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. The Sacramento County Board of Education celebrates the accomplishments and exemplary service of SCOE employees through the Employees of the Month Program.
Classified Employee of the Month
Gabriel (Gabe) Esparza-De Jesus, Transition Specialist, was nominated by Principal Craig Bradford for his work with students in the Senior Extension Program at Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School. Supervisors say Esparza-De Jesus has an exceptional ability for connecting with students by taking time to listen and develop a personal stake in their passions. He encourages students to continue their educational journey toward community college or to enter the workforce. The Transition Specialist goes above and beyond to ensure every student has a chance to succeed. He has taken a leadership role in the internship and job development program, and works closely with SETA, Pathway’s to Public Service, Building Supply Company, and SMUD, to ensure our students have access to meaningful employment. Esparza-De Jesus has been a SCOE employee since 2018.
Certificated Employee of the Month
Emily Berger, CARE Teacher, was nominated by Juvenile Court and Community Schools Director Marc Nigel for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Berger serves 7th- and 8th-grade students enrolled in the CARE Intervention Program at Sutter Middle School. Her focus is the delivery of English language arts, mathematics, and study skills curriculum to students who are striving to overcome poor academic performance. During COVID-19, she has been instrumental in creating an engaging website for her students that is designed to make learning fun and includes virtual field trips and all links to their textbooks. Because of her efforts, SCOE’s CARE students are achieving and thriving while learning from a distance. Emily Berger has been a Sacramento County Office of Education employee since 2015.