About Ronaldo Gomez

This author has not written his bio yet.
But we are proud to say that Ronaldo Gomez contributed 241 entries already.

Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

Board of Directors Spotlight: Meet Sandra Morales

May 14, 2024/in News

Board of Directors Spotlight: Meet Sandra Morales

Please share why you volunteer on the Board at Visions In Education.

Visions is renowned for its trailblazing approach to education. I am passionate and driven by a desire to push the boundaries of traditional education. I’m eager to contribute my skills and insights, enriching the school’s journey towards achieving its forward-thinking mission and goals.

What is it about Visions that made you want to be part of our school community?

Visions’ mission resonated with my personal interests and professional goals. I wanted to be part of an organization that shares my dedication and commitment to pioneering educational innovation, fostering student success, and championing diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.

How might you describe the difference that our teachers and staff are making by meeting the individual and unique needs of each student?

At Visions, teachers and staff create an environment where students feel seen, heard, and supported as individuals. This fosters a sense of responsibility that lays the foundation for lifelong learning, personal fulfillment, and success in their chosen paths.

What is one way that Visions is making a difference in our community from your perspective?

At Visions, the staff is committed to equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue their passions and overcome challenges. In doing so, they transform students’ educational experiences, empower them to reach their full potential, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.

As a member of the Board, you have an important policy and oversight role to ensure the school is achieving its mission. How would you describe your role in holding Visions accountable for meeting our goals to a variety of stakeholders, including families, staff, and taxpayers?

To families, my role on the Board is to ensure that Visions provides its students with the best possible education and support. I would also like to emphasize the crucial role your feedback plays in our decision-making process. Your insights and concerns are invaluable in helping us better understand your needs and improve our services. We can work together to ensure that Visions remains a place where every student can thrive.

To staff, the Board’s oversight role is essential for maintaining a supportive and conducive work environment for staff members. This includes prioritizing staff well-being and professional development. As board members, we aim to provide policies and direction to create an environment where staff feel valued, empowered, and equipped to fulfill their roles effectively.

To taxpayers, the Board’s commitment is to ensure that the educational needs of Visions students are met with utmost efficiency and effectiveness. To achieve this, we closely monitor Visions’ financial performance, budget allocations, and compliance with regulatory requirements. By holding Visions accountable for meeting its objectives, we fulfill our dedication to providing high-quality education that yields a good return on investment for taxpayers and contributes positively to the community.

Overall, my role on the Board involves balancing the interests of various stakeholders while fostering transparency, collaboration, and a culture of accountability.

What are you most passionate about? How are you able to pursue that passion by serving on our Board?

I’m passionate about advocating for resources to improve education and making a meaningful difference in the lives of students and communities. Serving on the Visions Board provides a platform and opportunities for collaboration to promote, innovate, advocate, support, and champion initiatives that foster inclusivity and advance the quality and accessibility of education for all students.

1% Better Celebration

May 13, 2024/in News

1% Better Celebration

As we reflect on the year so far, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate all the great work our school has done to get 1% better each day for the students we serve.

Some of the changes we’ve made, including implementing grade banding, focusing our Home School Academy on TK-8th grades only, and changing our PD schedules to accommodate teachers, have come from feedback and as a response to challenges our staff face. Thanks to all of our staff as always for frankly and courageously sharing their perspectives; their insight into their work and the experiences of our students is vital when it comes to building a better school.

We are excited to share with you some organizational updates and let you know where we are at with important projects.

Movin’ On Up!

One of the highlights this year was the purchase of 11931 Foundation Place, as our new and final headquarters.
Work continues on the building, with the new sign installed and major infrastructure work underway.
We are finalizing construction plans in the next few months and working with contractors to get the new building ready to move in. We have also sold 5030 El Camino for $2.8 million dollars.

Legislative Outreach Efforts

Visions is joining the conversation around charter schools and the role Visions plays in the public school system. This year we continued our legislative outreach efforts, meeting with state leaders and their staff to inform them on the impact our school makes. We’ve also contributed to discussions around charter school best-practices in fruitful meetings with the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) and the California Department of Education (CDE).

New Technology for Staff and Students

Visions is investing nearly $4 million dollars to replace both student Chromebooks and staff MacBooks that are reaching the end of their life cycles. This new technology investment is a response to concerns raised about our current technology and an effort to equip our students and staff with the tools they need to succeed. Our Technology Services team will be completing this work over the spring and summer as we purchase and distribute nearly 10,000 new devices. We’ve also added additional staff in STS to expedite technology ordering and Student ID processing this coming fall.

