California School News Radio

Santa Fe High School senior Oswaldo Garcia discusses being accepted to Dartmouth College as a QuestBridge National Match Scholar, his love for romance languages, how the college prep elective AVID helped prepare him for the college admission and scholarship process, his ambition to think big and take risks, his favorite Disney characters, his favorite moment from high school, and the influence of his sister and French teacher in his education journey.

California High School Spanish teacher and Interact Club advisor Oyuki Espinoza is joined by two Cal High Class of 2016 alumna, Alondra Saldivar and Cecilia Villanueva, to discuss the school's Interact Club Mentorship Program, which provides current Cal High students the opportunity to receive college and career advice while serving as community volunteers. Saldivar and Villanueva also discuss the challenges they encountered as undergraduates at elite universities, what compelled them to study law and medicine, respectively, the camaraderie of being in a school band, and the importance of mental wellness in balancing work, school, and home life.

San Dimas High School seniors Jazmine Cardenas and Marlie Walker discuss their plans for higher education, serving as social work interns at the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center, what it takes to create and run a successful high school club, their passion for volunteering and advocacy, what they learned in journalism class, and their favorite memories from high school. 

United States Representative and California 31st District Congressman Gil Cisneros discusses his passion for public education, growing up in Southern California, his philanthropic efforts with the Gilbert & Jacki Cisneros Foundation and George Washington University's Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, his years in the United States Armed Forces, returning to Washington D.C. as an elected official, and why he never leaves a Dodger game early.

Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Social Emotional Learning Director Dr. Mai Xi Lee, SCOE Associate Superintendent of Integrated Support Systems Brent Malicote, and San Diego County Office of Education Program Specialist Dr. Belle Tan discuss advocating for social emotional learning in California schools through the CalHOPE Student Support program, the effectiveness of regional Communities of Practice, and the upcoming SEL & Wellness Summit in Sacramento.

Covina High School math teachers and Interact Club advisors Jason Saleh and Sheri Prado join Covina High School senior and Interact Club president Gianna Herrera to discuss Colt Outfitters, a student-run thrift store which offers affordable access to clothing and school supplies and is staffed by students in Covina High's Life Skills Education Advancement Program (LEAP). Colt Outfitters recently won a 2025 Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association (CSBA).

CalECSE Co-Executive Director Melanie Hertig, Northern California Program Specialist Carrie Rodrigues and Southern California Program Specialist Laura Clarke discuss the importance of providing early education for children with special needs, what families and school districts need to know to be compliant with California regulations, CalECSE online training seminars and other resources for early childhood providers, and the third annual CalECSE “Reaching New Heights” Symposium in October.

Whittier High School's Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) is a three-year STEAM pathway with a mission to inspire high school students to pursue careers in tech and engineering. CAT teachers Daniel Oliver and Steve Swanson are joined by Whittier High senior and CAT president Wendy Carcamo and Whittier High alum and current Cal Poly Pomona architect student Gershwin Mason to discuss what makes the pathway so fun for students, senior projects that include building a replica R2D2 droid and an electric guitar, and how CAT students acquired prestigious Gates and Edison scholarships during the 2023-24 school year.

Chaparral Academy of Technology (CAT) principal Tim McCaffrey and kindergarten teacher Shawna Corona discuss winning the Josten's Renaissance Epic School Revamp contest, which netted the school a prize package worth up to $150,000 to rebrand the school and pay for campus improvements; CAT's epic first day of school; the importance of incorporating technology into class lessons; and creating a nurturing environment that allows all students to excel.

San Dimas High School Class of 2021 graduate Ally Lemos has won championships at the state, college, and pro levels, all before turning 21 years old. On California School News Radio, Lemos discusses her career, how the pandemic inadvertently paved the way for her to play for her high school team, what female high school athletes should know about pursuing their college dreams, the future of women's sports, and how she relaxes when not in league play or training.

