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“ My mom would always try to make me be lady-like ,” Jauregui said . “ Try to wear dresses . Do my hair . And I never liked that . I wanted to be like my brothers . I started wearing a beanie . I would take their shorts or their shirts so I could mimic their lifestyle because maybe if I was a boy , I would be treated like they were and have more freedom , instead of being closed in the walls of my own house .”

At Lower Lake High School in ACSA Region 4 , Gabriela found a place where she could excel and chase her dreams of going to college . The school offered a college and university preparatory program called Upward Bound . It ’ s where Gabriela met teacher Michael McMurtrey .

“ It ’ s completely changed me ,” Jauregui said . “ I came in there and said , ‘ I just want to go to college . I don ’ t know what I want to do . I just want to go to college . I don ’ t want to be what my parents set out for me to be .’”

McMurtrey also noticed Gabriela ’ s new sense of self-confidence as she competed in soccer , basketball and track .

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Academy inspires

“ All these barriers that were in front of her slowly start going away ,” McMurtrey said . “ And she ’ s able to understand that , yes , she can play sports . Yes , she can go to college . Yes , she can make this impact at the school .”

Gabriela exceeded even her own expectations , and in the fall , she will become a first-generation college student at University of California , Berkeley .

“ It ’ s emotional ,” Jauregui said . “ They don ’ t expect it of me . Even though I ’ ve told them , I ’ ve shown them through all the activities , my grades , trying to be the best person I can be . I ’ m not sure they still think I can be who I want to be , so they ’ re still iffy about me being able to overcome obstacles that essentially they ’ re bringing for me .”

Principals Academy Concord , co-directed by Rose Lock and Julie Braun Martin , concluded the 2015- 16 season and is ready for 2016-17 , starting Sept . 23-24 . The recent academy conclusion included an experienced and inspiring panel of superintendents , including , left to right , Vince Matthews , Parvin Ahmadi and Bruce Harter . Visit www . acsa . org / academies to find out more about the new academy season .

June 27 , 2016 EDCAL 5

Region 4 ’ s Every Student Succeeding Award recipient Gabriela Jauregui , center , gained strength and self-confidence competing in soccer , basketball and track .

Gabriela ’ s tremendous success is not lost on the faculty at Lower Lake High School , least of all her principal , Jessica Taliaferro .

“ I ’ m so proud of her ,” Taliaferro said . “ And I know she ’ s going to do huge things in this world because she ’ d had to work for everything that she ’ s had so far , that work

ethic will pay off in the long run .” As for Gabriela , her mission is to change the culture for those who follow .

“ I want to set the bar pretty much to show them that if I did this you can do so much more ,” Jauregui said . “ Even if it seems impossible , there ’ s always going to be a way .”

EdSurge is offering the California Superintendents Tech for Schools Summit July 26 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View . The event brings together superintendents and district teams from throughout California to interact with the most creative edtech entrepreneurs .

“ EdSurge events are a great way to discover new ways to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of students , with an emphasis on technology ,” said ACSA President-elect Lisa Gonzales . “ When small teams attend , they can split up to explore products and discuss how they can better address issues like the implementation of ESSA , student data privacy , equity of access , student collaborative spaces and more .”

Keynote speakers for the event include Joseph South , director of the Office of Educational Technology for the U . S . Department of Education ; Terry Grier , executive director of the Sonima Health and Wellness Foundation and former superintendent of the Houston ISD ; and Manny Barbara , vice president at Advocacy and Thought Leadership and for superintendent of the Oak Grove School District .

Superintendents are encouraged to bring their teams , including the director of curriculum and instruction , chief technology officer , and any other member of their central team who plays a pivotal role in selecting and implementing instructional technology . Consider inviting a board member .

The Edtech priorities include :

• ESSA : Implications and Next Steps .

• Equity of Access : New Williams Act

Compliance .

• Student Data Privacy .

• Cyber Security .

• Teacher Preparation : Higher Ed .

• Educator Professional Learning within K-12 .

• Game-based Learning : Getting It Right / Best Practice .

• Collaborative Spaces and Facilities Redesign .

• Open Education Resources .

Registration for educators is free . More information on the Superintendents Tech for Schools Summit and registration may be accessed at https :// goo . gl / nWOZ6Z . professional development calendar

WWW . ACSA . ORG • 800.608 . ACSA

# ACSA # acsasummit

2016 leadership summit

november 10-12 , 2016 | hilton bayfront hotel | san diego

Take advantage of special pricing – valid until July 15 ! visit acsa . org / leadershipsummit

REGISTER TODAY ! Visit acsa . org / academies register online at : https :// goo . gl / CCIr0h