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 which complement and supplement those offered by public school districts in Sacramento County. Over 230,000 K-12 students are served by public schools in Sacramento County.
Classified Employee of the Month
Debbie Bennett, Para-Educator, was nominated by Principal Sharon Holstege for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Bennett supports preschool students with special education needs at Grizzly Hollow Head Start in Galt and Solid Foundation Head Start in South Sacramento. She has worked in SCOE's preschool programs for over 15 years. Says her supervisor, "Debbie is an exemplary employee who is respected by everyone with whom she works. An example of this was when SCOE was recently exploring new Head Start sites. The Head Start site director was very welcoming. It turns out she had worked with Debbie previously and had such a high regard for her and her work that she was excited to have the opportunity to work with Debbie again." Ms. Bennett has good teaching skills and relates well to all students. She also interacts very effectively with both children and adults. Ms. Bennett is always interested in expanding her skills and has participated in the MIND Institute's week-long para-educator training and in MOVE (Mobility Opportunities Via Education) trainings in Bakersfield. Concludes her supervisor, "Debbie is extremely respectful toward our families and honors their perspectives when she works with their children. She is a true asset to our preschool program." Ms. Bennett has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since October 1996.
Certificated Employee of the Month
Rebecca Cremer, SH Teacher, was nominated by Principal Sharon Holstege for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Cremer is in her second year as a teacher of 5th–7th grade students with severe disabilities in SCOE's Special Education program at Dry Creek Elementary School. Her supervisor reports, "Rebecca makes things happen-whether it be working with a student who has used a walker forever, and challenging and encouraging her to take her first independent steps ever at the age of 13 (Mom was able to see it and cried)-to removing her teacher desk to make more room for students. She has a clear vision of what is possible for her students and works to create opportunities for her students to be successful and independent." Ms. Cremer's students make noticeable progress in her program. She is known for listening and obtaining information from families about their priorities, and she incorporates their dreams for their child into the child's educational program. Her classroom has won the "Critter Spirit Award" at Dry Creek Elementary School and has presented the Critter Code in school-wide assemblies. She is generous with her time: offering to attend a child's medical appointment with a parent, making home visits, attending therapy appointments, and a variety of other activities that support her students. Her supervisor concludes, "Rebecca is conscientious and enthusiastic. She will go above and beyond in order to meet the needs of her students. She has already made an impact during her first two years and I know that she will continue to positively impact our Special Education programs in the future." Ms. Cremer has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since September 2011.