San Luis Obispo County school districts and Cuesta College celebrated the achievements of many talented educators and support staff at the Fall Employee of the Year Gala held in October at Cuesta College. Central Coast schools are fortunate to have a well-trained, dedicated, and inspiring workforce. Despite the challenges faced by our educational organizations, opportunities and promise still thrive in our local schools. Events like our “Employees of the Year” highlight the value our employees bring and their lasting impact on generations of the local community. You are invited to watch these celebrations on the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education YouTube channel.
A positive example of a community-serving program is our SLO Partners’ “The Next Wave,” a three-month mentorship and professional development initiative designed for women in San Luis Obispo County. Sponsored by the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education and the San Luis Obispo County Career and Technical Education Foundation, the program combines in-person and virtual sessions with mentorship, peer coaching, and career goal setting. The program features one-on-one mentoring from regional leaders in sectors such as design, engineering, retail, and entrepreneurship. Participants will gain a personalized career roadmap, a stronger sense of purpose, and valuable connections that go beyond the classroom.
The program also addresses the growing need for accessible, high-impact development opportunities for women navigating career transitions, whether returning to work, switching industries, or stepping into leadership for the first time. “We kept hearing from women who were ready to grow but didn’t know where to start or who to talk to,” said Tyler Skinner, founder of Women Making Waves and creator of the Next Wave. “This is our answer: a community-driven structure where women can learn, plan, and advance together.”
The program has gained support from a network of local businesses and previous community partners, including RRM Design Group, Rick Engineering, and Farm Supply Company. Educators can bring about significant change in our society.
When employees at agencies like the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, SLO Partners, and the SLO CTE Foundation work together, they serve as role models. These actions speak louder than words, and everyone in the educational community positively influences our students’ learning. Employees in our educational organizations play a vital role in the community’s success, especially during students’ formative years. Educators are no longer just seen as providers of knowledge to empty vessels wandering the hallways. Everyone involved in serving our community must collaborate to develop a highly skilled, educated, and resilient citizenry. Our success as a community, state, and nation depends on a well-educated populace.
The Next Wave is just one of many strong examples of employees in our schools working together to serve our community. Today’s teachers, custodians, bus drivers, clerks, administrators, assistants, and all education staff have great potential to make positive strides by showing a duty of care. Let us celebrate these outstanding individuals who embody the core principles of educational excellence. It is my honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.
“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” — Albert Einstein
