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NorCal Educator's Digest
April 2025
Quick Access | Main Sections
- Join the NorCal ELC Network in 2025-26
- Local Feature Article: Shasta County Office of Ed
- Shasta Region News...
- Professional Learning Opportunities
- Resource Spotlights
Join the NorCal ELC Netwrok in 2025-26
Shasta Region schools need leaders for school improvement and transformation, regardless of title, position, or role. NorCal ELC programs are professional learning that builds leadership knowledge and skills for all educators, and includes guidance, support and coaching to increase effectiveness.
Do you and your colleagues want to get envolved? We Offer:
- Instructional Leadership Teams (ILT) Program
- Individualized Coaching (IC)
- For school administrators, teachers, and team leads of ILT program
- The Principals' Collaborative Support Network
- 21CSLA Universal Transitional Kindergarten Modules and UTK Community of Practice
We are kicking off with info sessions being held via Zoom for our ILT & IC Programs. Share the news!
Local Feature Article
Shasta County Office of Education Offers Many Professional Learning Opportunities for North State Educators
The Shasta County Office of Education is the Geo Lead for the Shasta Region. Shere DePaoli, Executive Director of Educational Support Services described the many professional development opportunities (2024-25 calendar (Google Sheet)) and expressed enthusiasm about a couple recent examples. The Art & SEL Integration Workshop, with guest presenter Amy Bultena from Stanislaus COE, was a popular event with attendance from many counties within Region 2.
Educators spent a Saturday learning and had much to say about this positive experience including the following:
- "All teachers should see this! It applies to all grade levels and it doesn’t have to be scary!"
- "I loved that it was hands-on. I’m not an art teacher & art intimidates me! Amy was very encouraging & made me feel really comfortable to try these projects."
- "Great to complete SEL projects. Therapeutic for teachers as we prepare to more effectively support our kiddos."
Another recent art convening in Shasta County is the annual juried student art exhibit. "The Art of Now" is a collaboration between the Shasta Arts Council and all schools within the county. Over 300 students' artwork made it into this juried show that had 600 submissions. Shere shared that Shasta COE is excited about this growing collaboration and partnership with our local Arts Council. If you have questions about the recent Art convening, you can find contact information here or reach out directly to Suzanne Adkins at sadkins@shastacoe.org
Another exciting collaborative is the North State Reading Consortium. In light of the recent requirements to have a K-2 Reading Difficulties Risk Screener adopted by June 2025, this collaborative has been engaging in regional support meetings for LEAs in order to prepare. DePaoli shared that this consortium is “Working together to provide training and support for teachers and administrators in the area of literacy. Some training offerings include Getting Reading Right TK-12th Grade, Project Arise CoP, and UFLI CoP.” If interested in learning more, you may find information here or reach out directly to Stephanie Byars at sbyars@shastacoe.org.
And, there is even more professional learning for the North State:
PBIS -
Shasta COE is the Regional Lead for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Learn more about the training and support for North State (Region 2) counties here.
CIM/DA-
This unique Community of Practice is designed to support LEAs with the integration of Differentiated Assistance (DA) and Compliance Improvement Monitoring (CIM). Through this monthly collaborative, LEAs will identify a problem of practice based on data analysis, conduct a root cause analysis, and draft a plan designed to improve outcomes for students. More information can be found here or you can reach out directly to Jeremy Sawtelle or Nick Syrrist. (*For Shasta County LEAs only)
Want to stay in touch with Shasta COE? You can find their newsletter here and sign up to subscribe here. For other questions, reach out to Shere DePaoli at sdepaoli@shastacoe.org.
Shasta Region News...
Shout Out!Local LEA Moves he Needle in Absenteeism
Celebrating Paradise Unified School District for being recognized as a district whom developed practices for reducing absenteeism that have become national models.
Read the full article, "A Rural California District Is a National Model for Reducing Absenteeism".
Congratulations to Amy Raschein - Mad River, CA
A Rural Schools Grants-in-Place Awardee for Field Trip Fridays
Northern California fellow, Amy Raschein and her students at Southern Trinity High School are gearing up for an unforgettable outdoor learning experience. With their newly stocked backpacking gear, they’ll embark on a three-day, two-night trek in the Trinity Alps from May 4-6, joined by a local biologist. Later in May, they will welcome 8th graders for a two-day hiking trip in Lassen National Park, ensuring younger students also experience the power of outdoor education.
