Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

Partnering With Lincoln Learning To Deliver On Personalized Education

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Lincoln Learning logo and 25 years Visions logo

Partnering With Lincoln Learning To Deliver On Personalized Education

One Vision, One Mission

As a school that serves over 7,700 students across nine California counties, Visions needed a curriculum partner that could match our mission: delivering flexible, personalized education at scale. We sought a robust, customizable digital curriculum to support student achievement, empower educators, and integrate smoothly into our existing learning platforms.

Since 2024, Visions has partnered with Lincoln Learning to provide high-quality, customizable online curriculum in English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science. Designed to meet diverse learning needs and learning styles, Lincoln’s content gives us the flexibility to personalize instruction while maintaining a consistent academic experience for all students.

Visions student with laptop.

Equitable Education

To support seamless access and scalability, Visions collaborated with Lincoln Learning to integrate its curriculum with Buzz, a cloud-based learning management system powered by AWS. This integration allows families to leverage tools and access courses more easily and enables us to manage enrollments, updates, and customizations efficiently.

The impact of the partnership has been measurable and meaningful.

  • More than 50% of Visions families now use Lincoln Learning to educate their students.
  • Students using Lincoln Learning courses are outperforming those who are not, according to an internal analysis.
  • Visions has experienced increased efficiency in enrollment and access, thanks to the Buzz integration.
  • The partnership has strengthened over time through responsive communication and shared commitment to continuous improvement.

“The partnership between Visions In Education and Lincoln Learning has positively impacted student learning. Our students using Lincoln are often outperforming those that aren’t. Additionally, our partners at Lincoln Learning have been great at listening to feedback and continually improving and updating their curriculum.” — Michael Brubaker, Senior Director of Operations, Visions In Education

Visions student with laptop.

A Model for Learners

The partnership with Lincoln Learning reflects Visions’ mission to build meaningful, collaborative relationships that help us succeed in delivering equitable, high-impact education.

“At Lincoln Learning, we strive to build healthy, reciprocal partnerships — and our relationship with Visions In Education has become an exemplar of that ideal. Together, we’ve created a scalable, flexible learning environment that supports student success, empowers educators to personalize instruction, and fosters the development of thoughtful, collaborative solutions.” — Charles Thayer, Chief Academic Officer, Lincoln Learning Solutions

Moving Forward

As Visions celebrates 25 years of empowering students, Lincoln Learning celebrates 20 years of building adaptable curriculum and flexible solutions. We are proud to continue partnering with Lincoln Learning. Together, we are proving that, with the right curriculum and the right partnership, personalized learning at scale is not only possible — it’s powerful.

Welcome To Visions! Gathering For A Strong Start To 2025-26

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Stairway filled with new staff members.

Welcome To Visions! Gathering For A Strong Start To 2025-26

On July 29th, Visions leadership and new staff members came together for an official welcome into the Visions In Education community. This marked the first year that the event was held at our main office – one of the many exciting benefits of our new building!

After opening remarks from Superintendent Dr. Steve Olmos, the group was treated to a session from keynote speaker Armoni Easley, co-founder and CEO of Project Optimism and author of LifeWork. Armoni helped everyone set their intentions and get excited for the new school year.

“Each and every one of us needs to do our part to set students up for success,” Armoni declared. “Let’s be intentional and set the tone for 2025-26.”

The event closed out with a presentation from Chief Academic Officer Micah Studer and Chief Operations Officer Tom Tafoya including a “Meet Our Students” video and a group photo.

Reflection, Celebration & Vision

With incredible milestones behind us – our 25th anniversary, the opening of our new building, and the launch of our inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame – and exciting events on the horizon, including August’s Professional Development Day and Open House, the day left Visionaries energized and inspired for the year ahead.

“Being in a brand new space with new and excited faces was so inspiring and such a great way to prepare for the new school year,” said Sierra Horton, Visions’ newest Communications Coordinator. “As a group, we had the opportunity to tell powerful student stories, think of personal words, quotes, and songs that empower us, and learn more about what makes Visions such a great place to work.”

We look forward to another year of service and success – it’s good to be Visions!

