Entries by Ben Drahmann

Student Spotlight: Aspiring Author Advances at Her Own Pace

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Student Spotlight: Aspiring Author Advances At Her Own Pace

“To me, words are a powerful way of bringing others truth and hope and light,” says Eliana Duran. Ever since she first began writing fiction at a young age, Eliana has loved expressing herself through creative and non-fiction writing. She even started authoring her own blog (elianathewriter.com) and working on a few novels in her free time.

A Visions student since kindergarten, Eliana has had years of experience as a self-directed learner. Working with her family and credentialed teacher, Judith Flora, she created a learning system that worked best for her. As a student, Eliana managed to work at her own pace and balance her extracurricular activities, such as writing, serving as Girl Troop Shepherd for her American Heritage Girls Troop, and working as a communications specialist for her father’s business.

Planning For The Future

“All these experiences have taught me so much,” says Eliana when looking back at her experiences as a student. “I like to keep a planner and write down my short-term and long-term goals.”

Taking advantage of her flexible schedule, Eliana took classes online at American River College with Visions’ support, including public speaking and marketing classes to begin exploring careers after high school. In 2022, Eliana’s writing was even acknowledged by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) with the 2022 Bragato Scholarship. This scholarship helps public charter school students like Eliana pursue their education after high school.

“I was so honored and grateful to be awarded the scholarship,” says Eliana. “I plan to put it to good use as I go to college and continue to develop both my education and my character.”

Moving On

Eliana is part of the Graduating Class of 2022 set to walk across the stage on June 8th! After college, she intends to accept an offer to Purdue Honors College but not before traveling out to the Realm Makers writing conference with a long time friend! Whether she majors in Marketing or English as she plans to, writing seems like it will always be a part of Eliana’s life. When looking back at her school career, Eliana gives thanks to her teacher, parents, and her faith for helping her reach the next step in her educational journey.

“Keep learning and keep growing!” Eliana says as a parting message to her fellow high schoolers.

Student Spotlight: Next-Generation Nurse Gets a Head Start

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Student Spotlight: Next-Generation Nurse Gets A Head Start

Though nursing is a fast-growing profession, Allisyn T. has been around nurses since she was a girl. The daughter of a nurse, she grew up on stories from the ER where her mother worked and looked up to her example as a nurse. As someone with a knack for science, Allisyn naturally chose to follow in her mother’s footsteps. But to do that, she wanted to find a school that would support her career aspirations and allow her to get a headstart on the career she wanted. At Visions, Allisyn was able to complete her high school work while pursuing higher education. 

“Visions had an awesome medical assistant program,” says Allisyn, when talking about her decision to come to Visions in her junior year. “At a normal high school, I couldn’t have done it.” 

Nurse In Training

At Visions, Allisyn enrolled in a medical assistant program in Elk Grove. There she balanced her high school coursework with training and hands-on experience in the medical field. In addition to the medical assistant program, Allisyn also works as a nursing assistant at a care facility in Auburn. She also volunteers with her mother at a medical clinic that serves the homeless population in Sacramento. 

“It’s all about having a schedule and having time separated out to do each thing,” says Allisyn when asked how she balances her studies with her extracurricular activities. Working with her teacher, Tracy Jones, Allisyn is able to study at her own pace and structure her day around her personal goals. Allisyn also credits the support of her teacher as well as her counselor with connecting her with the resources she needed to succeed. 

“My teacher has been super helpful and Julie Winalski [her counselor] is great!” 

Moving On

After two years at Visions, Allisyn is going to graduate as a part of the Graduating Class of 2022 on June 8th! Thanks to her hard work, she’s been accepted into a nursing program at DeSalles University in Pennsylvania. Allisyn hopes to build on the foundations she built and continue on the path to becoming a registered nurse by gaining more hours of experience in the medical field. She is optimistic about the future and thankful to everyone who has helped her get to where she is today. 

“I love Visions flexibility,” says Allisyn. “I wouldn’t be able to get my CNA or my MA without it.” 

Classified & Credentialed Staff Appreciation Week 2022

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Classified & Credentialed Staff Appreciation Week 2022

May 15-21 is Classified and Credentialed Staff Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the staff and teachers that support each other and our families every day. Visions In Education serves thousands of students in nine different counties, and our great work wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the support of our office staff, counselors, special education team, teachers, principals, vice-principals, directors, and managers!

