Creating Opportunities For Every Learner: A Spotlight On The Equity & Student Engagement Department
At Visions, there is a place for every student, no matter their background. At the heart of removing barriers to ensure every student is able to reach their educational goals and succeed is our EASE Department. EASE stands for Equity and Student Engagement, a team dedicated to providing equitable access and supports to all students.
The EASE Department oversees many critical pieces at Visions, including Career Technical Education, Dual Enrollment, Foster & Homeless Youth Services, and School Social Workers.
“It is not hard work, it is heart work,” shared Ron Thomas, Associate Director of Equity & Student Engagement. In his role, Ron designs programs, initiatives, and activities that respond to the diverse needs of all students. As a team, EASE is “rewriting what equitable, student-centered education looks like.”
Readying Students for College & Career
Career Technical Education (CTE) is the bridge between high school and career industry and college opportunities, providing hands-on learning to students. These courses are practical and skill-based, connecting students to real career settings and allowing them to graduate with marketable skills for the workforce or higher education.
Visions’ CTE Coordinator Keenya Powell oversees this important work, including program development, partnerships with colleges, and student support, ensuring students have access to pathways that align with their interests and goals. Keenya expressed, “A big part of my work is making sure students understand their options, get the right guidance, and feel supported as they balance the demands of high school, college coursework, and future planning.”
Visions is committed to supporting students to succeed in an ever-changing world, which is why we offer several CTE pathways, including Game Design, Cybersecurity, and Medical Careers.
Kim Grant, Game Design teacher, shared that she enjoys leveraging her background with technology to support students in a dynamic and innovative learning environment. Cybersecurity teacher Andrea Gautschi shared that teaching Cybersecurity, “helps students become responsible digital citizens who can stay safe online and teach their friends and family to do so as well.” Medical Careers teacher Nancy Ortner expressed that some of her favorite memories while teaching CTE have been watching students, “find their strengths, express pride in their projects, and start to believe in themselves.”
Should students pursue higher education, the opportunity to start earning college credit early through Dual Enrollment saves them both time and money on future tuition. This also allows students to have a smoother transition into college by giving students exposure to collegiate course expectations, study skills, and learning environments before they even graduate high school.
Building Bridges
The EASE Department also oversees our work with foster and homeless youth. Sam Webster, the McKinney Vento & Foster Youth Liaison, works to ensure that students experiencing homelessness or those in the foster care system have equal access to educational opportunities.
“I work closely with families, students, departments within Visions, teachers, and community partners to remove barriers to enrollment, attendance, and academic success,” Sam shared. “This support is critical in promoting the wellbeing and long-term success of some of the most vulnerable members of our school community.”
The EASE Department also oversees the essential work of our School Social Workers. These individuals focus on the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students so they are better supported to succeed academically and personally. These services include individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, case management, and connecting students and families with community resources.
School Social Worker Sofia Palma shared, “We also serve as a bridge between schools and families, ensuring communication, access to resources, and wraparound support. Ultimately, our work strengthens the capacity of the entire organization to meet the diverse needs of students and foster their overall well-being.”
When asked what his favorite part of being a Social Worker is, Sergio Fuentes expressed, “One of the best things about being a Social Worker is being able to support students who have experienced significant trauma and see their growth, healing, and resilience.”
Consistent Innovation & Improvement
This team is constantly working with each other and collaboratively with other departments, teachers, and administrators to address and remove barriers to learning in order to create a safe, supportive school environment.
School Social Worker Dana Fejes reflected on the work the EASE team does to strive to get 1% better each day, stating, “Each member is dedicated to ongoing professional growth and to leveraging every available tool and resource to better serve our students and their families. It’s this shared commitment that fuels our collective impact and continued success.”
The EASE team’s newest Social Worker Hannah Buerger echoed this statement, sharing, “It has been amazing to see how administrators, teachers, and student support staff go above and beyond to get to know families and the circumstances that have brought them to Visions. This team is dedicated to removing barriers for students and helping them to get all of the support that they need.”
Thank you to our EASE team for continuing to build a foundation of equity, support, and opportunity – ensuring that every student has the chance to thrive at Visions, in life, and beyond.