This episode is an engaging and inspiring conversation with Jacob Ruth, Principal of Parkway Sports & Health Science Academy. We cover a lot of ground, including the school’s recent unveiling of a skate ramp as part of its Engineering of Skateboarding class, and how that project is attracting and engaging students in innovative ways. We also talk about the school’s transformation from Parkway Middle School to Parkway Sports & Health Science Academy, and why there’s much more than a name change to that process. You'll discover the school's new learning pathways, new elective classes, and an ever-changing and growing commitment to the arts. We also talk about the recent visit to the school from Dr. Ellen Ochoa, an alumnus of Parkway who has been an astronaut (she was the first Latina in space), as well as running one of NASA’s biggest centers.

Andrea Frost is a district counselor and the lead of the district’s Family and Community Engagement team. Andrea and her team are doing amazing work to help families connect with needed resources that help provide stability and empower their students to thrive at school and at home. Some of her team’s work includes connecting families to resources like CalFresh, free or reduced-price wifi access, and other programs that are available but can be tricky to navigate.  The Family and Community Engagement team has a special focus on helping families new to the country to identify and access resources and programs. That process can be challenging for anyone, as we discuss in the episode, and so Andrea and her team are vital connections to these programs. “We've been doing a lot of work with newcomers - checking in with them and making sure that they're supported by their school site and that their school site knows that we have the resources and the language supports they need for those families.” There are also programs for LMSV staff to learn how to help families as well as gain valuable professional development training to better understand and assist our families. These include a workshop on the effects of trauma on the brain and how trauma affects and informs learning, as well as a poverty simulator exercise to build empathy and understanding of the chaos and challenges brought on by poverty. On this episode of the LMSV Heart Podcast Andrea shares about her team’s work and the vital resources they bring to our schools and families. To contact Andrea or learn more about the Family & Community Engagement team, click here.

Something parents and families often inquire about at our schools are resources to better understand children’s challenging behaviors. In addition to understanding what behaviors are communicating, we also want our students and families to be equipped to work through those behaviors and develop new, healthier skills. To that effect, Chelsea Gould is a welcome addition to our district’s Learning Support department. Chelsea is a Licensed Educational Psychologist who brings over a dozen years of experience helping students, parents, and families access the tools and resources they need to improve student learning outcomes and develop lifelong skills. “I could not wait to join this team,” says Chelsea, “because I know that this district values not just children, but families and the whole child.” Chelsea is developing a series of parenting resource workshops that address a number of topics. One of the most desired is helping parents to address challenging behaviors in children.

On this episode we have a unique story to share: it’s our first episode with two guests as we have the privilege to speak with Nick and Viviana Martinez, a father-daughter who both teach at La Mesa Dale Elementary. You’ll hear how Viviana and Nick each found their way to teaching, the ways that they collaborate as colleagues, and what continues to inspire them as teachers.   You’ll come away inspired and encouraged by their stories, their insights, and their passion and dedication to their students and families.

To kick off the 2023-24 school year we are thrilled to talk with Stephanie Starr, Principal at Maryland Avenue Elementary School. Stephanie shares her insights about the special culture at Maryland Avenue, starting with a commitment to “lead with love”. She’ll also explain why that is more than just a catchy phrase - that it is something that she and her team work to activate and embody every day. Stephanie also shares some of her own personal journey with powerful examples of the difference that teachers and educators have made in her life. If you want to learn more about Maryland Avenue Elementary and opportunities for your child, click here. You can also visit the school and see the culture first hand.

One of the most active programs at our schools is ESS, which engages and enriches students before and after school. What's more, ESS is one of the programs that run throughout the summer. As we approach the summer season we wanted to talk with one of our ESS leaders about all it offers students and families. So we’re thrilled to talk with Antonio Bustos, the ESS site lead at Bancroft Elementary. Antonio has not only worked with ESS for nearly nine years, but he attended ESS throughout his 1st - 8th grade years, so he’s got a ton of experience. As you’ll hear, he also has a ton of passion and insight into what makes ESS tick. From academic coaching to opportunities to engage in sports, science, and life skills, ESS is a deep and rich opportunity for students to grow. To learn more about ESS click here and consider getting your student involved.

Angela teaches a hybrid garden and culinary class at both Casa de Oro and Lemon Avenue Elementary schools. Students from TK - 6th grade learn all about growing food, preparing it - including some basic kitchen knife skills, and cooking delicious and healthy recipes that they can make at home. The class was jump-started through a grant from the Sage Garden Project, a non-profit that has supported over 100 school garden and cooking classes with startup funding, curriculum, and teacher training.

Spend even a short amount of time with James “Coach Gonzo” Gonzales and you’re sure to leave the conversation inspired, motivated, and unsurprised that he has been named Teacher of the Year for La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools. Coach Gonzo, a PE teacher at La Mesa Arts Academy (LMAAC) may be the only one surprised by the honor. “I'm rarely speechless,” says Coach Gonzo, “and that was a huge feather in the cap to be recognized by my peers.” Starting off in the classroom teaching English and Special Ed, Coach Gonzo moved over to teach PE several years ago, and he’s passionate about the educational AND social-emotional benefits of PE. From seeing students learn how to collaborate and solve problems, to building confidence in their capabilities, Coach Gonzo is an inspiring voice for our district. You’ll also hear about his coaching outside of school, which includes leading a competitive outrigger canoe team that has raced around the world. Get ready to be inspired by our Teacher of the Year, Coach Gonzo.

Ask any teacher what they feel about paraprofessionals (paras, for short) and you’ll get no shortage of praise and gratitude. Paras provide support for students who may need extra help, guidance, or care in their learning process and are a vital resource for students, families, and teachers. For Jennifer Carik, the journey to becoming a paraprofessional began with experiencing the help that her own child needed. “When [my child was] about eight months old they had open heart surgery, which caused a lot of delays, physically. When they were about 18 months old we got in touch with the San Diego Regional Center, an organization for people who need advocacy for special needs. “They told me that La Mesa-Spring Valley had a specialized program at one of Rancho Elementary which is called the Early Start program - it's baby - three years old. The program helps kids catch up by the time they're in preschool.” To hear more about Jennifer’s story and the role of a paraprofessional, listen in! And if you're interested in more information or becoming a paraprofessional, check our job board.

On this episode, we speak with Janet Josa, Principal of Kempton Literacy Academy. We dive into her story and journey to becoming a leader in bilingual education. It involves the Panama Canal, a family filled with educators, and the opportunity to bring her experiences, insights, and perspective to Kempton Literacy Academy. The school provides dual language instruction, teaching students in English in Spanish in all subjects. This model delivers fantastic opportunities for students to not only learn in a bilingual environment but to build skills in collaborating with one another and building strong relationships. You can learn more about bilingual education and the opportunities at Kempton Literacy Academy on the school’s website.