Jess Baron, founder of Guitars And Ukes In The Classroom, along with colleagues Annie Lee, Manager of Training and Development at MAAC, and Jeannine Venegas, Early Childhood Educator at Southwestern College Child Development Center, discuss how Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom integrates music into education to promote social-emotional learning and academic growth. They offer free training to educators and provide instruments to students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The program has expanded to include early childhood education, high school after-school clubs, and partnerships with public libraries for early literacy. They also collaborate with industry professionals for workforce development, offering internships and training in guitar maintenance. The initiative emphasizes the transformative power of music in education and community development.

About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  

"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   

For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   

About Mission Fed Credit Union  

A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/