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The 3rd Annual MDUSD Career Technical Education (CTE) Fair for middle school students on Jan. 8th at Riverview MS gave 8th-graders from all middle schools in the District the opportunity to learn about career options after high school such as working for local agencies including the Contra Costa Water District or PG&E, and to find out about the different career pathways in MDUSD high schools such as construction, engineering, healthcare, auto tech, digital media and JROTC.

"The goal of this event is for students to learn about some careers in different industries," said Heather Fontanilla, MDUSD's Director of College & Career Readiness. "Another goal is for them to learn about the different pathway programs at the high schools so that they can consider the options when they are completing course cards for the 2026-2027 school year." 

The event featured 13 different education and industry partners, as well as 11 career pathways from District high schools, with teachers and high school students showcasing the work they do and offering hands-on experiences to the middle school students. It also included post-secondary education providers including MDUSD Adult Education, Diablo Valley College and Cal State East Bay.

"We're very excited to be hosting the fair," said Riverview MS Principal Veronica McLennan. "It's a great opportunity for our students to learn about the different programs in our schools and what's offered in our community."

To help keep students engaged, they were given a "BINGO Card" that asked them to visit booths and to share feedback about what they learned, said Anna Ramos, MDUSD's Manager of Youth Development & Support Services, who coordinated the fair. She said Shore Acres Elementary 5th-graders, who will attend Riverview MS next year, also got a sneak peak at the campus and the fair.

The hands-on activities included welding, practicing CPR and interacting with a robot, under the supervision of MDUSD Career Pathways high school students. Concord HS Transportation Tech student Mario Rodriguez, who taught 8th-graders how to weld at the event, said his classes teach students life skills that will benefit them even if they don't end up becoming auto technicians. Mario said career pathways can "lead you to what you want to do in life." CHS Auto Tech teacher Greg Golson said the Fair gave 8th-grade students the opportunity to get a glimpse of the skills they can develop in high school that they wouldn't ordinarily get to see.  

Mt. Diablo HS Patient Care pathway seniors Tiffany Dong and Elsey Campos Perez said they both want to work in healthcare after graduation and their pathway courses are giving them a head start on what they need to learn, including CPR. Similarly, the Principles of Biomedical Science Pathway at College Park HS also attracts students interested in healthcare fields. Riverview MS 8th grader Bryan Alvarez said he wants to learn more about the human body. "I really like science, but I also like acting," he said. Mt. Diablo HS also has a Digital Arts program in which some students create videos. Bryan's sister Stephanie Alvarez, who is the Riverview MS Community School Coordinator, said the fair exceeded the expectations of many 8th graders, who thought it wouldn't be very interesting before they attended, but who were excited after they went. "It's a great idea," she said. 

Ygnacio Valley HS Engineering teacher Joseph Alvarico, whose students demonstrated a robot they created in the school's Robotics Club, said the fair helped 8th graders get hands on experience related to careers they could pursue in the future, and helped his high school students build presentation, leadership and communications skills. "So, it serves both of them well - the high school and the middle school students," he said.

High school career pathway programs that participated in the fair were: Biomedical Science, and Photography at College Park HS; Engineering, Art & Digital Media/Photography, and Transportation at Concord HS; Auto/Transportation Tech, Culinary Arts, Patient Care and JROTC at Mt. Diablo HS; Animation at Northgate HS; and Education, and Engineering at Ygnacio Valley HS. Students interested in programs not offered at their "home" high schools would need to apply for an intra-district transfer to participate in some programs. 

Click here to watch a reel featuring highlights from the event.

This week's Friday Letter spotlights:

• The 3rd Annual Middle School Career Technical Education (CTE) Fair at Riverview MS;
• Valley View MS 7th grader Maya Alonso thanks first responders with gift baskets;
• College Now student Zachary Lee earns 2nd Place in Diablo Valley College’s “Business Pitch” competition;
• Five MDUSD High School Football players recognized with Honorable Mentions by the Bay Area News Group for their standout performances;
• Art from Sequoia MS students is on display at Pleasant Hill City Hall;
• Northgate HS earns AP Honor Roll "Gold" Distinction;
• School Social Media Highlights featuring the MS CTE Fair and other activities;
• And more!

