Grant Awards Reception
October 27th, 2015
Grants Sponsored by FCOE Employees
WELCOME
Jim A. Yovino
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
The Fresno County Office of Education Family is proud to celebrate the 2015
Innovation Grant recipients. Inside this brochure is a collective list of all awarded
grant proposals, illustrating the breadth and depth of innovative teaching and
learning occurring in classrooms across Fresno County. The 2015 Innovation
Grant recipients span broadly across the county, from small rural schools to
large urban ones, from kindergarten to high school, and include special needs
and alternative education students. In each innovative program, students will be
challenged to expand their traditional thinking and perceived limitations. Since
the stakes have never been higher in education, we are very optimistic that the investment made in these
programs will equate to better teaching and learning, which is a significant return on investment.
The Foundation @ FCOE believes that education is preparation for life and that excellence, access and
innovation can change the life trajectory of Fresno County students-some of the poorest and lowest
performing in the nation. The Innovation Grants will foster new techniques, new tools, new methods, and
new promising programs, which will serve students well.
We celebrate the educators who applied for the Innovation Grants. They are the type of educator that
no doubt inspires students to achieve their dreams, building them up in the process and potentially
transforming their future.
This grant program is made possible by the generosity of dedicated Fresno County Office of Education
employees and friends. These employees made a commitment to support innovation in Fresno County
schools, mostly through monthly payroll deductions, and have collectively funded these grants. Together,
they too are honored for the impact they will make on the future of Fresno County students.
These shared sentiments are expressed on behalf of the FCOE employees, the
Fresno County Board of Education, and the Foundation Board of Directors.
We believe every student can fulfill their potential and this is at the core of the
Foundation’s work. We focus investments on innovative teaching and programs
because we believe an investment there can change lives, one future at a time.
Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher
Executive Director, The Foundation @ FCOE
INNOVATION GRANT AWARDEES
2015
If They Build It, They Will Learn
Beth Alvarado, Teacher
Alvina Elementary School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Students are exposed to LEGO® building blocks at an early age without realizing that they are actually exploring
shape, space, position, and numeracy in addition to developing their descriptive language skills as they explain
their creations to parents or playmates. Using LEGO® Mindstorms EV3, students will work in small teams to
engage in open-ended, multidisciplinary robot-building activities. The LEGO® EV3 platform enables individuals
without formal training in engineering and computer programming to design, construct, and program small-scale
robots. “If They Build It, They Will Learn,” is truly designed to be a hands-on, problem-solving, authentic learning
experience.
Performing Arts
Beth Kilcrease, Teacher
Big Creek Elementary School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The school stage is used throughout the year for drama performances and the annual Christmas program and
talent show. The goal of this project is to improve the sound quality of all student performances, enhancing the
audience’s experience and increasing student participation. There are significant social, economic, spiritual and
other positive benefits that have been proven to be gained from the creativity of performing arts. Students who
participate in the arts are likely to succeed academically, participate in school activities such as math and science
fairs, youth groups, class office, and have excellent school attendance. At Big Creek Elementary, the arts are alive!
Burrel Theatre
Audra Murrieta, Teacher
Burrel Union Elementary School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The goal is to bring theatre arts to the small, farming community of Burrel. Last year was the first theatre production
and this year the students will be producing “The Wizard of Oz.” Students will introduce music with this year’s
production. The community needs more exposure to the arts to raise spirits and inspire creativity. Students will
continue to produce plays and talent shows of various sizes in the future. Student participation in the arts will also
help them academically and will increase self-esteem.
Dress A Girl
Allysa Fite, Teacher
Central Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
“Imagine a world where every girl owned at least one dress,” this is the motto of the Dress a Girl Around the World
program and the inspiration for the Dress A Girl project at El Capitan Middle School. The Dress a Girl Around
the World program has collected and distributed over 300,000 hand-made dresses made for young girls in over
81 countries. El Capitan students will be a part of this amazing organization by ¨upcycling¨ donated fabric and
creating at least 20 dresses for girls around the world. After learning how to create patterns, sew with basic stitches,
and operate a sewing machine, students in the Consumer and Family Studies classes will make the dresses as a
summative assessment in the sewing unit. This project aims to teach basic sewing skills and provide an engaging
environment where students participate in project-based learning while at the same time providing an opportunity
for students to be involved in a charitable service project.
