Family: My mom, Shelley Francesconi; my dad, Bruce Ochoa; my brother, Cory Ochoa; and my two nephews, Dean and Alex.
School: Denair Elementary Charter Academy
Subject taught: Second grade
Experience and education: I received my AA degree from Merced College in arts and humanities, my bachelor’s degree from Stan State in English and my teaching credential from Humphreys University. I have worked as a substitute teacher for seven years and I was a student teacher last year at DECA.
What attracted you to Denair? My mom, Shelley Francesconi, worked at DECA for 17 years as an attendance secretary before retiring in 2021. When I began working as a substitute teacher at DECA, I loved the community, and how helpful and kind everyone was.
What most inspires you about teaching? What inspires me most about teaching is getting to make a positive impact on my students’ lives. I look forward to helping my students discover their strengths and reach their full potential.
What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? This year I look forward to having my own classroom. As a substitute teacher, I visited many different classrooms, so this year I’m excited to take on the responsibility of managing my own classroom and the challenges that come with that.
What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Think-Pair-Shares. I love giving my students time to discuss with their peers to help develop their ideas.
What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember the fun they had while learning. I hope I am able to help my students foster a love of learning in the classroom, so they look forward to coming to school.
How can parents support what you do? The best way parents can support me is by reaching out with any questions or concerns so we can work together toward the common goal of a successful school year!
What would surprise people about your job? With so many different personalities in the classroom, no two days are exactly the same.
What do you do for fun? In my free time, I like to go to the gym and stay active. For fun, I like to play video games, watch TV and read books.
Family: Parents, Adan and Alma; brothers, Salvador, Edgar, and Jesus; and sister, Alma.
School: Denair Elementary Charter Academy
Subject taught: Fourth grade
Experience and education: Bachelor’s in liberal studies with a concentration in Spanish. Currently enrolled in the multiple subject credential program.
What attracted you to Denair? What attracted me to Denair was the strong sense of community and the supportive administration.
What most inspires you about teaching? What inspires me most about teaching is working with children and seeing their growth. It is something that comes naturally to me. Additionally, I find it incredibly rewarding to serve as a positive male role model for them.
What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? A challenge I look forward to tackling this year is improving my skills and knowledge through professional development since it is my first year teaching.
What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? My favorite teaching activity is letting students collaborate in groups. I believe that hands-on activities are important. Interactive classrooms are a must in today’s society.
What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that they are loved and appreciated. I want my students to always feel safe and supported.
How can parents support what you do? Parents can support what I do by maintaining communication. Communication is important in education since it leads to better achievement as students will be supported both in school and at home.
What would surprise people about your job? People might be surprised to know just how much preparation goes into teaching. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work to ensure students’ growth and success.
What do you do for fun? I love to travel and discover new places. A new hobby I have picked up is running.
The program – which began last week – has room for another 18 students on top of the 30 who are already enrolled, said teacher and site supervisor Erica Prock.
The PreK program is open to all children who turn 3 years old by Sept. 2, 2024 as well as 4-year-old who are not who are not eligible for transitional kindergarten.
PreK features play-based learning in which children are taught socialization skills, how to follow directions, rules and routines, health and safety practices and participate in cognitive development (shapes, letters, numbers, colors).
“Our main focus is setting the foundation for starting their academic career,” said Prock, who teaches the morning class. There is also an afternoon class taught by Erin Davis.
“We take our students on field trips, we participate in various school and district activities, and we provide resources for our families as needed with local agencies,” Prock explained. “We also have parent meetings throughout the year where parents can build relationships and learn about some of our local resource agencies.”
Families must meet income guidelines to qualify for the state-funded program.
Contact: Erica Prock or Erin Davis, Denair Elementary State Preschool teachers
Subject taught: Moderate/ severe special education
Experience and education: AA in human and behavioral science, BA in sociology and education and specialist teaching credential in mild-moderate with an authorization in moderate-severe. This will be my fourth year teaching; I did three years as a K-5 SDC teacher.
What attracted you to Denair? I attended Denair School K-12. I love the small-town feeling and how much the teachers and staff really cared about their students and all the community involvement.
What most inspires you about teaching? Making a difference with a child in the slightest way. I have worked with many different students and families, and I love to see it all come together when a child makes progress not only at school but at home as well.
