Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

Main Office and Student Technology Services Closed 2/19 for Presidents’ Day

/in

Visions’ Main Office and Student Technology Services Closed on February 19th for Presidents’ Day

In observance of Presidents’ Day on February 19th, 2024 Visions In Education’s main office & Student Technology Services (STS) will be closed. Our office and STS will be closed all day and will resume services on February 20th at our usual hours.

Like Independence Day, Presidents’ Day is traditionally viewed as a time of patriotic celebration and remembrance. Originally a holiday celebrating the birthday of President George Washington, Presidents’ Day became a federal holiday in 1971 as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Read more about the history of Presidents’ Day here.

Finding a Home at Visions: A Spotlight on Vendor Support Analyst Kristin Shumaker

/in

Finding a Home at Visions: A Spotlight on Vendor Support Analyst Kristin Shumaker

Kristin Shumaker has worn many hats during her time at Visions, including Student Services Representative, Independent Study and University Prep Charter School Secretary and Administrative Assistant to the Chief Operations Officer.

Now, Kristin has moved on to fulfilling the role of Vendor Support Analyst. This position oversees our entire Enrichment Vendor program, working with organizations in the community to provide enrichment activities for our students. This analyst role is unique, as Kristin’s not only responsible for a heavy amount of back-end work, such as managing vendor contracts, maintaining vendor profiles, and overseeing our vendor sponsorship program, but she also plays an important role in managing vendor relationships. With over 600 current Enrichment Vendors spanning everything from art to academic enrichment to animal husbandry, it’s important that Kristin maintains a personal approach with each one.

“Unlike most, if not all, of the other analyst positions, the Vendor Support Analyst position is heavy on customer service. Most days, my phone rings multiple times, and it isn’t uncommon to come to work on a Monday morning with 30 or more emails in the Vendor Support inbox,” Kristin explains. “One of the things that I think is essential in my job is to make each vendor feel as if they are our most important vendor, whether they provide services to hundreds of our students or just one.”

Still new to the analyst world, Kristin is continuing to learn every day. Fortunately, she knows that with so many resources and people around her, she can lean on her team for support.

“My team is always willing to share their expertise with other teammates or anyone else in the organization. This is very important to me as a newbie analyst because chances are when I run into an issue, one of the other analysts can help me find the solution, or at least lead me down the right path,” says Kristin.

Making Her Mark

Regardless of role, Kristin has always found a way to leave an impact. Whether it was guiding the Records team as a Lead SSR or building the number of vendors from 200 to over 600, she has had a hand in the success of staff, students, families and the Visions organization as a whole.

“Kristin has done an amazing job since being hired as the Vendor Support Analyst last June. When Kristin began this role, we had a little more than 200 active Enrichment Vendors. Now we have 614!” shares Michael Brubaker, Senior Director of Operations. “In addition to getting additional vendors, Kristin has strengthened our partnership with existing vendors through her excellent service, effective communication, and her diligent work ethic. Through this work, Kristin also has enabled students in all three academies to enhance their education this year through the use of 24,000+ Enrichment eVouchers to date. I truly appreciate Kristin’s work and the positive impact that it has had on Visions’ students, families, and vendors.”

During the past eight years of working at Visions, Kristin has undoubtedly flourished, due in no small part to the fact that she knows the leaders on her team value her as an employee. Feeling like her voice matters and knowing that her colleagues trust her has allowed Kristin to grow in her role and continue making a positive impact.

“There are many people at Visions that deserve a shout-out, but I am especially thankful that [Chief Operations Officer] Tom Tafoya provided me the opportunity to come home to Visions as his Administrative Assistant after I left to pursue what seemed to be an appealing position at another charter school,” says Kristin. “During that semester that I was working for the other charter school, I realized that the grass is not always greener, and it sure is GOOD TO BE VISIONS!”

Work-Life Balance

Kristin’s husband, Michael, has been by Kristin’s side since 1989 when they met on a blind date on Valentine’s Day. Thirty three years of marriage later (34 in July!), they have two sons, Justin (31) and Nathaniel (23), and have spent countless hours reading, listening to Scotty McCreery and visiting the ocean together.

“One of the things that I like the most about Visions is being able to maintain a work-life balance,” says Kristin. “For the most part, I can leave my job at the office when I leave the building and focus my time on other important things in my life like my family and my well-being.”

As a previous stay-at-home mom, Kristin experienced first-hand how “priceless” time with her family is. Now that she’s back in the workforce, she emphasizes how fortunate she is that her roles outside of the office – wife, mom, daughter and more – are respected and valued here at Visions.

