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Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD), in collaboration with St. Mary’s College of California, launched a Teacher Residency Grant Program this school year and is preparing to enter into the second year of the program for the 2026–2027 school year.

This hands-on residency supports candidates pursuing a Multiple Subject, Special Education, or Single Subject (Math or Science) California preliminary teaching credential, with an option to add a Bilingual Spanish Authorization.

Program highlights include:
• Monthly stipend
• Individualized mentorship in an MDUSD classroom
• Guaranteed substitute teaching opportunities
• Priority consideration for future MDUSD teaching positions

We invite you to attend our upcoming Information Session from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 at Willow Creek Center in Concord to learn more about the program and application process. More information about the program is here. 

Please Click Here to Register.

MDUSD strives to graduate students who think critically, respect diverse cultures, are self-directed learners, and understand how our local, state and federal governments work so they can advocate for themselves and others through civic engagement. Social Studies teachers Bryan and Erica Shaw - who teach at Ygnacio Valley HS and the College Now program at Diablo Valley College - are so passionate about helping students to develop these skills that they have spent years creating and/or implementing inquiry-based, student-driven projects that require students to delve deeply into topics that interest them or are personally relevant to them, sparking discussions that help their classes better understand complex societal issues such as immigration, cultural identities, equitable education, and the importance of individual voices in democracy.

Based on the successes they have experienced with these projects, the Shaws (who are married) recently presented their lesson ideas to educators from around the country at the National Council for the Social Studies Conference (NCSS). The lessons include "Project Citizen," which involves in depth research into a problem and the creation of a proposed policy solution presented to a panel of local civic leaders, and Oral Family History projects that require students to explore their cultural heritage and family history by interviewing a family member, then creating videos shown to the class, which help build empathy and understanding among diverse students.

"The goal of the Project Citizen curriculum is to develop civic-minded students and to get them engaged in some sort of civic action," said Erica, after her seniors presented their projects on Dec. 16 to Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, along with some school Board Members, District Administrators and two Concord City Council members. "Our hope is that we can introduce more teachers in the District to this." Erica has also written a U.S. History project for juniors in which they study struggles for equity in the U.S. among African Americans in the first quarter, then choose a different group - such as Hispanics, Asians, LGBTQ people, women or Native Americans - and read a book in English class about that group, and create a social media campaign to inform their peers about a social issue they're facing. "Juniors analyze what has changed and what has stayed the same," she said.

In both projects, students do their own thinking and come to their own conclusions, Erica said. "One of my core values is that I don't want to teach students what to think. They're asking questions and coming to conclusions and I'm teaching them how to access resources. Speaking to a panel of civic leaders shows students that their voices matter and as adults, they will know that they have the right to speak up for what they want in their local governments and they learn how to."

Two classes of College Now students collaborated on projects that they voted to research. One advocated for the expansion of Ethnic Studies in schools and the other advocated for public displays of "Know Your Rights" cards for immigrants who may encounter ICE agents. They researched existing laws and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of their proposals. After the presentations, Dr. Clark said he was extremely proud of the students and that the projects were much more beneficial to them than simply taking a final exam. "You will always remember this," he said, adding that the issues they raised, including cultural competency and protecting immigrant families, are also important to the MDUSD School Board. He praised their research, which included surveys and interviews, as well as their balanced presentation of the facts on both sides of the issues. "Our future is in great hands with leaders such as yourselves."

Students KiMaya Friedman and Mya Santiago, who advocated for the expansion of Ethnic Studies, said the project was beneficial because it helped them and their classmates understand the importance of learning about other cultures. "It would be great if school districts across the entire U.S. could also come up with this kind of structure so everyone is inclusive and able to understand each others' backgrounds," said KiMaya, who is African American, adding that she realized after talking to her classmates that she is not the only one who has experienced racism. "I can connect with these people and make change." Mya, who is Mexican American, said she was pleased by the diversity of the panel that listened to their presentations and was encouraged by Dr. Clark's feedback. "It boosted my confidence in my role in government and my community and my city and my district," she said. "This has given us an insight into what we are capable of doing. It’s very beneficial and it’s helped me to be more confident that the words I have to say are able to be heard and I have a lot of knowledge to share and people are ready to listen." 