Thanks from Dr. Steve Olmos

The intricacies of running a school like Visions In Education requires that our staff have problem-solving skills, creativity, and dedication to support our students and the school as a whole. Our Visionaries consistently go above and beyond to make sure our communities have the materials, technology, services, and support they need to succeed. In addition, we are supported by some of the most talented and skilled professionals that use years of real-world experience to help make our school a better place. 

Thank you for all that you do to support our families! I’m proud of the work you do to connect students with the education they need to succeed. On behalf of Visions leadership, thank you for all the hard work that makes Visions In Education thrive.

National Charter Schools Week 2022

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National Charter Schools Week 2022

A Message from Visions Superintendent/Executive Director Dr. Steve Olmos

It’s National Charter Schools Week, and I am grateful to be celebrating for the first time as a part of this incredible community of charter school educators and families. I find myself reflecting on the journey that led me here and the tireless work that has made educational choice a possibility for millions of families across the country.

As our society becomes more diverse, we need more personalized and equitable education options to meet the needs of the future. Our students need schools that put their needs front and center, and those schools need staff and teachers dedicated to ensuring each student thrives. I know the impact a great teacher can have on the life of a student, as my own life has been shaped by the hard work and compassion of teachers who saw the best in me and wanted me to succeed.

I am proud and humbled to be in the company of such dedicated educators at Visions, who are now responsible for carrying this legacy into the future. For over 20 years, Visions has been one of those life-changing options for families. This is only possible because those of us in education understand that a thriving and successful charter sector, in partnership with traditional schools, leads to a healthier educational environment overall.

As we move into the future, we will continue to improve our services and help other schools with the knowledge we have accrued from almost a quarter century’s experience. Together, we will honor the commitment of those who came before us by continuing to meet the needs of families to the best of our ability.

This National Charter Schools Week, it feels great to say that I am a proud Visionary and part of a movement that puts the needs of students first.

Join the Celebration!

  • Want to learn more about charter schools? The California Charter School Association (CCSA) has a great FAQ page outlining the ins-and-outs of charter schools.
    Check it out!
  • The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has designated this year’s theme as “Charter Schools Rising”, celebrating the growth of charter schools over the last 30 years.
  • Share Your Story! Every family’s story is part of the larger charter school story. Share your story using #CharterSchoolsWeek and #CharterLove on your social media posts!

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

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Colorful graphic that says "Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month"

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the diverse cultures of the Asian continent (including East, Southeast, and South Asia), the culture of Native Hawaiian peoples, and the cultures of the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. This is also a time to recognize the accomplishments of members of the AAPI community in the United States and the innumerable ways in which they have shaped history. 

“From serving our country in uniform, advocating for civil rights, starting new businesses, and winning Olympic medals, the contributions of the AA and NHPI community touch the lives of Americans every day,” says President Biden in the yearly White House proclamation celebrating AAPI Heritage Month.     

Learn More

  • The process to get Asian American, Native Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Heritage Month recognized was a 10 year process! Learn all about this from History.com. 
  • Teachers, see the Library of Congress’ Asian Pacific American Heritage Resources Page for ideas to share with your students. 
  • PBS has a collection of stories highlighting Asian and Pacific Islander history, traditions, and cultures. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the effects of mental illness, fight the stigma that surrounds mental health, and promote strategies to ensure good mental health.

While millions of Americans struggle with mental illness, mental health and wellness should be taken seriously by everyone. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) sponsors this month every year to raise awareness and provide educational materials that demystify mental health.

Together For Mental Health

This year, NAMI has designated the theme of Mental Health Awareness Month as Together for Mental Health as a reminder that mental health care is a vital resource that everyone should have access to.

“We will use this time to bring our voices together to advocate for mental health and access to care through NAMI’s blog, personal stories, videos, digital toolkits, social media engagements and national events.

Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives.”

Get Involved

  • Use the #Together4MH to share your mental health story on social media.
  • Download the 2022 Awareness Event Guide for May’s Mental Health Awareness Month.
  • Join our movement to advocate for a better mental health care system by signing up for advocacy alerts and taking action when opportunities arise in your community.

