Two important professional learning opportunities for education leaders and paraeducators in Calaveras and surrounding counties just concluded. In response to the ongoing challenge of recruiting and retaining education staff, the Calaveras County Office of Education facilitated both a Paraeducator Training Course and the 21CSLA regional professional learning series, “Community Roots, Leadership Wings: Nurturing School Leaders from Within.”

CCOE has now offered two sessions of the Paraeducator Training Course in 2025, one in the spring and one this fall. Offered through Calaveras Adult Education, this course equips current and aspiring paraeducators with classroom tools, instructional strategies, and preparation for the required Paraprofessional Proficiency Assessment. Focus points encompassed inclusive education, the relationship between belonging and learning, proactive behavior support, and promoting student independence. At the conclusion of the spring course, 13 certificates were awarded; the fall session added another six completers.

Participants praised the program for its clarity and impact. One attendee shared, “This is a quick, intense program that really made clear the many roles and rules of being a paraeducator.”

Alongside the Paraeducator course, CCOE hosted the 21CSLA training, proposed by CCOE Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Jessica Dorris in response to a needs assessment analysis that included Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Alpine county education leaders.

“The purpose of this tailored professional learning is to increase rural leaders’ credibility, confidence, and influence, with the unique focus on building future principals and retaining those who are currently serving in the role,” Dorris said.

21CSLA (21st Century California School Leadership Academy) provides no-cost leadership development for educators. There are seven regional agencies across the state and CCOE is the Sub-Region Lead, led by CCOE’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction Paul Hauder, supporting Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Alpine counties.

The “Community Roots, Leadership Wings” series was led by Dr. Toni Faddis of Corwin Press. She facilitated two in-person, six-hour sessions on Sept. 29 and 30. Follow-up virtual sessions will continue throughout the school year.

The first session, designed for administrators, drew participants from Calaveras, Amador, Sacramento, and Tuolumne counties that included superintendents, principals, vice principals and a learning director. The second session, geared toward teacher leaders, brought participants from Calaveras, San Joaquin, Placer, and Tuolumne counties serving in roles as an education specialist, a school counselor, a school psychologist, a program specialist, teachers on special assignment, a director, and a lead teacher.

“This professional learning series was a meaningful step forward in strengthening leadership across our rural schools,” said Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools Jared Hungerford. “By investing in both our current administrators and emerging teacher leaders, we’ve taken intentional action to build capacity from within — honoring the deep commitment and local knowledge that make our communities so special. Growing our own leaders isn’t just a strategy; it’s a promise to sustain and elevate the work we do for students, families, and one another.”