Welcome to Visions! Leadership Hosts Kick-Off Event For New Staff
On July 30th, we had the honor of welcoming over 50 new staff members to Visions during our Welcome to Visions Kick-Off event! This annual gathering introduces our new staff and teachers to the Visions organization and gives them the opportunity to meet their fellow colleagues before diving into the year ahead.
Starting Off the School Year Strong
The day began with a catered breakfast and time for our staff to mingle. After a brief word from Superintendent Olmos, the group was treated to a session from keynote speaker Armoni Easley, co-founder and CEO of Project Optimism and author of LifeWork, an interactive self-development book designed to inspire readers to find and connect to their purpose. During his session, Armoni challenged staff to find their “why” and encouraged them to reflect on how they want to start the new school year.
New team members were also introduced to StrengthsFinder, a strengths-based tool that helps individuals find and hone their personal talents to become more engaged with their work, perform at higher levels, and achieve their personal and professional potential. Executive Director of Youth Development Network (YDN) and leader of StrengthsFinder, Adrian Ruiz, encouraged staff to begin finding their strengths through prompts and group activities. In both sessions, our newest Visionaries were inspired to go into the new school year with passion and determination.
“As a new hire, it’s important to hear from leaders within your organization as it can create a strong sense of community and belonging. It’s inspirational to share our stories of why we chose Visions In Education as a workplace. I left feeling more connected with my Visions family,” said Ronaldo Gomez, Communications Coordinator.
“It’s Good to be Visions!”
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Micah Studer and Chief of Operations Tom Tafoya closed out the day by discussing instructional initiatives, the fiscal landscape, and the future of the organization. As we continue into our 25th anniversary, we could all use a reminder that it’s good to be Visions!
“There was lots of contagious buzz and excitement in the air as we approach the 24/25 school year,” said David Villegas, Assessment & Evaluation manager. “As new and continuing staff rev up (some never stopped!) to serve our nearly 7,200 students and support their academic success, it’s impossible not to feel inspired.”
See all photos from the event on our Facebook page!