Improving Ordering Processes

Over the last year, we have made improvements to the way we handle ordering to make the staff and student experience more seamless. This work includes adding staff to support ordering and enabling early ordering for IS/UP Students for the first time. We also worked with more than 20 teachers to create a custom Amazon interface in LPAD to simplify ordering and approvals for supported materials. This year over 90,000 orders were addressed and over 62,000 orders were processed; an all time record!

Home School Academy Updates

Our Home School Academy continues to refine our TK-8 offerings, including rounding the bend on the curriculum refinement project which will be rolled out over the next few years. We also began implementing our Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) grant by training teachers, creating Pre and TK specific events, and providing students with backpacks and materials.

New! Online Middle School

For years we have heard from both families and teachers that middle school students need a structured option when parents want their children to learn from home and need additional support to meet grade level standards. To respond to this need, we are launching an Online Middle School program this fall for students in Grades 7 and 8 with more structured schedules and direct teacher instruction.

High School Academy Updates

Our high school academies are also changing the way we help our 9-12 students succeed. We changed the way we enroll and onboard students based on teacher feedback, orienting spring semester students in a new way and orienting all new students on Monday to set them up for success in the week. Graduation requirements have also shifted as a result of a collaborative effort between teachers, administrators, and counselors, putting more students on track to graduate with their peers.

NEW! Independent Study Credit Recovery and Early College

We are piloting a Credit Recovery program for Independent Study students who arrive experiencing credit deficiency. This program will provide focused support to students who need a little extra help catching up on lost learning.

Meanwhile, our University Prep Early College academy is offering students enhanced community college opportunities, including the ability to graduate with at least 12 college credits and possibly an AA degree! Students will be supported by both Visions staff and community college counselors with the Los Rios Community College District.

Building Out Counselor Support

This year, our counseling team has responded to 326 intervention requests and built out our team of counselors to allow smaller caseloads and increased 1:1 support from counseling staff.

College and Career Preparation

High school students at Visions now have more opportunities for college and career development than ever! Our CTE Program continues to expand, adding the video game design pathway this year and the cybersecurity pathway to begin in Fall 2024.

Other Organizational Wins

Board Policy & Required Notification Tool in LPAD

After exploring options to house our Board Policies in a third-party board information service, Visions decided to develop and produce our own Board Policy & Required Notification tool housed in LPAD. This tool allows users to search for policies and access the latest version through LPAD.

Professional Development Scheduling

In response to teacher requests for more uniformity and consistency with our PD scheduling, our team has adjusted our August training schedule for 2024 to be more intentional about Carmichael and Regional in-person days to better respect our teaching staff’s time and commitment to travel.

Supporting All Students

Our efforts to provide wraparound support for all students this year increased, including seeking new funding sources (including Title and Special Education funding to go towards positions to support our students). Our Special Education team made some important strides this year, increasing the number of school psychologists to serve students and working with teachers in our communities to bring support to our students where they are.

Multilingual Students also received an increase in support with the establishment of the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) to give English learners a voice at Visions.

SchoolsPLP Curriculum

For many years, we’ve heard some concerns from teachers about BrightThinker as a curriculum source. As a result of your feedback and choices made by BrightThinker to end their relationship with SchoolsPLP, we will be moving to Lincoln Learning starting Fall 2024. Our instructional services team will be working hard over the summer to get our school ready for next fall and more details will be shared, including how this will affect our teachers.

Communicating More Effectively

With the number of things happening at Visions, keeping our staff and families connected and informed is critical. Our Communications team has responded to student needs this year, improving our event communications plans by consolidating information in the Events Express.

Superintendent Olmos also consistently reached out to both office staff and teachers with Treats with Steve listening sessions to gather employee feedback and suggestions.

Passing the Test

Visions also made some serious strides in testing, notably achieving 95% Participation in CAASPP as a result of working together to encourage students to test. We also achieved over 90% participation in iReady Middle of the Year (MOY) exams for students two or more grades behind.

Compound Interest Pays Off!

All these little wins have added up to big results for the students we serve. As of LP8 this year, our enrollments are up while our withdrawals are falling! Students want to come to Visions more than ever and are staying with us longer as well.

Our success is the product of all staff providing excellent service and continuing to find new ways to win on behalf of our students. Thank you all for the outstanding work you have done this year and, as we look ahead, here’s to another twenty-five years of getting 1% better daily!

