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 that complement and supplement those offered by public school districts in Sacramento County.
Classified Employees of the Month Team
Leslie Noriega, Classified Transition Specialist / Eleanor Hickey Jr.-Sr. High School was nominated by Principal Lisa Alcala. Ms. Noriega works with students to help them get on track academically, apply for jobs, complete return-to-district requirements, mentoring, and planning field trips. She uses her background as a social worker to help students develop coping strategies and to ensure they are getting necessary services. Additionally, Ms. Noriega works to support the Senior Extension program and has identified projects that students can do to meet Visual and Performing Arts credits for graduation requirements. She continues to revise and improve the orientation process at Eleanor Hickey. Ms. Noriega has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since 2015.
Stephen Benson, Classified Transition Specialist / Eleanor Hickey Jr./Sr. High School was nominated by Principal Lisa Alcala. Mr. Benson works with students individually and in small groups, in support of academic programs. He takes time to listen to students when they are having a hard day. Mr. Benson manages reading and math assessments when students begin the program and every 45 days thereafter. He cares deeply for the students he works with and is able to defuse escalated situations with his calm demeanor. Mr. Benson has been instrumental in the implementation of the Platinum Reward system. He continues to revise and improve the orientation process at Eleanor Hickey. Mr. Benson has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since 2015.
Certificated Employee of the Month
Ricky Karicas, Teacher / Eleanor Hickey Jr.-Sr. High School was nominated by Principal Lisa Alcala. Mr. Karicas teaches English and Social Studies to students in grades 7-12. In addition to providing exemplary instruction, he mentors students one on one to help them realize their full potential. Mr. Karicas spends time listening to their stories and helps them develop better ways to communicate the frustration they often feel. In the past two years, he was the first teacher in court and community school to implement Read 180 with fidelity and has been a resource for other teachers as they implement the program. Mr. Karicas has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since 2015.