Schools Chief recognizes educator’s drive
CALEXICO — A local educator whose can-do spirit enhanced after-school programs was honored by Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of public instruction, recently.
Brisa Huerta-Price, along with three other recipients, was recognized with the California Expanded Learning Emerging Leadership award at the state Department of Education in Sacramento.
A former kindergarten teacher with 14 years in education, Huerta-Price helped ramp up the Expanded Learning program, part of Imperial County Office of Education’s After School Education and Safety program.
“I thought it was awesome to be recognized for something I loved to do,” said Huerta-Price. “It was unexpected. But we had a small ceremony in Superintendent Torlakson’s office.”
Huerta-Price oversees all the ASES programs in elementary and junior high schools — about 800 students — and also 1,500 students at the 21st Century Community Learning Centers at Calexico and Aurora Continuation high schools.
ASES requires parents to sign up children and they attend daily between 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. They get an hour of academics plus opportunities to play team sports or games like tag.
Enrichment activities at 21st Century include driver’s education, food service, video production, robotics team and theater.
“I was notified about my award by Michael Funk, director of Expanded Learning,” said Huerta-Price. “California is the leader in Expanded Learning programs. If you took all the money in after-school programs, multiplied by three, that’s the amount devoted to Expanded Learning.”
First change Huerta-Price implemented was rebranding Afterschool Program to Expanded Learning.
There was a lot of feedback from students to administrators on how to improve the program and the consensus was professional development for staff, which was followed through. She also initiated a parent orientation before students enroll for the school year and from that evolved maroon T-shirts with logo for staff for easier identification.
“More than anything it’s about bringing pride to after-school staff and connecting them with the regular school day and making them aware they provide an important service to the school community.”
There is safety training in case of a lockdown during a disaster and a school district nurse trains
Expanded Learning staff in case of medical emergencies. There is also a consultant retained for behavioral health training.
Many of the Expanded Learning staff are attending Imperial Valley College or San Diego State University-Imperial Valley campus focusing on an education career; therefore, they are gaining valuable skills. If an education major can handle after-school programs, he or she is likely to be successful anywhere, noted Huerta-Price.
“I’ve had several college students hired as teachers,” recalled Huerta-Price. “One was hired as a special education teacher at Willie Moreno Junior High School. Another amazing staff member who puts his skills into practice is now at Brawley Elementary School District.”
Meanwhile, each of the Expanded Learning sites is expected to come up with its own quality improvement plan. “So I focused on, a safe and supportive environment, and a quality staff,” she said.