Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

Celebrating CTE Awareness Month

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Celebrating CTE Awareness Month

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments and importance of CTE programs. Career and Technical Education offers students the ability to gain career skills and explore professions that interest them while still in high school.

By learning about the career options available to them early, students are better equipped to make informed decisions about their future and start building the career they really want. Visions is proud to offer three distinct CTE pathways, Medical Careers, Game & Simulation and Cybersecurity, that allow our students to build real-world skills before graduating and connect with valuable work-study opportunities.

Get Involved

  • Explore Your Options: Interested in health care? Want to go into the video game or cybersecurity industry? Learn more about Visions’ CTE offerings here!
  • Start a Conversation: Interested in a CTE program but not sure where to start? Currently enrolled students can talk to a counselor to explore the options that are available to you.

Resources

Check out ACTE, the Association for Career and Technical Education, for CTE information, merch, toolkits, and more!

About ACTE: ACTE is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. Their mission is to provide educational leadership in developing a competitive workforce. ACTE strives to empower educators to deliver high-quality CTE programs that ensure all students are positioned for career success.

February Is Black History Month

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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.

2025 Theme

This year’s theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and Labor”, which recognizes labor industry changemakers throughout history.

“As a citizen workforce, African Americans continue to chart new paths toward economic stability, personal growth, and racial uplift. From enslaved workers in the 19th century to agricultural, industrial, and professional workers in the 20th and 21st centuries, Black men and women have always been vital to transforming and tooling America. During Black History Month, our museum celebrates Black people’s often invisible labor of all kinds — across time, industry, and community.” – Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture

Resources

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

Want to join the celebration in person? Check out this article for some ideas!

Snakes, Strikes & Silent Discos: Celebrating Our Fall Semester Events

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Snakes, Strikes & Silent Discos: Celebrating Our Fall Semester Events

If you can believe it, we are already halfway through the school year! There were so many fun highlights to the first half of the year, including our charter being renewed and the launch of our 25-year Impact Report, but one of the best was all of our amazing regional and community events!

From field days to museum tours to our Winter Dance, both our home school and high school events were a great way for students to hang out with their friends, say hi to their teachers, and explore the many offerings here at Visions. With a variety of themes and topics for each community, such as health and fitness, wild animals, and theater, students had the chance to be immersed in different learning experiences and social opportunities. Thank you students and families for coming to these events and making them so special for our communities!

Want to relive the magic? See some photos from a handful of our Fall Semester events below!


















Thank You Staff and Teachers!

We love seeing students come together at our events, and that wouldn’t be possible without the staff and teachers here at Visions. Our Events team, Counselors, Principals, Vice Principals, Teachers, and support staff are integral in planning, coordinating, and overseeing these events that are so important to our students’ school experience. We can’t thank you enough for making our events so meaningful for our families!

National School Choice Week 2025

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National School Choice Week 2025

National School Choice Week is considered the largest celebration of educational options in America. From January 26th-February 1st, we’re raising awareness of the different types of schools and education options available for parents.

Visions In Education is proud to be a public charter school that offers school choice and flexibility in our Independent Study, University Prep, Home School, and Online Middle School programs. Check out our Alumni Voices or Student Spotlight pages to hear more about how students can succeed in a school of choice.

Get Involved!

National School Choice Week is celebrating 15 years! Here are some fun ways to celebrate:

  • Check out the activity center, with puzzles, worksheets, and other ways to get crafty!
  • Connect with NSCW on social media! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #schoolchoiceweek.
  • Help grow our community: Do you know someone who might benefit from Visions? Start a conversation about your experiences and let them know they have options available to them.






Throwback Thursday: 25 Years Of Visionaries

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Throwback Thursday: 25 Years of Visionaries

At Visions, sharing student stories has been one of our most enduring (and favorite!) initiatives. From our earliest days to our 25th year, our students have always been the best testaments to our program.

But, our current student spotlights haven’t always looked like they do now! Check out some archival student articles that appeared in Visions View, an old Visions-run newspaper!