INNOVATION GRANT AWARDEES
2015
Real World Science
Stacy Hanson, Teacher
Clay Joint Elementary School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
What do modern day CSI forensics, water specialists, botanists and Crop specialists have in common? They
all use microscopes to investigate the world around them. The Real World Science project is a project aimed to
engage students in scientific investigation using modern day technology and equipment. Students will be able
to see how science leads to an understanding of the world with a variety of career opportunities. The project
will introduce students to cell characteristics, cleaning the water supply, protection from diseases, and studying
the human body. Students will be able to analyze and identify various structures with the use of a microscope.
Student activities include dissecting plants and insects, analyzing and identifying cells in water, and observing
hair follicles and fingerprints.
Collaborative Mentoring
Dava L. Parks, Teacher
Clovis Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
At Kastner Intermediate, special education students are successfully integrated with the general student population
through the Collaborative Mentoring Program. The program consists of a select group of 8th grade peer mentors
that offer guidance and friendship to special needs students. Peer mentors are assigned the same elective period
as the Special Day Class (SDC) students for the entire year. The mentor’s time is spent working side-by-side with
their assigned student and also in the SDC classroom receiving instruction on topics such as confidentiality, types
of disabilities, strategies for working with difficult behaviors, careers in education, psychology, speech therapy and
listening to guest speakers. This grant will be used to purchase a Mac Book Computer to control and program
existing Collaborative Mentoring iPads that are utilized for research, instructional applications and fine motor
skills in the collaborative mentor program.
Paw Leaders HELP
Estela Jimenez, Vice Principal
Coalinga Huron Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Helping Everyone Learn Problem-Solving (HELP) is a peer mediation/conflict resolution project at Sunset Elementary
designed to help students resolve conflict with other students in a healthy and respectful manner. Students are invited
to fill out a “HELP application” describing the problem they are having and with whom. Administration reviews
the application and decides if peer mediation is appropriate. If so, a Paw Leader is assigned to the case. With adult
guidance, students find their own resolution, plan accordingly, and sign an agreement. Staff then follows up at a
later time to ensure that the problem was truly solved. The innovation grant would help cover costs involved in the
training of the Paw Leaders using conflict resolution curriculum. Students who attend peer mediation will learn how
to resolve problems in a healthy and safe manner and how to solve future problems on their own. Student leaders that
guide the HELP project will learn skills in conflict resolution, peer mediation and leadership.
Red Ribbon Week
Alex Gutierrez, Teacher
Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, drug and violence prevention and awareness campaign observed in the
United States every October. Students in the ROP Criminal Justice Class will broaden the school events for the
district’s Red Ribbon Week. Students will visit the elementary and intermediate schools and provide students with
information about the dangers of drug use. Students will give presentations, play games, and collaborate with other
students while building awareness of drug use in the community and careers in criminal justice.
INNOVATION GRANT AWARDEES
2015
Lab on the GO!
Kim Calderon, Teacher
Fowler Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The Labs on the GO! project at John Sutter Middle school will include the purchase of LabDiscs from GlobiSens.
These discs consist of 13 different sensors that can run simultaneously to collect data. The discs are small so they
can be taken anywhere the students go to collect data for labs. The large number of sensors means that these
discs can be used for a myriad of labs and activities. With the Enviro disc, which focuses on environmental data,
students will be taking different temperature, pressure and UV readings throughout the day and then using that
data to construct weather maps. Students will use the data to predict weather patterns for the area. This disc also
takes readings for turbidity and dissolved oxygen, which will allow students to perform experiments that focus on
water quality, not only for humans, but also for fish and aquatic plants.
