The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is one of 58 county offices located throughout the state. Approximately 650 regular and more than 950 temporary and substitute SCOE staff work year-round providing services that complement and supplement those offered by public school districts in Sacramento County.
Classified Employee of the Month
Venice Jenkins, Program Analyst with the Prevention and Student Services (PASS) Department, was nominated by Director Cheryl Raney for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Jenkins helps SCOE provide services to youth and families that help them avoid involvement in the juvenile justice system and improve students’ school attendance and academic performance. She is responsible for maintaining a number of large databases, including those for Project SAVE (Safe Alternatives and Violence Education) and the Community Schools Academic Mentor (CSAM) Program, and for generating reports concerning student and program successes. Ms. Jenkins produces the monthly Asset Development newsletter and coordinates events and trainings such as the Friday Night Live/Club Live appreciation event and the Project SAVE annual celebration. According to her supervisor, Ms. Jenkins is “an exemplary employee – committed to her work and always professional… She has strong skills in project management, use of technology, and efficient office practices. She is a team player, consistently showing initiative in developing office procedures and sharing her expertise and knowledge with colleagues. She is a true asset to the department.” Ms. Jenkins has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since January, 1992.
Certificated Employee of the Month
Valerie Peterson, Teacher at Carson Creek Junior/Senior High School, was nominated by Principal Mary Mack for her contributions to the Juvenile Court Schools Program of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Peterson teaches math and fine arts to youth, ages 14–18 years, who are incarcerated at the Sacramento County Boys Ranch. Her supervisor says that Ms. Peterson’s “greatest contribution to our program is her sincerity and honesty in believing that all children can learn” and that her “greatest endeavor is trying to prove this in preparing her lessons to meet their needs.” Ms. Peterson uses her interest in classical guitar to help introduce students to the world of classical and contemporary music. She has further contributed as chairperson of the Math Curriculum Committee. Ms. Peterson has been employed by SCOE since June, 2000.