Michael Garcia, Chief Communication and Community Engagement Officer for Fontana Unified School District, shares how he strengthens partnerships with students and families by prioritizing trust and authentic connection. He reflects on how his journey in education is deeply rooted in his family’s values of servant leadership—a foundation that guides his approach today.

Michael highlights Fontana Unified’s collaborative leadership practices and explains how cross‑sector partnerships are helping expand access to housing support, digital literacy resources, and mental health services. Through this work, he is elevating parent engagement and ensuring families have the tools they need to thrive.

Joanna Marrufo hosts a podcast discussing community schools and their impact on education, featuring Dr. Amanda Wade, a community schools coordinator at the Riverside County Office of Education. Wade, with 17 years in education, emphasizes the importance of community schools in addressing diverse student needs across nine districts in Riverside County. The county has received four cohorts of the California Community Schools Partnership Program Grant, supporting 80 schools. Challenges include tailoring support to diverse districts without overwhelming them and educating stakeholders about community schools. Innovative strategies include embedding youth in school systems and fostering leadership skills to advocate effectively.

Serena Johnson has been a Community School Coordinator at the Inyo County Office of Education, since October 2023. While new to the education field, she brings extensive experience in early childhood education as the First 5 Director of Inyo County, along with a strong background in public health and community organizing through her roles with the Toiyabe Indian Health Project and Inyo County Public Health. Serena is passionate about the mission of community schools—to connect the education system with community resources, ensuring all children have the support they need to thrive.

Serena Johnson discusses her work in rural California, specifically in Inyo County. Inyo County, with its diverse geography and 19,000 residents, faces challenges in community school outreach. Johnson's initiatives include a consortium approach with five school districts and creative solutions like a 60% response rate for a parent survey using a Scholastic Book Fair incentive. She also emphasizes the importance of consistent communication through a monthly newsletter, translated into Spanish. A successful partnership with the county library in Independence enhances reading scores and community engagement.