Nexus Coffee Cart
Shawna M. Vital, Teacher
Fresno County Office of Education
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The on-campus Nexus Coffee Cart will provide students at the Kermit Koontz Educational Center with a
comprehensive vocational and employment preparation experience, which will enable post-secondary students
ages 18-22 to secure and maintain employment in the public and private sector once they complete the Nexus ED
Adult Transition Program. Students will be responsible for every aspect of the business including budgets, orders,
record keeping, customer service, item selection and purchase, and all other facets of what it takes to sustain the
Nexus Coffee Cart business. In addition, it will promote successful integration of transition curriculum, workability,
and overall work readiness. Lesson objectives will include vocational, functional academics, managerial and
supervisory skills as well as social skills necessary for maintaining satisfactory employment.
Listening Station
Nancy Newsom, Teacher
Fresno Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Students at Thomas Elementary will enhance their language development with the Listening Station Project. This
project will provide three classrooms with appropriate young child head phones and Kids Kore Wobble chairs. The
head phones are child sized and have a max volume control of 90db. The chairs allow the students to sit and balance
while working, and if wiggles are needed to stay focused, that is okay! Classroom teachers have their personal
listening library and the school also has materials available for check out. Literacy and language development is a
vital need in our community that will be enhanced with the listening station.
Makerspace Robotics
Kathy Goodlad, Principal
Kerman Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Second grade students at Kerman-Floyd Elementary will be introduced to robotics and coding through the Makerspace
Robotics project. Five Wonder Workshop Dash robots will be purchased and teachers will receive training and lesson
plans across the curriculum to incorporate the use of coding. The coding will be implemented through a class set of
iPads and students will have access to a 3D printer and vinyl cutter. The robotic project will become a needed addition
to the Makerspace Tech Shop that we have created this year for our third through sixth grade students. The Wonder
Workshop Dash robots are created to engage students from the age of 5 to infinity! This is a great introduction to
engineering and technology to engage younger students and prepare them for future opportunities.
INNOVATION GRANT AWARDEES
2015
Family Literacy Night
Natalia Navarro, Teacher
Kings Canyon Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Literacy Night is a project designed to improve reading fluency and comprehension for students in an
English A class at Orange Cove High School. This project will include having students prepare a literacy night
for their younger brothers, sisters, cousins, and other family members. The evening will include dinner, students
reading to children and book donations. In preparation for this event, students will practice reading and writing
children’s books. They will build confidence and teamwork by participating in Fresno State’s ropes course and
meeting with early childhood educators at Fresno State who will provide guidance on effective read alouds. The
goals are to improve reading fluency, comprehension and overall student confidence.
Art for Everyone
Terri Wilson, Teacher
Kingsburg Elementary Charter School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The National Junior Art Honor Society at Rafer Johnson Junior High will make art more visible in the entire school
district and in the Kingsburg community. During Youth Art Month in March of 2016, the Art Society will sponsor
the first district-wide juried art show. Teachers in kindergarten through eighth grade will be asked to submit
artwork for the show. The artwork will be judged by students in the honors art class. All artists and their families
will be invited to attend an art reception and after the show exemplary pieces of art will be placed in a community
venue like the public library. The Art for Everyone project will cast a spotlight on art, providing students and
teachers with encouragement to bring art back into the fabric of their classrooms.
Airlink Sensors and Pasco Probes
Steve Harness, Science Department Chair
Kingsburg Joint Union High School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
In Biology and Honors Biology at Kingsburg High School, the Pasco Airlink devices will come in handy for quickly
collecting data with a large group of students. Students will learn standard protocol of data collection using the
basic equipment. By quickly assessing temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide, they can efficiently
input the data into a computer or tablet making labs more effective. In this way, time can be spent on analysis of
the data, rather than the tedious data collection. This will also provide students with an opportunity to see how
technology is at the forefront of scientific research. A rubric using NGSS and Common Core standards will be part
of the evaluation. With Bluetooth technology and their electronic devices, the students will be able to conduct field
observations on the Kings River watershed and Yosemite Valley.
