for all grade levels of English Language Arts.”

“Thanks so much to all the students who worked so hard on their presentations and took this opportunity to share their learning with us all!”, said Cirelli. 

Thank you to all the teachers and staff who had a hand in putting together another wonderful opportunity to learn from one another. For more information on regional events and how you can get involved click here.

Director of Student Services Matt Patterson Appointed to the California Practitioners Advisory Group

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Director of Student Services Matt Patterson Appointed to the California Practitioners Advisory Group

On February 9th, Director of Student Services Matt Patterson was officially sworn into the California Practitioners Advisory Group. This group is overseen by the State Board of Education and selects representatives from all areas of education – Administrators, teachers, parents, school board members and more – to provide input to the SBE in order to make informed decisions regarding policy implementation.

The open position with CPAG was initially proposed by Chief Academic Officer Dr. Micah Studer in the 2022-23 school year. After a statewide search, Matt was one of only four people selected and will represent charter schools as a charter school leader and Administrator.

“Director Patterson’s selection reflects a recognition of his unwavering commitment to excellence and his ability to inspire positive change. With a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the challenges facing our education system, this appointment underscores his leadership prowess and dedication to shaping a brighter future for education,” says Dr. Studer.

Now, Matt has the important job of receiving the information that’s coming down from different programs, organizations and legislators and soliciting feedback from Visions stakeholders to then bring back to the SBE in order to inform their decision-making.

“I’m coming into the CPAG position with the unique lens of our school and our needs as they relate to student outcomes,” says Matt. “I now have the ability to connect with all of our folks, be a listening ear, and bring the voice of Visions and the interests of our students and families to the State Board of Education and the California Department of Education.”

Looking Ahead

Matt will be serving a 3-year term with CPAG and in his position, has committed to doing the on-the-ground work in order to provide feedback on things such as the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), the California School Dashboard, federal programs and more.

He attended his first official meeting on February 9th (see the recording here – Director Patterson is sworn in at 03:45) and is looking forward to representing Visions and our students during his term.

“One of the things I’m most proud to represent is our foster student population,” says Matt. “I was a foster kid myself, and I firmly believe that where we start doesn’t determine where we end. I am honored to serve in this role to support the continuous improvement of equitable education services for all students.”

February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Awareness Month

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February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Awareness Month

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments and importance of CTE programs. Career and technical education offers students the ability to gain career skills and explore professions that interest them while still in high school.

By learning about the career options available to them early, students are better equipped to make informed decisions about their future and start building the career they really want. Visions is proud to offer three CTE pathways (Medical Careers, Game & Simulation and our new Cybersecurity pathway beginning Fall of 2024-25) that allow our students to build real-world skills before graduating and connect with valuable work-study opportunities. Check out the flyer below for more info!

Join the Celebration

  • Explore Your Options: Interested in health care? Want to go into the video game or cybersecurity industry? Learn more about Visions In Education’s CTE offerings here!
  • Start a Conversation: Interested in a CTE program but not sure where to start? Talk to your counselor to explore the options that are available to you.

Student Spotlight: How One Aspiring Esthetician is Finding Mentorship in Her Mother

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Student Spotlight: How One Aspiring Esthetician is Finding Mentorship in Her Mother

Fourteen year old Ajayla G. has been doing nails since she was ten. For the past four years, she has been watching her mom, Ericka, find her own path as a cosmetologist. Working side-by-side with her mom has helped Ajayla discover her own passion for cosmetology and esthetics, and she has been able to pursue both as an Independent Study Academy student at Visions.

“I have always loved nails, but never took the time to make them myself. When I came to Visions, that was a good chance for me to learn more about them,” shares Ajayla. “Visions give[s] me the resources I need to fulfill those dreams or goals I have for myself….[and] focus on my learning.”

“I am honored to be Ajayla’s mentor in all her cosmetology dreams,” shares Ericka. “Ajayla is always eager to learn more things. To see how passionate she is at such a young age, I am always amazed.”

Along with nails, Ajayla is passionate about skincare. Documenting her journey on social media and through her Directed Project (a course that allows students the opportunity to explore an interest), Ajayla has been given the opportunity to take an educational approach to one of her passions.