You can read it here.

MDUSD is excited to have launched a new Teacher Residency program in partnership with St. Mary's College of California, which offers teachers in training the opportunity to work alongside a highly qualified teacher mentor in our District three days a week. This year, 12 teacher residents have been placed in Hidden Valley, Strandwood and Wren Avenue elementary schools; and at El Dorado and Riverview middle schools. They include residents pursuing multiple subject, single subject math, and special education credentials, who receive stipends of $31,400 per year and are given priority for substitute teaching positions while they are residents and for teaching positions after they earn their preliminary credentials at the end of this school year.

"I think it's going really well," said Christina Nelson, MDUSD's Teacher Residency Program Coordinator. "We're hoping to fill hard-to-fill positions and we are focused on diversifying the workforce." 

MDUSD and St. Mary's College are co-hosting an information night from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 at Willow Creek Center in Concord for those who are interested in participating in the second year of the program in 2026-27 (see flyer for details and RSVP here). The application deadline to St. Mary's is March 1 and candidates can apply to the MDUSD residency after they are accepted.

At Riverview MS, teacher resident Dre Walker said he feels blessed to have been accepted into the program and paired with Special Education teacher Mary Acebu, a 13-year veteran who teaches Special Day Class students in grades 7-8. "I have to step up my game this year, in terms of lesson planning and being able to group the students strategically," she said, explaining how she is adapting to having another educator in the classroom along with para-educator Kimberley Montano. The students shift from one class to the next because many are mainstreamed for part of the day. "I'm here to show him the ropes on IEPs (Individualized Education Programs), testing, using different technologies to reach the kids, district requirements, and getting him ready for next year, once he becomes a full-fledged special education teacher."

Both Walker and Acebu agree that it is rewarding to teach special education. "Kids light up in the classroom once they understand something - that's always the goal," Acebu said. "They'll say, 'Oh, you taught me that last week,' and it just clicks. Those 'aha' moments - I live for those. I love that the most - being with the kids. I know if I can change even one student's life, I think I've fulfilled my purpose."

Walker sees the strong relationships that Acebu has built with her current and former students and he is working to establish his own connections with students. "She has found the students' superpowers," he said. "Most of our students have a skillset they don't realize. We bring it to light, so they can see it and run with it. These kids need an opportunity to be with quality teachers who believe in them."

One student named Alex said she likes both Acebu and Walker. "She's fantastic," Alex said of Acebu. "She's the fun teacher. She's nice and she's kind. And Mr. Dre - he's kind and he likes my artwork and how I try my best when I'm doing my work." Walker and Alex get along so well that they have created their own handshake, which they excitedly demonstrated.

Both Acebu and Walker are on the same wavelength in terms of blending academic and social and emotional learning by making their classroom a positive place where students feel safe, respected, academically challenged, welcome and valued. "We teach them to love themselves and to love others," Walker said. "Our kids are not afraid to ask questions," Acebu added.

Relying on the Universal Design for Learning, they design lessons to meet students' individual needs. Acebu, who is one of the school's Technology Integration Leaders, uses multimedia, websites and creates her own virtual lessons taking students places they have never been, such as Japan. When they use videos, such as CNN 10 current events, Acebu and Walker stop the program often to talk about it and how it relates to students' lives, explaining vocabulary words that may be unfamiliar. Acebu tries to make lessons engaging by rephrasing questions, alternating between multiple choice, writing and oral lessons. When some students said they didn't know why they were getting Tuesday off, that sparked a discussion about Veterans Day and why it's important - and Acebu learned that some students have military family members.

"She's fluid," Walker observed. "She's constantly changing based on the surroundings and characteristics of her students." By listening to the students, Acebu said she is able to figure out what they are interested in and what they have questions about. She also gives them short breaks during lessons so they don't feel bombarded by too many questions in a row. And she encourages students to ask questions if they don't understand something, which helps them feel confident and prepares them for high school. 