“When I picked up my first string instrument back in the fourth grade, I hated it. When I became a student at Visions In Education, my attitude towards practice changed. I started enjoying playing the violin for the first time.”

Matthew S., Student – Visions View: December 16, 2002 (Cont. in image 4 below)

“Joshua wrote that the flexibility of Visions has given him the opportunity to earn elective credits for serving in the CAP (Civil Air Patrol) – ‘for doing what I love to do.'”

Joshua G,, Student – Visions View: September 15, 2002

1% Better Every Year

Today, we continue to tell student stories in hopes of highlighting what Visions can do for our community. Whether our students want to be an actor, an athlete, an author, or a musician, Visions is the place that gives them a flexible schedule, one-on-one support, and an education tailored to their academic and personal needs. We’re proud to say that for a quarter of a century, Visions has been changing student lives.

“I’ve become more…confident all thanks to the people at Visions and what they do for their students. Best decision I’ve made in my life!” – Jessica V., Independent Study Academy, Class of 2022

Here’s to 25 more years of success stories!

Click through the gallery below to see more!






Board Of Directors Spotlight: Meet Samuel Smalls

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Board of Directors Spotlight: Meet Samuel Smalls

Please share why you volunteer on the Board at Visions In Education.

As a resident of the Sacramento County region, I support my local education organizations as a critical building block of our community, nation and advanced societies across the globe. Not only does education help create an informed and culturally aware citizenry, but it also provides a pipeline of competent talent for our nation’s future workforce, as well as opportunities for upward mobility for those of a lower socio-economic status. For these reasons and more, I volunteer my time to Visions In Education because I believe its mission supports these goals.

What is it about Visions that made you want to be part of our school community?

Visions In Education is committed to using alternative methods of reaching and teaching youths from a wide array of backgrounds who are not thriving in traditional school programs. Meeting youth where they are and empowering them with the attention and tools to excel is what attracted me to be part of the Visions school community.

How might you describe the difference that our teachers and staff are making by meeting the individual and unique needs of each student?

Our teaching and administrative staff are able to give the customized attention that our students need. With Visions’ approach, our students can’t easily hide or fall through the sometimes evident cracks of traditional educational systems.

What is one way that Visions is making a difference in our community from your perspective?

Visions is transforming lives, one student at a time. Any story of a student that is able to gain academic stability or, in the best of circumstances, academic excellence is a great story that needs to be told. Moreover, because students have access to non-classroom activities like music, arts, and sports, they can tap into the creativity and skills that make each unique. This journey of self-discovery can often lead to self-confidence, thereby sparking correlated academic improvements.

As a member of the Board, you have an important policy and oversight role to ensure the school is achieving its mission. How would you describe your role in holding Visions accountable for meeting our goals to a variety of stakeholders, including families, staff, and taxpayers?

As a public servant in my current job, I understand the importance of public accountability to stakeholders. In my role as a Visions Board member, I hope that my past and current public sector experience will help me ask good questions of staff, assist in Visions’ focus on and allocation of resources to meet the priority needs of the organization, be an ambassador of the great work Visions is doing, and be an advocate to various partners and critics on how we all can help solve the challenges facing our youth in the area of education. As a Board member, I seek to build bridges between the organization and outside stakeholders to help us achieve our collective goals.

What are you most passionate about? How are you able to pursue that passion by serving on our Board?

I am passionate about seeing the eyes of our youth light up with hope. I want to be a part of an organization that seeks to bring out the best in its employees and students. While new to the Visions Board, I’m excited about the prospect of doing just that during my tenure.

Please share a bit about your background, family, and what you like to do in your spare time.

I am married and have two teenage boys attending Jesuit High School, a senior (Class of 2025) and a junior (Class of 2026). I am an avid lover of music, live or recorded, ranging from Jazz, R&B, and Gospel to Pop Rock and Classical. I also like a wide range of movies and live musical theater. Last but not least, I’m a foodie – I love to cook (and eat) – gourmet, BBQ, and Asian cuisine.

