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INTERVIEW: Veronica Ramos
Veronica Ramos is the new Director III of the Region 23 Migrant Education Program, a program that provides supplementary programs and services to children of migrant farm workers within San Joaquin and Contra Costa Counties
(VR) Veronica Ramos
(BW) Bilingual Weekly
(BW) You have been in the education field for a number of years, when did you decide that you wanted a career in the field of education?
(VR) I have been in education for 16 years. I come from a long line of educators, and I think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, even when I was a little girl I would play “school” with my little sister. Working with underprivileged students while in college showed me a path to serve students who needed the extra push and encouragement that I could give them.
(BW) How has it been for you, working for the Migrant Education Program?
(VR) MEP has been the most rewarding job I have ever had. I’d say this experience of working with MEP is one that most people dream about, and I’ve been able to make it my reality.
(BW) What challenges have you have along your career?
(VR) My biggest challenge was the budget cuts we had last year in Migrant Education. The decision to not bump another manager was very difficult and led me to ultimately being laid off and having to rebuild many aspects of my life. It was the most challenging, humbling, and strangely enough, the most rewarding experience. I was forced to take time off and learn a lot about myself and learn what I valued most, and that was my friends and family who stood by me in a very difficult time.
(BW) How do you feel as you take on a new challenge as the Director of Migrant Education Program? When would you start your new position?
(VR) I started this new position Jan 9, 2012. Although this is a new challenge for me, I am comforted by coming back to familiar surroundings and know that we have great people in Migrant Education and here at SJCOE. I have great support and although this is clearly the most challenging position in my career to date, I work with a great team and I know we will do our best to serve our students
(BW) As an experienced educator, what are your views on Latinos (a) and education? Do we have a problem with getting Latino students to college?
(VR) I think that our problem of getting Latinos to college is still an issue today, but thanks to programs like ours, we are breaking through; students and families are understanding the power and importance of a higher education for our students. I wish that more areas had strong programs that really reach out and make a difference for our Latino youth. I love that our staff serve as great examples of what can happen with a little effort and perseverance. My motto has always been: Si Se Puede, and I’m sticking to that!
(BW) Lastly, how do you see yourself in the upcoming years? Perhaps going back to the classrooms as a teacher?
(VR) If you would have asked me that a year ago I would rattle off a list of things I’d like to do, but not anymore.
Being laid off for 6 months and struggling to find a job has given me a new sense of who I am and my purpose in this world. I know that I am dedicated to serving students, but I am not sure what the plan for me is. I know that as soon as you try and plan something—and think you have it all figured out—God, fate, whatever you want to call it, comes in and creates a new plan for you.
Golden Bell: for Latino High School Program
Lincoln Latin Leadership (LLL), a parent/district-run organization at Lincoln High School, received the 2011 Golden Bell Award.
RTD: Offers Kids Safety
On Tuesday, January 24 RTD released a new “Safe Place” campaign — a national youth outreach program which provides immediate help for all young people in crisis through a network of Safe Place locations like schools, fire stations, grocery stores and public transit centers.
Up with Education: A workshop for Latino Families to apply for scholarships
By Mayra Barrios
(bw) STOCKTON, CA – The San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SJCHCC), in partnership with the University of the Pacific and other community organizations, hosted the 9th Annual Student Financial Aid and College Awareness Workshop during the morning of Sunday, January 29th at the A.G. Spanos Hall at University of the Pacific in Stockton.
From TV studio to an education forum
News anchor, producer and writer Stephanie Cruz visits Stockton with a story of success and dedication.
If you missed it: The State of the Union Address
Remarks by the President in State of the Union Address
United States Capitol Washington, D.C. 9:10 P.M. ET
Academy Award Winner and LGBT Rights Activist to Speak at Pacific
Black
STOCKTON, CA – Being raised in a Mormon home, Dustin Lance Black often struggled with questions about his sexuality. It wasn’t until his 20s that he “came out” as gay, but with that declaration, Black also became an activist for human rights and was determined to tell the stories of people whose relationships might not fit in with traditional definitions. Continue reading
Carrying Forward the Vision of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream
By Mayra Barrios
(bw) STOCKTON, CA – Carrying forward the vision of Martin Luther King`s dream, diverse members of the community and outreach agencies came together to improve Stockton, gathering in the Gymnasium of St. Mary of the Assumption Church on Saturday, January 14th.
EDITORIAL: Education or Business?
On January 6, 2012, San Joaquin Delta College announced that as of this spring student aid disbursements will be handed to students via “MySJDCCard.” MySJDCCard is a MasterCard debit card that allows student aid disbursements via an Easy Refund Program (ERP) — a direct deposit system that must be backed by a banking institution. Conveniently MySJDCCard will also provide online bill-pay for the student tuition.
Students Infused with the Holiday Spirit
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CA- A group of students at Weston Ranch High School driven by the “Christmas spirit” decided to extend their holiday enthusiasm and bring joy to families in need—only a few days away from their final exams.
Pacific Appoints New Dean for McGeorge School of Law
SACRAMENTO, CA – On January 5, 2011, University of the Pacific Provost Maria Pallavicini announced that Francis “Jay” Mootz has been appointed the next dean of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. Mootz is currently the William S. Boyd Professor of Law and associate dean for academic affairs and faculty development at the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He will assume his new duties July 1.
The 2011 Top 10 Stories Most Read
As we begin 2012, Bilingual Weekly’s newsroom extracted the top 10 most read stories during the last 352 days. Please note that the top 10 stories were not selected by the Bilingual Weekly’s staff, our team ran the www.bilingualweekly.com English website’s analytics’ report which evaluates the hits received daily and it ranked each story from the highest number of hits to the lowest ranking in local news coverage. The following stories are briefs of the top 10 stories you, our readers clicked on.
Boys and Girls are visited by Santa Claus at their club
Mayra Barrios
(bw) STOCKTON, CA – Early visit by Santa Claus at the Boys and Girls club in Stockton gives children an early surprise during the clubs Christmas lunch on Thursday, December 21.
HIV Serious Problem Among Latinos
Bilingual Weekly
Mayra Barrios
(BW) SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CA- 2011 marked 30 years since the first case of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was found in the United States —a case which became an Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Study Shows Sugarcane Ethanol Production Causes Air Pollution
UC Merced researchers show burning of sugarcane fields prior to harvest can create more pollution than previously thought, detracting from benefits of the alternative fuel source
MERCED, Calif. — The burning of sugarcane fields prior to harvest for ethanol production can create air pollution that detracts from the biofuel’s overall sustainability, according to research published recently by a team of researchers led by scientists at the University of California, Merced.
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