About Shannon
Dedicated to Schools, Students, Parents and Taxpayers
I believe that the main reason a County Office of Education exists is to serve the County's School Districts and each and every one of their students. I believe that our County Office of Education is accountable to its districts, students and taxpayers.
“I’m proud of our test scores at Gratton. We have consistently scored well above both the State and County Average and have consistently had the best test scores in our county. I want to take our success at Gratton and support every district in our county to achieve the same. In addition, the district has no debt, has never gone out to bond and has a healthy reserve."
A 28 year education veteran, Shannon has spent 16 years as a teacher in the classroom and the past 12 years as the longest serving School Superintendent in Stanislaus County.
STEM Education and the 21st Century Workforce
We need a reliable, highly skilled workforce in our county. From electricians, pipefitters and agricultural workers to IT professionals, tech start ups and the next steve jobs, we have to graduate students who are ready to contribute to the 21st Century workforce and to making Stanislaus county a great place to live, work and play.
- I’m proud of our Science,Technology, Engineering and Math or STEM program at Gratton which focuses on integration of all subjects and introduces our students to the trial and test method of learning. Students move through the process of Research, Design, Build, Test and Improve to problem solve collaboratively. This process is essential as our students become young adults and enter the workforce. If we can do it at Gratton, we can do it in schools across our county.
- We must improve coordination among the business community, the general public and our higher education systems. Vocational programs should be tailored to best suit the needs of the market place and include a built in “pipeline” to skill certification. Effective, streamlined articulation between the K-12 system and the college system should allow students a seamless transfer to successfully pursue their educational goals.
Educating our Children
- I’m proud of our test scores at Gratton. We have consistently scored well above both the State and County Average and have consistently had the best test scores in our county. I want to take our success at Gratton and help every school in our district achieve the same.
- Gratton has been able to produce results by focusing on educating the individual, not the masses. This is achieved by increasing targeted individualized instruction through small groups.