Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

Visions In Education COO To Present At Amazon Business Reshape Conference

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Amazon Business Reshape Conference Presenter Tom Tafoya

Visions In Education COO To Present At Amazon Business Reshape Conference 

At Visions, technology powers almost everything we do. Our trademarked LPAD Student Support System™ has continued to expand and improve over the years and this progress wouldn’t be possible without our partnership with Amazon Business. 

Since 2015, we’ve partnered with Amazon to strengthen ordering processes for our school. As a school that operates in nine California counties across hundreds of square miles, our ability to quickly and efficiently order curriculum and supplies for our families is non-negotiable. In the beginning, this partnership helped us serve around 4,000 students and resulted in $160,000 in Amazon purchases. Now, this integration helps over 7,400 students and 500 staff process $3.35 million in annual purchases that support our educational work.

This seamless connection allows our staff to focus on teaching and supporting students instead of spending hours processing paperwork and payments. Additionally, it gets materials to our families fast so they are prepared and ready to get the most out of their education. 

Sharing Our Story

Chief Operations Officer, Tom Tafoya, has been leading the charge when it comes to improving LPAD and expanding our capabilities with Amazon. Our model is a great example of what is possible for other schools so this year he is presenting at the Amazon Business Reshape Conference in Dallas, Texas!

Tafoya will join Amazon Business’ Director of Products and Technology, Satya Mishra, to explain how application programming interfaces (APIs) can streamline purchasing, reporting, user management and more.

As one of the largest charter schools in Northern California, investing in technology has been integral in sustaining a positive student experience for over 25 years. We look forward to sharing how our partnership with Amazon Business supports our families and how it could benefit other organizations as well.

Graduate Spotlight: Taking His Education Into His Own Hands

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Visions graduate in his cap and gown

Graduate Spotlight: Taking His Education Into His Own Hands

Colbey P. is a proud alum of Visions In Education. A student for two years in our Independent Study Academy, Colbey graduated as part of the Class of 2023, completing his work at his own pace and receiving his diploma early.

“I initially enrolled [at Visions] to challenge myself and try something new after already being successful in the classroom,” explains Colbey. “Visions gave me a support system of teachers and counselors who were willing to help 24/7, as well as gave me and my education a dedicated focus. Getting my diploma early opened up a lot of opportunities for me.”

Colbey’s credentialed teachers, Cheyenne Canada and Barbara Platt, supported Colbey through his entire journey at Visions, setting him up for success in both his high school and postsecondary education.

“Colbey was such a fun student to work with. He always gave his best effort in his classes, showed up for his meetings with a good attitude, and was happy to share about different things happening in his life,” says Cheyenne. “He had a strong interest in his Economics class and it was great to see him excited about school and learning.”

“I was able to succeed at Visions because the school helped provide me with a balance of school and other important things in my life, like spending time with my family, continuing my hobbies and getting my first job,” says Colbey. “Visions gave me the tools to be as hands-on as I wanted with my education, while still preparing me for life once high school finished.”

World-Ready

At Visions, Colbey was able to focus on his high school education, including working ahead to complete classes and taking behind-the-wheel driver’s ed, while also setting himself up for the future.

“Since graduating in the Fall of 2023, I have continued to work at that same job I started when I was at Visions. I enrolled at Cosumnes River College and completed my first semester in May, majoring in Psychology,” Colbey says.

His advice for current and future students is this – “You are never alone in this confusing time.” Like we did for Colbey, Visions provides support staff, extracurricular activities, social opportunities, and more to make the most of a student’s high school experience.

“Visions demonstrated…that in life, you have to figure things out…sometimes,” Colbey says. “[But] we were prepared for the real world by putting our education in our own hands.”

Visions graduate holding their diploma

Back To School Bash: A Night Of Connection And Community With Visions

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Visions students at a back to school bash

Back To School Bash: A Night Of Connection And Community With Visions

About 100 Visions high schoolers ignited the school year with their first-ever Club Rush Back to School Bash, an electrifying evening filled with laughter, camaraderie, and non-stop dancing. The crowd moved and grooved to their favorite hits by Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift, creating an atmosphere filled with school spirit and excitement.