Students Nathan Wehrmeister, Soha Ahmadzi, and Samuel Utoikamanu - who advocated for wide distribution of Know Your Rights information for immigrants - said the project was more beneficial than just taking a test because it taught them about the process for changing policies in their local communities. And they all agreed that Erica is a fantastic teacher who respects their individual backgrounds. "It makes you feel included and want to learn more about the subject," said Soha, who is Middle Eastern. "Her energy is contagious. When you first walk into class, she has a big smile on her face, ready to talk about history. We all love her.:"

Bryan's 12th grade Government students are also working on Project Citizen presentations, which they will give after the Winter Break. This week, his Ethnic Studies class students presented their Oral Family History video projects, which Bryan developed six years ago. Since then, he has collaborated with other Education Academy and International Baccalaureate (IB) teachers to expand the project as a cross-curricular final. Next semester, in Ethnic Studies, students will do a Memorial Project, in which they find a group, person or event that deserves a Memorial, but doesn't have one. They create a memorial in their education class, then create a 10-minute podcast in their English class, which helps them to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement, if they complete the required paperwork.

The goal of the oral history project, Bryan said, "is to elevate marginalized voices and add them to historical narratives." Often, he explained, students are not interested in the figures they learn about in U.S. history because they cannot identify with them. Sharing their family histories builds empathy and builds community, as they honor each other's family experiences and sacrifices.
 
In two hours, the class watched intensely personal video interviews produced by nine students, covering topics including immigration; the death, incarceration or deportation of a parent; and enduring family bonds. The videos included captions, since some interviews were in languages other than English, as well as some tears, as students' parents and grandparents talked about their family's challenges and hopes for the students' futures. Bryan encouraged students to look for commonalities among the diverse stories. Students noticed that many families faced struggles and a majority of them were immigrants. But all of the family members interviewed said they wanted the students to graduate from high school and go onto college and/or fulfilling careers, and to live happy lives. 

Precious Johnson, who interviewed her 67-year-old grandmother, said she enjoyed learning about her family history and was proud of her grandma's service in the military. "I liked this way better than a test or an essay," she said, adding that it helped her to understand her classmates. "I liked seeing different people's cultures and families." Bryan said the class will finish watching all of the student videos after winter break. He said project-based learning requires students to dig around and do research and produce something they are proud of. "Especially since so many of our students are first or second generation, we're hoping it motivates them to see why education is important, both formal and informal," he said.

Education is very important to Bryan and Erica. They are still students themselves - both pursuing Masters Degrees in U.S. History with an emphasis in Constitutional Studies, funded in part by competitive fellowship grants they received from the James Madison Foundation. They are both attending Gettysburg College and are writing their thesis papers in the spring. Bryan will focus on the Port Chicago Mutiny trial and Erica will focus on the influence of Black women in Oakland after the Suffrage movement, looking at their role in the formation of the Black Panthers. "We have great conversations," Bryan said, with a smile. 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Social Studies teachers Erica Shaw from College Now and Bryan Shaw from Ygnacio Valley High School recently presented at the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Conference, highlighting powerful, inquiry-driven lessons that put students at the center of their learning;
• Schools are closed through Jan. 2 for winter break
• Bridge Program students create monthly newscast and visit KTVU;
• Mountain View Elementary hosts a Winter Education Night,
• Shore Acres Elementary hosts its 3rd Annual Pozolada;
• Students from Valle Verde and Walnut Acres elementary schools displayed artwork during the Orchards Shopping Center’s Annual Art Walk;
• College Park High School reopens its Wellness Center and holds an Open House;
• Hidden Valley Elementary Parent Liaison Cynthia Duarte Bishop helps support 23 families in need;
• And more!

You can read it here.

By Theresa Harrington Brandt
MDUSD Public Information Officer

On Dec. 11, students from El Monte, Meadow Homes and Shore Acres elementary schools had the opportunity to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Lesher Theater in Walnut Creek, sponsored by the Diablo Regional Arts Association's Women's Artistic Alliance. Students and teachers said they appreciated the chance to see a dramatic production, which prompted claps, cheers, laughter, and oohs and aahs throughout the show.

"I'm happy because I've never been here and it's something new for me," said Meadow Homes 5th-grader Madelin Marroquin as she lined up with her classmates outside the theater before the show. Teacher Elora Hinckley pointed out the "Content Advisory," which warned that the performance included ghosts and spirits, loud noise, fog effects, strobe lighting effects, and "bursts of holiday cheer."'

"This is my favorite thing that we do, because a lot of the students have never seen live theater before, so it's very special," said Women's Arts Alliance member Carole Wynstra, who sat in the balcony near the Meadow Homes and El Monte elementary students. 

During intermission, after the Ghost of Christmas Past had visited Ebenezer Scrooge, three Meadow Homes students gave the show a positive review. "I think it's pretty cool," said Alex Jacobo. Emiliano Moreno added: "Some parts are scary." But Daniel Ortiz was undaunted. "It's a good show," he said. "I like the ghost. It's not too scary." By the end of the show, Emilio said he liked it and Alex raved, "I loved it. It was amazing!"  