Student Spotlight: Five Rounds In The Ring

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Student Spotlight: Five Rounds In The Ring

Before the sounds of Sarama, before the noise of the crowd and the voices of the commentators, 17 year old Zee H. carefully wraps his hands and puts on his gloves, a bright red that matches the stripe running down the sides of his shorts. He knows he’s put in the hours – conditioning, sparring, and bag work – but can’t help the nerves. Despite them, he loves everything that comes with competing, and knows he’s ready for whatever may happen the moment the first bell dings. With the adrenaline of competition and a team steady in his corner, Zee touches his gloves together, steps forward in the ring, and begins the fight.

Zee’s been training in Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, since he was 14 years old. Spurred by the pandemic when he and a friend would watch UFC on television, Zee joined Rocklin’s UFC Gym under Coach Ezra Regan to try the sport himself. Although he’ll be the first to admit that he wasn’t the best at it in the beginning, he’ll also proudly say that he’s loved Muay Thai since day one.

“[I] always loved it, even when I wasn’t so good, it was always fun to show up and sweat,” says Zee. “It kept me busy and out of trouble.”

The sport quickly went from an observational pastime to a true passion for Zee. The skills he’d only seen on television – jabs and hooks, knee strikes and front kicks – he was now doing himself, and his daily life began to take form around the sport.

“Daily training starts with a plethora of stretches right before we take off for a three mile run. After the run is completed I jump rope for 8-10 minutes. After jump rope I will clinch with a partner for 10-15 minutes, then I will do five rounds of heavy bag work,” explains Zee. “After that, me and another Thai boxer will proceed with offense/defense drills, sparring, or holding Thai pads for one another depending on the day of the week or what my coach has in order for the team.”

“Just Doing What I Need to Do”

Zee enrolled in Visions’ Independent Study Academy two years ago, wanting to work at his own pace and in the comfort of his own home. A student in our Credit Recovery Program, Zee has been finding academic success through individualized support from his teachers, guidance from his counselor, and an education tailored to his specific needs.

“[I have a] good relationship with both my teacher and counselor. They are nice, friendly people,” Zee shares. “I think the Credit Recovery Program is quite helpful, it has helped me with lots of work I’d struggle with in [traditional] public school.”

“Zee has been an absolute pleasure to work with this semester. He is focused and principled in both his school work and training schedule,” shares his Credentialed Teacher, Rachel Morphy. “His work ethic in the gym clearly lends itself to other aspects of his life, especially in the way that he always completes his schoolwork on time and with great thoughtfulness.”

“In my experience working…with Zee, he has demonstrated himself to be an incredibly resilient young man who has shown remarkable strength and determination throughout his journey,” adds his Counselor, Rija Gorkhali.

Coming to Visions has not only helped Zee academically, but has also freed up time for him to focus on other things, like finding a job and focusing on Muay Thai. Whether it’s the flexible learning environment or the ability to set his own schedule, Visions directly supports all of Zee’s pursuits.

“Schooling through Visions has helped me a lot. Working at home gives me time to prepare for a day of training, whether it’s laundry or having time to eat a proper meal before the gym,” says Zee.

Between full days of training and frequent competitions, Zee is also focused on his high school education, all of which demand a lot from him. But when he was asked how he balances his studies with his fighting, Zee’s answer was simple: “Not much of a struggle to balance the two, just doing what I need to do.”

Showing the Ropes

Beyond the gym, ring, or Zoom room, Zee’s found another avenue where his skills can shine – helping younger fighters.

“I try to assist the younger trainees whenever I can, whether that’s helping my coach for demonstration, helping them with their stance or guard, or holding pads for them,” he shares. “I’m inspired to help the younger generation because a sport like Muay Thai takes a lot of confidence and perseverance so I feel the least I can do is help the people who are open enough to try the sport.”

Zee one day hopes to compete in Muay Thai for a living, but for now, he’ll continue to focus on obtaining his high school diploma from Visions. We’re excited to watch Zee continue to compete and find success in all of his future endeavors!

A final word from Ms. Morphy: “Zee will be graduating this spring and I am so proud of him for consistently keeping high grades while accomplishing so much in his sport as well. I cannot wait to see what he does next.”