Walker attends staff meetings and is included in Acebu's communications to other staff members and to parents, which include weekly reports about what students are learning. Acebu said teaching life skills is Walker's forte. He loves explaining things like Native American History and Digital Citizenship to students.

Both Acebu and Walker said they would highly recommend the Teacher Residency program to aspiring teachers, as well as to veteran teacher mentors. "It can seem overwhelming to work with another person in the class, but it takes skill, patience and leadership," Acebu said. "When you know what you're able to bring to the table to help someone be the best teacher they can be, this is the perfect program to help people who want to be teachers in the future."

Walker said Acebu welcomed him with open arms and treated him as an equal when he first arrived. "At age 57, I'm learning new things," Walker said. "She's amazing."

Note: This news item was originally published Nov. 15, 2025. It was updated Dec. 30, 2025 with details about the Jan. 15, 2026 information night.

Click here to register.

MDUSD strives to graduate students who think critically, respect diverse cultures, are self-directed learners, and understand how our local, state and federal governments work so they can advocate for themselves and others through civic engagement. Social Studies teachers Bryan and Erica Shaw - who teach at Ygnacio Valley HS and the College Now program at Diablo Valley College - are so passionate about helping students to develop these skills that they have spent years creating and/or implementing inquiry-based, student-driven projects that require students to delve deeply into topics that interest them or are personally relevant to them, sparking discussions that help their classes better understand complex societal issues such as immigration, cultural identities, equitable education, and the importance of individual voices in democracy.

Based on the successes they have experienced with these projects, the Shaws (who are married) recently presented their lesson ideas to educators from around the country at the National Council for the Social Studies Conference (NCSS). The lessons include "Project Citizen," which involves in depth research into a problem and the creation of a proposed policy solution presented to a panel of local civic leaders, and Oral Family History projects that require students to explore their cultural heritage and family history by interviewing a family member, then creating videos shown to the class, which help build empathy and understanding among diverse students.

"The goal of the Project Citizen curriculum is to develop civic-minded students and to get them engaged in some sort of civic action," said Erica, after her seniors presented their projects on Dec. 16 to Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, along with some school Board Members, District Administrators and two Concord City Council members. "Our hope is that we can introduce more teachers in the District to this." Erica has also written a U.S. History project for juniors in which they study struggles for equity in the U.S. among African Americans in the first quarter, then choose a different group - such as Hispanics, Asians, LGBTQ people, women or Native Americans - and read a book in English class about that group, and create a social media campaign to inform their peers about a social issue they're facing. "Juniors analyze what has changed and what has stayed the same," she said.

In both projects, students do their own thinking and come to their own conclusions, Erica said. "One of my core values is that I don't want to teach students what to think. They're asking questions and coming to conclusions and I'm teaching them how to access resources. Speaking to a panel of civic leaders shows students that their voices matter and as adults, they will know that they have the right to speak up for what they want in their local governments and they learn how to."

Two classes of College Now students collaborated on projects that they voted to research. One advocated for the expansion of Ethnic Studies in schools and the other advocated for public displays of "Know Your Rights" cards for immigrants who may encounter ICE agents. They researched existing laws and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of their proposals. After the presentations, Dr. Clark said he was extremely proud of the students and that the projects were much more beneficial to them than simply taking a final exam. "You will always remember this," he said, adding that the issues they raised, including cultural competency and protecting immigrant families, are also important to the MDUSD School Board. He praised their research, which included surveys and interviews, as well as their balanced presentation of the facts on both sides of the issues. "Our future is in great hands with leaders such as yourselves."