Guest speaker speaking to a room full of staff.
Staff drawing on a poster.
Staff holding up a poster.
2 Visions staff members smiling together.
Visions Board member and staff smiling together.
Visions Chief Operations Officer and guest speaker smiling and holding up the Life Work logo.

Powering Student Success: Visions At The PLC At Work Conference

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Staff at a work conference.

Powering Student Success: Visions At The PLC At Work Conference

At the core of every successful professional learning community (PLC) is a shared commitment to student learning. At Visions, we deepen that commitment through ongoing professional development and collaborative PLC work – ensuring our instructional practices remain aligned with our mission to support every student’s growth and achievement.

In July, 168 Visionaries participated in the three-day PLC at Work conference hosted by Solution Tree. The event featured a mix of informative sessions, hands-on learning, and meaningful collaboration designed to strengthen our PLC practices. Each session was thoughtfully selected to support reflection on the 2024–25 school year, guide planning for 2025–26, and align directly with Visions’ LCAP goals.

Leading by Learning

The spirit of shared commitment was on full display during Visions’ Team Time, where educators from across departments and academies came together to reflect, plan, and set goals for the 2025–26 school year. Led by PLC leadership, this shared time included team-building, gratitude sharing, and establishing best PLC practices.

“We are proud and excited to do this work,” shared Victoria Soria, Professional Learning & Innovation Manager. “As a team, we truly embody the three pillars of a PLC – a focus on learning, a collaborative culture, and a results orientation – and we learn together so that students can thrive.”

Visions staff smiling at each other at conference.
Visions staff collaborating at a work conference.
Visions staff collaborating at work conference.
Visions staff collaborating at conference.
Group photo of Visions staff at a work conference.

As the 2025–26 school year approaches, Visions teams leave the institute more aligned, more connected, and more ready than ever to turn big goals into daily action as we focus on supporting every learner in a rapidly changing world.

Visions In The News: Sacramento Business Journal Visits The New Office

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Visions Featured In The Sacramento Business Journal

Visions In The News: Sacramento Business Journal Visits The New Office

Visions and our new administrative headquarters was featured in the Sacramento Business Journal AGAIN! The Journal covered the acquisition of the building in Gold River back in September 2023, and returned to highlight all the fabulous work our vendors and move team have accomplished to create our new home. 

“This gives us room to grow,” shared Tom Tafoya, Chief Operating Officer for Visions In Education. Our new location will greatly benefit our students, most importantly, with easier access to the freeway and public transit, expanded space allowing us to host more student-centered events right here in our building, and helps us to better serve our school community as a whole. 

Thank you to Ben van der Meer, Sacramento Business Journal Reporter, for your coverage of this exciting move for Visions. 

Read the article on their website (subscription required) or view a PDF version here.

Thanking Our Partners: Building A New Home For Visions In Education

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Collage of partner logos on a navy blue background

Thanking Our Partners: Building a New Home for Visions In Education

At Visions In Education, our vision for the future continues to evolve—and that evolution took a major step forward with the acquisition and transformation of our new headquarters at the Gold Pointe Corporate Center in Gold River. 

What began as a vision in 2018 and part of our “Road Map to 7,000 and Beyond” initiative has now become a reality (learn more about this exciting journey in the Sacramento Business Journal!).

This multi-year journey would not have been possible without the partnership of a team of exceptional vendors.

A Vision Made Possible

Capital Program Management

Our sincere thanks to Capital Program Management, especially Sharon Thomas and Mark Rosson, for their expert project management and support. Your attention to detail, planning, and coordination ensured that the vision stayed on track, and your leadership kept every phase of the project running smoothly. Your work helped turn a complex project into a successful reality.

GRA Architecture

We’d like to give special thanks to Michael Buschow and Dan Johnson for their dedication and thoughtful collaboration throughout the process. They played a crucial role, not only in designing the building, but also guiding us through key phases of the project and helped us overcome many challenges.