Want to see Zee in action? Check out one his fights here! 

Director Of Special Education Jessica Lauder Featured On MindPlay Education Podcast

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Director Of Special Education Jessica Lauder Featured On MindPlay Education Podcast





Listen Here

Visions’ Director of Special Education Jessica Lauder was recently interviewed by MindPlay Education on their Literacy Mindset podcast! In the episode, titled Special Education and Literacy: Jessica Lauder’s Mission at Visions In Education, Director Lauder discusses the topic of literacy and how it functions in Visions’ educational model.

“MindPlay reached out to me and explained that they were approaching special education leaders for alternative school formats,” Director Lauder shares. “I researched a little about MindPlay and the Literacy Mindset podcast and decided that although this may be outside my comfort zone, it would be a good opportunity to engage in a conversation about one of my passions, literacy, at a larger level.”

With MindPlay CEO Jeff Pendleton, Director Lauder discussed literacy supports, intervention strategies, and how we incorporate technology to improve accessibility for our special education students. She also shared information about curriculum and assessments, and some of the anticipated future initiatives in special education.

1% Better

As the special education world evolves and expands, Visions is continuing to meet the needs of our special education students through our structured literacy program, multi-tiered systems of supports, and other important interventions. In providing the appropriate tools and resources, Visions is fostering the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral success of our special education community.

“We’re really building a continuum of services within our model that didn’t exist a few years ago. We’re increasing our synchronous instruction classes, increasing our highest tier of intervention, expanding our structured literacy program, and providing a counseling-embedded program for mental health,” Director Lauder shares in the episode. “It’s really exciting to see all of the different components that we’re bringing to students where they are.”

Thank you MindPlay for providing a platform for us to share our initiatives and supports for our special education students here at Visions. Check out the full episode here!

About MindPlay Education

MindPlay Education has been providing learning content to educators and families for over 40 years. Their educational programs are based on methodologies and science, delivering structured and systematic learning instruction to students that result in powerful learning growth and mastery. To learn more about MindPlay, visit their website here.

Visions’ Main Office & STS Closed January 20th For Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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Visions’ Main Office & STS Closed January 20th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Visions’ main office and Student Technology Services (STS) will be closed Monday, January 20th, 2025 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will resume operations during regular business hours on Tuesday, January 21st.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States, observed every year on the third Monday of January to honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s a day that commemorates Dr. King’s advocacy and activism, and celebrates a leader who brought hope and healing to America. For more information about Martin Luther King Jr. Day, please see the following resources:

The Heart Of Visions: A Spotlight On The Human Resources Department

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The Heart of Visions: A Spotlight on the Human Resources Department

At Visions, there is a group of seven women who make up our Human Resources Department – a Director, two analysts, and four assistants. Sometimes they’re Barbies, other times, they’re cowgirls. They’re Soup Day chefs and Santa’s little elves, and most significantly, they are the people behind the people and the support system of our organization.

“My role involves overseeing the key functions of the department, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, compliance, health benefits, and performance management,” explains Donna Glenn, Director of Human Resources. “My team is exceptional in their field, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Together, we collaborate to foster a positive workplace culture by organizing activities and events that engage and support our team members.”

As a department centered around recruitment, hiring, benefits, and more, Human Resources is truly unique in its operations. While our other departments – Enrollment and Student Services, Ordering and Assessments – primarily support our students, HR’s main focus is supporting our staff.

“My top responsibilities are credentialed staff and teacher recruitment along with onboarding teachers, counselors, social workers and classified staff. It’s really fun to meet all of the new hires and watch them grow in the organization!” says Hillori Dalton, Human Resources Assistant.

Our other Human Resources Assistant Jamie Snyder supports Hillori in this work, providing job advertisement, applicant screening, interview preparation and other important event coordination.

“I coordinate Visions’ annual Career Fairs and University Career Fair, FRISK and ACSA training for managers, and new hire StrengthFinder assessments,” says Jamie.

HR is also responsible for tracking important staff information and remaining in compliance with state regulations, a body of work that Administrative Assistant Terry Sovulewski is heavily involved in.

