11/28/2018 -
Name:
Elizabeth Najmabadi
Years at SCOE:
One year
Job Title:
Teacher on Special Assignment - Integrated Pathway Coach
How do you describe your job to people outside SCOE?
A thinking partner and support provider for districts and school staff to aid in transforming the student experience and learning environment. I also see myself as an advocate for building empathy, equity and engagement at school sites.
Where did you grow up?
I moved a lot growing up but Sonoma County is where I call home. Sebastopol was the most monumental place I lived growing up. I love the sense of community it has.
Who was your favorite childhood teacher and why?
Sunny Galbraith, a teacher at Orchard View School (a home school program) in Sebastopol. I was homeschooled for most of my high school years by choice and I loved it. Sunny was my science teacher and she always showed up to class with so much energy and enthusiasm. You could tell this was something she was passionate about. She made us want to be there. She always asked us what our strengths were and gave us voice in choice in how we would present projects. I loved handwork—knitting, etc.—so for assignments, we could use these skills to represent our projects. For example, when studying cells, I needle felted a eukaryotic cell. Sunny sparked my interest in pursuing a health/science career. She was someone who made mistakes and learned with us. She made it a safe space to ask questions and learn from our mistakes. I got to see her recently when I spoke at a graduation ceremony for Orchard View. It felt like I’d come full-circle.
What is your favorite thing about working for SCOE?
Getting to work with the Career Technical Education (CTE) partnership team—our values are very similar in what we wish and hope for for kids. I have learned so much from them in the past year as an educator. I am often in awe of my whole department and the level and care the goes in their work to do meaningful work for kids.
What is one of your most memorable moments as a SCOE employee?
Seeing those a-ha moments when working with teachers, see their face light up when they see ingenious idea for how to integrate Project Based Learning and Social-Emotional Learning into curriculum.
Outside of work, what is your favorite hobby or way to unwind?
I have three little nephews. I love spending time with them and my family. We’re close-knit. I also love being in my craft room—knitting, needle felting, creating vinyl tote bags.
What is your favorite place in Sonoma County?
There’s a few but what comes to mind right now is probably Armstrong Woods. In high school,when I had a really bad day, my mom and I would drive out and walk around. The vastness was provided openness and clarity. I loved to lay in the amphitheater and look up at the trees.
What is one thing that might surprise people to learn about you?
I come from a public health background: I have a masters in public health from University of San Francisco. I was working at the Sonoma County Department of Health Services and was involved with the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and Resiliency Fellowship held here at SCOE. That’s how I met the CTE partnerships team and what led me to where I am today helping teachers and districts foster meaningful learning experiences for students.