Teacher Appreciation Week Is May 6-10!

May 7, 2024/in Events

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10!

May 6-10 is National Teacher Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the great educators that have made an impact in the lives of our students!

All month long, we asked students and parents to shout out their favorite teacher and explain how they made an impact on their lives. Nearly 500 families responded with heartfelt messages of thanks and appreciation as well as pictures of your favorite teachers. Our Communications Team took all these shoutouts and compiled them into one board.

See our Gratitude Board Here!

Here you can see all of the lovely messages of gratitude our students and parents have sent in.

*Note: These shout outs are in the students/parents’ own words and represent their own perspectives on their teacher.

Thank You!

A big thank you to the teachers, para-educators, tutors, and other educators in our community that make the work we do possible. Our school has lasted as long as it has on the backs of creative, dedicated teaching professionals who put their hearts into their work and deliver excellent results for the students we serve. We are grateful to serve alongside such talented teachers!

Supporting Our Special Education Students: A Spotlight on Kristin Decker

May 7, 2024/in News

Supporting Our Special Education Students: A Spotlight on Kristin Decker

Special education Case Manager Kristin Decker is an Amador County native and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo alumnus. While working towards her master’s in Special Education, she received her Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe credentials from National University, a complement to her Social Sciences major and Law minor. Although she didn’t initially set out to become a special education teacher, Kristin soon found that it was exactly where she was meant to end up.

“I had originally intended on getting my general education credential but was advised that a special education credential would help me get ‘my foot in the door,’” Kristin shares. “After my first week of working with our exceptional students, I knew special education is exactly where I was meant to be for my teaching career. I love serving our students and could not imagine being in education without supporting our students with exceptional and individual needs.”

After completing her education, Kristin initially began her career as a vocational technician. Soon after, she became a Moderate/Severe Special Education teacher for the Calaveras Transition Program, eventually going on to become the Inclusion Specialist for the Calaveras County Office of Education. As someone who puts heavy emphasis on relationship-building, Kristin wanted to continue to expand her work with and impact on the special education community. So, in 2022, she became a Case Manager at Visions and began to find her niche within our unique community.

“Relationships are key in this position and it is one of my favorite pieces of what I do. I have wonderful families that I get to establish relationships with here at Visions,” shares Kristin. “It is unique because in a seat-based setting, you don’t typically get to know a parent to the degree that I do here at Visions. It makes it such a wonderful experience to be able to work so closely with both the student and the parent.”

Kristin hasn’t only become close with her special education families, but with the special education staff as well, including other case managers, Special Education Manager Loretta Holder, and Director of Special Education Jessica Lauder.

“Our SPED community is a great one. The teachers are always collaborating and bouncing ideas and suggestions off one another. I know if I have a question, I can send it out to the chat and so many of my coworkers will reply with suggestions and what has worked best for them in the past,” says Kristin. “Jessica Lauder is a wealth of knowledge and information and has been an incredible support to me with some of the trickier questions and situations. Loretta Holder makes me feel appreciated for my work and support to the department.”

“I want to express my deepest appreciation for the incredible work that Kristin does in her role as a Special Education Case Manager here at Visions,” says Loretta. “Her unwavering dedication and compassionate nature in supporting students, their families, and colleagues is truly commendable. Kristin’s expertise in special education and her passion for making a positive impact in the lives she serves shines through in everything she does. Kristin is a joy to work with and an outstanding asset to our organization and community!”

A Career and a Calling

The work our case managers do with our special education community is truly unique. From supporting and assisting with IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) to providing direct instruction to students to working with numerous service providers, our case managers are equipped with a unique set of skills that helps our special education students find success here at Visions.

“I have gained so much knowledge around different SPED procedures. Working so closely with credentialed teachers and gen ed administrators has given me invaluable insight to general education and what our teachers are doing daily to help enrich the lives of our students, not just academically, but socially and emotionally,” says Kristin.

Although she’s only been at Visions for two years, the knowledge and experience Kristin has gained working with our special education staff and families has been invaluable to her career.

“Working at Visions has allowed me to grow professionally in my career. The knowledge I have gained from the different experiences I have had has been so wonderful,” Kristin shares. “I have been exposed to a vast amount of cases allowing me to learn and grow in each situation. I am truly grateful for so many people when it comes to their support, ideas, collaboration and commitment to our students.”

