The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is one of 58 county offices located throughout the state. Approximately 650 regular and more than 950 temporary and substitute SCOE staff work year-round providing services that complement and supplement those offered by public school districts in Sacramento County.
Classified Employee of the Month
Michelle Hensley, an accounting technician, was nominated by Financial Services Manager Von Canale and Financial Services Coordinator Sharmila LaPorte for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Hensley supports SCOE's Special Education Department through her work in Financial Services. Among her primary responsibilities are processing purchase requisitions and reimbursement claims for payment, monitoring expenditures for various Special Education categoricals and SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area) grants, coding timesheets, and monitoring student transportation costs. According to her supervisors, Ms. Hensley has a "dynamic personality that has served her well in Financial Services. Over the last four years, she has developed strong professional relationships with program directors and staff, as well as her peers and supervisors in the Financial Services Department." Her supervisors commend Ms. Hensley's initiative, follow-through, problem-solving abilities and enthusiasm. An example of her outstanding work is her development several years ago of a complex spreadsheet to assist her in monitoring accounts. That tool is now used by others in the department. Ms. Hensley contributes greatly to SCOE through her understanding of SCOE's programs and her willingness to pass on her knowledge and skills to others. Her supervisors conclude, "She is an integral part of our team and provides the support necessary to enable SCOE's programs to serve the students in the community." Ms. Hensley has been employed by SCOE since January 2001.
Certificated Employee of the Month
Matt Silva, a Community Schools teacher, was nominated by Principal Carol Guardia for his contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Mr. Silva teaches at SCOE's North Area Community School, which serves students who are often one or more academic years behind their peers. Students enrolled in the North Area Community School come from Center Unified School District, Grant Joint Union High School District, Natomas Unified School District, and San Juan Unified School District. "Matt is an exemplary teacher," says Mr. Silva's supervisor. "His interaction, communication and direct teaching skills are what keep the students tied to his program." Mr. Silva's classroom, she notes, is "one of family. He has the skill of building trust and respect among all of his students. He truly cares about our students, and they know it." In addition to his work in the classroom, Mr. Silva has served as Teacher-in-Charge. Mr. Silva has been employed by SCOE since August 1996.