10/31/2018 -
Name:
Debra Sanders
Years at SCOE:
Six. Before that, I worked at Santa Rosa City Schools for eight years. I started in beginning teacher support (BTSA) and later served as special education director.
Job Title:
Foster Youth Education Services Coordinator/Liaison
How do you describe your job to people outside SCOE?
I say that my job is to help districts understand the landscape of social workers, foster parents, and foster youth— and to help social workers and foster parents understand the landscape of education. Basically, I support adults in giving youth the opportunities they need.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the East Bay, in a little town called Moraga.
Who was your favorite childhood teacher and why?
Mrs. Rose. She was my middle school English teacher. She modeled great personal skills. She also loved literature, writing, and reading and she brought her passion to her teaching. I feel like I tried to pattern teaching after her when I became an English teacher. I went back to her classroom to watch and learn when I was in the credentialing process myself.
What is your favorite thing about working for SCOE?
I have many favorite things: The team, the environment. The expectations. The high level of commitment of everyone in the environment. Amazing colleagues, the way we work together—it brings out a lot of strengths.
What is one of your most memorable moments as a SCOE employee?
I have a lot of memorable moments as a SCOE employee. One that stands out is after the fires, when we were taking in supplies as fast as we could, and people from every department came down and started organizing supplies with us. While the smoke was still in the air, people came to do what they could. Everyone brought their own competence, ideas, and lent their expertise. It was a great life raft in a rough sea.
Outside of work, what is your favorite hobby or way to unwind?
I love to listen to my husband Terry’s band, the Dylan Black Project. My son Isaac is musical too and plays the baritone sax and keyboard. I also love exercise and water —anything to do with the river, beach, or pool.
What is one thing that might surprise people to learn about you?
My family had a pet pig named Bubba. We found him at a children’s petting zoo. He was a baby and had never been away from his mother. He was very irate, screaming whenever a child came toward him. My son Isaac asked if he could go in and see the pig. The pig came over and settled down. We saw him again later in the day and learned that Isaac was the only person the pig would come to. I got a wild hair and asked, ‘How much for that pig?’ They were happy to get rid of him, so we bought the pig, put him in the back seat with Isaac, and brought him home. Bubba proved to be the source of much entertainment brought our family a lot of joy.