The event emerged from a strong desire to kick off the academic year on a vibrant note while meeting the high demand for more social gatherings among students. Designed to strengthen connections within the Visions community, the Back to School Bash offered a unique opportunity for students to discover both new and returning clubs.

Mariana Rivera, Charter School Secretary, emphasized the importance of this event for the Visions In Education high school community, “This event is important because it allows students to explore extracurricular opportunities, fosters a sense of belonging, and sets a positive tone for the school year. It helps build connections among students and staff and promotes school spirit.” 

Behind the scenes, meticulous planning and execution by the student services team brought this vision to life. Rivera remarked that Christina McKinnis, whose dedication to organizing the event, ensured it was a resounding success. 

“A special shoutout to Christina McKinnis who has taken on the planning of activities at this special Back to School Bash,” added Rivera, “Her thoughts, efforts, leadership and communication have truly made this event a success.”




Discovering New Clubs

As students arrived, they eagerly signed in and set off to explore the variety of clubs available, from arts and academic societies to athletics. For those feeling indecisive about committing to a club, club advisors were on hand to answer questions and share their experiences.

“I came because I’m not sure what I’m interested in and I want to find more friends,” shared Alejandro, a Visions high schooler seeking to discover his passions. 

Returning students reconnected with old friends and familiar mentors. Coaches Ron Thomas and Kyle Novak were present welcoming back previous athletes while inviting new potential players to join the Basketball and Indoor Soccer Clubs, highlighting their commitment to expanding participation and building a stronger athletic community.




Building Connections

The evening was not just about clubs; it was also a time for students to engage in icebreaker games designed to facilitate interaction and foster new friendships. Through a series of engaging activities, participants were challenged to gather and share their common interests in music, hobbies, and experiences.

“I didn’t expect to see this many people,” exclaimed Ken, a Visions high schooler who initially just sought some fun. “Everyone has been so nice and welcoming.” Their sentiment echoed throughout the venue as students formed connections and rekindled old friendships.

Mitch Weathers, a credentialed teacher at Visions, spoke to the magnitude that events like this can have on student connection.

“I had a student who was anxious to attend the Back to School Bash, we met via Zoom and she shared she was brand new to Visions and did not know anyone at the school,” Weathers said, “She reached out to me to see if I was going to attend so she would have a familiar face.”

Weathers, unable to attend, sprang into action – reaching out to the University Prep team to see if anyone would be chaperoning. Credentialed teacher, Katie Barrantes immediately answered and joined on the Zoom call with Weathers and the student. 

After a quick introduction, the student grew more comfortable and even met with Barrantes at the event where they were able to connect in person.

“I could see my student relax and get excited for the Bash. Thank you, Katie, for taking the time to make this connection and for volunteering to even dance with my student at the Bash.” Weathers said.

Visions Starts Our 25th Year Serving 7,459 Students!

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Visions Starts Our 25th Year Serving 7,459 Students!

Our 25th year is off to a great start and we are serving more students than ever before! A total of 7,459 students began their first day with Visions this Tuesday, 500+ more students than began with us last year! Additionally, we have 400+ students currently waiting for a spot to open up in one of our programs.

Visions First Day of School Enrollment Numbers Since Becoming an Independent Charter School (by academy).

Careful, Measured Growth

Visions has taken a careful approach to growth over the years, ensuring that we can serve the students we have to the best of our ability before opening more spots. Since 2021, Visions has invested in socialization opportunities for all ages, mental health resources for students, and instructional & operational support that has paid off as more students than ever seek out our school and fewer students choose to leave.

This milestone is a testament to the quality of service that our dedicated staff and teachers provide and the trust our families put in our services. On behalf of everyone at Visions, thank you all for helping us achieve this historic milestone for our school! We hope to continue to deliver outstanding service to our current families and carefully grow over time as we have the capacity.