Family-Focused

Outside of work, Kristin likes traveling, playing games, and spending time with her five year old daughter, Rylee. Whether it’s adventuring to the local park, the nearest Starbucks, or Disneyland, Kristin loves hanging out with her family outside of the time she gets to spend with her Visions families.

“I love my students, the families and my coworkers. I have learned so much from each one of these people,” Kristin shares. “I am able to meet with students and families in person on a regular basis which continues to fill my cup and teacher’s heart. Coming to Visions has truly been one of the biggest career blessings of my life and I am thankful for my job everyday.”

Congratulations to Visions’ 2023-24 State Seal of Biliteracy Honorees!

May 2, 2024/in News

Congratulations to Visions’ 2023-24 State Seal of Biliteracy Honorees!

Tuesday, April 30th, marked the annual Sacramento County Office of Education State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) Recognition Ceremony. The ceremony was hosted at Center High School’s Auditorium where over 200 students from schools and districts participating in SCOE’s Language Exam Program were honored for their multi-linguistic ability and contribution to a more inclusive and globally competitive postsecondary education system and workforce.

Nine of Visions’ 45 students who earned the Seal this year attended the event with a member of their family. Students in attendance included Camila R. (IS, Spanish), Olivia M. (UP, French), Madelyne O. (IS, Spanish), Malakai P. (UP, Spanish), Julie S. (UP, Russian & Ukrainian), Emily V. (IS, Spanish), Mark Y. (UP, Russian), Guillermo Z. (HS, Spanish), and Karina Z. (UP, Ukrainian).

Visions is extremely proud of these students and the 36 additional Seal honorees who were not present at the recognition ceremony. All students will receive official certificates by mail acknowledging them for this accomplishment and the official Seal decal (to be affixed to their High School Diploma) and medal at Grad Checkout. The number of Seals awarded to Visions’ students increased by 48% from the prior year, with students passing Oral and Written SSB Exams in Armenian, French, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian. Four students earned the Seal for proficiency in two non-English languages.

Congratulations again to all Visions’ SSB honorees! And thank you to the many families, teachers, counselors, and administrators who supported these students in their multilingual education and development.

State Seal of Biliteracy efforts were coordinated internally by Silvia Covarrubias of Assessment Services. Staff who supported Oral and Written Exam efforts included Yelena Dmitriyeva, Edith Diaz, and Esmeralda Rodriguez of Enrollment Services, Lyubov Rusu-Carp of Special Education, Melinda Lewis of University Prep, and Home School Principal Julie Cole.

Student Spotlight: A Space For Every Learner

April 30, 2024/in Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: A Space For Every Learner

Ten-year-old Dominic D. loves showing off his baseball swing, his bowling form and his dance moves. In the car on the way to his speech therapy appointments, he listens to Meghan Trainor. If he’s not doing his schoolwork, he’s performing in The Nutcracker, throwing the first pitch at the Sacramento River Cats game, or flying airplanes. In Dominic’s world, there truly are no limits.

As a child with Down syndrome, Dominic has always had a unique learning experience. He began in public school as a kindergartener, where he was learning alongside general ed students. Despite having access to special education services, Dominic lacked the opportunity to learn about topics that interested him, and it was made clear by the school that there was no room for differentiated learning.

“Dominic has always been such a smart and curious person. He just loves to learn!” says Dominic’s mom, Keiri. “Although he had access to special ed services, he did not have access to the topics he enjoyed learning. We were told he was ‘behind’ on his sight words, but he wasn’t recognized for his knowledge of our founding fathers. He didn’t identify letter sounds appropriately 100% of the times that he was assessed, but he could correctly identify the politicians trying to run for president in 2020. There was a very clear message sent to us that watching the news and learning American history as a kindergartener was not going to prepare Dominic for 1st grade.”

Of course, in the back of Keiri’s mind were thoughts like: “Why couldn’t he learn his sight words WHILE he’s learning about the history of our country? Why couldn’t he practice letter sounds WHILE he was repeating what he saw on the news?” Keiri knew that there was a middle ground between getting a high-quality education and exploring Dominic’s gifts and interests, and that’s what brought them to Visions.

A New Way to Educate

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Keiri got to experience a taste of homeschooling. Dominic’s school had shut down, and while the districts were trying to figure out how to make distance learning successful, Keiri was already practicing educating Dominic in their home.

