What led you to your current role with Fresno Unified?
My journey to this role has been fueled by my passion for supporting students and families as they navigate their experiences in the educational environment. I am deeply committed to equity and advocating for families who need support, with the goal of making a positive impact in our community. Over the years, I’ ve gained valuable experience in the field of social work, ultimately becoming a licensed clinical social worker and providing mental health services to students at Fresno High School. Working with a diverse range of students has only strengthened my commitment to their success. I was drawn to Fresno Unified because of its strong focus on creating equitable educational opportunities and fostering a positive learning environment.
What has been a challenge you’ ve faced in life and how did you overcome it?
One significant challenge I’ ve faced in life was navigating new and unfamiliar environments. As a first-generation Latina and college graduate, my educational journey required me to learn from failure and find my own way. Eventually, I succeeded, and those experiences helped me build resilience. They taught me the importance of challenging myself, pursuing my dreams and embracing the unknown. A phrase I often remind myself of since then is,“ Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” It was a time when I had to push myself outside my comfort zone. I overcame this by staying resilient, seeking support from my network and learning from each setback. This experience has shaped how I approach challenges today, especially when helping others navigate their own obstacles.
What challenges do you see students facing today?
Today, students face many challenges, such as academic pressure, social or emotional struggles and personal issues. These challenges, including transportation problems, health issues, mental health concerns, feeling unsafe or not belonging, and family responsibilities, can make it difficult for students to attend school regularly. When students are unable to attend consistently, it affects their ability to succeed academically and emotionally. It’ s important for everyone— students, families and schools— to work together to understand these challenges and provide the support needed to help students stay on track.
Why is attending school every day important?
Attending school every day is crucial for students to stay engaged in their lessons, build strong habits and develop meaningful relationships with their teachers and classmates. When students miss school, they miss out on important lessons, skills and experiences that can make it harder for them to catch up. This can lead to gaps in their learning, which may affect their ability to succeed in the future. Regular attendance not only helps students stay on track academically, but it also promotes responsibility, discipline and social connections, all of which contribute to their overall growth. By attending school consistently, students set themselves up for immediate success and lay the foundation for a bright future, where they can graduate with confidence and reach their full potential in life.
What is Fresno Unified doing to increase average daily attendance( ADA) and combat chronic absenteeism?
Fresno Unified is dedicated to improving attendance by implementing programs and initiatives that specifically address chronic absenteeism. Our focus is on building strong relationships with students and families, identifying attendance barriers early and providing targeted support. We are also committed to creating a positive school climate and recognizing students who consistently attend. This collaborative approach aims to reduce absenteeism and ensure every student can succeed.
At the district level, we are working across departments to incentivize schools in promoting regular attendance. Additionally, many school sites have staff members such as home school liaisons, intervention specialists, child welfare attendance specialists, clinical school social workers and other dedicated staff who assist with connecting students to resources, supporting attendance, fostering engagement and addressing student challenges.