Students KiMaya Friedman and Mya Santiago, who advocated for the expansion of Ethnic Studies, said the project was beneficial because it helped them and their classmates understand the importance of learning about other cultures. "It would be great if school districts across the entire U.S. could also come up with this kind of structure so everyone is inclusive and able to understand each others' backgrounds," said KiMaya, who is African American, adding that she realized after talking to her classmates that she is not the only one who has experienced racism. "I can connect with these people and make change." Mya, who is Mexican American, said she was pleased by the diversity of the panel that listened to their presentations and was encouraged by Dr. Clark's feedback. "It boosted my confidence in my role in government and my community and my city and my district," she said. "This has given us an insight into what we are capable of doing. It’s very beneficial and it’s helped me to be more confident that the words I have to say are able to be heard and I have a lot of knowledge to share and people are ready to listen." 

Students Nathan Wehrmeister, Soha Ahmadzi, and Samuel Utoikamanu - who advocated for wide distribution of Know Your Rights information for immigrants - said the project was more beneficial than just taking a test because it taught them about the process for changing policies in their local communities. And they all agreed that Erica is a fantastic teacher who respects their individual backgrounds. "It makes you feel included and want to learn more about the subject," said Soha, who is Middle Eastern. "Her energy is contagious. When you first walk into class, she has a big smile on her face, ready to talk about history. We all love her.:"

Bryan's 12th grade Government students are also working on Project Citizen presentations, which they will give after the Winter Break. This week, his Ethnic Studies class students presented their Oral Family History video projects, which Bryan developed six years ago. Since then, he has collaborated with other Education Academy and International Baccalaureate (IB) teachers to expand the project as a cross-curricular final. Next semester, in Ethnic Studies, students will do a Memorial Project, in which they find a group, person or event that deserves a Memorial, but doesn't have one. They create a memorial in their education class, then create a 10-minute podcast in their English class, which helps them to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement, if they complete the required paperwork.

The goal of the oral history project, Bryan said, "is to elevate marginalized voices and add them to historical narratives." Often, he explained, students are not interested in the figures they learn about in U.S. history because they cannot identify with them. Sharing their family histories builds empathy and builds community, as they honor each other's family experiences and sacrifices.
 
In two hours, the class watched intensely personal video interviews produced by nine students, covering topics including immigration; the death, incarceration or deportation of a parent; and enduring family bonds. The videos included captions, since some interviews were in languages other than English, as well as some tears, as students' parents and grandparents talked about their family's challenges and hopes for the students' futures. Bryan encouraged students to look for commonalities among the diverse stories. Students noticed that many families faced struggles and a majority of them were immigrants. But all of the family members interviewed said they wanted the students to graduate from high school and go onto college and/or fulfilling careers, and to live happy lives. 

Precious Johnson, who interviewed her 67-year-old grandmother, said she enjoyed learning about her family history and was proud of her grandma's service in the military. "I liked this way better than a test or an essay," she said, adding that it helped her to understand her classmates. "I liked seeing different people's cultures and families." Bryan said the class will finish watching all of the student videos after winter break. He said project-based learning requires students to dig around and do research and produce something they are proud of. "Especially since so many of our students are first or second generation, we're hoping it motivates them to see why education is important, both formal and informal," he said.

Education is very important to Bryan and Erica. They are still students themselves - both pursuing Masters Degrees in U.S. History with an emphasis in Constitutional Studies, funded in part by competitive fellowship grants they received from the James Madison Foundation. They are both attending Gettysburg College and are writing their thesis papers in the spring. Bryan will focus on the Port Chicago Mutiny trial and Erica will focus on the influence of Black women in Oakland after the Suffrage movement, looking at their role in the formation of the Black Panthers. "We have great conversations," Bryan said, with a smile. 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Social Studies teachers Erica Shaw from College Now and Bryan Shaw from Ygnacio Valley High School recently presented at the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Conference, highlighting powerful, inquiry-driven lessons that put students at the center of their learning;
• Schools are closed through Jan. 2 for winter break
• Bridge Program students create monthly newscast and visit KTVU;
• Mountain View Elementary hosts a Winter Education Night,
• Shore Acres Elementary hosts its 3rd Annual Pozolada;
• Students from Valle Verde and Walnut Acres elementary schools displayed artwork during the Orchards Shopping Center’s Annual Art Walk;
• College Park High School reopens its Wellness Center and holds an Open House;
• Hidden Valley Elementary Parent Liaison Cynthia Duarte Bishop helps support 23 families in need;
• And more!