“We read books, created arts and crafts, watched science and history videos, used workbooks, and he and I retained a lot of information. No two days looked the same, and we were accomplishing so much more than he was accomplishing in a classroom and with distance learning,” says Keiri.

By the time they were accepted into the Home School Academy at Visions in 2020, Keiri and Dominic were used to the experience of educating and learning at home. Now four years later, they are continuing to explore all the ways that the flexibility and personalization of homeschooling can significantly shape a child’s learning experience.

“The ultimate goal for me was to make sure Dominic has access to every single thing he wants to learn,” says Keiri. “Dominic would not be where he is now if he wasn’t homeschooled with Visions. We have the freedom to deep dive into specific topics, to switch gears, to take breaks, to not take breaks, to change our minds and go to a museum instead of completing a lesson at home. Visions helps me by bridging any gaps before I even see them.”

Academically, Socially, and Emotionally Supported

Dominic and Keiri have many support systems here at Visions, including Dominc’s credentialed teacher, Ferrin Cowan, his Special Education teacher, Lexi Fahr, and his Occupational Therapist, Kelly Martinez. Meetings with Ferrin are spent swapping stories and hearing about all of Dominic’s adventures, and more often than not, they run a little longer than scheduled.

“I absolutely cannot live without our CT, Ferrin Cowan! She meets us where we are, supports us, encourages us, and literally shows up for us. One of Dominic’s dreams was to dance in The Nutcracker, and he danced in The Nutcracker in December. Ferrin attended that performance, and so did Lexi, as well as Kelly.”

“I loved being able to see Dominic on stage performing in The Nutcracker. He is always smiling and is always happy to perform his new skills!” shares Ferrin. “His family is dedicated and passionate about learning, which shines through in Dominic. I look forward to seeing him achieve his dreams!”

“Homeschooling is liberating.”

With the freedom and flexibility of Visions’ Home School Academy, Dominic is now able to take drum and keyboard lessons with Visions vendor School of Rock, attend dance classes, and even meet with local politicians. In March, Dominic and his family were invited to the State Capitol for the proclamation of Down Syndrome Day in California. There, he was presented with a Certificate of Recognition from Assemblyman Joe Patterson and got to connect with other local kids and families. This is one of the many reasons Keiri loves homeschooling at Visions – seeing her son change lives everywhere he goes.

“In September 2022, the author, actor, activist, motivational speaker and my friend, Tyler Merritt, created a video featuring him and Dominic, which garnered a lot of attention on social media,” Keiri shares. “Tyler had just written a children’s book called A Door Made for Me based on his own experience with racism and discrimination when he was a child. Dominic cracked that book open, read it out loud cover to cover, and I sent the video of Dominic reading the book to Tyler. Within a few hours, Tyler created a video with excerpts of Dominic reading his book and Tyler’s own revelation that his story, his message, was reaching so many more children than he had imagined.”

After four years of experiencing the benefits of Visions, Keiri is grateful that she made the switch for Dominic when she did. Instead of focusing on all of the things Dominic can’t do, Visions nurtures and expands all of the things he can do, and is redefining what education can look like outside of a traditional classroom setting.

“Homeschooling with Visions is liberating, eye opening, and it opens up opportunities I never knew existed. Once you start homeschooling, you’ll see how much can be accomplished in a few hours; there’s time to learn more, play more, do more, explore more,” says Keiri. “Visions provides access to the resources every student needs to succeed and to excel. To anyone who has a child with special needs, a disability, a learning difference, Visions In Education will make your jaw drop and you’ll think, ‘Wait…my kid has choices? IEP meetings are easy, supportive, and are all about making sure your kids are getting what they need in order to grow, learn, thrive, and succeed?’ To anyone who has a kid who is overwhelmed by the brick and mortar school environment, homeschooling with Visions is the place where they will learn and succeed.”

All About Dominic

What’s your favorite subject? Studies Weekly is my favorite! And math…and science…and history…and California history.

What’s your favorite part about being homeschooled? Learn what I want.

What do you like to do outside of school? Go to museums and stadiums, play sports, School of Rock, and dance classes.

Student Spotlight: Finding Light in the Dark

April 22, 2024/in Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Finding Light in the Dark

When Emily B. was in third grade, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and ulcerative colitis. Over the next five years, Emily and her mom, Heidi, would be in and out of hospitals trying to find the right doctors, medications, and support for Emily’s conditions.

