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 Unified’s collaborative leadership practices and explains how cross‑sector partnerships are helping expand access to housing support, digital literacy resources, and mental health services. Through this work, he is elevating parent engagement and ensuring families have the tools they need to thrive. 

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 California Community Schools Partnership Program Grant, supporting 80 schools. Challenges include tailoring support to diverse districts without overwhelming them and educating stakeholders about community schools. Innovative strategies include embedding youth in school systems and fostering leadership skills to advocate effectively.

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 Public Health. Serena is passionate about the mission of community schools—to connect the education system with community resources, ensuring all children have the support they need to thrive. 

Serena Johnson discusses her work in rural California, specifically in Inyo County.   Inyo County, with its diverse geography and 19,000 residents, faces challenges in community school outreach. Johnson's initiatives include a consortium approach with five school districts and creative solutions like a 60% response rate for a parent survey using a Scholastic Book Fair incentive. She also emphasizes the importance of consistent communication through a monthly newsletter, translated into Spanish. A successful partnership with the county library in Independence enhances reading scores and community engagement.

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, removing barriers, and meeting families where they are. She discussed the impact of their services, including peer tutoring, physical health support, and mental health counseling, which have reduced absenteeism and improved student well-being. Estrada also stressed the importance of networking and continuous learning in community school initiatives.

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 the impact of these services, such as providing clean clothes and healthcare, and the support from partners like Bordando Nuestras Raices and Neighborhood Healthcare. He stresses the significance of authenticity, patience, and humility in community engagement and advocates for a service-oriented mindset in education.

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' lives, such as improved communication and emotional healing. He also described initiatives like college trips and workshops to empower parents and foster a culture of higher education. Ayala stressed the importance of ongoing parent engagement and personal growth for educators.

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 providers and families, including the Footsteps to Brilliance and Learn with Me programs. These initiatives provide free digital resources in English and Spanish to enhance literacy and multilingualism. They also emphasize family engagement, encouraging parents to talk, read, and play with their children to foster early learning and development.

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 it as a path to freedom and opportunity. She also stresses the role of mentors in shaping lives and the need for educators to be present and supportive, especially amidst rising student suicides in her area. Her dedication is rooted in faith, family, and a deep sense of community responsibility.

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 integrating services, programs, and resources for academics, mental health, and physical health. Dr. Kemp emphasizes the importance of community partnerships and localized solutions. She advises schools to listen to students and parents, foster social-emotional learning, and be patient, as community schools require long-term commitment.

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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 Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. We are hearing from educators, community members who are at the forefront of creating change and meeting the needs of the community, be it basic needs, healthcare, social services or social emotional learning.