Beyond Academics: Connecting Classroom & Community

Kelly O’Neill , Community Schools Coordinator at Mammoth Unified School District, is a strategic leader in education and public policy with a deep commitment to empowering communities through education and health initiatives. Her passion for building equity-centered supports in schools has helped catalyze innovative, collaborative systems across Mammoth USD.  In this episode, Kelly shares how the...

Michael Garcia, Chief Communication and Community Engagement Officer for Fontana Unified School District, shares how he strengthens partnerships with students and families by prioritizing trust and authentic connection. He reflects on how his journey in education is deeply rooted in his family’s values of servant leadership—a foundation that guides his approach today.  Michael highlights Fontana U...

Joanna Marrufo hosts a podcast discussing community schools and their impact on education, featuring Dr. Amanda Wade, a community schools coordinator at the Riverside County Office of Education. Wade, with 17 years in education, emphasizes the importance of community schools in addressing diverse student needs across nine districts in Riverside County. The county has received four cohorts of the C...

Serena Johnson has been a Community School Coordinator at the Inyo County Office of Education, since October 2023. While new to the education field, she brings extensive experience in early childhood education as the First 5 Director of Inyo County, along with a strong background in public health and community organizing through her roles with the Toiyabe Indian Health Project and Inyo County Publ...

Melissa Estrada, Community Schools Coordinator at Hesperia High School, shared her journey from being the first in her family to attend college to becoming a counselor. She highlighted the importance of community partnerships, mentioning key partners like IHP, Desert Mountain Children's Center, and Providence St. Mary's Hospital. Estrada emphasized the need for intentional collaboration,...

Victor Gutierrez, a 23-year veteran at Val Verde School District, discusses his role in integrating community support within the school system. He emphasizes the importance of building trust and relationships with students, families, and community partners. The district offers various resources, including a laundromat, community store, on-site clinic, and adult ESL classes. Gutierrez highlights th...

Arnie Ayala, principal of Mariposa Elementary, discussed his journey in education, emphasizing family and community engagement. He highlighted his role in implementing the Family Leadership Institute (FLI), which transformed 122 parents in his former district and continues in his current role. Ayala shared personal stories, including his own transformation and the impact of FLI on parents' li...

Joanna Marrufo hosts a podcast discussing the transformative impact of community schools on education. Heather Smith and Nancy Sherod, experts in early childhood education, highlight the importance of joyful learning experiences and equity in access to high-quality early education. They discuss the state's Universal Pre-Kindergarten initiative and the county's efforts to support provider...

Carla Hernandez, a San Bernardino native and math teacher at Golden Valley Middle School, discusses her journey into education, driven by a desire to give back to her community. With 25 years of teaching experience, she emphasizes the importance of conviction over passion, drawing from her own struggles and successes. Carla highlights the transformative power of education, urging students to see i...

Joanna Marrufo hosts the first episode of Beyond Academics: Connecting Classroom & Community , featuring Dr. Eboni Kemp, Community Schools Program Manager. Dr. Kemp shares her journey from working in juvenile delinquency to becoming an educator, focusing on at-risk students. She explains the concept of community schools as comprehensive educational hubs that remove barriers to learning by inte...

Welcome to  Beyond Academics: Connecting Classroom & Community , the podcast where we dive deep into the world of community schools and explore how they're transforming education for students, families and communities. My name is Joanna Marrufo, your host for Beyond the Blackboard. I'm the Integrated Supports Outreach Specialist for the Innovation and Engagement Branch at San Bernard...