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News Releases from the Ventura County Office of Education

Specialized School Helps this Grad on His Path to Success

5/27/2025 4:28:00 PM

About halfway through his first year of high school, Yandel Zarate was struggling. He was having difficulty adapting to the large campus of more than 2,000 students and lacked the confidence to express what was wrong or ask for help. He was skipping class so frequently that it became clear he needed a change of scene. That’s exactly what...

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Meet the 2025 Ventura County Teacher of the Year

5/27/2025 12:09:00 PM

Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce that Shi Young Kim, a visual arts teacher from Rio Mesa High School in the Oxnard Union High School District, is the 2025 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Ms. Kim received the surprise news during a classroom visit today by representatives from the Ve...

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Region’s Top Girl Scout is Standing Up for LGBTQ+ Inclusivity

5/23/2025 4:06:00 PM

As she prepares to graduate from Royal High School in Simi Valley, Lola Forbes-Black has already built an impressive record of advocating for issues she believes in, even when it’s far from easy. Born and raised in Ventura County to parents who moved from the UK to work in the entertainment industry, Lola has been a Girl Scout for 13 years.

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Unstable Housing Situation Didn’t Keep Her from Pursuing Her Dreams

5/22/2025 1:42:00 PM

Imagine trying to make it through high school without knowing where you’ll be sleeping each night, without access to the internet, and without an easy way to get to campus. That was the reality for Isabelle Tiscareno, who is about to graduate from Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, despite the tremendous roadblocks she had to overcome. On m...

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Son of Immigrants Charts a Course in Naval Engineering

5/16/2025 3:30:00 PM

For Elias Garcia, success has always started at home. As the son of Mexican immigrants, he grew up in a family of six where hard work and determination were everyday values.“When I was 12 or 13, I would go to work with my dad,” Elias said. “He works at an auto body shop and has lots of tools, and I would always be playing and mess...

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From War-torn Syria to Ventura County: One Student’s Journey

5/14/2025 8:44:00 AM

Moving to a new school can be difficult for any student, but it was especially challenging for Rawan Abboud, who started her freshman year at a school on the other side of the world. Rawan had immigrated with her family to Ventura County from Syria, which had been engulfed in a brutal civil war for more than a decade. “Step by step, we adjust...

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Focus on Education - April 2025

5/1/2025 4:39:00 PM

Defending Public Education in a Time of Uncertainty • Equity Conference Supports Expansion of Educational Opportunities • Students Honored at Mock Trial Awards • Civic Engagement is Topic of New Podcast • Student Civic Action Project Expo • Math Whizzes Compete at the Ventura County Mathlete Challenge • Science Fair Showcases Student Talent ...

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Ventura County Students Dazzle at Industry and Education: Student Project Showcase

4/28/2025 1:24:00 PM

More than 100 middle and high schoolers from throughout Ventura County marveled industry professionals last Thursday with their innovation and technical talent at the first annual Industry and Education: Student Project Showcase in Camarillo. The event brought together students, educators, and industry leaders to ...

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Teacher of the Year for VCOE-Operated Schools is Announced

4/3/2025 11:44:00 AM

Dallas Ipach, who has dedicated his career to teaching students who face significant social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, has been named the 2025 Teacher of the Year for schools operated by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). Mr. Ipach will now have the opportunity to compete for the Ventura County Teacher of the Year award, whi...

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Defending Public Education in a Time of Uncertainty

4/1/2025 9:29:00 AM

Public education is facing an unprecedented challenge. As political rhetoric intensifies, the U.S. Department of Education has come under attack, with calls for its elimination shaking the foundation of our nation’s commitment to equitable learning opportunities. Yet, despite these challenges, the focus of Ventura County educators remains clear: e...

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