You can read it here.

By Theresa Harrington Brandt
MDUSD Public Information Officer

On Dec. 11, students from El Monte, Meadow Homes and Shore Acres elementary schools had the opportunity to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Lesher Theater in Walnut Creek, sponsored by the Diablo Regional Arts Association's Women's Artistic Alliance. Students and teachers said they appreciated the chance to see a dramatic production, which prompted claps, cheers, laughter, and oohs and aahs throughout the show.

"I'm happy because I've never been here and it's something new for me," said Meadow Homes 5th-grader Madelin Marroquin as she lined up with her classmates outside the theater before the show. Teacher Elora Hinckley pointed out the "Content Advisory," which warned that the performance included ghosts and spirits, loud noise, fog effects, strobe lighting effects, and "bursts of holiday cheer."'

"This is my favorite thing that we do, because a lot of the students have never seen live theater before, so it's very special," said Women's Arts Alliance member Carole Wynstra, who sat in the balcony near the Meadow Homes and El Monte elementary students. 

During intermission, after the Ghost of Christmas Past had visited Ebenezer Scrooge, three Meadow Homes students gave the show a positive review. "I think it's pretty cool," said Alex Jacobo. Emiliano Moreno added: "Some parts are scary." But Daniel Ortiz was undaunted. "It's a good show," he said. "I like the ghost. It's not too scary." By the end of the show, Emilio said he liked it and Alex raved, "I loved it. It was amazing!"  

As Shore Acres students and teachers gathered in the lobby after the show, teacher Elvira Martinez said her students acted out the play the previous day in class, so it was fun for them to see it on the stage. Student Melanie Castañeda said enthusiastically, "I loved it! My favorite characters were Scrooge and Tiny Tim."

The Center Rep cast and Lesher Center staff and volunteers enjoy introducing students to first-time theater experiences, said Lesher Center General Manager Carolyn Jackson. "The buzz, the excitement - it brings us joy," she said.

Since 2008, the Diablo Regional Arts Association's "Arts Access" school time performances have provided more than 60,000 East Bay students, teachers, and chaperones with the opportunity to experience high-quality live performances and visual arts exhibitions at the Lesher Center for the Arts, with a focus on students from Title 1 schools, primarily from the Mt. Diablo School District, said Diablo Regional Arts Association Executive Director Peggy White. "We also provide study guides for teachers that meet the MDUSD Curriculum standards."  

MDUSD thanks the Association, Lesher Center and Center Rep for providing these opportunities for our students and we look forward to more exciting and educational field trips in the future!

MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark sent the following message to District families and staff members on Dec. 12, 2025:

Dear MDUSD Community,

Each student in Mt. Diablo Unified School District brings special strengths, experiences and potential. As we continue working together to support growth in every classroom and every school, we remain committed to transparency and continuous improvement.

Today, I am sharing the 2025 California School Dashboard results for Mt. Diablo Unified School District. The Dashboard is a statewide tool that provides clear, accessible data about how Districts and schools are performing across multiple indicators, such as academic achievement, graduation rate, attendance, school climate, and college/career readiness. This presentation was shared at our Governing Board meeting on Wednesday, December 10.

This year’s results highlight both areas of strength and areas for growth. For example, our graduation rate rose to 89.8%, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year, and our College and Career Indicator also improved by 3.2%, with nearly 45% of students meeting the preparedness benchmark. At the same time, the data shows continued disparities in academic outcomes and attendance that we are actively addressing through targeted supports, District adopted curriculum, grade level standards and expanded family engagement.

We take this data seriously because it informs our planning, professional development, and resource allocation throughout the year.

I encourage all families and staff to review the Dashboard data. You can access the presentation by clicking on the attachment. If you have questions about your school’s data or what it means for your student, I encourage you to reach out directly to your school principal or teacher. They can explain what supports are in place and how we are working to ensure that all students thrive.