- Happy Camping from NorCal ELC
Get Hyped!
NorCal ELC is gearing to Host its 5th Annual Summer Leadership Institute
The theme for NorCal ELC’s Summer Leadership Institute is Building Leadership Capacity for Transformational Change. Participants from our various programs will be joining us on June 16th and 17th in-person at CSU, Chico or online via Zoom.
Two keynote speakers will be featured. Day 1, Carmen Williams, author of System Wise: Continuous Improvement at Scale, and Day 2, John Krownapple, author of Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity. Plus, there will be interactive content sessions by regional experts and lots of sharing from NorCal ELC 2024-25 participants.
Are you curious to know more? Here is an article co-authored by Carmen Williams.
Spotlight!
Growing Up Chico Magazine Celebrates Amy Behlke
"The kind of teacher every student - and every school- dreams of having”.
Local Paradise teacher and NorCal ELC teacher leadership coach gets celebrated in Growing Up Chico Magazine’s April edition, Page 12. Read the article to learn about Amy’s history, dedication, resilience, and impact!
- Congratulations Amy. The North State is lucky to have you!
Professional Learning Opportunities
21CSLA UTK Leadership Certificate
The 21CSLA UTK Leadership Certificate offers free, online, synchronous courses through UC Berkeley Extension. Candidates should be currently enrolled in a Preliminary or Clear ASC program, or hold a Certificate of Eligibility. Receive 4 units of credit along with a certificate upon completion of the two-course series.
To learn more, visit the 21CSLA website and sign up for the next info session on May 14.
2025 Forestry Challenge
“The Forestry Challenge is an academic event for high school students in technical forestry and current forestry topics. Participants spend four days in the forest learning about the ecology and management of the forested landscapes that provide communities with water, recreational opportunities, wood products, and wildlife habitat.” Pre-registration for the 2025 Forestry Challenge events this fall are now open.
Learn more on the locations of the five events being held and how to register.
WestED Summer Professional Development
WestEd’s summer 2025 professional development offerings are designed to strengthen educator expertise and improve outcomes for all learners.
Access the full offerings here.
8th Annual California MTSS Professional Learning Institute
The Orange County Department of Education and the Butte County Office of Education are hosting the 2025 California MTSS Professional Learning Institute on July 22-24, 2025 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
For info and registration visit the CA MTSS Homepage.
STEMACES Research Opportunity
Rural schools with 8th grade science classes are invited to join a WestEd study investigating the impact of the STEMACES program on students' science achievement. The study is also looking to develop effective tools and supports for teachers delivering STEM+C curricula. Thanks to evidence of improved science learning in its Learning by Making course (see WestEd study), Sonoma State, in partnership with Angelo State University, has been awarded an Education Innovation and Research grant to refine STEMACES for broader regional impact and cost effectiveness.
To partner with us, please see the informational STEMACES flyer by accessing the STEMACES website.
Resource Spotlights
CCEE Universal Pre-kindergarten Tool
This UPK tool from California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) provides tailored options and suggestions to consider based on your LEA’s characteristics. Want help with Staffing, Facilities, Cost, and Enrollment Projections? This tool can help.21CSLA Webinars and Research/Practice Briefs
Open these links to access 21CSLA Statewide Webinars and Research/Practice Briefs. They cover a range of education topics. Briefs include up-to-date published summaries of research into specific areas.
The New CCEE Resource Hub & Directory
CCEE is thrilled to announce the integration of the CCEE System of Support Resource Hub and Directory, creating a seamless experience for users to access state-funded initiatives, universal resources, and contact information—all in one convenient place.
- For example, the latest Hot Topic from CCEE is "California’s New Reading Screening Tools for Early Literacy Success."
Check it out today!
Relationship Repairing Skills Every Adult Should Learn to Help the Kids in Their Lives
Developing a relationship is one skill; repairing that relationship when it becomes fractured is another, according to author and high school history teacher Dave Stuart. He says teachers will inevitably need to fix a relationship with a student, and developing the skills to do that is essential. Access this link to the article in KQED Mind/Shift.