Biliteracy Program
Yolanda Espinoza, Principal
Mendota Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The focus of the Biliteracy Program is to promote a literacy program that focuses on academic language development,
reading, writing, speaking in English and Spanish at McCabe Elementary School. The goal of the program is
for students to value their culture, to value the linguistic value of their primary language, while learning to be
proficient in their first language. A progress monitoring tool will be implemented to assess progress in Spanish
and the Founas and Pinnell reading comprehension assessment will be used to assess in English.
INNOVATION GRANT AWARDEES
2015
Reading and Writing Storybags
Paula Larson, Teacher
Monroe Elementary School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The Reading and Writing Storybags project will consist of a book bag with a book in either English or Spanish,
depending on the primary language in the home. There will also be a journal, a stuffed animal or other “friend”
relating to the story and a pencil. The Storybags will go home with individual children with the idea of reading/
being read to, interacting with the “friend” and writing/illustrating in the journal. The following day those students
will share with the class what they did with the Storybag, and read their journal entry to the class. The Storybags
will be changed each month to coordinate with new themes being taught. The Storybags will go home monthly
from September through May with each child taking home 2-3 Storybags per week. The Storybags are a resource
used every year with each new class, so the lasting influence and positive impact of this grant will continue to be
enjoyed for years to come.
Community Leadership
Terry Hirschfield, Superintendent
Orange Center School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Students will work with the superintendent to create service projects to be implemented in the school and for
the community. Projects will include partnerships with outside organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and
United Way of Fresno/Madera. Their development will be measured on a 4 point rubric that measures organization,
planning, feedback and communication. The Community Leadership project will teach students leadership skills,
how to plan projects and problem solve and the importance of being of service to the community. Students
will also learn to provide and receive feedback that is helpful, relevant and necessary and learn about cultural
differences within our community and the importance of respecting and celebrating them all. A culminating
project will consist of a trip to the Museum of Tolerance in Southern California.
Classroom Weather Station
Jane Hills, Teacher
Pacific Union School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Students at Pacific Union Elementary will measure rainfall, wind velocity, air pressure and temperature on a
daily basis. The data will be recorded by groups of students on a spreadsheet using their Chromebooks. Students
will convert the data into graphs that show weekly weather patterns. Once sufficient data is collected, students
will compare their data with previously published weather data. As a group, students will use Google slides to
create presentation weather reports. Students will demonstrate the Classroom Weather Station to parents at Open
House. Through this project, students will acquire academic vocabulary and scientific practices enabling them
to comprehend more complex science concepts. The hands on experience will promote more student interest in
science occupations.
Unit Public Affairs Office
Mark A. Bristol, Instructor
Parlier Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The goals for the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit Public Affairs Office (PAO) project are to
encourage Cadets to take on the demanding challenges of the PAO by providing them with the most up-to-date
equipment required for their position. Students will write a number of stories during their yearlong tour as the
PAO. Students will have the ability to have their work published in local newspapers and the internet. The PAO will
also be expected to maintain the Units web and Facebook pages through colorful stories and professional pictures
of their activities. The desired outcome is to have Cadets performing duties of an actual Navy Public Affairs Officer
in promoting the Unit and providing real on-the-job experience for possible future career in journalism.
INNOVATION GRANT AWARDEES
2015
Organic Garden
Tim Barton, Teacher
Pine Ridge Elementary School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Pine Ridge Elementary has a unique space for a multiple use Organic Garden project where students will grow
organic vegetables, fruit trees and native plants. The school’s location and elevation of 4,500 feet are within the
transition zone from the Sierra foothills and mountains, presenting exceptional learning opportunities for both
science and math. The garden will have wooden planters, a greenhouse, automatic drip irrigation and raised
worktables. As part of this outdoor science program, students can observe the effects of climate change on the local
flora and document changes they see year to year. An example is the nearby Rough Fire and the effects of smoke
and raining ash on the campus and surrounding area. The project goals are to create opportunities for students to
learn about the local environment, the climate, sustainable farming, landscape restoration, NGSS standards, and
any applied math skills.