As Shore Acres students and teachers gathered in the lobby after the show, teacher Elvira Martinez said her students acted out the play the previous day in class, so it was fun for them to see it on the stage. Student Melanie Castañeda said enthusiastically, "I loved it! My favorite characters were Scrooge and Tiny Tim."

The Center Rep cast and Lesher Center staff and volunteers enjoy introducing students to first-time theater experiences, said Lesher Center General Manager Carolyn Jackson. "The buzz, the excitement - it brings us joy," she said.

Since 2008, the Diablo Regional Arts Association's "Arts Access" school time performances have provided more than 60,000 East Bay students, teachers, and chaperones with the opportunity to experience high-quality live performances and visual arts exhibitions at the Lesher Center for the Arts, with a focus on students from Title 1 schools, primarily from the Mt. Diablo School District, said Diablo Regional Arts Association Executive Director Peggy White. "We also provide study guides for teachers that meet the MDUSD Curriculum standards."  

MDUSD thanks the Association, Lesher Center and Center Rep for providing these opportunities for our students and we look forward to more exciting and educational field trips in the future!

MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark sent the following message to District families and staff members on Dec. 12, 2025:

Dear MDUSD Community,

Each student in Mt. Diablo Unified School District brings special strengths, experiences and potential. As we continue working together to support growth in every classroom and every school, we remain committed to transparency and continuous improvement.

Today, I am sharing the 2025 California School Dashboard results for Mt. Diablo Unified School District. The Dashboard is a statewide tool that provides clear, accessible data about how Districts and schools are performing across multiple indicators, such as academic achievement, graduation rate, attendance, school climate, and college/career readiness. This presentation was shared at our Governing Board meeting on Wednesday, December 10.

This year’s results highlight both areas of strength and areas for growth. For example, our graduation rate rose to 89.8%, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year, and our College and Career Indicator also improved by 3.2%, with nearly 45% of students meeting the preparedness benchmark. At the same time, the data shows continued disparities in academic outcomes and attendance that we are actively addressing through targeted supports, District adopted curriculum, grade level standards and expanded family engagement.

We take this data seriously because it informs our planning, professional development, and resource allocation throughout the year.

I encourage all families and staff to review the Dashboard data. You can access the presentation by clicking on the attachment. If you have questions about your school’s data or what it means for your student, I encourage you to reach out directly to your school principal or teacher. They can explain what supports are in place and how we are working to ensure that all students thrive.

As we continue to strengthen our systems and celebrate the progress we’re making, we are also reminded of the importance of partnership. We cannot do this work alone. Together, we can make the vision of high-quality education a reality for every student in MDUSD.

Thank you for trusting us with your students!.

Dr. Adam Clark

Note: The MDUSD Governing Board received this presentation on Dec. 10, 2025. The agenda item is here. The CA Dashboard website for MDUSD is here. Click on "View All Schools" to see MDUSD School Dashboard reports. 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• A field trip taken by students from El Monte, Meadow Homes, and Shore Acres elementary schools to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek;
• Board of Education elects Debra Mason as President and Keisha Nzewi as Vice President,
• Board recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);
• Board Recognition of College Park HS graduate Mathys Joseph for his recent ACSA Every Student Succeeding Award;
• The Special Education Community Advisory Committee’s joyful holiday party;
• Recognition of MDUSD’s Fall Sports Diablo Athletic League (DAL) All-League selections including four MVPs;
• School and Staff Social Media highlights including Winter Concerts,
• And more!

You can read it here.

MDUSD is proud that three of our Business Services employees were recently nominated for regional “Excellence in Business Services” awards recognizing them as Outstanding School Employees by the California School Business Officials (CASBO) Central Bay Section. The three nominees were: School Bus Driver Laura Garibay Gonzalez, Payroll Analyst Sherry Geisler, and Senior Account Clerk Krista Hobbs. All three were recognized Friday, Dec. 5th at the organization's annual luncheon in Dublin, where Sherry was named the regional winner.

Sherry has been working in her current position for a little over a year and has already demonstrated a strong ability to proactively find solutions to issues and maintain patience and responsiveness when supporting staff at all levels, said Gustavo Aguilera, Executive Director of Fiscal Services, "She takes the time to clearly explain procedures, resolve concerns, and follow up promptly. Her ethical conduct, strong communication skills, and collaborative spirit make her a trusted resource across departments, and her dedication to continuous improvement strengthens both the efficiency and reliability of the Payroll Department."

Laura came to MDUSD during the pandemic to help students, said Transportation Director Cris Lepe. "From her first day, she demonstrated a level of dedication that has set her apart. Whether she is assigned to a regular route, asked to cover an uncovered run, or called upon to 'rescue' a student who needs transportation, Laura always responds with readiness, professionalism, and heart."