As she navigated her health issues, Emily missed school on and off, and her grades began to decline to the point where she was failing most of her classes. Despite her situation, Emily’s school at the time was unwilling to make accommodations or provide the family with additional support. As Emily got older, Heidi knew that the best thing for her daughter was to find a school that would allow them to prioritize Emily’s health while also providing a high-quality education.

At first, Heidi struggled to find the right alternative to Emily’s traditional public school. Eventually, she met a woman who told her that she was working as a nurse and had gone through Visions to get her education. As a mother who had spent the past five years in hospitals, Heidi said, “You rely on good nurses.” This was the moment she knew Visions was the right school for them.

A Perfect Match

Heidi finally enrolled Emily in our Home School Academy when she was in eighth grade. Although Emily continued to struggle in the beginning, with support from her credentialed teacher and resources like a free Chromebook, a budget for learning materials, and access to tutoring services, she was able to turn her grades around and continue to find success in our 9-12 Independent Study program.

“Eighth grade was tough. Going from failing to passing in six weeks was a miracle,” says Heidi. “This year she is a freshman and thriving. Her illness is in remission and she is able to focus on school finally.”

Although she made significant strides with her grades, Emily still needed additional help in subjects like science, math, and language arts. After talking to Emily’s credentialed teacher about her academic struggles, Heidi was referred to A+ Tutoring, one of the 600+ Enrichment Vendors that Visions partners with to provide services to our students. A+ Tutoring was able to connect Emily with Brooke Fallas, one of their tutors, and assist Emily on her path to success.

“With Visions, they have so many tools to make your child succeed,” says Heidi. “I read a lot of great reviews and decided to give A+ a shot. I’m so glad we did.”

A+ Tutoring makes it a priority to understand each student’s unique learning style. Their tutors teach in a way that students understand, meeting them where they are and finding points of connection to facilitate effective instruction. In Brooke and Emily’s case, that connection was evident from their very first meeting.

“Brooke and I hit it off, she was so understanding and kind and also patient. I told her about the anime I watch and the video games I play. We had a great conversation. She is a great tutor,” Emily shares.

“When we first started, she [Emily] was a little apprehensive and had some really negative feelings about her schoolwork — just super overwhelmed and had a ton on her plate,” says Brooke. “I think when she noticed that we, as a team, were there to support her no matter what was going on was when she really got invested in herself. It’s awesome to see her show up for herself and overcome the barriers she had!”

Brooke has had such a profound impact on Emily that when she was told that Brooke would be going on vacation for a few weeks and that A+ would provide her with a different tutor, Emily declined.

“My daughter and her tutor have such a connection. They understand each other and click. I’m so thankful that we found A+ Tutoring,” says Heidi.

Bright Futures

Through her time at Visions and with A+ Tutoring, Emily has become more confident in herself and her abilities, and has overcome her health battles and educational setbacks. As Brooke says, “It really feels like she’s taken the power back in her own hands and is ready to face whatever is thrown at her.”

“Thank you so much to our Visions team and to our A+ team for helping our daughter succeed in life,” says Heidi. “There truly is light at the end of a dark tunnel.”

Enrichment Vendors

Visions is proud to partner with hundreds of Enrichment Vendors that help students, like Emily, supplement their education, expand their learning, and nourish their growth. Check out all of our vendors here!

About A+ Tutoring

A+ Tutoring prioritizes understanding each student’s unique learning style and needs. Through comprehensive assessments, they determine whether students respond best to visual, auditory, or kinesthetic methods. Their tutors then customize their teaching approach, integrating relevant materials and interactive exercises tailored to enhance comprehension and engagement. Continuous monitoring of progress allows them to fine-tune their strategies, ensuring optimal learning outcomes for every student.

A+ Tutoring also caters to the specific needs of charter school and homeschool families by providing tailored support. They align their tutoring with the curriculum and collaborate with educators to offer flexible, personalized instruction that complements their curriculum and learning goals. Their goal is to empower all students with the support they need to succeed academically.

Board of Directors Spotlight: Meet Mark Holman

April 16, 2024/in News

Board of Directors Spotlight: Meet Mark Holman

Please share why you volunteer on the Board at Visions In Education.

As a successful local CEO who values education and family, volunteering on the Board at Visions In Education allows me to give back to my community while advancing my personal and professional priorities for community development. I’m passionate about ensuring all students have access to high-quality education and personalized learning experiences, and I’m committed to contributing my skills and experiences to support Visions In Education’s mission. Serving on the Board is a fulfilling way for me to combine my dedication to education, family, and public service.