“My core responsibilities include tracking TB and credential expirations, assigning and tracking mandatory training, employment verifications, and updating policies and procedures in the employee handbook,” says Terry.

While a large focus of this team’s work is on recruiting and hiring, there is also an emphasis on supporting staff after they’ve joined the organization.

“I am the benefits point of contact for current employees in regards to health benefits plans during open enrollment, their new hire period, or if they experience a life event,” explains Giuliana Carillo, Human Resources Analyst. “I also help administer the Leave of Absence program and assist employees who resign or retire from the organization.”

“My core responsibilities are credential analysis, staffing, salary placement, leave balances, leave of absences, policies and procedures, and employee communications,” adds Cruz Ambrosini, Human Resources Analyst.

Administrative Assistant Dao Gordon’s position is unique in that she supports both the HR Department and the Superintendent’s Office. Her body of work, along with HR tasks like hiring, onboarding, and managing our Visions All-Stars program with her team, includes overseeing our Alumni Hall of Fame, an initiative launched this year to recognize and celebrate our distinguished alumni.

“The Alumni Hall of Fame program recognizes and honors our outstanding alumni who have distinguished themselves professionally and/or personally. The program was launched last August on the occasion of Visions’ 25th Anniversary,” Dao explains. “We believe that Visions alumni have made great impacts to our communities over 25 years, and they deserve to be honored.”

Leading & Learning

Although many of the department’s practices are tried and true, and consistently indicate why we often have no vacancies at the beginning of the school year and little turnover at the end, the team is always looking for ways to improve. Whether it be bolstering our hiring efforts, expanding our benefits, or offering supplemental education opportunities for staff, HR maintains a strong focus on getting 1% better every day.

“Our HR team truly embodies the ‘1% better every day’ motto through our continuous to growth, learning, and improvement. Whether it’s refining our processes, enhancing employee experiences, or staying updated on the latest HR trends, we are always looking for ways to make incremental improvements,” says Donna. “We encourage open feedback and actively seek our opportunities to streamline workflows, support our staff more effectively, and enhance our organizational culture. By focusing on small, consistent improvements, we make a big impact over time, creating a more efficient, responsive, and positive environment for everyone.”

Not only does this continuous improvement culture help our staff develop, but it also helps drive HR’s own commitment to growth and learning.

“I really enjoy being part of the HR team. I’ve been learning a lot from all team members, and I really appreciate it,” says Dao. Hillori adds, “I feel very lucky to work in my department! I am always learning something new from my team.”

A Passion for People

The nature of HR’s work is to look outward to support our staff and organization. However, their internal bonds as coworkers, collaborators, and cheerleaders for our Visionaries are just as strong.

“The HR team is amazing. Each personality and strength fits together to make the most collaborative team I have ever worked with,” says Cruz. “We are here to offer support to employees no matter what they are going through and strive to be a valuable resource to employees.”

“I really enjoy being part of the HR team,” Jamie adds. “I feel we have a quick turn around to help employees receive the information and services needed to succeed.”

“I’m so fortunate to be working alongside some of the hardest working HR people I’ve ever worked with,” says Giuliana. “I love being able to work with and support the greatest influencers in our students’ lives!”

What Giuliana said rings true – one of the strongest pillars of this department’s work is supporting and uplifting our people. With good staff and teachers come successful students and a strong culture, each a crucial component of Visions’ quarter-century of success.

At Visions, we understand that life is full of significant moments – from birth of a child to the challenges of a wedding, a divorce, or even the loss of a loved one. Throughout all of these times, our HR team is a constant source of support for our staff. HR is often the first place employees turn when they face personal or professional difficulties, and the work that they do is nothing short of incredible,” Donna shares. “Our HR team provides a steady presence and a listening ear during some of the most challenging moments in life, all while maintaining a positive and compassionate attitude. Their ability to offer guidance with empathy, care, and professionalism is a testament to their strength and dedication. I am extremely proud of the HR team for their unwavering commitment to supporting our employees, no matter the circumstance.”