Creekside Construction

Turning a largely unusable shell into a warm, functional, and inspiring home required incredible craftsmanship and commitment. Creekside Construction managed the remodel from start to finish, giving life to a space that reflects our mission and values. From creating numerous employee training rooms to workspaces and public support areas —every inch of the building has been carefully crafted to serve both staff and students. Thank you for building a space where we can grow, collaborate, and thrive.

KBM Hogue

Thank you to KBM Hogue for outfitting our new headquarters with furniture that brings comfort, style, and functionality into every space. From collaborative areas to quiet work zones, you’ve helped make our new building a place where employee culture and student success can flourish.

CertaPro Painters

A special thanks to CertaPro Painters for refreshing our external building with clean, modern finishes. The environment you’ve helped create is bright, welcoming, and professional—a place we’re proud to call home.

Kris Kalmbach, Cushman & Wakefield

From the very beginning, Kris Kalmbach of Cushman & Wakefield played a vital role in guiding us through the acquisition process. Coordinating the purchase of our new building in 2023, Kris helped us navigate a challenging commercial real estate landscape and find a space that could meet both our current needs and long-term vision. Thank you for helping us take the first step in creating a lasting asset for Visions In Education.

A New Chapter for Visions In Education

Our new space supports our mission of providing high-quality education and resources to our students. It’s a space that allows us to get 1% better every day, pushing us to serve with greater pride and purpose.

“This will be a lasting asset to Visions In Education,” adds Tom Tafoya, Chief Operating Officer—and we wholeheartedly agree.

To every partner who helped us get here: thank you. You’ve not only built a building, but a bigger and brighter future for the entire Visions community.

Constructing Community: A Spotlight On The Move Team

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Group of Visions staff in yellow vests and hard hats.

Constructing Community: A Spotlight On The Move Team

Tom Tafoya, Michael Brubaker, Michael Miller, Uriel Gonzalez, Kevin Wellsfry, James Hartley, and Soren Gutierrez are more than just business leaders – they’re Project Managers and interior designers, architects and movers. For nearly two years, this group planned, problem-solved, and executed every detail of the move from Carmichael to our new building in Gold River, bringing life to a project that began as the “Road Map to 7,000 and Beyond” eight years ago.

“In 2017-18, I was working on a plan called ‘Road Map to 7,000 and Beyond’ to plan Visions’ future,” explains Tom Tafoya, Chief Operations Officer. “Back then, we were serving about 5,500 students and had smaller staff. One of the goals to help us grow was purchasing a new building to better serve our families and support our staff.”

In 2019, the search for a new building began, but was put on hold when COVID hit. A year later, as the effects of the pandemic receded, the process restarted, beginning with the idea to purchase the Southgate Glass building next to Visions’ former office. That opportunity, along with dozens of others, ultimately did not pan out, and finally, we found 11931 Foundation Place.

“Suffice to say this has been a multi-year project involving exploration of dozens of properties, listing and selling 5030 El Camino, and finally closing and moving into Foundation Place,” Tom adds.

Supporting Tom was Senior Director of Operations Michael Brubaker, whose role evolved throughout the move process.

“At the beginning, I worked with Tom and our realtor to find the building. Once the building was acquired, I worked with the team (including our architect and project manager) to develop the detailed construction plans,” says Michael. “Once the construction started, I participated in the weekly meetings to ensure the construction was being done as agreed upon and according to our high standards. I also supported several of the projects and oversaw some of the vendors for other building projects that were outside of the general contractor’s purview.”

For Sale sign in front of an office building.

Collaboration was essential throughout the planning process, with the team logging 300 to 400 hours in meetings from start to finish. Clear roles, open communication, and strong coordination kept both the Visions team and our contractors aligned and moving forward.

“My role was to work in concert with our team, our project consultant and architect, as well as contractors and service providers to obtain quotes and samples/options for our team to review and select,” says Kevin. “I was also responsible for proofing all of the fine details of the many aspects of the ‘physical facilities’ part of the project including carpet, paint, fabrics, finishes, furniture, and construction plans.”

Administrative Assistants Amita Pegany and Randee Ramirez were Kevin and Michael’s right hand women, supporting everything from changing our address with the post office to ordering refrigerators for our breakroom. They helped lighten the load for our Move Team, filling in the gaps and making things easier for the rest of the team. 

