2024 Awardees
2024 Lights On Afterschool Awardees
CAN, the California Department of Education’s Expanded Learning Division (EXLD), and the System of Support for Expanded Learning (SSEL) hosted the annual California Expanded Learning Leadership Awards on October 24, 2024, in honor of Lights On Afterschool. Congratulations to the 2024 ExL Leadership Awardees, and thank you for all you do for the youth and families across California!
Francisco Sanchez (Emerging Leader)
Region 4
Program Manager, Bay Area Community Resources (BACR)
Francisco was born in Mexico City and raised in Oakland. Francisco attended OUSD schools K-12, where he found his love for art. Several years after graduating from Emiliano Zapata Street Academy he returned to Street Academy where he taught art after-school. He found that after-school was a special place where youth were engaged in their interests, providing a perfect vehicle to re-spark their interest in education. After eight years of working as an Art Teacher at several sites, he eventually decided to become the After-School Coordinator at Rudsdale High School, and now he is the Program Manager at Bay Area Community Resources (BACR).
Jennifer “JJ” Lynch
Region 1
Coordinator, Expanded Learning, Petaluma City Schools
JJ is a wonderful support to not only her district, surrounding districts, region 1 folks, regional technical assistance providers, and those providers outside of the region. Need a sample form ask JJ, need a thought partner ask JJ, need a template ask JJ, need to smile and laugh talk to JJ. Her level to commit to providers, youth, and her community distinguishes her for this nomination.
Daneen Dugger
Region 2
ASES Director/Site Coordinator, Bangor Union Elementary School District
Daneen was a Head Lifeguard and swim instructor for the Oroville YMCA prior to being hired as the Program Director/Coordinator of the ASES Program with Bangor Union Elementary School District, a rural Pre-K-8 school for the past eight years. Working at Bangor Elementary School has allowed her to grow to love the rural community and all the hidden gems a rural community offers. In return her staff, the students, parents and community love her because they know she supports them unconditionally.
Kristin Snell
Region 3
Community Schools / Expanded Learning Coordinator, Twin Ridges Elementary School District
Kristin Snell, MA in Social Work, spent over 16 years serving the San Juan Ridge Family Resource Center. As Community Schools Director for Twin Ridges School District, she fosters student success and well-being. Kristin also coordinates the district’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, focusing on academic, social, and emotional development. She is passionate about building strong partnerships with families, educators, and local organizations to ensure every child thrives.
Monique Liebhard
Region 4
Director, Early and Expanded Learning, Pleasanton Unified School District
Monique Liebhard is the Director of Early and Expanded Learning in the Pleasanton Unified School District. She oversees a dedicated department and has a background in early childhood development and community partnerships. She believes with guidance and support all students can reach their greatest potential.
Sophia Pena
Region 5
ExL Program Director, San Lucas School District
Sophia Pena has been an integral part to San Lucas School District in the success of their Tk-8 ExL program for many years. Within her role as the ExL Director and with the support of her superintendent they continue to create engaging academically enriched programming, resources and opportunities for students within and outside of San Lucas year-round regardless of being a small rural community. It is admirable to see and honor their efforts for ongoing high quality support and opportunities.
Candace Espinola
Region 6
Coordinator, Manteca Unified School District
Candace was the principal at Stella Brockman for 14 years and has been with MUSD since 1997. She first taught at French Camp Elementary School, and went to serve in various capacities throughout the district before becoming principal at Stella Brockman in 2009. As Coordinator of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, Candace will turn her focus on MUSD’s before-school, after-school, and intersession programs to support the academic, social-emotional, and physical needs and interest of students.
Wednesday Schroeder
Region 7
Expanded Learning Leader, Merced County Office of Education
As a Middle School site leader, Wednesday is patient, knowledgeable, and always ready to lend a hand where needed. She is incredibly crafty, a natural leader, and a big Disney fan! Wednesday is also a valuable member of the Region 7 STEAM Hub, where she shares her knowledge and experience. She is a fantastic collaborator, always willing to assist students, paraeducators, site leaders, and school staff alike. Wednesday consistently brings fun, engaging activities to her students, creating an environment where they can complete homework, catch up on assignments, or get extra help with challenging topics.
Dr. Ginger Shea
Region 8
Director of Enrichment & Special Programs, Oxnard School District
Bio coming soon…
Roel Mislan
Region 9
Technology Manager & Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Coordinator, Mae L. Feaster Charter School
Roel Mislan is an educator who focuses on fostering imagination, building relationships, and instilling responsibility in students. With a career that spans both the private and public sectors, Roel’s journey began in Research and Development (R&D) before transitioning to a 17-year educational career in roles such as a computer technician, technology manager, and Industrial and Technology Education lead teacher. He later took on leadership positions as an interim principal and is currently the Expanded Learning Coordinator at Feaster Charter School.
Roel is committed to making industry-level experiential learning accessible to all students, with a special focus on unduplicated pupils. Guided by his deep love for pop culture, he strives to create engaging and relatable educational experiences that resonate with students.
Bryan Saldivar
Region 9
Student Services & Community Partnership Manager, Meadows Union School District
Bryan Saldivar currently works for Meadows Union School District. For 11 years, he worked as an industrial mechanic in geothermal power plants. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, he enrolled at Grand Canyon University to complete his education degree. He worked as an instructional aide and tutor in two school districts, then became a site coordinator. After eight months, he was thrilled to step into his current role as a passionate coordinator for Meadows Union.
Michael Baker
Region 9
Expanded Learning Coordinator, Santa Ana Unified School District
Michael Baker is an experienced Program Coordinator with a background in primary/secondary education. He specializes in Elementary Education, Lesson Planning, EdTech, Instructional Design, and Professional Learning Communities. Michael holds an MA in Educational Leadership from Concordia University-Irvine and a BA in Sociology from CSU Fullerton. He currently serves as Expanded Learning Coordinator at Santa Ana USD, previously an Assistant Principal at Abraham Lincoln Elementary.
Ann Pearson
Region 10
Director of Expanded Learning Programs, San Bernardino City USD
Ann is the Director of Expanded Learning Programs for San Bernardino City Unified School District. She previously served as an AVID coordinator and was a principal and an elementary teacher.
Gerard Montero
Region 11
Director of Compliance and Special Projects, Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC) Schools
Gerard Montero entered public education over three decades ago. Deeply committed to excellence in public education and the success of all children, he began as a teaching assistant and then became a teacher. After several years in the classroom, he became Bilingual Coordinator and Executive Director of Expanded Learning in 2014. Over those ten years, he has enjoyed seeing the growth of each school’s program into the thriving after school programs they have developed into today.