My Work
My Work
Embedded Files
Measuring Success
Measuring Success
Developed and implemented a comprehensive internal communication strategy for the San Diego County Office of Education that helped raised employee satisfaction in surveys from 59% to 96% within four years with 74% of employees saying employee communications made them feel more connected to the people and mission of the organization.
Created loanable library with items teams often rent or purchase for events, saving the organization an estimated $5,000 each year.
Launched My North Star Journey, a systemwide initiative to recognize employees and connect them with the organizational goal of reducing poverty and increasing belonging. In the two years since the launch, the percentage of employees who said they understand SDCOE's North Star goal grew from 90.6% to 95.2%. The percentage of employees who said they feel recognized at work rose from 73.1% to 86.2%
In a survey conducted in 2020 about information needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, 97% of employees who responded said they were satisfied with both the quality and quantity of information being shared.
Strategic Initiatives and Branding
Strategic Initiatives and Branding
My North Star Journey
My North Star Journey
Researched, planning, implemented, and evaluated a systemwide initiative at SDCOE to recognize employees and connect them with the organizational goal of reducing poverty and increasing belonging.
Since the 2022 launch, the percentage of employees who said they understand SDCOE's North Star goal grew from 90.6% to 95.2% and the percentage who said they feel recognized at work rose from 73.1% to 86.2%
SDCOme
SDCOme
Created and Led the SDCOMe campaign in 2014 as part of the organizationwide strategic planning process to help SDCOE employees see how their work contributes to SDCOE mission and supports students. The initiative included sharing hundreds of self-reflections, hundreds of branded posters, creating touchpoints for new employees, employee toolkits, special publications, and events. Survey data shows that the initiative helped employees feel more connected to the mission and students and appreciated the resources shared.
Employee Communications
Employee Communications
Over more than a decade, I developed and implemented a comprehensive internal communication strategy at the San Diego County Office of Education that includes newsletters, an intranet, executive messaging, and internal social media.
Employee satisfaction in these efforts has risen from 59% to 90% in the last 12 years.
UnprecedentedTimes_summer8finalfianl.pdfUnprecedented Times
Unprecedented Times
Two special issues of a special San Diego County Office of Education employee newsletter highlighting the response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. I led the artistic direction and content creation.
2025-05-inspire_email.pdfInspire
Inspire
Monthly employee newsletter created to inspire employees by sharing information about the good the San Diego County Office of Education is doing in the community. I led the artistic direction and content creation.
Over the years, I have worked on dozens of strategic communications plans for the San Diego County Office of Education. These include media campaigns, crisis response, event-related messaging, executive leadership communications for both internal and external audiences. Two employee-centered initiatives are highlighted below.
Media Relations
Media Relations
Oversaw the media strategy, messaging, and coordination for various events and initiatives for both the San Diego County Office of Education and Vista Unified School District. Appeared in interviews on ABC 10NEWS, Fox5, KPBS, and more.
25-03-06 Spelling Bee Winner Announced.docxSan Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee
San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee
Written for San Diego County Office of Education in 2025, leading to coverage on local NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, and PBS affiliates as well as The San Diego Union Tribune.
Emotional Safety Press Release VUSD.docxResponse to Sandy Hook Shooting
Response to Sandy Hook Shooting
Written for Vista Unified School District in 2012
Event Planning
Event Planning
Welcome Back Tour
Welcome Back Tour
Led planning and implementation for SDCOE Welcome Back Tour in 2021 and 2022.
The Welcome Back Tour was an opportunity for employees to mingle safely with co-workers and connect with the leadership team as they celebrated the start of the school and fiscal years. It was also a chance for the leadership team to show its appreciation for the employees and their hard work throughout the pandemic.
An estimated 500 employees participated, nearly double the original goal and more than double the amount that had participated in other in-person events in the past.
One participant said: “That was such a creative way to kick off the school year. Thank you for including us in the planning proactively. Your actions made my remote team feel part of the larger organization.”
SDCOE All-Staff Events
SDCOE All-Staff Events
2025-01-inspire_email.pdfLed planning and implementation of SDCOE's all-staff events for approximately 1,000 employees in both 2023 and 2024.
More than 400 participants took a short survey at the end of the event each time to share feedback about the day. In 2024, the data showed.
97% enjoyed gathering with colleagues from across SDCOE.
94% felt welcomed and included at the event.
84% found the breakout sessions helpful.
86% better understood their role in creating a community of belonging for colleagues and students after the event.
Quotes from Participants
“The whole day was so inspirational! All aspects of the programming were seamless and unified.”
“Todo estuvo super bien, gracias!”
“This event was fun, interactive, and empowering.”
“What worked is the opportunity to be together. The food was great. Guest speaker was beyond amazing.”
Newspaper Articles
Newspaper Articles
Data-Driven Reporting
Over the Years, Most School Districts Have Added Staff, Lost Students (North County Times: Sept. 5, 2009)
Schools Look at Ways to Pay for Retirement Benefits (North County Times: Aug. 16, 2008)
Charter Schools Struggle for more Diversity (North County Times: May 24, 2008)
State Data Shows Students in Wealthier Areas Far More Likely to Take SATs (North County Times: April 20, 2008)
Graduation Rates Vary Depending on Computation Methods (North County Times: March 5, 2006)
Analysis
Palomar College Leader Leaving Amid Board Tensions (The San Diego Union-Tribune: Nov. 14, 2025)
Parents May Sue Over Yoga Lessons in Encinitas (The San Diego Union-Tribune: Oct. 21, 2012)
Response to Kelly Shooting Went Like Clockwork, Officials Say (North County Times: Nov. 6, 2010)
A Year After Shootings, Vista Still Unsettled (North County Times: July 30, 2006)
Despite Plenty of Finger-Pointing Border Protests Relatively Peaceful (North County Times: July 31, 2005)
Education Features
Educator Has Helped Connect Students With Deaf Culture (North County Times: April 30, 2011)
Schools Hold Special Summer Olympics (North County Times: July 22, 2010)
Students Practice Math Skills as Store Owners, Shoppers (North County Times: May 6, 2010)
Local Teacher Retires After Four Decades (North County Times: June 4, 2009)
Boxing Helps Students With Disabilities (North County Times: May 8, 2009)
Community Storytelling
More Changes Coming to Downtown Vista; Not Everyone Is Happy (The San Diego Union-Tribune: Dec. 1. 2025)
Daniel Tucker, Influential Tribal Leader, Dies at 73 (The San Diego Union-Tribune: Oct. 27, 2025)
Step Right Up, Get a Job at the Fair (The San Diego Union-Tribune: April 14, 2013
Educators Share Memories of Crestview Elementary (North County Times: April 1, 2011)
Baha’is Celebrate Community in Escondido (North County Times: Feb. 26, 2007)
Hot Enough to Fry an Egg on the Sidewalk (Mohave Valley Daily News: July 5, 2004)
Who Was That Masked Man? (The Daily Aztec: Dec. 5, 2002)
Note: Formatting errors in North County Times stories were added during archiving and were not part of original articles.
Executive Communication
Executive Communication
Wrote most internal communication from the county superintendent of schools and other members of the leadership team between 2013 and 2025.
2025-09-inspire superintendent message.pdfNewsletter Messaging
Newsletter Messaging
Inspire employee newsletter, September 2025
A Time for Thanks and Reflection.pdfEmail Updates
Email Updates
All-staff email, Nov. 21, 2021
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