“I am blessed to work for an organization that values my work but also values my time away from work and understands that when life happens, employees need to take care of themselves,” Kristin shares. “After I lost my dad, [HR] told me to ‘be gentle’ with myself and to know that grief doesn’t have a timeframe. Those words prove to me that Relationships and Respect, two of Visions’ values, are lived out everyday from the top down.”





Fun Facts About Kristin:

She was born in Wisconsin.

She has a BA in Liberal Studies from CSU, Sacramento.

She played the French horn in middle school and high school.

She has had her photo in the newspaper twice – once when she was 5 and her family was waiting to watch a parade for the Milwaukee Brewers, and another when she was in middle school and was the Mission Oaks Park District’s volunteer of the week for their Camp Have-a-lot-of-Fun summer program.

Main Office and Student Technology Services Closed 2/12 for Lincoln’s Birthday

/in

Visions’ Main Office and Student Technology Services Closed February 12th for Lincoln’s Birthday

Visions’ main office and Student Technology Services (STS) will be closed on Monday, February 12th, 2024 in observance of Lincoln’s Birthday. We will resume operations during regular business hours on Tuesday, February 13th.

Lincoln’s Birthday commemorates the birth of Abraham Lincoln on February 12th, 1809. Serving as the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln led the U.S. through the Civil War, paved the way for the abolishment of slavery, and is remembered today as a symbol of liberty. To learn more about Abraham Lincoln, visit History.com.

National School Counseling Week is February 5th-9th

/in

National School Counseling Week is February 5th-9th

Every year during the first week of February, we honor and celebrate our counselors and their unique contributions to student success. Counseling supports and services are an essential part of a student’s education, and National School Counseling Week is an opportunity to educate our community about the importance of the counseling profession.

The counseling program at Visions provides students with the resources and opportunities to realize their potential and reach their goals. Through academic, social-emotional and postsecondary support, our counselors help our students become informed, active participants and leaders in their communities. Some of the responsibilities of our counseling team include:

  • Proactive, preventative counseling
  • Utilize an educational model focused on student strengths
  • Collaborate with all stakeholders, including students, families, administrators, staff and community members
  • Act as a change agent, especially for educational equity for all students
  • Advocate for all students to have access to rigorous courses
  • Maintain full accountability for student success

Celebrating Our Counselors

The Counseling team at Visions consists of a dedicated group of counselors and social workers. This team is here to help with everything from mental health and wellness to college and career readiness, so set up a meeting with one of our counselors today!

Hear What Staff & Students Have to Say About Our Counseling Team

“I must give special thanks to…my counselor, Ms. Deanna Stevenson, for helping me achieve my school goals.” – Jalissa W., Home School Academy

“Mrs. Winalski was a major help in helping me graduate early and plan out what I want to do after high school.” – Salwa A., University Prep Academy

“When I made the decision to apply to almost fifteen universities, [Counselor] Mrs. [Stacy] Callman was by my side every step of the way. I told her my dream school was Berklee College of Music and with her help, I got in!” – Daniela B., Independent Study Academy

“My counselor, Deanna Stevenson…helped me find scholarships and get on the right track for college. Now I know I want to be a lawyer.” – Zion P., Home School Academy

“As a new counselor to our community, Brittney [Hoffman] has jumped right in and is an amazing addition to our team. She is proactive, prompt with communication, a cheerleader for students, has already created grad plans and communicates ways she can support students. Thank you for serving students but also the teachers!” – Mindi Rold, Independent Study Academy Teacher

“Mariah [Ernst-Collins] and her [counseling] team truly go above and beyond on a daily basis with academic planning, synchronous instruction, crisis intervention and staff support. Not only is there great care in the people she and her team support, but also a true spirit of getting 1% better always to improve systems of support for students, staff and families.” – Matt Patterson, Director of Student Services

Vendor Spotlight: Learning Language and Life Skills with Kids’ Club Spanish

/in
The Kids' Club Spanish logo with the text "Kids' Club Spanish School" depicted through different colored building blocks.

Vendor Spotlight: Learning Language and Life Skills with Kids’ Club Spanish

At Visions, we partner with over 600 Enrichment Vendors to provide students with hands-on, extracurricular learning activities. Whether it’s singing, dancing, painting, martial arts, horseback riding or anything in between, we partner with vendors that speak to every student’s unique interests and passions.

For more than four years, we have been working with Kids’ Club Spanish to provide students with the opportunity to learn Spanish on their own time and in the comfort of their own home. With interactive lessons, skilled instructors and a unique N2N teaching approach, Kids’ Club Spanish is guaranteed to keep your child playing, laughing and learning.

