Board Recognizes October and November 2005 Employees of the Month

Judy Lopez, a para-educator, was nominated by Principal Linda Mitchell for her contributions to the Regional Occupational Program of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Lopez works in the ROP Automotive Technician I course assisting instructor Frank Lopez at SCOE's C.K. McClatchy High School site. With the support of Judy Lopez, the McClatchy Automotive Technology program has received well-deserved recognition over the years. Her supervisor says, "Judy is a skilled partner in this team, and plays an important factor in the quality of the program. She provides the visual perspective for the instructor and students in this highly interactive and activity-rich program." Recently, Judy put considerable effort and time into SCOE's ROP Safety Committee, developing a comprehensive safety checklist for teachers. She participated in the planning and delivery of a safety workshop for teachers. She created a brochure and marketing information for SCOE's automotive program at McClatchy High School. "Judy is a strong proponent of ROP. Everything she does can be stamped with 'high quality,'" concludes her supervisor. Ms. Lopez has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since January 2000.

October 2005 Certificated Employee of the Month​​

David Popken, a teacher, was nominated by Principal Linda Mitchell for his contributions to SCOE's Regional Occupational Program. Mr. Popken came to SCOE from the auto body industry and is knowledgeable in the most up-to-date concepts and skills in auto collision repair. He has restructured the ROP Auto Body Collision and Repair course, been the impetus behind the upgrading of the auto body shop located at SCOE's Mather Field site on Missile Way, and has revitalized the program with his enthusiasm and expertise. He recently designed a new California Department of Education-approved program, "Auto Collision Estimator," and taught it for the first time in July 2005. This computer-based program adds a new extension to enable auto body training students to make accurate auto body repair estimates and process insurance claims-a field needing trained employees. His supervisor says, "David has built a solid network of industry employers and works closely with community college programs. David is one of those high-performing professionals from industry who discovered he has a gift for teaching." Mr. Popken has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since January 2004.

November 2005 Classified Employee of the Mon​​th

Jennifer Brown, a physical/occupational therapist, was nominated by Infant Development Program (IDP) Principal Gary Scott Johnson for her contributions to SCOE. Ms. Brown works at SCOE's Ralph Richardson Center, providing services for families who live in the San Juan and Folsom Cordova Unified School Districts. She is a vital member of a transdisciplinary team which includes two early childhood special education teachers, two occupational therapists, a speech therapist, a nurse, a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, a teacher of the visually impaired, and two infant educators. In her weekly home visits, she observes and engages in parent-child interactions within the context of play, continuously assessing the child's developmental needs, then models and presents to the parent a variety of play-based motor development interventions that the parent can implement with the child within the family's daily routine. Ms. Brown's repertoire of knowledge gives her the opportunity to recognize and address the child's needs in other areas of development, including communication, cognitive, social-emotional, adaptive/self-care and sensory integration. Upon her request, other team members join her for home visits and provide the family with further expertise. In turn, Ms. Brown provides consultation to other team members who see a need that requires her occupational therapy expertise. Ms. Brown has played a leadership role in the IDP, assisting in the development of the assistive technology assessment team and an oral-motor evaluation. She offers her knowledge and guidance to SCOE's Quality Child Care Collaborative and has been asked to serve on the SEEDS Workgroup on Early Education Technology (SWEET) Committee. She will be a co-presenter in the initial presentation of a new assistive technology curriculum at the Special Education Early Childhood Administrators Project (SEECAP) Conference in February 2006. Her supervisor says, "Jennifer is truly committed to the families she serves. She is able to weave concern and compassion with hope and optimism. She is able to present her expertise in a clear and understandable manner. Jennifer's manner makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world. She has an uncanny ability to the uplift the spirits of those faced with the challenges of a child with disabilities." Ms. Brown has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since March 1989.

November 2005 Certificated Employee of the Month​

Georgia Corbett, a hearing-impaired specialist, was nominated by Infant Development Program Principal Gary Scott Johnson for her contributions to SCOE. She teaches students who are deaf and hard of hearing. She supports parents in choosing communication systems for their child by listening, providing unbiased information, and being "there" for the families. Ms. Corbett, who has developed close working relationships with audiologists and other providers in the community, has become the SCOE "expert" on cochlear implants. She spends considerable time pursuing the latest information in a world that is changing due to technology advancements. She was invited to serve on the California Deaf and Hard of Hearing Early Start Workgroup, a California Department of Education-sponsored task force with the charge to develop recommendations for assessment and intervention of infants and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Ms. Corbett spearheaded SCOE's IDP Action Team to develop a booklet for those new to the program that describes the IDP mission, philosophy, intervention model and services. Ms. Corbett's exemplary writing and communication skills also serve to make her a valuable member of SCOE's team. Her supervisor says, "Her ability to clearly articulate not only our philosophy and mission, but also a concise description of our step-by-step process of delivering services to families, is apparent in her editing of our early intervention services letter and our draft of the IDP introductory booklet. Her precision in writing flows from her experiential expertise in providing services to families. That which she clearly writes is what she genuinely provides to families. Families truly benefit from this teacher because of her commitment to those she serves." Ms. Corbett has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since May 2001.