As I have the opportunity to reflect on the work of Classified Employees this week, my reflection took me back to my middle school days. I attended Wells Intermediate School (Riverside, CA), now known as Wells Middle School.  Because many of us needed support in our English and Language Arts subjects, we had a Teachers Aide named Doris Gail (or Mama Gail as we affectionately called her).  Mrs. Gail was a caring, compassionate, and nurturing individual.  She had a soft and patient demeanor, especially with students like me who would push the educational system in different directions.

I remember her being in the leadership of her union.  We had many conversations about the role of school staff and the introduction of technology in our educational system.  Not sure how we would have those conversations, LOL! At that time, the Apple II computer was being introduced to our school system (yes, I am old).  Mrs. Gail was very outspoken about “how these computers are going to take our jobs and replace individuals like me.”  She would remind us that a computer will not serve as she does. I took a stand as a student and would complain about the computers coming in to take people like Mrs. Gail away from our classrooms.  I remember being called into the Principal’s Office to discuss why I felt the way I felt.  I thought I was in trouble (again), but he wanted to genuinely know why I felt the way I felt. I guess these conversations were prepping me for my career in community organizing and advocating for those who can’t advocate for themselves.

When I promoted from Intermediate school to high school, Mrs. Gail was on our stage and she whispered, “I will be at your graduation from high school.”  I gave her a hug and acknowledged her in my adolescent way, but not really thinking too much about her being at my graduation.  Especially when that was going to be four years away. Let me tell you that Mrs. Gail kept her promise.  As I walked across the stage during my high school graduation, Mrs. Gail was right there saying “I knew you would make it across this stage!”  I was excited to see her and I gave her a bigger hug in my young adult way.

Fast forward, I don’t know what happened to Doris Gail, but I can say that she was instrumental in getting me where I am today. So, on day four of Classified Employee Week, I want to dedicate this message to all the “Mrs. Gails” of the world who take the time to love, care, and nurture our scholars to their futures.  You are all the unsung heroes and I want to thank each of you for what you do not only in Fontana, but throughout our county, state, and nation.

May God continue to bless each of you for serving selflessly!

This is the week we celebrate Classified School Employees, but it’s important to understand that it takes a “Whole Team Approach” to educating our scholars.  Classified Employees are the “backbone” of a school/district, but with our administrators, teachers, parents, community members, and stakeholders, our scholars can thrive exponentially.  Working together has been and always will be the key to the success of our scholars.

Personally, I have a hard time separating Certificated and Classified staff in our educational system.  The reason it’s so difficult for me is that one cannot succeed without the other.  My first school district job was as a classified employee in the Perris Union High School District as a Campus Supervisor.  My role was to keep the campus of Perris Valley Middle School safe. Although it was my role, it was the role of every adult on that campus to keep our scholars safe.

Yes, Classified Employees are the backbone, but it takes all employees working together to help our scholars succeed.  Great teachers combined with great support staff allow students to excel. Schools are complex organizations that need to be managed with the utmost precision. Classified Employees along with the entire team do just that.

Our adults are one of our greatest resources for our scholars.  Adults help guide our scholars to success. As I close today’s message, it’s important to understand that teachers are the “heartbeat” of educational systems, but Classified Employees are the “Backbone” of our schools.

On this third day of Classified Employee Week, let’s all be mindful of the sacrifice, dedication, and love that each employee brings to the team.  I’m grateful to be serving you as your board member in FUSD.  Keep up the great work and enjoy the praise you get during this week as we celebrate the awesome work you each do!

In California, we celebrate Classified School Employee week the third full week in May each year.  On day one of this celebration, I mentioned that Classified Employees are the “Backbone” of a school system.  The reason for this is that although teachers are delivering academic content and doing a myriad of other duties as needed, Classified employees support the smooth operation of offices, provide safety, perform maintenance of buildings and property, transport students, provide healthy nutrition, support students in the classroom, nurture students, and have diverse talents that we could not do without.

Most individuals don’t know what a classified position is in a school/district as they see all employees as part of our educational system. Classified employees are positions that don’t require a teaching credential.  Teachers are known as “certificated” employees and the rest of the team members are known as “classified” employees.

The backbone in vertebrates, animals with backbones or spines, runs from the base of the skull to the pelvis.  It serves as a pillar to support the body’s weight and to protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that run from your brain through the spinal column and branch out to the rest of the body.  In humans, the backbone also helps to transmit body weight in walking and standing.

The reason I say Classified Employees are the “backbone” is because every employee is “a pillar” that supports students, who can be looked at as a “bundle of nerves”, and “protects” them in various ways. They provide mentorship that eventually allows our students to “walk and stand” by providing guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modeling.

As day two of Classified Employee week comes to an end, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Your work is appreciated year-round, but this week is a reminder that you are the “backbone” to a successful community.

Dear Teachers:

Happy Hump Day and Day 3 of Teacher Appreciation Week! I ended up writing today’s appreciation note on my blog page due to the amount of content I wanted to convey. Today’s appreciation goes to all the teachers who helped mold who I am today in the Alvord Unified School District (Riverside, CA) and my post-secondary educational journey. People tend to remember their teachers for years after they finish school. Great teachers can inspire students to become something that they never thought they could be, or to work in a career that they did not think they would be good at.

I want to personally thank Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Hodo, Mrs. Kemp, Dr. Kathy Wright, Mr. Heinz, Mrs. Adams (Arlanza Elementary grades K to 5th); Mr. Peña, Mr. Piper, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Leslie, Mr. Pouge, Ms. Gray, Mr. Baca, Mr. Wolf (Wells Intermediate); Mr. Baglietto, Ms. Chalk, Mr. Fogherty, Mr. Ron Edmondson, Mr. Henry, Mr. Dub Dosier, Mr. Kaufhold, Mrs. Nelson (Norte Vista HS); Dr. David Bellis & Dr. Chuck Christie (CSUSB), Dr. Anne Viricel (University of Redlands). These teachers (whose names I can remember) helped mold who I am today.

Those who know me well know that I grew up in a low-socioeconomic community (you can see this by the schools I attended). Low socio-economic communities are consistently challenged with risk factors that plague communities. Black & Latino males exponentially deal with inequities such as low educational achievement, poverty, crime, and poor health. I can say that if I would not have had the above-mentioned teachers, I would not be in the career I am today, have my beautiful family, or have had the opportunity to be elected and serve as a school board member in Fontana USD.

These teachers were able to positively affect my life with policies and practices that have undergone significant changes over the past two decades. They were able to influence me without the technological advances we have today. The one constant that has continued from the “old school” way of teaching and the “new school” way of teaching is relationships and heart. All my teachers had a love for making a difference in the lives of their students.

Teachers have to be patient, sympathetic, loving, nurturing, supportive, respectful, and flexible just to name a few characteristics. They have to be lifelong learners to improve their craft. Teaching is not only for the students, but teachers as well. Teaching is a very stressful and demanding job. Most districts have on average 180 school days a year, but you all work way more than what most perceive.

You are each making a difference. Your work has a purpose. You get the opportunity to touch the lives of your scholars and contribute to making their future success. You deal with many obstacles such as our current pandemic, new technology, teaching standards, and new policies and practices. Teachers are in the profession of molding our youth into citizens that eventually can become decision-makers. That should tell you how important your work is.
I’m sure each of you can go back and remember those teachers who made a difference in your lives. Teaching is a profession that makes connections that last a lifetime.

In the words of writer, William Arthur Ward, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” Thank you to all who inspired me and inspire their students to believe in themselves!

Much love,

Mars Serna