“Having ‘Esthetician’ as one of my Directed Projects allows me to take in knowledge of my skin and share my journey,” Ajayla shares. “I speak a lot about how my skin has progressed. I also speak on products I use [and] skin research.”

Growing Personally and Professionally

Ajayla prefers to work at her own pace, and with hobbies that require time, dedication and creativity, she has found that the flexibility of Visions has truly allowed her to grow as a student and a future esthetician.

“I like to work at my own pace. This gives me the ability to adapt to plans in my personal life. Being in…Independent Study gives me the opportunity to be adaptable and hardworking,” says Ajayla.

Jessica Wall, Ajayla’s credentialed teacher, echoes Ajayla’s sentiment of being hardworking, saying that she is an “overall responsible student.” Ajayla in turn credits Mrs. Wall for guiding her through her schoolwork, her Directed Project and future goals.

“I would like to shout out to my teacher, Jessica Wall. She has been very helpful when it comes to school,” says Ajayla. “Whenever I have a question or a thought, she is always there and ready to listen. Ms. Wall is a very understanding, flexible teacher.”

Nailing It

“I love all nail designs,” says Ajayla. “I love how everyone has different styles. I love simple nails, extra nails, long nails, short nails, etc. I love just about everything about nails and how they can act as an accessory.”

Ajayla would one day love to have her own business, and will continue growing her skills, followers and clientele through social media. With so much determination as a young student and budding professional, Ajayla is sure to design the life of her dreams.

“I appreciate how Visions has been so supportive. Anytime Ajayla needs encouragement, they provide that in abundance,” Ericka says. “I know that if she is this good now, she will be fantastic in the years to come and I will continue to support her on this journey.”


Home School Family Spotlight: Hands-On Learning

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Home School Family Spotlight: Hands-On Learning

When Mercedes S. was six years old, her mom, Sherina, enrolled her at Visions. Having heard good things from friends, and wanting a distraction-free learning environment for both Mercedes and her sister, Lily, Sherina enrolled both girls in our Home School Academy, knowing that her daughters would be receiving a rigorous education while having the flexibility of an at-home learning environment.

“We chose home school because we want our children to learn their academics without distractions,” says Sherina. “Visions has been able to offer our girls the best education and many other extracurricular opportunities.”

For Sherina, the extracurricular opportunities that Visions offers were especially important in her choice of school. With over 600 Enrichment Vendors to choose from, Mercedes found a favorite, Dream Xtreme Gymnastics, which has allowed her to pursue her sport and her education.

“Offering Dream Xtreme as a vendor…mak[es] it possible for me to go to…gymnastics school,” says Mercedes. “I get to see my friends. I also get to do flips and tricks, and I get to compete.”

Practice Makes Perfect

Mercedes is a hard-working student both academically and athletically. Dedicated to perfecting her gymnastics skills, Mercedes has been using the flexibility of Visions and the funds received for vendors to spend her time outside of school working toward her goals with Dream Xtreme.

“I moved up two levels from last season,” says Mercedes. “This season I am motivated to work harder and I am determined to get my back handspring.”

“My daughter has always tested a grade level ahead of the grade that she is in. She is also learning to do her best in everything that she does,” adds Sherina. “She is…doing really great in her Zoom classes in the morning and excelling in her learning skills through these classes.”

Team Spirit

From her own support squad to cheering on her fellow gymnasts, Mercedes knows how to get into the team spirit. At Visions, Mercedes’ teacher, Annmarie Woehler, supports Mercedes through live instruction and in-person check-ins. At gymnastics meets, Mercedes is cheered on by her family and her team.

“I got to compete…and won first place on floor during [the] state championships,” shares Mercedes. “It was exciting. I had a good time, and I cheered on my friends.”

Mercedes likes Visions because “it is fun and…[she] gets to learn new things.” With a quality education and strong spirit leading her forward, Mercedes is sure to shine in her future endeavors.

