LOA Special Edition Fireside Chats with CA EXL Leadership Awardees

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LOA Special Edition Fireside Chats with CA EXL Leadership Awardees

In this series of Fireside Chats, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education (EXLD). This series of chats is with 2025 California Expanded Learning Leadership Awardees who were recognized this year during the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration.

In this first inspirational chat, we are joined by three of our Innovative Leadership Awardees: Fireside Chat #64!

  • Sandoz McCovey, Director of Expanded Learning, Del Norte USD – Region 1
  • Laurie Jimenez, Coordinator, Expanded Learning, Tustin USD - Region 9, OC
  • Amber Gascoigne, Director, Expanded Learning, Palm Springs USD – Region 10 – Riverside

In the LOA Series Special Edition Fireside Chat #2 on October 31, 2025, we are joined by three of our Leadership Awardees:

  • Leina Dingle, ELOP Administrative Intern, Whittier Elementary School, Newport Mesa USD – Emerging Leader
  • Daric V. Jackson, Director, Instructional Leadership and Intervention, Cupertino Union School District – Region 5
  • Deidre Corwin, Director, Glendale USD – Region 11

In the LOA Series Special Edition Fireside Chat #3 on November 7, 2025, we are joined by three of our Innovative Leadership Awardees:

  • Callista Galliher, Youth Workforce and High School Development Coordinator, Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center – Region 3
  • Kim Gaspar, Director of Expanded Learning Programs, Paso Robles Joint USD – Region 8
  • Angela Ruiz-Alvarez, Recreation and Enrichment Coordinator, Cutler-Orosi Joint USD – Region 7

In the LOA Series Special Edition Fireside Chat #4 on November 13, 2025, we are joined by two of our Innovative Leadership Awardees:

  • Claudia Medina, Expanded Learning Opportunities Programs, Coordinator, Alameda USD – Region 4
  • Kaylee Bunyea, ELOP Coordinator, Rim of the World USD - Region 10, San Bernardino

Resources

CAN & CA Dept. of Education Fireside Chat Icon If you have follow-up questions please email the CAN team.

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