Learning Never Stops: A Spotlight On The Summer School Team

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Visions principal and student at graduation

Learning Never Stops: A Spotlight On The Summer School Team

Visions’ graduation ceremonies are the mark for many of the end of the school year. It often means summer break for both students and teachers, and a respite from the hard work of the academic year.

For some students, their educational journeys to graduation may look a little different from the traditional path. To help support those students who have failed a class, need to catch up on credits, or make it to the graduation finish line, Visions offers a Summer School program. Sixteen dedicated and passionate teachers from all academies, as well as a counselor, come together to provide students with the additional guidance needed to get back on track for their diploma.

“One of the reasons I wanted to take on the summer school program this year was because I empathized with the students who had been in either middle school or high school during the pandemic. I wanted to help them see that we/they can overcome obstacles and have a brighter future,” says Josh Imler, Independent Study Academy Vice Principal who took on the role of Summer School Principal.

With over 1,000 kids in this year’s program, meeting each student’s specific needs was no easy feat. It took countless hours of communicating with the students and their families, reviewing classes and transcripts, and motivating them to complete their work. Despite the odds, our summer school students truly stepped up, and we’re proud to say that we graduated 66 students from the Summer School program this year.

“Graduating high school…is LIFE CHANGING. So, any opportunity we can provide seniors/super seniors to earn back their deficient credits is vital,” says Dr. Mike Granchukoff, Independent Study Academy teacher. “I am so proud of our summer school students for following through and making the most of this opportunity! The successes in summer school this year have been record-breaking!”

1% Better

Our Summer School team served three categories of students this year – newly enrolled students who had failed a class at a previous school, continuing students who had failed a class at Visions, and, new this year, continuing students who needed additional support in math, which is a big factor for students to graduate.

“I had five…potential summer grads who would not [have] be[en] able to graduate without the addition of offering math this summer,” says Meghan McFadyen, Independent Study Academy teacher. “[It’s] amazing that these students now have the opportunity to complete high school over the summer with the addition of IM1A and IM1B being taught by our awesome summer math teachers.”

Although summer school is available for high school students in all academies, in our Independent Study Academy specifically, there is a huge need to recover credits. So many students come to Visions credit deficient, needing to get back on track to graduate with their cohort. The Summer School team was able to meet that need for nearly 1,300 students, recouping 7,000 credits (just short of 1,500 classes) during this year’s program.

“This is my third summer as a Credentialed Teacher in the Summer School program,” says Megan Sedillo, Independent Study Academy teacher. “I love that our school offers such a comprehensive program in the summer to help seniors graduate on time and to help credit deficient students make up for lost time.”

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Each and every one of our Summer School team members committed themselves to providing a program that kept students on track for their graduation goals, offering support from the very first day of orientation to the summer graduation ceremony on August 15th.

From Independent Study Academy teacher Chris Fischer helping our students learn to use Visions’ systems, to University Prep Early College Academy teachers Krista Magennis and Hilary Ducharme supporting our students through their math classes, to Independent Study Academy teacher Barbara Platt guiding students to the graduation finish line, teamwork truly does make the dream work.

“Everyone on the Summer School team has been super supportive, creative and helpful. My colleagues…rose to each challenge with grace and intelligence,” says Alison Sampson, Independent Study Academy teacher.

“Josh has been amazing as the Summer School admin, offering unwavering support and excellent communication with teachers. As the Summer School counselor, Kiely has been incredibly responsive in confirming and adding classes for students eager to take more courses during the summer,” says Mindi Rold, Independent Study Academy teacher. “Their prompt responses and clear communication have enabled us to serve our students quickly and more effectively. It was an amazing group, all dedicated to helping students meet their goals.”




“It’s just the right thing to do.”

Summer school is a second chance for so many of our students. The impacts stretch far beyond academics, and can affect a students’ confidence in themselves and their learning, their ability to persevere, and their opportunities for the future.

“The Visions summer school program can be particularly impactful for our students in several ways. Students are given the opportunity to focus on recovering credits while working on one class at a time. During our summer program, students are able to work with less distractions and the flexibility offers them the opportunity to complete their classes on their timeline,” explains Heather Bentley, Independent Study Academy teacher.