Cowboy Cafe
Crystal Lewis, Teacher
Riverdale Joint Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Students at Riverdale High School will be charged with operating Cowboy Cafe. Students have started the project
by designing the logo for the cafe, researching supplies needed, job positions and descriptions, and they have
started writing their resumes to apply for the positions. On a daily basis students will begin their day setting
up the cafe, preparing orders, and packaging them up for delivery. Every month students will be responsible for
maintaining a supplies list and going to the grocery store to purchase the supplies. Students will gain independent
skills, job skills, confidence, social skills, teamwork, functional academics, and so much more. Students will have a
good understanding on how a cafe, or other small business runs and developing a good work ethic.
Young Authors’ Academy
Debbie L. Galloway, Teacher
Sanger Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The Young Authors’ Academy at Jackson School is an 18 week after school program to improve student writing skills.
Young writers in grades 2-5 will meet with the Literacy Specialist Teacher two days a week for 60 minutes to work
on skills aligned to state standards for Argument/Opinion, Informational, and Narrative writing. The first eight
week session will focus on mastering argument/opinion writing. The next session of six weeks will concentrate on
informational writing, and the final four week session will focus on narrative text. Writing instruction will utilize
strategies of introducing quality mentor texts, analyzing the writer’s craft, and then incorporating those writing
techniques as successful models to inform students’ writing. This learning opportunity will help develop writing
skills ensuring students are academically ready to meet the challenges ahead in being college and career ready.
LEAP
Heather Breedlove, Speech Language Pathologist
Selma Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The 2015-2016 school year is the inaugural year for LEAP in the Selma Unified School District. The program was
formed in an effort to increase communication skills and improve school readiness for the youngest students. LEAP
provides a language rich environment that is supported by professionals who are adept at providing enrichment
for students with speech disorders. LEAP will give preschool-aged students with an Individualized Education
Plan (IEP) speech services, a jumpstart to get them ready for a lifetime of communicating and learning. LEAP
is structured to cover basic preschool skills in a play-based, exploratory, language infused setting. The activities
include all of the learning modalities by incorporating music, movement, sensory play and visual supports while
providing targeted speech remediation. Preschoolers learn best through play.
INNOVATION GRANT AWARDEES
2015
Math with Graphing Calculators
Julia Reese, Teacher
Sierra Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The integrated math program at Sierra High School uses graphing calculators for interactive student projects that
incorporate real world problem solving activities, technology, and reading/writing in mathematics. Math with
Graphing Calculators will increase student familiarity with math technology tools, the graphing calculator, and
improve student abilities to complete large-scale real-world math problems.
Music Keyboarding
Carly Ervin, Teacher
Washington Colony Elementary School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Students at Washington Colony Elementary will enhance their musical talent with updated keyboards. The goals
of Music Keyboarding are aligned with Music Content Standards for fourth grade. With this classroom update,
students will learn to play the piano as early as third grade. Students will be asked to begin composing their own
songs on the piano as early as fourth grade. With a classroom set of pianos, the school would like to offer a middle
school piano class as an elective, providing an alternative music class to the band program. Music is a participatory
subject, and allowing children a hands-on experience as early as possible will only benefit them. Students will
reflect on their own performance and create a plan to continue their own musical growth.
Technology for Special Needs Students
Monica Peterson, Resource Specialist
Washington Unified School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Technology for Special Needs Students is a project at West Fresno Middle School that will give these students an
opportunity to familiarize themselves with online modules and interfaces using Chromebooks. The Chromebooks
will help make our Resource Room a more engaging and helpful center fit for the 21st century. The project will
mirror instruction taught in the general education classroom by offering lessons and activities enhanced by
technology. This will help visual learners and will motivate students to continue on their path to success. When
students begin to feel successful and invested in learning, they will build a love for it.