Since immigrating to El Monte from Mexico in the 1970's as schoolchildren, Freddy and Bernie Arteaga have established a legacy of excellence at El Monte Union High School District, helping turn a struggling alternative school into a model continuation school. Now serving as principal and counselor of Fernando R. Ledesma High School, respectively, the Arteaga brothers discuss their journey from English learners to educators, and how their legacy has been preserved on campus with the naming of the Freddy and Bernie Arteaga & Frank Ogaz Center.

Lynwood Unified Asst. Superintendent of Technology & Innovation Dr. Patrick Gittisriboongul and Jasmine Walker, Director of District Engagement at the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting (OBC) at the Southern Education Foundation discuss how OBC is poised to become the future of public education services, how OBC vendor contracts work, and how school districts can set up an OBC program.

Bonita High School Director of Choral Music Ryan Yoder is joined by senior Reese Gonzales, senior Nathaniel Kisaka, and sophomore Erik Hernholm to discuss the school's successful choral music program, which saw 21 students selected to the Southern California Vocal Association 2024 Honor Choirs. Yoder and his students discuss what brought them into choral music, the intricacies of performing in a choir, the camaraderie found at Choir Camp, and the honor of performing at Disneyland's Candlelight Processional and other prestigious events. 

UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center Community Education Manager Dr. Margaret Golden and Greater Good Lead Facilitator Salina Mae Espinoza discuss the state of social-emotional learning (SEL) in California; how Greater Good provides workshops, resources and communities of practice for educators throughout the state; the need to provide SEL for both students and teachers; the role CalHOPE plays in supporting school districts and offices of education; and how mindfulness exercises can relieve stress and help keep teachers from burning out and leaving the profession.

Southridge Tech Middle School seventh-grader Cyrus Moss discusses the petition drive he initiated that led to the Fontana Unified Board of Education approving the renaming of Randall Pepper Elementary School to O'Day Short Elementary School, honoring the legacy of the pioneering African American family who originally owned the property. Joining Moss is his mother, Taneka Moss, and Dolores Huerta International Academy Spanish Dual Language Immersion teacher Ashley Silva.

La Puente High School public safety pathway instructor Toni Ramirez and La Puente High senior Nathan Tadeo discuss the school's public safety pathway, what it takes to become a certified dispatcher, how to handle a crisis situation calmly, talking to classmates about domestic violence, and the importance of being able to communicate clearly and effectively.

San Dimas High School senior Emily Moore and her grandmother Kris Mendolia discuss the Silver Surfers Tech Club, a service club devoted to student volunteers helping San Dimas-area senior citizens better understand modern technology, the cross-country road trip and tech glitch that inspired the formation of the club, and the special role music has played in bringing the pair closer together.   

Wayne Ruble Middle School computer science and math teacher Zahra Razi discusses being named an Amazon Future Engineer Ambassador, her advocacy of computer science education in Fontana Unified and beyond, introducing computer science concepts to middle-schoolers, bridging the generation gap in technology, ensuring her students learn the ethics of computer coding, and the power of algorithms. 

El Monte High School art teacher Mickaela Kubiak and El Monte High junior and Art Club president Juan Torres discuss a classroom mural created by Visual and Performing Arts students over the course of two years, increased participation in the school's Art Club, the symbiosis between music and art, and the importance of students developing creative and critical thinking skills through art.

Lamont Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Lori Gonzalez joins Covina-Valley Unified School District Health Services Coordinator Nicole Salas and Mental Health Services Coordinator Ana Vasquez to discuss establishing easily-accessible and equitable wellness centers in their districts, and the differences and challenges of providing health care in rural and urban school district areas.

Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School senior Brigitte Lopez and junior Codi Thompson discuss academic and community leadership, the joys of helping others in need and share their thoughts on Black History Month and Women's History Month. 

Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez joins Fontana Unified Executive Director of College, Career and Economic Development Hillary Wolfe, A.B. Miller High School aviation teacher Jeff McGlocklin and A.B. Miller High School senior Johnny Hortua as they discuss what it takes to establish an aviation education pathway in a Southern California school district.

South Hills High School senior Ahriana Chavez, Covina High School junior Gianna Herrera and Northview High School freshman Jin-Jin Sanglimsuwan discuss being chosen to join the League of Innovative Students, how they are helping shape future education policies, and why they feel compelled to give back to their communities.