“I have seen students’ confidence boosted as they complete summer classes. Focusing on one class at a time and watching their grades go up has helped students feel motivated to complete them,” adds Erin Butler, Independent Study Academy teacher.

Visions will continue to offer summer school for our students who need additional support, even though it doesn’t count towards Visions’ Average Daily Attendance or funding. Year after year, we offer the program because it’s the best thing for our students.

“We get no revenue to run summer school,” says Superintendent Dr. Steve Olmos. “It’s just the right thing to do.”

“I am so thankful to the administration, the amazing teams, and the outstanding people who have worked together to support our students,” says Dr. Mike. “I am proud to be part of the Visions team because we take student success seriously!”

Thank you to our incredible Summer School team – Chris Fischer, Krista Magennis, Meghan McFadyen, Mindi Rold, Alison Sampson, Andy Vanden Akker, Brynne Wolfe, Dr. Mike Granchukoff, Sam Martinez, Heather Bentley, Erin Butler, Hilary Ducharme, Barbara Platt, Christina Schreiber, Megan Sedillo, Shenelle Sheets, Kiely Anderson, Christina McKinnis, Josh Imler, Gregg Moses, Jasmin Patel, Matt Patterson and Sarah McFarland

Thank you to the Visionaries who supported them behind-the-scenes with communication , technology, and more – The Marketing team, Lindsey Nance, Nancy Legalsi, Carlos Palomo, Christie Benavides, Tania Houchin, Rick Lilley and Soren Gutierrez

Visions’ Largest Summer Commencement: Our Last Class Of 2024!

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Visions’ Largest Summer Commencement: Our Last Class Of 2024!

On August 15th, the Visions In Education community had the honor of celebrating the graduation of over 60 students in our 2024 Summer Graduation Ceremony—an overall increase of 200% from last year. Visions family, staff, and friends gathered to celebrate the achievements of their students as they walked the stage, marking the conclusion of their high school careers.

In her address, Director of Instruction, Sarah McFarland, spoke directly to the graduates, “A journey that you started from the first day of Kindergarten has brought you all the way to the summer of 2024. You’ve learned perseverance from the countless hours you spent studying and resilience from overcoming unexpected challenges.”

Ron Thomas, Associated Director of Equity & Student Engagement, also addressed the graduating class, stating, “You have shown unwavering dedication to your development and your accomplishments; a true testament to your hard work and dedication.”

Tales of Resilience 

Josh Imler, Summer School Principal, was instrumental in supporting students that needed additional help in order to graduate on time. “To the summer 2024 graduates, you’ve overcome a lot during your high school years. Remember to use that experience to your advantage in life. We are fortunate to have been a part of your educational journey. We wish you a heartfelt congratulations! Well done!”

For Visions senior Velentino B., this is a momentous occasion for not only himself but for his family as well. “I just had to lock in on school, I had the motivation of my mother to keep reminding me that I need to do this. Visions allowed me to work on school while also working a job to provide for my family.”

Tales of resilience that go back 25 years, Visions In Education commencement ceremonies are always special for those involved.

Graduation day is the culmination of a long road stemming back generations for some families. Visions senior Abdul Hafiz A., a first-generation graduate, expressed his eagerness to walk the stage, “I want to thank my parents for their support to get me through school. Because of their sacrifices, I’ll have a high school diploma and I’ll be able to go to a good university.”

A Family Affair

During our summer graduation, we offer students the opportunity to recognize themselves and those who have guided them through challenges. This is done through the Rose Ceremony. This moment emphasized the idea that education extends beyond the classroom; it is an experience enriched by the support of a community.

Graduates were provided white roses to hand to audience members who they felt had helped them significantly in their educational journeys.

By recognizing the efforts of those who stood by them, students were reminded of their achievements and the importance of these connections throughout their academic and personal growth. Ultimately, this celebration brings to light that education is a family affair, rooted in love, support, and shared aspirations of success for the future.