What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? Being in a new school district and at a different grade level and learning the new ropes of everything.
What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Any hands-on interactive activity!
What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that kindness, hard work and creativity can take them far in life. It’s important to treat others with respect, put effort into everything you do and think outside the box to solve problems. These qualities can truly make a difference!
How can parents support what you do? Being open for communication and ready to support their students by helping me learn about what drives their child to succeed.
What would surprise people about your job? Working in special education is such a rewarding experience, but it takes a lot of time and analysis to do what is right for each student.
What do you do for fun? I love spending time with my family and going camping.
The first day of school – with all its accompanying excitement and nervous energy – went off without a hitch Wednesday for more than 1,300 students in the Denair Unified School District. Each of the four campuses planned fun welcome back activities that led to plenty of smiles, laughter and – especially in the case of parents dropping off kindergartners – even a few happy tears.
“There was an overall positive vibe amongst students and staff,” said Denair High Principal Breanne Aguiar.
“It was a fantastic first day,” added Denair Middle School Principal Gabriela Sarmiento.
No doubt, that upbeat feeling will continue as everyone settles into a new routine in what the district’s top official expects to be a consequential year. In meetings with staff, school trustees and community members, Superintendent Terry Metzger has focused on the ways the district plans to “provide an excellent education for all students.”
Among Metzger’s priorities for the 2024-25 school year:
Addressing the chronic struggles of English learners across all grade levels
Boosting math literacy among all students
Maintaining mental health support systems for students as well as staff
Continuing to reduce barriers to students’ academic success while increasing their sense of belonging
English learners represent about 22% of Denair’s enrollment. Metzger said test results show the need to provide additional support for those students. To address the issue, class schedules this year have been adjusted to allow for specific Designated English Language Development time at the elementary level as well as grades 6-12. The district’s Expanded Learning Opportunity Programs (ELOP) also will focus on English learners for the next few years, just like it did during the summer session that just ended.
Math also will be emphasized in ELOP activities. Denair students – like most across the state – continue to struggle to meet math standards. Being literate in math includes critical thinking and logic, as well as arithmetic skills. Metzger said the district also is partnering with the Stanislaus County Office of Education to provide intensive professional development in math for teachers at all level.
In Denair and many other districts, mental health has been a priority since the pandemic revealed worrisome issues for students and staff. Social emotional learning (SEL) and its impact on classroom performance continues to be an area of emphasis. Denair has a team of seven mental health professionals who oversee outreach to all who need it. Metzger said the district’s menu of mental health supports include an active NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) Club at Denair High, two SEL elementary programs and popular ROX (Rocking Our eXperiences) programs aimed at empowering girls at multiple campuses.
Reducing barriers and increasing a sense of belonging has been a theme championed the past few years by board members, administrators and staff members at every level. Efforts aimed at inclusion are seen in various initiatives across all campuses, Metzger said, as well as in the public reports from principals, district leaders and others that trustees hear at their monthly meetings.
“Trustees listen carefully to students, staff and parents and use that information when it comes time to make decisions,” Metzger said.
At their monthly board meeting Thursday night, trustees:
Accepted two large grants from the state – one worth $382,320 to improve heating and air conditioning systems on all four campuses and the other for $124,272 to address plumbing needs. Work is ongoing.
Heard a report from high school ag teacher Roger Christianson about the county fair. He was joined by more than a dozen FFA members. The fair will be remembered for two things, Christianson said: the heat (“It was between 108 and 114 degrees every day”) and the success of Denair’s students, led by freshman Makenzie Miguel (two first-place market sheep, plus the Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Ram) and Jaydah Rodriguez (eight firsts, one second and one third in horticulture).
Accepted a Teacher Residency Implementation and Expansion Grant worth $320,000. The money will allow the district to add three “residents.” Teachers College of San Joaquin (TCSJ) will provide aspiring teachers with both university coursework and on-the-job training by assigning them to a mentor teacher in Denair for a full school year.
Approved an application from the high school for an Agricultural Incentive Grant of about $24,000. The money would be to create and develop programs that motivate students to accept challenges, take pride in their achievements and work to their highest potential. Students will learn about colleges and careers through real-life experiences.