As we continue to strengthen our systems and celebrate the progress we’re making, we are also reminded of the importance of partnership. We cannot do this work alone. Together, we can make the vision of high-quality education a reality for every student in MDUSD.

Thank you for trusting us with your students!.

Dr. Adam Clark

Note: The MDUSD Governing Board received this presentation on Dec. 10, 2025. The agenda item is here. The CA Dashboard website for MDUSD is here. Click on "View All Schools" to see MDUSD School Dashboard reports. 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• A field trip taken by students from El Monte, Meadow Homes, and Shore Acres elementary schools to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek;
• Board of Education elects Debra Mason as President and Keisha Nzewi as Vice President,
• Board recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);
• Board Recognition of College Park HS graduate Mathys Joseph for his recent ACSA Every Student Succeeding Award;
• The Special Education Community Advisory Committee’s joyful holiday party;
• Recognition of MDUSD’s Fall Sports Diablo Athletic League (DAL) All-League selections including four MVPs;
• School and Staff Social Media highlights including Winter Concerts,
• And more!

You can read it here.

MDUSD is proud that three of our Business Services employees were recently nominated for regional “Excellence in Business Services” awards recognizing them as Outstanding School Employees by the California School Business Officials (CASBO) Central Bay Section. The three nominees were: School Bus Driver Laura Garibay Gonzalez, Payroll Analyst Sherry Geisler, and Senior Account Clerk Krista Hobbs. All three were recognized Friday, Dec. 5th at the organization's annual luncheon in Dublin, where Sherry was named the regional winner.

Sherry has been working in her current position for a little over a year and has already demonstrated a strong ability to proactively find solutions to issues and maintain patience and responsiveness when supporting staff at all levels, said Gustavo Aguilera, Executive Director of Fiscal Services, "She takes the time to clearly explain procedures, resolve concerns, and follow up promptly. Her ethical conduct, strong communication skills, and collaborative spirit make her a trusted resource across departments, and her dedication to continuous improvement strengthens both the efficiency and reliability of the Payroll Department."

Laura came to MDUSD during the pandemic to help students, said Transportation Director Cris Lepe. "From her first day, she demonstrated a level of dedication that has set her apart. Whether she is assigned to a regular route, asked to cover an uncovered run, or called upon to 'rescue' a student who needs transportation, Laura always responds with readiness, professionalism, and heart."

Krista has been doing outstanding work in her current position for three years, handling numerous responsibilities, said Accounting Supervisor Derrick Miranda. She has strong technical and communication skills, and has developed strategic collection methods while maintaining customer relationships. She is also an expert at interpreting data to make informed decisions, tracking and proactively mitigating risks like bad debt. She is very responsible, dependable and is an asset to our District, Miranda concluded.

Congratulations to all!

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Congratulations to Payroll Analyst Sherry Geisler, who received the CASBO Excellence in Business Services Award, and to School Bus Driver Laura Garibay Gonzalez and Senior Account Clerk Krista Hobbs, who were also nominated;
• Concord Mayor's Art Contest winners Monte Gardens Elementary student Isabella Engelbert and El Dorado Middle School student Jaqueline Torres Eufracio;
• Northgate High School Girls and Boys Cross Country Teams both set new school records at the State CIF meet;
• Ygnacio Valley High School counselors thrift store and food distribution for families in need;
• YVHS Parent Night with Contra Costa Health to share important information about Medi-Cal eligibility and other programs;
• College Park High School alum Natalie Gonzalez performed as a vocalist in the movie "Wicked;"
• Retired Ygnacio Valley teacher Kelly Perkins received Diablo Magazine’s "Threads of Hope" award;
• Walnut Acres Elementary teacher Heather Garcia-Roy is battling cancer;
• Adult Education Open House and Art & Crafts Sale on Saturday;
• Board of Education Reorganization Meeting on Wednesday;
• And more.

You can read it here.