Fontana High School Career Connections CTE instructor Lamar Hanger and Fontana High junior Cyrus Sapien discuss the Career Connections construction pathway, preparing for the annual CIEF Foundation Design Build competition, learning life skills and the camaraderie of being a family of aspiring carpenters.

South El Monte High School senior Aaron Morales (“Legacy: After Effects”) joins Whittier High School junior Julia Rae Rodriguez (“Dried Lavender & Sage: Poems As I Grow”) to discuss their latest published works, what inspires them to write, balancing their studies with literary pursuits, extracurricular activities and what writer – living or dead – they would love to have a conversation with. 

California High School Model United Nations advisors Sean Reagan and James Palmer join senior Madeleine Reagan and junior Katy Tinoco to discuss the school's Model United Nations program, the importance of learning diplomacy, the benefit of traveling to high schools and colleges to attend conferences, and the school's CondorMUN5 conference for high school and middle school students, held in Dec. 2023. 

Henry J. Kaiser High School Director of Theater Wendi Johnson is joined by Kaiser seniors and Kaiser Artistic and Theatrical Society (KATS) members Leah Young and Dani Garcia as they discuss the Fontana Unified school's first-ever first place award for their performance of Shakespeare's “Cymbeline” at the California Educational Theatre Association high school theatre festival in January.  

El Monte Union High School District Director of Curriculum, Instruction and CTE Kirk McGinnis discusses current and future CTE pathways available at the District, acquiring Strong Workforce Grants to help develop digital media classes, the role of are business partnerships and working with surrounding school districts to boost math scores. 

Lynwood Unified Assistant Superintendent of Technology & Innovation Dr. Patrick Gittisriboongul discusses the future of artificial intelligence (AI) education, how it can spark innovation, how to recognize AI fact from fiction, how to navigate AI's ethical standards and what future careers are being made possible by using AI. 

Strategic Innovations Facilitator Gibran Carter and Makerspace Manager Josh Brown discuss the grand opening of Innovation Empire, a dynamic creative learning environment exclusive to Fontana Unified students, which includes a think tank for students to learn entrepreneurship, and a Makerspace with state-of-the-art 3-D printers, laser cutters and other high-tech machinery, that will allow students to create and design their own projects. 

Sunset Elementary School Principal Rosette Holmes, Nelson Elementary School Principal Dr. Marci Chavez and La Puente High School Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez discuss Project LEAD (Life Experience About Democracy), a Golden Bell award winning program that connects La Puente K-12 students with City of La Puente leaders through presentations such as mock city council.

Covina-Valley Unified Director of Curriculum and Instruction Julie Harrison is joined by Covina High School senior Aiyana Martel, Northview High School Hannah Coulthurst and South Hills High School senior Liani Arevalo to discuss the District's award-winning career technical education pathways, including Agriculture/Animal Science, FAME Academy and Business.

Glen A. Wilson High School International Baccalaureate teacher Josipa Casey and Wilson High senior Emily Axelrod discuss academic programs and pathways available at the award-winning school, one of four Hacienda La Puente Unified schools to receive a national Blue Ribbon designation from the U.S. Dept. of Education in 2023. 

Lynwood Unified Director of Equity, Access and Instructional Services Dr. Patricia Brent-Sanco discusses the District's wide-ranging Equity Plan, social justice standards, Lynwood Equity Warriors, parent engagement, PBIS, and the importance of listening to students to find out their individual needs. 

Baldwin Park Unified Orchestra Director Paul Grant discusses providing equity in music education in Baldwin Park, and channeling the music teachers from his youth who inspired him to learn and teach music, leading to his selection as the American String Teachers Association Los Angeles Chapter 2023 Outstanding Teacher of the Year. 

Pioneer High School history teacher Gena Arriola-Salas and Whittier High School history teacher John Bellanti discuss their trip to Poland as part of the Auschwitz Legacy Program, and reflect on what they saw at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Warsaw Ghetto. 