Achieving Visions Success

Congratulations to our 2024 Summer Graduates! We look forward to seeing all that you accomplish as you step into your lives! See all photos from the big day on our Facebook page!








Welcome Back! Over 500 Visionaries Gather for Back to School PD

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Group photo of Visions In Education staff

Welcome Back! Over 500 Visionaries Gather for Back to School PD

On August 13th, 500+ Visionaries, including classified staff, certificated staff, and leadership, kicked off 2024-25 at our annual Back to School PD. This event is the first time each school year that every member of the Visions organization is together in one place, and this year’s event was nothing short of special!

Our 25th anniversary has been at the forefront of this year’s initiatives, and what better way to share our impact than through a video? Check it out below!

To further commemorate our 25th anniversary, all staff were treated to swag bags with new 25th anniversary t-shirts and water bottles, a gift card to our Spirit Store, and more! The day ended with an all-staff photo on the lawn in our new shirts, the perfect way to capture the spirit of the year.

“It was truly inspiring to gather all of our staff members in one location. It was a wonderful way to commemorate Visions’ legacy and mark our 25th year of serving students by reconnecting with our shared mission,” says Superintendent Dr. Steve Olmos. “I feel privileged to be part of the Visions family and am excited to celebrate this milestone throughout the 2024-25 school year.”








25 in 2024-25

With the new school year right around the corner, our Back to School PD is the opportunity for staff to share space and get inspired to head into our 25th year of serving students. Thank you HR, Facilities, IT, and everyone else who had a hand in making the day so successful. We hope you all have a great school year!

Visions Is Proud To Announce Our Alumni Hall of Fame Program!

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Blue Graduation Cap with Anything is possible spelled out in gold glitter letters

Visions Is Proud To Announce Our Alumni Hall of Fame Program!

As Visions In Education celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, we wanted to recognize some of the thousands of students who have been a part of our school community over the years. Some Visions alumni have distinguished themselves as they have moved on to higher education, some in the working world, and some have made a lasting impact in their community. Whatever their path, we want to celebrate these Visionaries and their achievements.

With this in mind, we are pleased to officially launch the Alumni Hall of Fame. To build the hall of fame we will annually present the Visions Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award. It recognizes and honors our outstanding alumni who have distinguished themselves professionally and/or personally.

We will honor the award recipients with their photos and bios in the Alumni Hall of Fame in Visions’ main office for five years and permanently on our website and the WIRE.

  • Eligibility: The award is open to all Visions graduates or former Visions students for whom circumstances prevented them from earning a high school diploma. 
  • Criteria: 
    • The nominees must have realized distinctive achievements in their personal lives and/or in their chosen profession, including, but not limited to, business, science, medicine, education, public services, arts, entertainment, sports, etc.
    • The award is open to alums who may be living or deceased.

We are incredibly proud of the impact Visions alumni have had in our communities over the last 25 years. We look forward to hearing about who you think deserves this special recognition. Please use the links below to send in your nominations today!



ONLINE


MAIL OR EMAIL

Family Spotlight: How Homeschooling Benefits the Whole Family

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Visions family

Family Spotlight: How Homeschooling Benefits the Whole Family

The Ayalas have been a Visions family for nearly eight years. Mom Sophia and dad Ruben have four boys – Josiah, Isaiah, and twins Ethan and Azariah – and had expectations for their children’s education long before they were students.

While safety and parental choice were high priorities for Sophia, Ruben wanted an educational environment that would go beyond traditional academics and teach his sons communication, cooperation, and life skills. The benefits of Visions’ Home School Academy, including curriculum options, a flexible learning environment, and numerous enrichment activities, was the perfect fit for both parents’ desires.

“I realized that at such a young age, it is necessary to teach our children the fundamental skills that could help them become productive citizens of society. In order to do that, they need to learn how to communicate and contribute to the community,” explains Ruben. “It is important to us to make sure that we teach our children values and principles that they can use every day, now and in the future. We hope that by their example, they encourage others also to contribute to the community and always be good neighbors wherever they may go, and what better place to do this than at home.”