Also working hard behind-the-scenes were Director of Technology Services Uriel Gonzalez and Technology Services Manager Michael Miller, who collaborated to build our technology infrastructure, making sure both staff and students had the tools they needed.

“I was mainly responsible for implementing the plans and determining the exact details for the technology portion. For example, where would the network drops go, what PA system to use, camera placements, etc.,” says Michael.

“My role included looking at the projects from a balcony view, in order to review and assess risks as part of the move to the new building. Specifically, oversight for solutions on technology and logistics surrounding the move,” adds Uriel.

Group of Visions staff in a meeting regarding construction on the new office building.
Group of Visions staff in a meeting regarding construction on the new office building.
Group of Visions staff in yellow vests sitting at tables in circle having a meeting about construction.
Photo of Visions Chief Operations Officer Tom Tafoya sitting at a desk with another male giving a thumbs up while signing a paper.

Changing Through Challenges

It’s hard to fully grasp the countless details involved in coordinating a move of this scale. While the end result is impressive, executing a project of this magnitude came with its fair share of challenges.

“As with anything in life, we make plans but nothing goes quite as planned,” admits Tom. “The team has worked through many challenges and obstacles and still delivered a great building which will be a lasting asset to Visions In Education.”

“We encountered many unanticipated layers of details and requirements with almost every project associated with this process,” adds Kevin Wellsfry, Operations Manager. “Our team went the extra mile through this whole process and especially on the move weekend, in order to ensure that everything was moved out of our old building and staff would be able to unpack on June 16, in order to be ready to service the public that week!”

“The move should have been pretty easy but was anything but when the moving company was quite short staffed,” says Soren Gutierrez, Director of Accountability & Data Services. “James [Hartley], Spencer [Summerhays] and I stepped up big time and physically moved a lot of the bins, chairs, chair mats, down from the second floor to the loading dock. Basically we pushed everything out to the movers so they could load four trucks simultaneously and as quickly as possible. In the end we got it down but it was two, 12 hour days to get it done!”

Alongside external challenges, the team also faced a number of internal obstacles.

“The biggest challenge was integrating the technology plan with other plans – how many cables were needed depended on the number of cubicles. We also had to understand what the goal of the spaces were to ensure we placed the proper technology there,” explains Michael Miller.

A few growing pains – like short-circuited outlets (RIP upstairs Keurig) – were to be expected, but each was a small price to pay for a space that better supports our staff.

Visions executives waving goodbye to their old office building.
Visions staff posing in front of the new tile logo in the foyer at the new office.

Building it Back 1% Better

The new building comes with a host of perks – a quiet room, a gym next door, and endless coffee, to name a few – and starting from scratch gave us the unique opportunity to incorporate a number of 1% better improvements.

“The move provided us an opportunity to reconsider how we do things and implement improvements for long term gains,” says Michael Miller.

Our commitment to being 1% better is perfectly captured in the new tile centerpiece in our lobby. Designed with the Visions logo, it stands as a powerful symbol of the mission that drives everything we do. Thanks to the dedication of our Move Team, we now have a space that not only serves our needs, but also inspires us daily to support our students with pride and purpose.

Visions staff posing in front of the new tile logo in the foyer at the new office.
Visions staff in yellow shirts holding up a thumbs up in front of moving trucks in the parking lot at the new office.
Visions Chief Operations Officer Tom Tafoya smiling sitting in a new chair in their new office space.

“The staff may not be aware how many Visions team members it took to be a part of this process,” says James Hartley, Attendance and Records Manager. “It was not just the moving team and the management of vendors but also the Facilities team, the Tech team, and other staff members who put in many hours so that the…transition at the new building could be as smooth as possible.”

Without the Move Team’s hard work, dedication, and creativity, our new office would still be just a plan in Tom’s mind. Thanks to their efforts, we now have a space that better supports our staff and enhances the way we serve our students. Thank you for your commitment to our community – it’s good to be Visions!

