Students gather around Sandra Franco-Valencia during recess, eagerly waving and greeting her as she patrols the playground, ensuring students are safe and respectful. She is their trusted Activity Supervisor and Activity Facilitator for Think Together at Peralta Elementary School.
Ms. Franco-Valencia enjoys working with students, staff, and parents by actively helping, and overseeing drop-off, lunch, and recess. The Jurupa Unified School District recently recognized her as the District Classified Employee of the Year. We interviewed Ms. Franco-Valencia about her accomplishments, her current positions, and her extensive history with several volunteer groups for JUSD.
Can you tell us about your history with JUSD?
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“I've been working for the district for about three years as an Activity Supervisor and one year as an Activity Facilitator.
I’m Peralta’s Classified Ambassador. I'm the bridge between the community and our district. Also, I'm part of the Classified Leadership Academy.”
“I'm lucky to be part of the Panda Family, my second home. I love my job. The staff here are wonderful, beautiful human beings. (The) parents and students are amazing.”
What other projects or groups have you been a part of?
“I was a parent volunteer for more than 10 years, with four different schools; Stone Avenue’s Dual Immersion (DI) program, Peralta Elementary School’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Mission Middle School’s South Korean Exchange Student Program / English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC), Rubidoux High School’s ELAC, District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) school representative, and School Site Council (SSC).
(I was also a) Measure EE Citizens’ Oversight Committee former member, (and) Café Literario former student.”
Why do you choose to be a part of these programs?
“My children being in this district, I wanted to be proactive and be involved, so they can see me. Being more involved in different areas gave me more knowledge. That gave me the power to translate what I was seeing and what I was a part of. Giving the parents, the community, a different way of explaining what exactly is going on here.”
What does a typical day look like for you?
“My day begins in the morning (7:00 am/ Drop-off area) opening the car doors, especially for my TK/K (students) and all students. I supervise recess and lunch (monitoring outside tables). My day ends as a JUSD Activity Facilitator with Think Together, making sure that our number one priority is students' safety (while) supporting the program.”
What impact have you made on students? What impact have they had on you?
“I really hope that I'm making an impact in the student's lives by showing positivity, kindness, respect, caring, and being a role model. If one person can make a difference, I want to be that person.
The students are making an impact in my life (by) showing appreciation, acknowledgment, caring, and love. (Receiving) their sweet smiles, their bear hugs, their special gifts. They're like my children.”
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How does being chosen as the District Classified Employee of the Year feel?
“I feel blessed, I feel lucky, honored. Words cannot describe the feeling. I was very proud. Being District Classified Employee of the Year is amazing... It’s full of emotion.”