Math Stations
Yadira de Leon, Teacher
West Park Elementary School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The Math Stations project will provide differentiated instruction in the subject of math in order to meet the diverse
needs in the classroom. Students will have access to iPads that will allow them to practice specific math skills using
the IXL program to supplement and enhance learning services. Students will have the opportunity to practice
specific skills needed in order to meet the math objective. While students are working at their designated math
station, the teacher will have the ability to provide extra support in a small-group setting. This project will make
learning more engaging and interactive.
Tiny Tablets
Estela Valdez, Teacher
Westside Elementary School District
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Tiny Tablets will increase access for preschool children to technology at Westside Elementary. The main goal of
the project is to offer children residing in the poor rural area the opportunity to learn using technology to enhance
their ability to develop skills in writing, learning, problem solving and conveying their ideas.
THANK YOU
The 2015 Innovation Grants are made possible by the generous contributions from monthly
payroll deductions of FCOE Employees.
Anonymous
Angela Bowlin
Maria Falcon
Susan Halbert
Laura Adkins
Mark Brown
Irma Favela
Lynda Haley
Melissa Agsaulio
Aaron Bryan
Sandra Feaver
Dave Halpern
Cristine Allen
Robert Bullwinkel
William Feaver
Mark Hammons
John Alvarado
Barbara Burdine
Rocio Fernandez
Susan Hamp
Gina Amaro-McNamara
Angie Cabrera
Gloria Ferrer
Janet Haney
Michael Ansley
Lori Carr
Grace Findley
Shirley Hargis
Jose Antero
Ruben Castillo
Claudia Flores
Emma Haring
Gregg Appleton
Delbert Cederquist
Amber Fontes
Kristine Haubursin
Brooke Archer
Shelly Cha
Robert Forbes
Debra Hayes
Mark Archon
Phouvanh Chaimontree
Alix Frazer
Elizabeth Hensel
Armen Bacon
Edelmira Chavez
Jennifer Freeman
Tou Herr
Susan Bailey
Elizabeth Chin
Laurie Gaither
Hannah Heuer
Heidi Baldwin
Cathy Cholakian
MaryEllen Galvan
Irma Hicks
Daryl Ball
Sharon Christodora
Judy Galvez de Heredia
Pamela Hildebrandt
Terri Barber
Angeleen Corona
Marisa Gamboa
Don Holder, Ed.D.
Angelo Bautista
Don Corona
Melissa Garabedian
Linda Hooton
Jeffrey D. Becker
Irma Corrales
Angela Gonzalez
Brigeen Houghton
Lisa Benham, Ed.D.
Margie Cotta
Corey Greenlaw, Ed.D.
Bradley Huebert
Alesha Bente
Jennifer Coull
Daljit Grewal
Amber Jacobo
Cynthia Berry
Deborah Davis
Denise Guerrero
Lupe Jaime
Sir Nicolas Bertolero
Kris Davis
Efrain Guizar
Camille Johnson
Jan Biggs
Sandra Day
Patricia Gutierrez
Delaine Johnson
Lisa Birrell
Cynthia Dean
Florence Guzman
William Johnson
Stephen Bock
Cheryl Demeter
Jeannette Guzman
Bryan Jones
Jennifer Bopp Litz
Anush Dolukhanyan
Elyse Hagen
Tracy Klee
Christina Borges
Adam Ebrahim
Michelle Hagopian
Sybil Kolbert
THANK YOU
The 2015 Innovation Grants are made possible by the generous contributions from monthly
payroll deductions of FCOE Employees.
