The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is one of 58 county offices located throughout the state. Approximately 780 regular and more than 815 temporary and substitute SCOE staff work year-round, providing services that complement and supplement those offered by public school districts in Sacramento County. The Sacramento County Board of Education celebrates the accomplishments and exemplary service of SCOE employees through the Employees of the Month Program.
Lauren Werner, Program Analyst with the Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) Department, was nominated by Director Becky Sullivan for going above and beyond. Lauren joined SCOE in 2024 as a program analyst in the C&I Department for the English Language Arts (ELA) team. She demonstrates remarkable adaptability while supporting her ELA team and proactively assisting the Multilingual Education team. Lauren has demonstrated exceptional organizational skills, creativity, and initiative, successfully managing the complex and active professional development schedules of two teams. Her strong communication skills ensure consistent messaging to participants, and her dedication has been instrumental in advancing teacher professional learning across the county. Lauren’s extraordinary efforts, which surpass all standards, are making a meaningful and lasting impact across systems. She is highly deserving of this recognition.
Crystal Buskirk, Program Specialist with Student Programs for English Language Development (ELD) and Multilingual Support, was nominated by Assistant Superintendent Jackie White. Crystal, who joined SCOE in 2022, exemplifies the spirit of excellence and service. She developed a thoughtful, strategic plan to support Multilingual learners across SCOE schools and was integral in a successful Federal Program Monitoring (FPM) during her first year in this role. As a co-lead of the Curriculum and Collaboration Team, Crystal fosters a culture of partnership, innovation, and continuous improvement. This past summer, she took the lead in organizing and delivering professional learning opportunities that empowered educators and elevated student-focused practices. Crystal is a dedicated leader and a compassionate and uplifting presence. She approaches every challenge with grace and a can-do attitude. Her unwavering positivity and encouragement inspire those around her, and her decisions are consistently grounded in what is best for students. She is an unabashed equity leader. Crystal’s commitment, leadership, and heart make her an outstanding candidate for this recognition.