What is it about Visions that made you want to be part of our school community?

I was drawn to Visions In Education both because of its commitment to personalized learning and flexibility in education and the potential to impact public education more broadly. I believe every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a way that best suits their needs and goals, and Visions embodies that philosophy. Being part of the Visions school community allows me to contribute to shaping the future of education and making a positive impact on students’ lives.

How might you describe the difference that our teachers and staff are making by meeting the individual and unique needs of each student?

The impact of Visions’ teachers and staff in meeting the individual and unique needs of each student is profound. By personalizing education plans and providing one-on-one support, they create a learning environment where every student can thrive. This tailored approach not only drives academic success but also fosters confidence, motivation, and a sense of belonging in each student. By recognizing and accommodating diverse learning styles, interests, and challenges, our teachers and staff empower students to reach their full potential and achieve their goals. Their dedication to meeting students where they are and helping them succeed sets a foundation for lifelong learning and success beyond the classroom. Ultimately, our teachers help students shape their futures and equip them with the skills and confidence to navigate the world with purpose and resilience.

What is one way that Visions is making a difference in our community from your perspective?

By offering personalized learning experiences, flexible schedules, and comprehensive support services, Visions ensures that every student has the chance to succeed academically and personally. This commitment to inclusivity and excellence both empowers individual students and also contributes to the overall strength and vitality of our communities. Visions fosters a culture of lifelong learning and empowerment, preparing students to become engaged citizens, future leaders, and positive contributors to our society. Another way Visions contributes is to lead among the broader charter school community. Given our location near the Capitol and our high-quality management, educational, and governance practices, we are able to help the State of California learn new ways to improve public education statewide. Being an incubator of public school innovation was the original intent of the California Charter Schools Act.

As a member of the Board, my role in holding Visions accountable for meeting our goals involves several key responsibilities. First and foremost, I work alongside fellow Board members to establish clear policies and objectives aligned with the school’s mission. This includes regularly reviewing and evaluating the school’s performance metrics and progress towards achieving our goals.

To ensure accountability to stakeholders such as families, staff, and taxpayers, I actively engage in oversight activities, such as monitoring financial stewardship, compliance with regulations, and the effectiveness of educational programs. I participate in regular Board meetings where we discuss strategic initiatives, review data and progress, and address any concerns raised by stakeholders.

Transparency is paramount in accountability, so I advocate for open communication channels between the Board, administration, staff, families, and the community. This includes providing opportunities for stakeholders to give feedback, ask questions, and voice concerns regarding the school’s operations and performance. Listening is critical.

Additionally, I believe in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, where we regularly assess our practices and policies to identify areas for enhancement and ensure alignment with our mission and values. By actively fulfilling my oversight role and promoting accountability measures, I strive to uphold the trust and confidence of all stakeholders in Visions In Education as we work together to fulfill our shared educational goals.

One of the most important jobs I have as Chair is to work with our Superintendent to create a sustainable culture of good governance.

What are you most passionate about? How are you able to pursue that passion by serving on our Board?

I’m passionate about many things, including liberty and innovation. Serving on the Board at Visions In Education allows me to advocate for policies and initiatives that prioritize family involvement in education. By promoting innovation in a well-managed public school environment where teachers and families and other caregivers are valued partners in students’ learning journeys, I can help the State of California create a more enriching and effective educational experience for all students.

Please share a bit about your background, family, and what you like to do in your spare time.

Outside of my professional endeavors, my family is my greatest joy and priority. I’m married to my wonderful wife, Jennifer, and we have a 10-year-old son who keeps us both grounded and inspired. Spending quality time with my family, whether it’s exploring historical sites, cooking together, spending time in the wilderness, playing games, or simply sharing stories around the dinner table, are among the activities I cherish most in life.

In my spare time, I’m deeply interested in history, which ties into my involvement as a former Chairman of the Board of the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation. Learning about and gaining insight from the past is both a passion and a source of inspiration for me. Additionally, I’m deeply involved in community service and my church, as giving back to others is a core value that drives me in both my personal and professional life.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Visionaries—both past and present—for the great honor of serving this innovative and transformative organization.

Visions Basketball Club Completes First Season

April 11, 2024/in News

Visions Basketball Club Completes First Season

This year, Visions In Education kicked off sports clubs for the first time in our school’s history. Alongside our soccer club, Visions fielded a basketball club for friendly, intermural competition with other schools.

