San Juan Education Foundation

06/12/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Brenda Alcaide Navarro, Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) Student Scholarship Awardee!

Brenda has long held a passion for law, an interest that has continued to grow through meaningful hands-on experiences. Her involvement in mock trial began her freshman year at a courthouse-hosted program downtown, where she discovered her excitement for every part of the legal process, from finding evidence to building strong arguments.

She returned to mock trial again her junior year and experienced continued success, further strengthening her enthusiasm for the field. Brenda is especially drawn to the energy of advocacy and problem-solving, where she can see herself engaging in this work every day.

We are proud to recognize Brenda as a scholarship recipient of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.

Congratulations, Brenda, and best wishes as you continue pursuing your passion for law and advocacy!

06/11/2026

A colorful celebration of parrots!

We’re excited to spotlight another wonderful young author from Greer Elementary! Thanks to the Book Creator Achievement Grant awarded to Ms. Davis, students are sharing their passions and creativity through storytelling.

“Parrots” by Setara is a short and sweet book that highlights all the things they love most about these bright, beautiful, and fascinating birds.

Fantastic work, Setara! And thank you to Ms. Davis for inspiring students to explore their interests and share their voices through writing.

Read this free ebook by Setara Hamidi. Find thousands of free educational ebooks for classroom use at read.bookcreator.com

06/09/2026

Thank you, Lisa Borrego, for your decades of leadership and dedication to students, families, educators, and the San Juan Education Foundation.

Lisa, Grants Committee Chair for 2026–2027, is the Senior Director for the California Family and Community Engagement Initiative at Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation.

With more than 25 years of experience in education and community engagement, she has led family engagement and student support initiatives at the local and state level, including leadership roles with San Juan Unified School District and the California Department of Education.

We are grateful for your support, Lisa, and excited for all you will continue to contribute.

06/08/2026

Thanks to the PROPEL Resources Grant, 2nd-grade teacher Jessica Bartholomew at Greer Elementary School was able to create a more supportive and inclusive classroom environment that meets a wide range of student needs.

“I received everything I needed to complete my calming corner, increase diversity and inclusion through reading, and help learners who need support with sensory items and regulation.

All items will propel learning for my students and have an impact on their success whether it is through reading, learning to co-regulate, or complete activities with materials we received. Thank you so much!! My class appreciates it!”

We are proud to support classrooms that prioritize student well-being, inclusion, and the tools needed for every learner to thrive academically and emotionally.

06/04/2026

We’re proud to celebrate another talented student author from Greer Elementary! Through the Book Creator Achievement Grant awarded to Ms. Davis, students are using their creativity and personal experiences to create engaging books for others to enjoy.

“Mistakes You Make During Soccer” by Horya shares helpful lessons. Great job, Horya!

And thank you to Ms. Davis for encouraging students to turn their ideas and experiences into meaningful stories.

Read this free ebook by Horya Hameedi. Find thousands of free educational ebooks for classroom use at read.bookcreator.com

06/02/2026

The future is bright.

On Saturday, we celebrated an incredible group of ACHIEVE Scholarship recipients whose hard work, resilience, leadership, and determination have opened doors to exciting new opportunities.

Thanks to the generosity of our scholarship funders, these students are taking their next steps toward college, career, and lifelong success with the support of a community that believes in them.

We were also honored to celebrate the donors, families, educators, and supporters who make these opportunities possible. Together, we're investing in education and enriching lives.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! We can't wait to see where your journey leads.

06/01/2026

Thanks to the PROPEL Resources grant, Transitional Kindergarten teacher Shannon Faltermier at Thomas Kelly Elementary School was able to bring a sensory table and sensory materials into her classroom, creating rich opportunities for hands-on, play-based learning.

Shannon shares, “My Transitional Kindergarten class recently received a sensory table and sensory materials. This new addition to our classroom has provided my students with many opportunities for hands-on exploration and play. The sensory table has quickly become a favorite learning space where students can explore different textures and materials.

I have noticed that my students are especially enjoying the chance to interact with one another while they play and learn. They are practicing important social skills such as sharing materials, taking turns, and communicating with their classmates. These opportunities are helping them build friendships and learn how to work together in a positive way.”

We are proud to support classrooms that foster early learning through exploration, collaboration, and meaningful social development.

05/29/2026

Last Chance to Nominate a STAR!

May 31 is the final day to nominate a STAR, and we don’t want you to miss the opportunity to recognize someone who makes San Juan Unified shine brighter every day.

At the San Juan Education Foundation, we celebrate service-oriented, trailblazing, accomplished role models who inspire excellence across our schools and community.

Our STARS reflect:

S – Service-Oriented: Strengthening community through dedication to others
T – Trailblazing: Leading with innovation and bold ideas
A – Accomplished: Creating meaningful impact and excellence
R – Role Models: Inspiring others through action and character
S – Shining Brightly: Lighting the way for future generations

Who can you nominate?

• STARS Hall of Fame: Outstanding alumni making an impact in their field
• Legacy STARS Award: Former educators who shaped generations of students
• Bryan McKrell Shining STARS Award: Individuals or organizations advancing equity and opportunity in education

Winners are honored at our signature event, An Evening with the STARS.

Help us celebrate the people who make a difference every day. Submit your nomination before May 31 at https://sanjuaneducationfoundation.org/stars-awards/nominate

05/28/2026

A touch of magic and imagination!🐈‍⬛

We’re excited to celebrate another creative young author from Greer Elementary! Thanks to the Book Creator Achievement Grant awarded to Ms. Davis, students are bringing their stories to life in truly imaginative ways.

“The Whimsical Black Cat” by Penelope R. Rodriguez invites readers into a playful and enchanting world full of curiosity and charm. This beautifully creative book highlights the power of imagination and student storytelling at its best.

Wonderful work, Penelope! And thank you to Ms. Davis for continuing to inspire confidence, creativity, and a love of writing in her students.

Read this free ebook by Penelope R Rodriguez. Find thousands of free educational ebooks for classroom use at read.bookcreator.com

05/26/2026

We are proud to recognize Carolyn Hopkins-Vasquez as Secretary for the 2025–2026 term at the San Juan Education Foundation.

Carolyn brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in marketing and communications, currently serving as Vice President of Client Services at 3Fold Communications. Her expertise in strategic planning, brand development, and client relations strengthens her impact in both her professional work and community service.

We are grateful for her leadership and commitment to supporting students, educators, and the mission of the Foundation.