The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is one of 58 county offices located throughout the state. Approximately 700 full-time and more than 2,500 part-time SCOE staff work year-round providing services which complement and supplement those offered by public school districts in the County of Sacramento. Over 230,000 K-12 students are served by public schools in Sacramento County.
Classified Employee of the Month
Leslie Friedman, Para-Educator, was nominated by Principal Lyn Efken for her contributions to the Special Education Program of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Friedman works with students in teacher Eziuche Okemiri's classroom at SCOE's El Centro Junior/Senior High School. In addition to assisting the teacher with direct instruction, she frequently works with students independently or in small groups. "Ms. Friedman's patience and her soft-spoken manner help the students really relate to her," says her supervisor. "She and Mr. Okemiri do much more than teach subjects. They teach important life skills and model qualities such as respect and courtesy." Ms. Friedman is valued for her ability to build trusting relationships with students, many of whom have found this lacking in their lives. "She is a very caring individual," says her supervisor, "someone who is able to touch the hearts of students." Ms. Friedman has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since July 2008.
Certificated Employee of the Month
Eziuche Okemiri, Special Day Class Teacher, was nominated by Principal Lyn Efken for his contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education Special Education Program. Mr. Okemiri serves students in a Special Day Class at SCOE's Centro Jr/Sr High School campus located within Sacramento County Juvenile Hall. With Para-Educator Leslie Friedman, Mr. Okemiri provides special education services to students who are primarily identified as having an emotional disturbance or learning disability. Up to one dozen students are enrolled in the self-contained classroom, where they learn core subjects and more. According to his supervisor, Mr. Okemiri excels at meeting the diverse and ever-changing needs of this highly transient student population. "He is one of the finest teachers I have come across," she says. "His direct instructional approach and his interaction with his students are amazing to watch, and they achieve results." Mr. Okemiri is known for his subject matter expertise and the respectful and dignified way in which he treats his students. His supervisor concludes, "The students benefit every day from their interaction with this exemplary teacher." Mr. Okemiri has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since March 2008.