Main Office and Student Technology Services Closed 2/19 for Presidents’ Day

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Visions’ Main Office and Student Technology Services Closed on February 19th for Presidents’ Day

In observance of Presidents’ Day on February 19th, 2024 Visions In Education’s main office & Student Technology Services (STS) will be closed. Our office and STS will be closed all day and will resume services on February 20th at our usual hours.

Like Independence Day, Presidents’ Day is traditionally viewed as a time of patriotic celebration and remembrance. Originally a holiday celebrating the birthday of President George Washington, Presidents’ Day became a federal holiday in 1971 as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Read more about the history of Presidents’ Day here.

Finding a Home at Visions: A Spotlight on Vendor Support Analyst Kristin Shumaker

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Finding a Home at Visions: A Spotlight on Vendor Support Analyst Kristin Shumaker

Kristin Shumaker has worn many hats during her time at Visions, including Student Services Representative, Independent Study and University Prep Charter School Secretary and Administrative Assistant to the Chief Operations Officer.

Now, Kristin has moved on to fulfilling the role of Vendor Support Analyst. This position oversees our entire Enrichment Vendor program, working with organizations in the community to provide enrichment activities for our students. This analyst role is unique, as Kristin’s not only responsible for a heavy amount of back-end work, such as managing vendor contracts, maintaining vendor profiles, and overseeing our vendor sponsorship program, but she also plays an important role in managing vendor relationships. With over 600 current Enrichment Vendors spanning everything from art to academic enrichment to animal husbandry, it’s important that Kristin maintains a personal approach with each one.

“Unlike most, if not all, of the other analyst positions, the Vendor Support Analyst position is heavy on customer service. Most days, my phone rings multiple times, and it isn’t uncommon to come to work on a Monday morning with 30 or more emails in the Vendor Support inbox,” Kristin explains. “One of the things that I think is essential in my job is to make each vendor feel as if they are our most important vendor, whether they provide services to hundreds of our students or just one.”

Still new to the analyst world, Kristin is continuing to learn every day. Fortunately, she knows that with so many resources and people around her, she can lean on her team for support.

“My team is always willing to share their expertise with other teammates or anyone else in the organization. This is very important to me as a newbie analyst because chances are when I run into an issue, one of the other analysts can help me find the solution, or at least lead me down the right path,” says Kristin.

Making Her Mark

Regardless of role, Kristin has always found a way to leave an impact. Whether it was guiding the Records team as a Lead SSR or building the number of vendors from 200 to over 600, she has had a hand in the success of staff, students, families and the Visions organization as a whole.

“Kristin has done an amazing job since being hired as the Vendor Support Analyst last June. When Kristin began this role, we had a little more than 200 active Enrichment Vendors. Now we have 614!” shares Michael Brubaker, Senior Director of Operations. “In addition to getting additional vendors, Kristin has strengthened our partnership with existing vendors through her excellent service, effective communication, and her diligent work ethic. Through this work, Kristin also has enabled students in all three academies to enhance their education this year through the use of 24,000+ Enrichment eVouchers to date. I truly appreciate Kristin’s work and the positive impact that it has had on Visions’ students, families, and vendors.”

During the past eight years of working at Visions, Kristin has undoubtedly flourished, due in no small part to the fact that she knows the leaders on her team value her as an employee. Feeling like her voice matters and knowing that her colleagues trust her has allowed Kristin to grow in her role and continue making a positive impact.

“There are many people at Visions that deserve a shout-out, but I am especially thankful that [Chief Operations Officer] Tom Tafoya provided me the opportunity to come home to Visions as his Administrative Assistant after I left to pursue what seemed to be an appealing position at another charter school,” says Kristin. “During that semester that I was working for the other charter school, I realized that the grass is not always greener, and it sure is GOOD TO BE VISIONS!”

Work-Life Balance

Kristin’s husband, Michael, has been by Kristin’s side since 1989 when they met on a blind date on Valentine’s Day. Thirty three years of marriage later (34 in July!), they have two sons, Justin (31) and Nathaniel (23), and have spent countless hours reading, listening to Scotty McCreery and visiting the ocean together.

“One of the things that I like the most about Visions is being able to maintain a work-life balance,” says Kristin. “For the most part, I can leave my job at the office when I leave the building and focus my time on other important things in my life like my family and my well-being.”

