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
Andrea Finley, Maria Gomez and Leona Hogans, Para-Educators/SH, were nominated by Principal Carmen Walker for their contributions to the Special Education Department of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Finley, Ms. Gomez and Ms. Hogans work effectively as a team in the SH classroom at Smedberg Middle School in Elk Grove, serving students who have significant physical disabilities. Their supervisor lauds their collective and individual skills, which greatly benefit students, their families and colleagues. Regarding individual contributions to the classroom team, each of the three Para-Educators "has a huge heart for the students, and goes above and beyond to support her classroom teacher," reports Principal Walker. "Andrea's strength is in working with students with medical issues." Teacher Debbie Carlson reports that "Ms. Finley is very considerate and kind with students and showers them with love and respect." Continues Ms. Carlson, "Maria is a huge asset to the class because she is willing to try new things and keeps the students busy and on task. Leona handles student behaviors very well and is very good at pushing the students beyond what they think they can do or want to do." Concludes Principal Walker, "All three are devoted to the students and staff, complement each other, and work well together." Ms. Finley has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since February 1989; Ms. Gomez since December 2007; and Ms. Hogans since August 2002.
Certificated Employee of the Month
Debbie Carlson, SH Teacher, was nominated by Special Education Principal Carmen Walker for her contributions to the Special Education Department of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Carlson teaches adolescent and young teen students with significant disabilities in the SH classroom at Smedberg Middle School in Elk Grove. Ms. Carlson has developed an excellent classroom environment for her students, providing functional life skills—with the support of the MOVE curriculum—in an inclusive general education setting. Her classroom staff and DIS (Designated Instruction Service) providers such as Speech Therapists, School Nurses, School Psychologists, Occupational/Physical Therapists, and Program Specialists work effectively as a team to promote student success and positive experiences. Ms. Carlson demonstrates a passion and genuine interest in her students and their families and works diligently to provide quality services for her students. Concludes her supervisor, "Debbie's working relationships with families are exceptional, and she quickly gains the trust of families and students. She is a caring educator who deserves to be recognized for her many talents and skills." Ms. Carlson has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since April 1996.