But don’t only take our word for it – hear from one of our students and Kids’ Club Spanish below!

Meet Nico F. – Home School Academy, Grade 3

Nico came to Visions after struggling in his online kindergarten class during the pandemic. Mom Mariela had heard great things about Visions from a friend and decided to make the switch, enrolling Nico in our Home School Academy.

“Visions has helped Nico grow and succeed with their support and willingness to allow him to advance at his own pace. The best part is that we can self-evaluate his strengths and weaknesses and adjust his schooling accordingly,” Mariela shares. “We also love the fact that we can spend one-on-one time with him…and really hone in any subject or topic he wishes to learn or explore.”

One of the subjects Nico wanted to learn was Spanish. While searching through our list of vendors, Mariela came across Kids’ Club Spanish and knew it was the perfect match for her son.

“I read all the reviews and took a head first leap to get a tutor/teacher to help me solidify Nico’s Spanish learning,” shares Mariela. “I [could] not be happier that I did. His Spanish professor Gus is great and has helped us get Nico to actually make use of the language that he’s learning in his everyday life.” Check out the video of Nico learning with Professor Gus above!

Nico’s favorite part about being homeschooled is that he gets to “stay home” and learn about things that he’s interested in, like Spanish. “Through their fun and engaging classes,” Nico is truly learning a skill for life.

Hear from Kids’ Club Spanish!

“We are delighted to shine a spotlight on Nico, an extraordinary student who has been an integral part of our live, online Spanish classes since August 2023, guided by the dedicated Professor Gus located in Zacatecas, Mexico. What makes Nico’s language journey truly fascinating is the evident joy he finds in learning.

In the video, you’ll witness Nico immersed in a captivating game of ‘Find the Animal,’ calling out letters and numbers on the graph with enthusiasm. What’s remarkable is that he’s so engrossed in the game that he doesn’t seem to notice he’s effortlessly speaking and understanding Spanish spoken by a native speaker. This charming aspect of the video highlights the effectiveness of our approach — Nico is learning and thriving without even realizing it.

As [an] Enrichment Vendor, we take pride in fostering a love for the Spanish language through engaging and enjoyable activities with [our] ‘Edutainer’ teachers, who are dynamic and expert educators. Nico’s genuine enjoyment and seamless acquisition of language skills are a testament to the success of our program. We are honored to contribute to his educational journey at Visions.” – Kids’ Club Spanish

About Kids’ Club Spanish:

“At Kids’ Club Spanish School, we specialize in providing engaging and effective online Spanish lessons for children aged 5-13. Our unique immersion method ensures that kids start speaking Spanish from their very first class, making language learning a fun and interactive experience. 

Our energetic and dynamic teachers bring lessons to life with visual props and lovable puppets, capturing the attention and imagination of young learners. The flexibility to schedule one-on-one classes at your preferred day and time allows for a convenient and personalized learning experience, all from the comfort of your home. 

Ready to embark on this exciting linguistic journey with us? Sign up for a free trial class at www.kidsclubspanishschool.com and meet our wonderful team of passionate Spanish teachers today!”

February is Black History Month

/in

February is Black History Month

Since 1976, February has been recognized as Black History Month, a time to honor and celebrate African Americans and their role in our country’s history. The origins of Black History Month date back to shortly after the abolishment of slavery and have evolved into the nationwide commemoration of Black history and experience that we know today.

Take some time to check out the following Black History Month Resources:

Want to get involved? Check out this article for some ideas!

Hear from Visions’ Black Student Union

BSU at Visions gives students the space to engage in activities and discussions designed to help foster a better understanding of experiences and issues that impact African-American students. In the spirit of Black History Month, advisors Alexia Thomas and Dominique Asuncion asked the club what BSU means to them – hear what they had to say below.

“The BSU is a very safe community and a club where I’ve met new people, created affirmations, and much more already. What has stood out the most to me so far was The Wiz field trip and the Umoja presentation. The field trip was a lot of fun and I’m so grateful that the BSU gave me the chance to see a Broadway show. The Umoja presentation was educational and inspirational, it made all of us emotional and was very moving. When joining the BSU, I didn’t exactly know what to expect, but I wanted to get more involved with Visions, my community, and learn more, which is exactly what was provided for me. Soon after joining the BSU, I wanted to be an elected official and became the Historian role because I would like to help my community, research events, and overall further my education. As a Black high school student, the Black Student Union means a lot to me and I’m very glad I had the opportunity to join. I’m super excited to attend more meetings and do more within the club.” – Stephenie F., Historian