As a previous stay-at-home mom, Kristin experienced first-hand how “priceless” time with her family is. Now that she’s back in the workforce, she emphasizes how fortunate she is that her roles outside of the office – wife, mom, daughter and more – are respected and valued here at Visions.

“I am blessed to work for an organization that values my work but also values my time away from work and understands that when life happens, employees need to take care of themselves,” Kristin shares. “After I lost my dad, [HR] told me to ‘be gentle’ with myself and to know that grief doesn’t have a timeframe. Those words prove to me that Relationships and Respect, two of Visions’ values, are lived out everyday from the top down.”





Fun Facts About Kristin:

She was born in Wisconsin.

She has a BA in Liberal Studies from CSU, Sacramento.

She played the French horn in middle school and high school.

She has had her photo in the newspaper twice – once when she was 5 and her family was waiting to watch a parade for the Milwaukee Brewers, and another when she was in middle school and was the Mission Oaks Park District’s volunteer of the week for their Camp Have-a-lot-of-Fun summer program.

Main Office and Student Technology Services Closed 2/12 for Lincoln’s Birthday

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Visions’ Main Office and Student Technology Services Closed February 12th for Lincoln’s Birthday

Visions’ main office and Student Technology Services (STS) will be closed on Monday, February 12th, 2024 in observance of Lincoln’s Birthday. We will resume operations during regular business hours on Tuesday, February 13th.

Lincoln’s Birthday commemorates the birth of Abraham Lincoln on February 12th, 1809. Serving as the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln led the U.S. through the Civil War, paved the way for the abolishment of slavery, and is remembered today as a symbol of liberty. To learn more about Abraham Lincoln, visit History.com.

National School Counseling Week is February 5th-9th

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National School Counseling Week is February 5th-9th

Every year during the first week of February, we honor and celebrate our counselors and their unique contributions to student success. Counseling supports and services are an essential part of a student’s education, and National School Counseling Week is an opportunity to educate our community about the importance of the counseling profession.

The counseling program at Visions provides students with the resources and opportunities to realize their potential and reach their goals. Through academic, social-emotional and postsecondary support, our counselors help our students become informed, active participants and leaders in their communities. Some of the responsibilities of our counseling team include:

  • Proactive, preventative counseling
  • Utilize an educational model focused on student strengths
  • Collaborate with all stakeholders, including students, families, administrators, staff and community members
  • Act as a change agent, especially for educational equity for all students
  • Advocate for all students to have access to rigorous courses
  • Maintain full accountability for student success

Celebrating Our Counselors

The Counseling team at Visions consists of a dedicated group of counselors and social workers. This team is here to help with everything from mental health and wellness to college and career readiness, so set up a meeting with one of our counselors today!

Hear What Staff & Students Have to Say About Our Counseling Team

“I must give special thanks to…my counselor, Ms. Deanna Stevenson, for helping me achieve my school goals.” – Jalissa W., Home School Academy

“Mrs. Winalski was a major help in helping me graduate early and plan out what I want to do after high school.” – Salwa A., University Prep Academy

“When I made the decision to apply to almost fifteen universities, [Counselor] Mrs. [Stacy] Callman was by my side every step of the way. I told her my dream school was Berklee College of Music and with her help, I got in!” – Daniela B., Independent Study Academy

“My counselor, Deanna Stevenson…helped me find scholarships and get on the right track for college. Now I know I want to be a lawyer.” – Zion P., Home School Academy

“As a new counselor to our community, Brittney [Hoffman] has jumped right in and is an amazing addition to our team. She is proactive, prompt with communication, a cheerleader for students, has already created grad plans and communicates ways she can support students. Thank you for serving students but also the teachers!” – Mindi Rold, Independent Study Academy Teacher

“Mariah [Ernst-Collins] and her [counseling] team truly go above and beyond on a daily basis with academic planning, synchronous instruction, crisis intervention and staff support. Not only is there great care in the people she and her team support, but also a true spirit of getting 1% better always to improve systems of support for students, staff and families.” – Matt Patterson, Director of Student Services