STS Turns Five! Celebrating Our Student Technology Services Team

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Group of Visions staff holding up a banner that reads "STS - Student Technology Services - est. 2021"

STS Turns Five! Celebrating Our Student Technology Services Team

It’s been a busy and exciting summer here at Visions! We recently wrapped up our 25th anniversary, completed our move to the new building, and are now celebrating another major milestone – Student Technology Services’ 5th birthday!

To commemorate the occasion, our STS team began shipping out technology orders for the 2025-26 school year. On July 1st, they set a single-day record of 388 packages shipped – but didn’t stop there. Described as “ecstatic, but unfulfilled” (the words of Director of Technology Uriel Gonzalez), the team said “Hold my energy drink” and beat their own record the very next day by shipping out 450 packages (because what’s a party without some games?)!

“Nick Veret, our Student Technology Support Supervisor, crammed as many packages as our poor little vans could hold. Surprisingly, the van’s shocks were able to hold the massive weight of well over 300+ packages,” says Uriel. “The post office isn’t too happy with us, but we are certainly giving them a lot of business.”

Icing on the Cake

Student Technology Services was established in July 2021, building on years of collaboration with our former technology partner, SkyQ. Driven by a commitment to better support our staff, students, and families, Visions made the strategic decision to form its own in-house student technology team. Since its inception, the team has distributed over 28,791 tech devices to staff and families, serving our community better, faster, and more record-breaking every year.

“We had a great partnership with SkyQ between 2007 and 2021, but it was time to improve our services to our families by taking this body of work head on,” says Uriel. “We have been fortunate to have such an amazing team over the years, that we continue to set records and provide better service year after year.”

To celebrate five years of successful service, the team gathered with each other, STS’ inaugural banner, and of course – a birthday cake.

“Super proud of our team,” begins Nick. “July is our most physically demanding month, and despite the intense heat and the heavy post office runs, everyone stepped up, rolled up their sleeves, and crushed it!”

Happy 5th birthday, STS! Thank you for all you do for our staff, students, and families.

Grad Spotlight: Learning And Leading At Visions

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Photo of Visions graduate in cap and gown.

Grad Spotlight: Learning And Leading At Visions

On June 2, 2025, Tim M. crossed the parking lot at our old office to complete his Grad Checkout. After getting academically cleared and taking a quick pic in his cap and gown, Tim left as an official high school graduate and alumni of Visions In Education. Less than 24 hours later, Tim crossed the parking lot at our old office once again – not as a student, but as a member of the Student Technology Services (STS) team. Trading his academic cords and valedictorian medal for a blue and white Visions staff badge, Tim was ready to support the same community that helped shape his journey.

Tim enrolled in Visions’ University Prep Academy in 2022, one of four siblings seeking a flexible learning environment that would support their academic goals – including the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. A driven student and determined goal-setter, Tim not only graduated early as valedictorian, but also earned an impressive 82 transferable college credits. By the time he finished high school, he had already completed nearly 67% of his Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree at Western Governors University.

“Graduating early as valedictorian feels incredible—I’m proud and grateful. Visions truly prepared me for success by supporting me in every possible way: flexible scheduling let me work ahead, and my teachers and counselors were always there with guidance, encouragement, and resources,” says Tim. “They believed in me, helped me set goals, and gave me the tools I needed to reach them.”

From Cybersecurity to Service

In addition to his undergrad, Tim also plans to get his Master’s degree by 2026. In the meantime, he’ll be troubleshooting technology, supporting students, and maybe even moving a few bins and boxes as Student Tech Support in Visions’ STS Department.

“Tim is an exceptionally bright young man with a very promising future. He approaches difficult challenges with confidence, unafraid, and consistently demonstrates strong initiative,” says Nick Veret, Student Technology Support Supervisor. “Despite only recently entering the IT field after being inspired by a Cybersecurity TikTok video (in Tim’s own words), he’s already earning some of the industry’s toughest certifications. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s on track for an exceptional career in IT.”

“Tim is a great employee that has a positive ‘Can Do’ attitude, always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done,” adds Chief Operations Officer Tom Tafoya. “I wish we could clone him!!”