Kermit Koontz Staff
Tammy Moran
Caran Resciniti
Kathy Teixeira
Susan Kuckenbaker
Luz Maria Moreno
Barbara Reyna
Jean Tomasetti
Mary Legaspi
Lori Morton
Michael Robinson
Sylvia Torres
La Lender
Setha Nhim
Lisa Rocha Danks
Theresa Tovar
Diane Leonardo
Samuel Nofziger
Jenniffer Rodriguez
Evaristo Treviño
Mike Lepore
Holly Northcross
Trinidad Rodriguez
Michelle Trevino
Rhonda Lodridge
Brian Nunn
Rafaela J. Sanchez
Judy Tsujioka
Daniel Loewen
Dora Olmos
Teresa Sanchez
Isela Turner
Emy Lopez-Phillips
Kevin Otto
Hilda Sandoval
Lischa Turner
Sharon Maggi
Stella Padilla
Steven Sasaki
Paul Turner II
Rosalba Maritano
Angelica Perea-Gutierrez
Keri Sheaffer
Sharon Twitty
Richard Martin
Enedelia Perea
Carol Sierra
Felicia Urrabazo
Jeanette Martinez
Stella Perea
Patricia Sims
Robin Van Dyke
Belia Martinez-Lopez
Erica Perez
Patricia Small
Lynda Vargas
Teresa Martinez-Treviño
Jamie Perry
Cindy Smith
Christine Villegas
Ashley McCaffery
Catherine Pfister
Brent Smither
Elizabeth Vukson
Ramona McDonald
Sharon Pfister
Carol Soliz
Kevin Webb
Pamela McGee
Robert Piacente
Matilda Soria
Jennifer Weibert
Maria E. McGraw-Edwards
Tangee Pinheiro
Elaine Sotiropulos
Karen West
Alma McKenry
Linda Plitt
Rajpreet Sra
Jennifer Winters
Rosamaria Medrano
Erica Quiroz
Deborah Stiftinger
Paul Wohlers
Randy Mehrten
Kathy Ramirez
Camilla Sutherland
Vernon R. Wolley
Steven D. Merrill
Leonard Ramirez
David Swain
Denise Zander
Denise Miller
LuAnn Ramirez-McCaslin
Chris Taccone
Sheila Mingming
Kimberly Reed
Audrey Tarvin
Charlotte Montgomery
Hillary Reid
Kimberly Tate
Rosie Mora
Kristen Reitz
Denise Tavernetti
About The Foundation @ FCOE
The Foundation @ FCOE is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the fundraising arm of the Fresno County Office of
Education (FCOE). The Foundation exists to call attention to educational needs in Fresno County and to solicit tax-free gifts from
private sources. All gifts are used to fund programs, activities and improvements beyond the scope of school tax dollars to improve
the quality of education for approximately 195,000 students served by FCOE.
Mission
The mission of The Foundation @ FCOE is to support students by providing exemplary educational programs and services through a
shared community responsibility.
Belief
Guided by the belief that education is preparation for life, The Foundation @ FCOE pledges to promote excellence, access and
innovation in education for all students.
Board of Directors
Vong Mouanoutoua, President • R. Michael Alexander, Vice President • Elizabeth Dooley, Treasurer
Richard Johanson, Member-At-Large • Anna Brooks, Member-At-Large • Al Galvez, Immediate Past President
Paul Betancourt
Emmett Castro
Dr. Kathryn Catania
Dr. Allen Clyde
Linzie Daniel
Julie DeBenedetto
Jose Elgorriaga
Stephen Foster, Jr.
Tate Hill
Ryan Hudgins
Richard Martin
Marvin Meyers
John Mulligan
Joyce Souza
Gordon M. Webster, Jr.
Dora Westerlund
Jim Yovino
Tom Zimmerman
Teri Zumwalt
FCOE Employee Advisory
Johnny Alvarado
Jeff Becker
Pam Coronado
Mike Lepore
Belia Martinez-Lopez
Teresa Martinez-Treviño
Brian Nunn
Lisa Rocha-Danks
Foundation Team
Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, Executive Director
MaryEllen Galvan, Administrative Assistant
Kristen Reitz, Staff Secretary
Kevin Otto, Senior Director-Internal Business Services
Robin Van Dyke, Senior Accountant
Fresno County Board of Education
Mike Robinson, President
Delbert Cederquist • Dr. Allen Clyde • Ismael Herrera • Barbara Thomas
Elizabeth Torres
Evaristo Trevino
Jennifer Winters
Paul Wohlers