“The Black Student Union is a space for students to come together and discuss the history and future of the African-American community. As Vice President, BSU has given me the opportunity to assist my peers and use my voice. During every BSU meeting, we take the time to chant affirmations. The affirmations remind us that people of color are strong and hold importance. Visions In Education’s Black Student Union is a judgment-free club for African-American students to gain new views and opportunities.” – Lyrik R., Vice President

“The Black Student Union club is a place where individuals can comfortably express themselves and feel a sense of community. As the BSU club President, I appreciate the given opportunity to help inform others on the various social, historical, and cultural experiences of African Americans. The BSU club hosts numerous fun activities, events, and discussions. African American students have the chance to learn more about where they come from, find their voice, and gain helpful information on how to navigate life. I enjoy the connections that the club fosters. Recently, BSU partnered with guest speakers from Sacramento City Community College’s UMOJA program. The speakers provided information regarding opportunities available for African American college students. At Visions, the Black Student Union club fosters Black Excellence and helps students pave the way for African American advancement.” – Aliannah R., President 

Get Involved

Thank you to the Black Student Union for sharing your voices. If you’re interested in joining BSU or one of our other 20+ clubs, learn more about our clubs here.

Stay tuned all month long for celebrations of Black activists, leaders, and more on our social media!

Student Spotlight: Senior Baylee G. Commits to Baylor

/in

Student Spotlight: Senior Baylee G. Commits to Baylor

Baylee G. begins each day with an early morning tumbling practice. After her session, she returns home to complete her school work, then heads back to the gym for a few more hours of acrobatics-specific training and coaching. As a lifelong gymnast, she’s used to the demands of her sport. As a future collegiate athlete at Baylor University, she’s just getting warmed up.

“I have done gymnastics most of my life. I have trained in Artistic gymnastics and then Acro[batic] gymnastics for the last six years,” says Baylee. “I’m so excited to be headed to Baylor next year and continue my academic and athletic career with such an amazing group of girls and the best coaches!”

Also a competitive crossfitter, Baylee has pushed herself physically and mentally to secure her spot on Baylor’s Acrobatics and Tumbling team. Initially enrolled at a traditional public school, Baylee knew that to continue competing while also getting an education, she needed a school that was more flexible and self-paced. For her, Visions was “the way that worked best to do two competitive sports while prioritizing school.” So, shortly after the pandemic, Baylee enrolled in Visions’ University Prep Academy, knowing it was the program that would work best for her learning style and goals.

“University Prep has allowed me to have a narrow focus on school without the normal distractions I would have at an in-person public school,” says Baylee. “University Prep helped me figure out what I want to major in…and helped me stay on track to be prepared for college. Without University Prep, I would not be where I am today and would most likely not have the opportunity to receive a scholarship to Baylor.”

Finding Her Balance

As a performer, competitor and teammate, Baylee knows what it’s like to work with others to achieve success. It’s no different here at Visions, where she receives support from her credentialed teachers, counselor and other support staff to help her balance her school work with her sport.

“I have a great relationship with my teachers and counselor and they do an amazing job helping me…achieve my goals,” shares Baylee. “I am very supported here at Visions!”

As she nears the end of her high school career, Baylee is looking forward to taking her next steps as a Baylor Bear. Over the past few years, Visions has not only helped Baylee find her path, but also reach her goals.

“Without Visions, I would not have been able to balance both school and creating a future in my Acro and Tumbling career. It gave me the flexibility and time to commit to the hours I needed to be successful in my sport.”

National School Choice Week 2024

/in

National School Choice Week 2024

National School Choice Week is January 21-27 and is considered the largest celebration of educational options in America. Visions In Education is proud to be a public charter school that offers school choice and flexibility in our Independent Study, University Prep, and Home School academies.

“School choice is about families being able to choose among Traditional Public Schools, Public Charter Schools, Public Magnet Schools, Online Public Schools, Private Schools and Homeschool,” said President of National School Choice Week, Andrew Campanella.

This week-long initiative aims to raise awareness of the different school types and education options available. We’re joining the National School Choice Week celebration because every child deserves an education that supports their talents and needs.

Visions is proud to offer parents and students a personalized and safe learning environment. Check out our Alumni Voices or Student Spotlight pages to hear more about how students can succeed in a school of choice.

Visions Proud

Want to get involved? Here are some fun ways to celebrate National School Choice Week:

  • Post one of these badges on social media with the tags #SchoolChoiceWeek and #VisionsProud.
  • Help Grow Our Community: Do you know someone who might benefit from choosing a different school? Start a conversation about your experiences at Visions and let them know they have options available to them.