As the Ayalas have adapted to a homeschool environment at Visions, they’ve found that not only are their fundamental needs being met, they are also experiencing countless other benefits of at-home learning. There is more time spent together as a family, the opportunity to meet the unique learning needs of each of their children, and the ability for their boys to give back to the community.

“Our children are gaining the fundamental skills they need to succeed in life, such as reading, writing and math. In addition, they are also learning that in many parts of life they have choices, but it is up to them to take responsibility for themselves so that they can accomplish their goals,” says Ruben. “Also, they are learning to give back to the community through volunteer work which is fulfilling, and they can take these principles and guidelines with them into adulthood to benefit themselves and others.”

Taking Advantage of Visions’ Advantages

In our Home School Academy, our parent partners work with our credentialed teachers to ensure that students stay on track with their education. The Ayalas are supported by CT Annmarie Woehler, who is a guiding light in all things curriculum, standards, and testing for the family.

“We have a fantastic relationship with our CT, Annmarie Woehler. We love her because you can tell she cares about each student and endeavors to work with them individually according to their needs. She is reasonable, communicates well, and has a great listening ear. We couldn’t ask for a better teacher.”

Beyond their academics, Josiah, Isaiah, Azariah and Ethan all love basketball, football, guitar, and ukulele, and the family uses their $3,000 budget to pay for these services from some of our Enrichment Vendors.

“We make good use of enrichment!” says Ruben. “All the boys take music lessons, from ukulele to guitar. In addition, the two older boys have learned to swim through swimming lessons.”

Azariah, Ethan, Isaiah, and Josiah with their CT, Annmarie Woehler, at one of our events!
Azariah, Ethan, Isaiah, and Josiah with their CT, Annmarie Woehler, at one of our events!

Selfie of Ruben and Sophia with Mrs. Woehler.
Ruben and Sophia with Mrs. Woehler.

Homeschooling Tips & Tricks

Having homeschooled for eight years now, the Ayalas have certainly found their rhythm, even through teaching four boys in three different grades. With set schedules, go-to teaching methods, and more, Sophia and Ruben have found what works best for their family.

“Preparation for the school day begins the night before, where we make sure that they go to bed on time so that they can feel good in the morning. We have the older two children start school at 8:00am and the twins at 9:00am,” explains Ruben. “Although we make a concerted effort to have a schedule, we also try to be flexible.”

“All our boys start with Language Arts followed by Math and, depending on the day, then do Science or Social Studies. In between we eat lunch and often play basketball and, when the weather is nice, we take a walk in our neighborhood [or] practice music,” Sophia adds.

With regard to teaching methods and learning styles, Sophia prefers to work one-on-one with each child. Doing so benefits each of the boys, who may learn differently from their brothers (even identical twins in the same grade!). Then, Sophia loves bringing them all together for group learning activities.

“I enjoy doing science group projects because it’s fun to work together, and the older children learn to help and include the two younger ones.”

“I also enjoy helping them to learn to work together by learning from each other’s strengths and having them practice together with things like spelling words and math flash cards,” adds Ruben.

At the end of the day, both parents endeavor to teach responsibility in their children. Whether it be through chore charts, daily check-ins, or together time spent completing their school work, their goal continues to be instilling a sense of self-sufficiency in all four boys.

Reaping the Rewards

Although homeschooling can be challenging at times, it’s an endeavor that is more than worth it for Sophia and Ruben. As parents, educational partners, and lifelong learners themselves, Visions is a place where parents and students alike can thrive.

“Homeschooling is a lot of responsibility, but at the end of the day, it’s a joy to see our children grow. They all shine with qualities that really make life special,” says Ruben. “We believe that it is our responsibility to teach our children and feel that it is so important to be with them to see them grow, since we cannot get these years back.”

“Homeschooling four children is very rewarding. It take constant readjusting and teamwork and consistency. As children grow and change, we can rejoice together in their progress and changes in a way we would not see first hand otherwise,” adds Sophia. “The reward comes from knowing we have taken part in our children’s education, and for that we as parents are very proud.”