The hands-on experience and supportive environment in STS “make every shift meaningful” for Tim, and he is especially grateful for the opportunity to gain real-world work experience as a student without falling behind academically.

“Visions gave me the flexibility to manage my coursework around my job,” explains Tim. “I’m grateful for the chance to grow both professionally and personally and am excited to keep learning and contributing however I can.”

Photo of Visions student with a young girl in Mexico.
While in Guaymas, Mexico, Tim became friends with this little girl, who never wanted to leave his side while he played games and taught the other children. To this day she asks when Tim will be visiting next!

Group photo of students on a mission trip wearing name tags.
Tim with his team in Obregon, Mexico, where they worked with kids, gave out care packages, and brought the communities together.

Photo of Visions student playing guitar for the community in Obregon, Mexico.
Tim teamed up with some locals in Obregon, Mexico to do a gig for the community.

Group photo of Visions students in holiday attire.
Caroling with friends last Christmas!

Beyond cybersecurity (ethical hacking and threat analysis, to be exact), Tim has a passion for serving people, making a positive impact wherever he can, and doing missionary work. As a former student turned staff, Tim has this advice for our Visionaries:

“For families, being supportive and involved can make a big difference in helping students stay motivated and on track for success. Students, take initiative early—talk to your counselors, explore your options, and stay focused on your goals.”

It Takes A Visions Village: Behind-the-Scenes Of Graduation Day

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Group photo of Visions employees smiling in front of a Visions In Education backdrop during Grad Checkout.

It Takes A Visions Village: Behind-the-Scenes Of Graduation Day

Graduation day at Visions is a multi-faceted, large-scale event that, at the same time, feels deeply personal for many. A year of planning and coordination for staff and four years of growth, work, and determination for students come together in a single culminating moment of celebration.

Behind-the-scenes (and backstage and in basements) is a dedicated Grad Team who puts together all the pieces of the big day. From venue coordination to event planning to overseeing day-of logistics, our Grad Team truly makes the magic happen.

“As part of the Grad Team, I supported the back end of the project,” explains Administrative Assistant Lindsey Nance. “I was responsible for making sure the vendors were scheduled and ordering and purchasing things for the big day, including the diplomas. Working alongside Jackie Ochoa and Keely Adams, we all made sure that things were printed and prepared, packed in their respective bins, and ready for the facilities team to transport.”

Operations Manager Kevin Wellsfry oversees our amazing Facilities team, which includes Facilities Support Technicians Richard Eldridge and Brandon Favero, Maintenance Worker Adam Steffensrud, and Student Services Representative Manuel Garcia. Together, they do a lot of the metaphorical (and physical!) heavy lifting, everything from packing and transporting items to providing guest assistance to implementing safety measures for all staff, students, and families.

“I try to stay as proactive, organized, and as communicative as possible to effectively support my team and manager during the ceremony, and try to contribute as much as I can to these families’ memorable events,” says Richard.

Despite the work that happens behind the curtain, there are also elements to graduation day that are a bit more front-facing, such as coordinating the staff on stage and organizing our grad speakers and performers.

“I have the wonderful opportunity to work closely with the students who deliver speeches or perform at our graduation ceremony,” shares Associate Director of Equity & Student Engagement Ron Thomas. “It is truly an honor and one of the highlights of the school year for me to be part of their journey as they prepare for this special moment.”

Facilities Support Technician Richard Eldridge (left) with Rick Lilley (center) and Mike Miller (right).
Facilities Support Technician Richard Eldridge (left) with Rick Lilley (center) and Mike Miller (right).

Superintendent Olmos with a few of our grad speakers.
Superintendent Olmos with a few of our grad speakers.

Portrait of Associate Director of Equity & Student Engagement, Ron Thomas
Associate Director of Equity & Student Engagement, Ron Thomas!

Collaborative and Connected

As mentioned, multiple departments – Student Services, Facilities, Counseling, the Superintendent’s Office, and more – collaborate to make this day possible. On the day of, our staff remain proactive, organized, and communicative, ready to respond in real-time to student needs. Whether it’s managing student performers, offering emotional support, or helping families navigate ticketing in every type of weather, the team never wavers.

