SUESD Campus Supervisors Help Create a Positive School Environment

By Scott Turnbull, Superintendent Soquel Union Elementary School District

“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.”

— Josh Shipp (author, global youth empowerment expert, and acclaimed speaker)

SUESD’s Campus Supervisors fill the critically important role of helping students feel connected to a safe, orderly, and nurturing school environment.

Whether it’s parking lots, hallways, fields, or cafeterias, you’ll see Campus Supervisors wherever students are.

Sasha Talavera has been Soquel Elementary School’s Campus Supervisor since January. Sasha ensures students are happy and comfortable. One day this might mean helping a student find a backpack. Another day it might mean helping someone work out a problem with a friend. She facilitates the Kindness Program, Character Day, and other school wide activities. Sasha loves her job and working with everyone at Soquel and finds uniquely engaging each student at school very rewarding.

Principal Gerri Fippin says, “Sasha has been a wonderful addition to the Soquel family, we were lucky to have her join our team last year. She is one of the most kind, and loving people you will ever meet. She has not only brought kindness and character awareness to our school, but she also brings a calming emotional support to all students. Her presence on campus has been a fantastic addition to Soquel Elementary in more ways than I can express.”

Mandi Gonzalez has been Main Street’s Campus Supervisor since January and was previously a Yard Supervisor. She supports students by encouraging wise decisions so they can build confidence. Mandi does this through programs such as the Kindness Challenge and Heroes for Houston. She finds it rewarding to help students work through difficult times and support them through that process.

Teacher Portlan Beckman explains, “Ms. Mandi creates opportunities for students to practice compassion, learn to resolve conflicts, and strive toward becoming better versions of themselves, amidst the chaotic and fast-paced nature of a student’s journey through the schooling system. She works with students to face life’s social and emotional challenges head-on, in a way that provides the chance for constructive social and emotional processing and learning, even giving students life-long coping strategies or more refined social and emotional understandings of themselves.”

Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School’s Campus Supervisor is Marc Lewis. Marc has been at the school since 2010 and has done a version of the Campus Supervisor job since 2014. He does a little bit of everything in supporting students and families. He loves his work and cherishes the relationships he has built with all members of the school community. Marc is a local product with deep community ties having attended Capitola Elementary and New Brighton Middle School himself as a youngster.

Teacher Jennifer Field explains, “Marc has all of the qualities that you could hope for in a campus supervisor. He’s great with students, can be counted on to be calm and diplomatic in any situation that arises and is trusted by the community because of his obvious commitment to their children. Marc has a knack for showing up at just the right moment to help with anything that needs to be done and unfailingly generous with his time and good energy. He’s beloved by students, families, and staff and is so appreciated by us all for his many kindnesses and a great sense of humor. We are beyond lucky to have him on our campus every day.”

Enrique Dolmo has served four years as New Brighton Middle School’s Campus Supervisor. He is always present on campus to support students. Enrique also changes the school’s marquee, keeps track of lockers, serves as a coach and Athletic Director. He loves his job and working with everyone at NBMS. He enjoys building relationships with students and being a reliable presence on campus.

Assistant Principal Andrew Wright states, “Enrique is a big part of our family here at NBMS. He has contributed in so many ways in making our school the positive and inviting place that it is. He always greets students and families with a smile, and often a joke or two. Customer service is his number one goal. Students know that they can go to Enrique when they have a problem, and they always know where to find him as he is out on campus nearly all day. Enrique is also our Athletic Director where he goes above and beyond in giving kids an experience they won’t forget. Above all, Enrique has fun at work! I know his colleagues appreciate this and I’m sure the students do too!”

These four folks are critical to our work in SUESD Schools. We strive to reduce bullying and create positive, welcoming environments at our school sites. Campus Supervisors are instrumental in this pursuit. We are currently engaged in training for Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports (PBIS), so their role has never been more crucial than now.