Visions In Education takes the mental health and wellness of our students and parents seriously. Our Counseling department has put together a list of resources to help students navigate challenging life situations:

  • Visit the Mental Health & Wellness page for a list of mental health resources (Visions Students Only)
  • Check out our Wellness Weekly series of videos on specific mental health topics.
  • (Visions Students Only)
  • Parents, connect with Parent Resources to learn how to better manage your mental health and help your students with theirs.
  • (Visions Students Only)
  • Visit ​​CalHOPE for emotional support resources, phone numbers and chat services.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2022!

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Happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2022!

May 2-6 is Teacher Appreciation week, a time to recognize the educators that make an impact in the lives of students every single day. Teachers are the foundation of a strong school and Visions In Education has thrived because of outstanding teachers for more than twenty years. 

Paying It Forward

Nobody knows the impact of a great teacher like our superintendent Dr. Steve Olmos. After graduating high school, Dr. Olmos started working in a factory while attending community college, but soon dropped out of college to work full time. It was words of wisdom from his former Spanish teacher Mr. Perez that prompted Dr. Olmos to return to complete his education; 

“I could have easily continued down this path if it were not for Mr. Perez planting the seed to not settle for what I had,” said Steve. “He is the reason why I became a teacher.” 

One good teacher inspired Dr. Olmos to become a teacher himself, leading to a long career of giving back to students. 

#ThankATeacher

The Parent Teacher Association has been hosting Teacher Appreciation Week since 1984 and is a great resource for teacher appreciation ideas.

Teacher Spotlight: Visions Teacher Plants for the Future

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Teacher Spotlight: Visions Teacher Plants for the Future

John Morris is always on the lookout for ways to make the Sacramento area a little greener. A teacher with more than thirteen years of experience, the growing impact of climate change prompted him to look for ways to make a difference.

“I had become increasingly aware of global warming and its effects,” says John. “Planting trees with local organizations is an easy way to get involved.”

Partnering with the Sacramento Tree Foundation, John works with local cities to plant trees, pick up trash, and make the city he lives in a little greener. The Sacramento Tree Foundation provides the trees and materials for John and volunteers like him to help cultivate Sacramento’s urban forest. John sees his volunteer work as part of being a member of the community and hopes his example will inspire students to get involved with their local environmental volunteer groups.

“It’s something everybody should do to give back to the planet when you can,” says John. “I’m looking for ways to get students involved as well.”

A teacher with Visions for three years now, John enjoys the one on one connection with students and families and is particularly proud of seeing his students rise to meet the challenges of the pandemic.

Get Involved!

April is National Volunteering Month; a perfect time to get out and find ways to give back to your local communities! See this news Post for more information and tips on how to find a volunteering opportunity that’s right for you.

April is National Volunteer Month!

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April is National Volunteer Month!

April is National Volunteer Month; a time to celebrate volunteers and encourage volunteering. Volunteering is a great opportunity to get involved in your community, meet new people, and make a difference.

Get Involved!

Love animals? Enjoy working with computers? Finding the right volunteering opportunity is key to making volunteering a habit you can do all year round.

  • Volunteer Match connects students with volunteering opportunities in their communities.
  • Points of Light hosts a database of volunteering opportunities across the country.

Visions Gives Back

We sat down with Visions teacher John Morris to hear about his volunteer work with the Sacramento Tree Foundation. Read His Story Here!

Share Your Story!

We want to hear about your volunteer work! Let us know how you’re getting involved in your community and we will reach out to highlight your great work! Email marketing@viedu.org if you or your students are volunteering and making a difference.

April is Autism Acceptance Month!

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April is Autism Acceptance Month!

April is recognized as Autism Acceptance Month (formerly known as Autism Awareness Month), a month dedicated to recognizing and advocating for those with autism.

Starting in 1972 with a National Autism Awareness Week, the Autism Society of America has since expanded this event, dedicating the month of April to raising awareness of the symptoms of autism and promoting acceptance of autistic children and adults.

Visions In Education supports students with a wide variety of learning needs and ensures that students are able to learn in a way that fits their educational goals. We also partner with local service providers and employ specialized staff to create individualized educational needs.

For more information on autism and resources to help teach it to students, see the resources below.

Resources