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When I reflect on the last eight months of leading a school district during this pandemic, I think about a quote from Rahm Emanuel, “You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that: it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.” All of us...
Funk: What it takes to reopen San Jose schools
How do you define leadership? Plug the word into Google and a plethora of leadership quotes pop up. One that resonates with me is by Julian Weissglass: “Leadership means taking responsibility for what matters to you.” The “you” is really an “us,” representing the students, staff, families and communities that make up East Side Union...
Funk: How East San Jose schools are keeping students, staff safe
As reported by Sonya Herrera in San José Spotlight Nov. 10, East San Jose ranks No. 1 in new cases per capita in the county. This is not new news to us who work for East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD). According to county data, 1,988 people tested positive for the virus in the...
Funk: Literacy program at Oak Grove making difference for English learners
In education, we preach the seven keys to college readiness. They include advanced reading in grades K-2, advanced reading in grades 3-8, advanced math in grade 5, Algebra 1 by grade 8 with a C or higher, Algebra 2 by grade 11 with a C or higher, 3 on Advance Placement (AP) exam or a...
Funk: Career technical education should be a requirement
In East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD), we are committed to building capacity amongst all staff members to ensure equity and inclusion are essential principles of our school system. Specifically, we are building capacity to attain equitable ESUHSD communities where: All students are welcomed as they are; Strengths and areas of growth for all...
Funk: Distance learning in East San Jose requires everyone to step up
For thirty years, the night before school opens is a restless night of sleep because of the anticipation of going back to school. This year was no exception. However, what was different about visiting schools on the first day, Aug. 11, was that instead of experiencing excitement and nervous energy that emanates from school campuses,...
Funk: East Side schools committed to equitable access during distance learning
School districts across Santa Clara County are scrambling to put into place plans for opening school for the 2020-21 school year. Each district must apply the guidelines provided by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and meet the specific guidelines and expectations from the state budget and trailer bills supporting the return to school,...
Funk: Guidelines and funding for reopening schools is lacking
Everyday we hear something from either Gov. Gavin Newsom or State Superintendent Tony Thurmond about the need to open schools this fall for in-person learning. However, the support and guidelines has been shockingly lacking from the California State Department of Education or from the Governor’s Office. In fact, the COVID-19 Industry Guidance released on June...
Funk: COVID-19 has exacerbated the crisis in education
In my 30 years of being in public education, I have seen trends come and go, as well as calls for reform. The system of public education has not drastically changed in the last 150 years. It was designed to provide immigrants, farmers and the working poor an opportunity to be trained for entry level...
Funk: COVID-19 worsens the digital divide in San Jose
Districts across the state have been forced to move to distance learning from physical classroom, creating costs, shifts in structure, training and mindset. The unknown is always the infrastructure at home. Our classrooms are modern, well lit, safe and equipped with power and robust internet connections. Our students’ homes are too often not equipped to...