Bonita Unified Career Technical Education Director Vanessa Tilford discusses reshaping the District's CTE pathway programs, staging Bonita's first community resources fair, and partnering with colleges and businesses to create training opportunities for students.  

Lynwood High School Class of 2018 graduate Andrea Lopez and her brother, Class of 2019 graduate Efren Lopez discuss how Lynwood Unified's English learner program put them on the path to academic success, their decision to attend Loyola Marymount University together, and why they returned to the District to mentor a new generation of English learners.

Fontana High School Class of 2023 graduates Jasmin Hurtado-Mendez, David Munoz-Padilla and Josue Arias-Ramirez discuss the prestigious scholarships that will allow them to attend some of the top universities in the country, including UC Berkeley, Columbia University and Boston College. 

Buena Park School District Technology Teacher on Special Assignment Andy Osborn discusses the District's technology curriculum, the District partnership with Apple, and the end-of-year Innovation Showcase, where Buena Park teachers and students share their tech projects with the community. 

La Serna High School Intervention Specialist Lisa Barnes discusses the school's unique multi-tiered intervention programs, including HAVEN, a program for juniors which provides career and college preparation, assisted by student mentors and community partners; the importance of providing students with social capital and taking over from her mentor, Ken LaVigne. 

Lynwood Unified School District English Learners Coordinator Aranzazu Garcia discusses the District's English learner program, how students are mentored and assessed, support services for parents, and her passion for English language development after moving from her native country, Spain, to become a teacher in the United States. 

Dolores Huerta International Academy sixth-grade Spanish dual language immersion teacher Ashley Silva discusses her passion for infusing technology and fun in STEAM education, being selected to join the Teacher Innovator Academy in 2022, her recent recognition as an Alma Flor Ada Award for Social Justice recipient, and embracing the Hawaiian concept of ‘ohana. 

California School News Radio talks with two recent Posse Foundation Los Angeles Chapter recipients, Rosemead High School senior Wendy Sar and South Hills High School senior Saniya Tillis, who both received full-ride Posse scholarships to attend Northwestern University. 

Baldwin Park High School National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) club advisor Nicole Melamed and Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club advisor Michelle Humason discuss the school's Peace, Pride and Produce Garden, which serves as a safe space for Baldwin Park High's LGBTQIA+ community. 

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez shares his thoughts on the recent State of the District presentation, incorporating tech in the classroom, the District commitment to deeper learning, early college and dual enrollment and the Latino Film Institute Youth Cinema Project pilot program. 

Santa Fe High School world language teacher Isabelle Teraoka is joined by three of her students – junior Lia Liebanos and sophomores Oswaldo Garcia and Ana Sophia Gutierrez – to discuss the joys of learning French, the benefits of being bilingual, the beauty of the language and the impact of French culture in music, art, architecture and fashion. 

Lynwood Unified Director of Risk Management Tiffany Egan, Lynwood Unified Health Services Specialists Erin Okazaki and Sue Poh, and Carreon Group Inc. President and CEO Jennie Carreon discuss the District's multi-faceted Health Collaborative and the “Health for the Holidays” community wellness fair, which was supported by the California Department of Education and grants from the Rockefeller Foundation. 

El Monte Union High School District Wellness Coordinators Imelda Moronez and Daniela Chavez discuss the District initiative to establish Wellness Centers at each school, and the importance of having calming spaces and rooms on campus where students can relax and talk to a licensed therapist or clinical social worker. 

Bonita Unified School District ProStart culinary educators Nick and Laurie Brandler discuss the importance of providing their students with networking opportunities with professional Bay Area chefs during an exclusive six-day ProStart training field trip in early November. The Brandlers are joined by San Dimas High School graduate Kris Lara, who is currently a pastry chef at a two-star Michelin restaurant in San Francisco. 

Fontana Unified School District Afterschool Education and Safety Program Project Director Yubleni Cazares and City of Fontana Community Services Coordinator Sergio Barragán discuss the activities, enrichment opportunities and social-emotional learning components of the District's acclaimed afterschool program, which is part of the California Afterschool Network.