How To Invest In Tomorrow’s Innovators

Geraldine Sonobe is a lifelong educator and the mother of twins currently in the public school system.  She is a candidate for Alameda County Office of Education, District 4

I’ve worked with hundreds of low socioeconomic students over the years.  Many lack hope of finding a decent job.  Students have told me personally that the reason that they are in a gang or stealing is that they have to survive.  They are cynical about getting into college and getting a job – any job.   However, these very same students when given a chance to build a web site, learn robotics or create a business plan, they got motivated and excited.  I remember one student, Sergio, who figured out how to hack into the humble computer network at Castlemont.  The technology coordinator tracked him down and “punished” him by making him reconfigure all the computers.  That student then became the Castlemont tech assistant, was able to put this on a resume and actually earned a small stipend.  Sergio changed.

I decided to run for Alameda County Office of Education because the County Office of Education plays a very important role in bringing a range of partnerships, gang abatement services, and professional development to schools, teachers, and students across Alameda County.  These services make a real difference that I can attest to firsthand – from my days in the classroom to my current role at College Track, a nonprofit primarily serving low socioeconomic students.  For many years I have been deeply involved in creating and supporting programs that get our students into college and help them graduate from college. 

When I taught at Castlemont High School, I primarily worked with 9th and 10th grade boys.  I found that by tying the California State Standards to activities that kids do using their hands was extremely effective.  Research shows that "doing, building, and presenting" an activity is far greater for comprehension and retention then listening/reading and taking a test.  At Castlemont there was a robotics team (2001-2002).  Even though many of the students were low performing in math, nevertheless the whole team made it to the play off competition in Houston.  This demonstrates just how powerful first hand experience is to our students as well as getting assistance from tech firms and organizations that provide volunteer mentors to assist in implementing these programs.

The County Office of Education should be a resource to our teachers and schools.  By guiding and assisting with professional development and technology training, the County Office of Education will help to engage students and at the same time positively impact their skill sets for viable careers.  The County Educational Services and Student Programs and Services partners with local businesses and other providers to help students gain key technical, vocational, and artistic skills.  I would encourage expanding this type of program at the County level and will focus on creating and fostering partnerships that lead to internships and work experience. 

This is where the County can truly be an asset: by providing training and ensuring what is being taught in the classroom is tied to real world activity, helping to create specific programs that teachers can use in their classrooms, forming partnerships with NGOs, and identifying organizations and companies that deliver hands on, real experience for students using today’s technology.  Many of these opportunities are very low cost, and both the affected students and our community as a whole will reap the benefits for many years to come.

www.geraldine2012.com