“I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to our teachers and counselors! They provide guidance, encouragement, and an unwavering belief in our students on their journey to graduation,” shares Jamee Block, Associate Director of State & Federal Program. “Their efforts have made all the difference for our graduates and helped to shape them into confident and capable individuals ready for their next chapter.”

The best part of graduation for many of our staff members is getting the opportunity to see the product of their collective efforts. Not only does it provide a sense of achievement and purpose, but it also makes for some great memories.

“I have the best job ever…well, almost!” says Director of Human Resources Donna Glenn. “I get to talk to families who need to pick up will call tickets. We get to see all the joy in the families’ faces who are so excited to see their loved one graduate.”

Donna adds, “Why I say ‘almost’ the best job ever is one year it was 105 degrees outside and then mid-year graduation was pouring rain. I could not be prouder of the team that supports this area no matter what the weather has in store for us!”

In our pursuit to get 1% better every day, Visions’ Grad Team has continued to expand to include more voices – teachers, counselors, staff, and community members – in an effort to ensure that our ceremonies remain thoughtful and inclusive. This year, these new voices brought additional feedback and perspective, catalyzing incremental improvements to enhance both student experience and event execution.

“Our continuous improvement moves included adding a Saturday Grad Checkout, enhancing our Wellness space, and adding engaging and fun activities in the basement for students as they waited to emerge from the basement to shine for their special moment,” explains Director of Student Services Matt Patterson (pictured right, center). “With the feedback provided, we prioritized which would make the most impact and improvement.”

The Stories That Stay With Us

Every year at graduation, we know to expect the unexpected. It could be a student bringing their cat to the ceremony, doing a flip while they’re receiving their diploma, or handing their baby to family right before crossing the stage. No matter the circumstance, there are always a few stories that our team never forgets.

Two graduating students in caps and gowns speaking with Visions Director of Student Services Matt Patterson.

“At this year’s morning graduation, a graduate was accompanied to rehearsal by a California Highway Patrol captain, who revealed that he had been the partner of her father, a CHP officer killed in the line of duty 12 years ago. The graduate had long struggled with anxiety in large settings, but found success and support as a student at Visions,” explains Director of Accountability & Data Services Soren Gutierrez. “Concerned about how she would handle the ceremony, we reassured the captain that many accommodations and supports were in place for her comfort. In the end, the graduate confidently walked the stage on her own, and although I was in and out of the auditorium during the ceremony, by some small grace of God, I heard her name called and felt an incredible moment of pride that I had a small part in supporting her….but really knowing that Visions as a whole had done so much for her along the way.”

Maintenance Worker Adam Steffensrud (left) and Student Services Representative Manuel Garcia (right).
Maintenance Worker Adam Steffensrud (left) and Student Services Representative Manuel Garcia (right).

Visions Counseling Program Manager Mariah Ernst-Collins posing in front of a backdrop with the Visions In Education logo.
In the spotlight: Counseling Program Manager Mariah Ernst-Collins!

Our team goes above and beyond to support our students in countless ways, and graduation day is no exception. Whether it’s providing caps, gowns, or tassels to those who forget them, helping graduates who arrive without completing checkout, or offering a quiet space during the hustle of the day, our staff are always ready to step in.

This year, we even had a staff member assist a student who was experiencing homelessness, and who was attending the ceremony alone, by buying him leis from a street vendor and notifying staff so they could cheer for him as he crossed the stage. These stories connect us to purpose, and remind us that at Visions, every student, story, and success matters.

“One of the most meaningful parts of this work is seeing the excitement and pride in our students as they graduate. It’s especially memorable when you’ve supported a student throughout their journey, often from a distance—and then the first time you meet them in person is on their graduation day,” says Counseling Program Manager Mariah Ernst-Collins. “That moment, when everything comes full circle, is incredibly powerful and reminds me why we do what we do.”

Thank you, Grad Team, for your unending efforts and service. None of this would be possible without you – guides, mentors, and champions for our students. It’s good to be Visions!