About Me

Empowering Students

Educators have the opportunity to empower students to overcome all barriers. I am a Latina educator dedicated to improving our educational system to meet the needs of children living in poverty who are English language learners. I believe that all students can reach their dreams through hard work and the encouragement of  their teachers. 
The intent of this blog is to provide a way to connect with educators who work with these unique populations.  I hope to provide insight and practical solutions to everyday classroom problems.  

My Biography

Familia Escandon
Cancun 2015

I am a mother of four children and I have been married for over 22 years. I love to travel with my family, hike, and dance. I am an educational leader with experience as a teacher, educational curriculum consultant, intervention specialist, and instructional technology support coach. 

I specialize in working with English language learners in high poverty areas. From 2011 -2017, I worked as first grade teacher at Biola Pershing Elementary in Biola Ca. Biola Pershing Elementary is located in a small rural farming community with over 90 percent English learners and 90 percent of the student population receiving free and reduced lunch. In 2014  I transformed myself from a tech illiterate to a digital native by enrolling in a masters Educational Technology program. In 2016 I received a MS in Educational Technology Cum Laude. 

Professional Credentials:

2022    CA Preliminary Administrative Credential, In progress, CPACE Examination

2016     Fresno Pacific University, Master of Arts in Educational Technology

2003    National University, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential/CLAD

1996     California State University Fresno, Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

Professional Career:

1996 -  1998         Elementary School Teacher - Parlier Unified School District

1998 – 2006        Kindergarten/First Grade Teacher, Huron Elementary, Coalinga Huron

                               Unified School District

2007 – 2012        Educational Curriculum Sales Consultant, Pearson Education

2012 – 2018        First Grade Teacher, Biola Pershing Elementary, Central Unified School

                               District

2014 - 2015          Cyber High Consultant/Trainer - Fresno County Office of Education
2018 - 2019          Intervention Teacher - Central Unified School District 

2018 - 2020         Reading Intervention Teacher, Biola Pershing Elementary, Central Unified

                                School District

2020 - Current    Instructional Technology Support Coach, Central Unified School District       

        

Professional Associations

2013 - 2015  School Site Council Member
2012 - 2016  Member of Fresno State Alumni Association
2014 - 2015  Member of CUE Association
2014 - 2015  Member of ISTE

Professional Recognitions and Awards

CSBA Golden Bell Central, Unified School District, Co-author, 2022

California Community Schools Grant Central Unified, California Department of

Education, Co-Author and Recipient, 2022

California Pivotal Practice District Award, Central Unified School District,

Coauthor and Recipient, 2022

ESSER III Grant Central Unified, California Department of Education, Co-Author

and Recipient, 2022

Central Unified Momentum Professional Learning Platform, Designer and

Administrator, 2022

Central Unified Induction Teacher Website, Designer and Administrator, 2022

Bilingual Parent Technology Trainings, Designer and Presenter, 2021-22

Central Unified Induction Program, Mentor, 2021-22

LCAP Community Surveys, Designer, 2021

CUSD Preschool Parent Informational Videos, Designer 2021-22

Fountas and Pinnell Online Training Modules, Designer and Author, 2021-22

Mentor Teacher of the Year, Central Unified School District, Recipient, 2021

New Teacher Institute, Central Unified School District, Presenter, 2021

50 Professional Development Google Classrooms for 800 staff, Central Unified,

Designer and Administrator, 2021

Online Distance Learning and Hybrid Professional Development Modules for

Central Unified School District, Designer, Author, and Presenter, 2020

Teacher Online Resource Website, Parent/Guardian Online Resource Website,

Spanish Parent/Guardian Online Resource Website, Designer and Author, 2020

Teacher of the Year, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Central Valley Chapter, Recipient,

2018

Educator of the Week, KSEE 24, Recipient, 2017

Biola Parent Teacher Association, Treasurer, 2017-2018

ELAC Member, Biola Elementary, 2012-2017

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Google Certified Educator Level 1 & Level 2

Reading Recovery Specialist

Universal Design for Learning Training

Culturally Responsive Teaching Training

Professional Learning Communities Training

Kagan Cooperative Learning Training

SDAIE Training

SB 472 English Learner Professional Development

Framework for Understanding Poverty Training

AB 466 Advanced Reading Institute for K-6 Teachers

Reading First Institute for K-3 Teachers

Contact me:

Email: cescandon@centralunified.org

Edmodo: Cindy Escandon

Cindy Escandon (@BiolaFirstGrade) | Twitter

Disclaimer:

This is my personnal blog.  The opinions I express here do not necessarily represent those of my employer, Central Unified School District.  I make no representation as to accurracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog and will not be lliable for any errors, omissions, or delarys in this information or nay losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.