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. More than 242,000 K-12 students are served by public schools in Sacramento County.
Classified Employee of the Month Team
Marilyn Rahlf and Brandee Brewer, CRANE Career Specialists, have been nominated by Capital Region Academies for the Next Economy (CRANE) Project Manager Louise Stymeist for their contributions to SCOE. They provide career readiness workshops such as resume writing and interviewing. In addition, they connect teachers and students to work-based learning opportunities, such as classroom speakers, mentors, and field trips. Individually, and as a team, these two CRANE staff members have made a significant impact on local students who have interests in science and engineering. Comments teacher Cinthya Cisneros of River City High School (Washington Unified School District), “I just want to emphasize how helpful, patient, and attentive Brandee has been with me and my kids here at River City High School. She is always figuring out ways to support us with both her presence in the classroom and at outside locations...my kids have nothing but amazing things to say about her.” Says Galt High School teacher Jason Lopez, “Last year alone, Marilyn and her team were responsible for presenting no less than five career-focused training sessions pertaining to strengthening resume writing and interview skills for all our BEST (Biomedical, Engineering, Science, Technology) Academy students. She presented for nearly 60 minutes at each campus visit and thoroughly prepared our students to create resumes that will generate invitations for interviews which will ultimately lead to offers of employment. Additionally, Marilyn helped to facilitate several successful industry field trips for our biomedical students, such as visiting the cadaver lab at Folsom Lake Community College. She was also instrumental in securing industry guest speakers for our pathway so that students could speak with biomedical professionals regarding their career and educational experiences. Our biomedical students were and continue to be extremely fortunate to have contact with Marilyn and her constant professionalism, expertise, and guidance.” As a result of the outstanding work of Ms. Rahlf and Ms. Brewer, the number of CRANE WBL (Work-Based Learning) opportunities for students increased from 3,498 in 2015–16 to more than 14,000 last year. Ms. Rahlf has been employed by SCOE since January 2015; Ms. Brewer has been a SCOE employee since March 2015.
Certificated Employee of the Month
Deron Rodriguez, Language Speech and Hearing Specialist, has been nominated by Principal Erik Crawford for his contributions to the Special Education Department of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Mr. Rodriguez manages a caseload of approximately 55 students ranging in age from preschool to age 13. He provides direct speech therapy sessions and consults with teachers on best practices regarding integrating speech and language into students’ lessons. He serves on SCOE’s preschool team and works with elementary students in the Severely Handicapped program, many of whom are nonverbal. His supervisor says that what qualifies Mr. Rodriguez for this recognition is, in part, his creativity and devotion to his students and craft. “Deron can often be found working with teachers to find ways for students to communicate” he says. “Once an idea takes hold, Deron can often be found adapting a device to meet a student’s need.” Dr. Andrea Lemos, SCOE’s Infant Development/Preschool Program Director, comments, “Mr. Rodriguez is creative in his approach to supporting children to communicate their needs and wants, in any way they are able to do so—whether with assistive technology, signing, using pictures to support making choices, or other ways of engaging them in social interactions and communication with adults and peers.” Mr. Rodriguez also connects with families and works with Head Start staff, SCOE staff, and community partners to provide strategies that allow others to continue to support the needs of students even when he is not providing direct support. Mr. Rodriguez has been a Sacramento County Office of Education employee since November 2005.