Krista has been doing outstanding work in her current position for three years, handling numerous responsibilities, said Accounting Supervisor Derrick Miranda. She has strong technical and communication skills, and has developed strategic collection methods while maintaining customer relationships. She is also an expert at interpreting data to make informed decisions, tracking and proactively mitigating risks like bad debt. She is very responsible, dependable and is an asset to our District, Miranda concluded.

Congratulations to all!

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Congratulations to Payroll Analyst Sherry Geisler, who received the CASBO Excellence in Business Services Award, and to School Bus Driver Laura Garibay Gonzalez and Senior Account Clerk Krista Hobbs, who were also nominated;
• Concord Mayor's Art Contest winners Monte Gardens Elementary student Isabella Engelbert and El Dorado Middle School student Jaqueline Torres Eufracio;
• Northgate High School Girls and Boys Cross Country Teams both set new school records at the State CIF meet;
• Ygnacio Valley High School counselors thrift store and food distribution for families in need;
• YVHS Parent Night with Contra Costa Health to share important information about Medi-Cal eligibility and other programs;
• College Park High School alum Natalie Gonzalez performed as a vocalist in the movie "Wicked;"
• Retired Ygnacio Valley teacher Kelly Perkins received Diablo Magazine’s "Threads of Hope" award;
• Walnut Acres Elementary teacher Heather Garcia-Roy is battling cancer;
• Adult Education Open House and Art & Crafts Sale on Saturday;
• Board of Education Reorganization Meeting on Wednesday;
• And more.

You can read it here.

MDUSD is continuing to upgrade the District’s phone system to VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol. (See "What is VoIP?" below for more information.)

The VoIP systems are being upgraded in phases, which started last school year, as part of Technology Infrastructure improvements. Please note that as phones are updated, extensions will change.

Sites upgraded: Mt. Diablo Elementary, Meadow Homes Elementary, Rio Vista Elementary, Silverwood Elementary, Willow Creek Center and Northgate HS.

Upgrading in early winter 2025: Loma Vista Adult Education, Wren Avenue Elementary and Ayers Elementary.

Upgrading in Spring, 2026: Gregory Gardens Elementary and the Dent Center (District Office) 

Upgrading in Summer, 2026: Central Services (M&O, Food & Nutrition Services, Purchasing & Warehouse, Transportation)

Upgrading in Early 2027: Sun Terrace and Hidden Valley elementary schools

New sites will continue to be added as network upgrades continue. District phone directories will be updated as sites are transitioned to VoIP.

What is VoIP? A VoIP phone system is a way to make phone calls using the internet instead of traditional phone lines. Instead of your voice traveling over old copper wires in landline phones, it gets turned into digital signals and sent over the internet—just like an email or video call.

Why are we making these upgrades? We are making these upgrades as part of our Technology Infrastructure Improvements, as well as in conjunction with other construction projects, such as the Elementary Modernization at Meadow Homes, Mt. Diablo and Rio Vista elementary schools. 

How will this improve MDUSD phone service districtwide? Upgrading to a VoIP phone system improves a school district’s phone system in several key ways—especially when compared to traditional landlines. 

1. Cost Savings

• Lower monthly bills: Internet-based calls are cheaper, especially for long distance.
• No need for separate phone lines: Uses your existing internet connection.
• Free internal calling: Call between schools or departments at no extra cost.

2. Scalability and Flexibility

• Easily add or move phones—no rewiring needed.
• Works on desktop phones, computers, tablets, and smartphones.
• Great for staff working from multiple campuses.

3. Advanced Features

• VoIP systems come with features that traditional systems often lack or charge extra for:
  • Voicemail to email or text
  • Auto-attendant/menu system (e.g., "Press 1 for attendance")
  • Call forwarding, routing, and transfers
  • Call logs and usage reports
  • Paging, intercom, and emergency broadcasts

4. Improved Communication and Collaboration

• Unified communications: Phone, video, messaging, and screen sharing in one system.
• Teachers and administrative staff can collaborate more easily, even across schools.
• Support for hybrid and remote learning environments.

5. Better Emergency Handling

• E911 services: VoIP can send exact room/location data to first responders.
• Alert systems can notify key staff instantly when 911 is dialed.
• Supports lockdown procedures with broadcast paging or emergency alerts.

6. Easier Management

• IT can manage the entire system via a web-based dashboard.
• No need to call the phone company to reassign extensions or fix issues.\Monitor call quality, uptime, and user activity in real time.

7. Future-Proof and Reliable

• Landline service is being phased out in many areas (including California).
• VoIP is cloud-based, always up to date, and supports redundancy for outages.
• Integration with other systems (like school bells, calendars) is possible.