“On February 7, 2024, twenty-seven strangers entered the Visions In Education Boardroom for our first club meeting,” said Coach Ron Thomas. “I couldn’t tell them how many games we would win by the end of the season, but I could tell them that we would become a family, and that is exactly what happened.”

Coaches Ron Thomas (Associate Director of Equity and Student Engagement) and Independent Study Vice Principal David Doyle built a 10-week training schedule that started with practices and basic basketball drills to get students ready for competition.

“I thought there would have been more girls [signing up] but it was still a fun experience and I grew closer to my basketball community,” said Liana M., a player on the Basketball Club.

Due to a large number of participants, Visions was able to construct two separate groups to compete and play. Both groups stepped up to represent Visions in the playoffs this year. For the first time, Visions will have six players competing in this year’s All-Star Game.

“We ended the season with twenty-five players that became a cohesive club,” said Thomas. “They knew that they were a part of history being the first Visions In Education basketball club; they represented the school well and built the foundation for a program that will be even better in the years to come.”

Congratulations to Visions” basketball club for their first successful season! Win or lose, we are all #VisionsProud of you.

From Academics to Authorship: A Spotlight on Mitch Weathers

April 9, 2024/in News

From Academics to Authorship: A Spotlight on Mitch Weathers

From the moment Mitch Weathers stepped into the classroom 22 years ago, he has been fascinated by this one question: What has the greatest impact on student success? Armed with an undergraduate degree in Geology, a masters in Cross-Cultural Pedagogy, and a love for working with adolescents, Mitch set out to find the foundation for lifelong learning and the key to student success.

Beginning as the Executive Director of a non-profit that served “at-risk” middle and high school youth, Mitch realized that he had a passion for helping kids, but wanted to do so in a different way. Following that desire, he entered the classroom, and after 18 years in a traditional learning environment, he came to Visions and began teaching in the University Prep Academy. After only a short time, Mitch began to see the unique way that Visions and the University Prep program serves our students.

“I love being a member of the UP team! It is the most creative, student-centered, switched-on group of educators I have had the privilege of working with,” says Mitch. “What is most engaging, and simultaneously challenging, is our pursuit to personalize each student’s education within our self-paced, independent study context, while not necessarily ‘teaching’ every student each day.”

Answering the Question

After all these years of teaching, and in between gardening, ultramarathoning, and spending time with his wife, Amber, and two daughters, Vivienne and Olive (see pictures below!), Mitch was finally able to answer the question that has persisted for over twenty years – the greatest impact on student success is executive functioning skills.

“It has become overwhelmingly clear that unless we first lay the foundation for learning, a teacher’s efforts are in vain,” explains Mitch. “Executive functioning skills lay that foundation and instill a sense of agency in learners.”

Mitch’s passion for this discovery has manifested into his first ever book, Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments. Written in his home office over the course of two years, Executive Functions for Every Classroom explores the ideas of executive functions such as memory, self-regulation, and goal setting, and how they ultimately help pave the way for success inside and outside the classroom.

“I wrote this book to share with my fellow teaching colleagues how one can ‘teach’ these skills in conjunction with the content or curriculum of their grade level or subject matter,” explains Mitch. “I believe that educators are searching for the answers to help address fallout from the pandemic. Executive functions are what they are looking for, but historically they have been left up to chance. Educators want to know how to equip their students with executive functions, and that is what this book teaches them.”

Although it was one of his “toughest professional challenges” yet, writing this book was a goal that Mitch had wanted to accomplish for many years. Fighting self-judgment and imposter syndrome throughout his writing journey, Mitch was humbled to see that after the book’s release, it quickly became a #1 bestseller on Amazon.

“It felt great, of course, but also humbling. There is a vulnerability to putting your book out into the world for everyone to read, and judge, potentially,” shares Mitch. “Knowing that my work resonates with so many means the world to me.”

Now a published author, Mitch is continuing to teach his Life Science classes and work with his UP students and families. With a great team around him and a 1% better mentality, Mitch is determined to “focus on students as individuals” and utilize what he’s learned about executive functions to allow every student to thrive.

“What I love most is the focus on each and every student as unique learners. Because we are not necessarily ‘teaching’ content in the same way a teacher might in a brick and mortar setting, the focus must be on supporting students in a way that sets them up for success,” says Mitch. “As Jon Eckert says, ‘We don’t serve all students, we serve each student’.”

Want to learn more? Grab a copy of Mitch’s book here!