Kira Mann (Alt Text: Smiling woman with dark hair in front of trees) Get to know Kira Mann and join us in welcoming her to our school community! Tell us about your last job I have worked at Eastside Adult Education for the past 12 years. I started working as an ESL teacher. I worked in ABE, GED, and ASE programs. I integrated school-wide technology and served as a WASC Coordinator. I became the Supervisor of our Career Ed and Integrated Education and Training Programs. How did you deal with the pandemic at your school? We were slowly moving in the direction we needed to move when ..read more

Successful San Mateo Adult School alum shared how they reached their goals on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning this week.  Alum is short for alumni.  Alumni are graduates of a school.  On Wednesday evening, Henry Yang, Marina Kravtsova, Emir Musavi, Nancy Ruiz, and Ambrosio Soto shared their stories. On Thursday morning, Lilly Colon, David Espinoza, Mario Gomez, Yao Lan, Victor Oropeza, Gina Vannini, and Elizabeth Zarabanda spoke. Students were inspired by their stories ..read more

Dear San Mateo Adult School Students, Today is my last day doing social media for our school - this blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.  I will help the new social media learn the ropes (this means learn how something works) but I will not be the official social media person. James Wu started this blog in 2008 and I took it over soon after he started it. Then I started our school Facebook page sometime after that, another blog with success stories, and our school Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube accounts.  It has been a joy to do this work.  I love our school and communit ..read more

Where Are They Now?   SMAS Graduates Share Their Stories Flo Lopez at her job at Starbucks In her green apron with a turquoise mask "Flo Lopez - SMAS Alum Gives Back" Meet Flo Lopez In 2016, Flo Lopez obtained her GED.  She graduated and received a scholarship.  She attended college at the College of San Mateo, is currently on a break from college work, and will return to college next year. She works as a supervisor at Starbucks and is a cheerleader for students like herself. What's Her Story? Flo was born in El Salvador and came here with her brother when she ..read more

San Mateo Adult School Garden Club The SMAS Garden Club is a volunteer group of current and former students.  They work in the school garden growing healthy, organic fruits and vegetables. They learn about sustainability.  They run the School Farmers Market.  They have fun, make friends, and make our school and world a better place!   Volunteering to Help Others Five volunteers from the San Mateo Adult School's Garden Club recently picked 1,500 pounds of walnuts in one day raising more than $1,300 in funds. The Garden Club donated half of the funds to the school in ..read more

2020 brought many changes to our world and school community.   Through it all, we persevered, growing in strength and resilience as we navigated many challenges brought on by this global pandemic.  This year, we welcomed in new SMAS Staff Members Chau Kin Hang (Eddie), Kimberly Hinkle and Claudio Cozzi.  And we said good-bye to many long-time and much loved staff members who served at our school for many years and helped shape it into what it is today.   We fondly remember and thank for their service: In Memoriam:  Shaina Thompson Larry "Mr. T" Teshara&nb ..read more

Meet Claudio Cozzi,  New SMAS High School Diploma Teacher! Claudio Cozzi Image Description: Man in suit with dark hair and moustache Claudio Cozzi is coming back to his love and initial career, education.  Claudio grew up in Venezuela and began tutoring middle and high school students in math and basic sciences when he was 16 years old.  After completing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science at MIT he went back to Venezuela and became a professor of Computer Science in one of the State universities. He spent 8 years as a full time professor where he was in charge ..read more

Carolyn at her desk in Distance Learning After many years, Teacher Carolyn Pannu is retiring.  Neil Diamond sings a famous song, "Sweet Caroline."  Many students describe our own Teacher Carolyn as sweet, also. She is very patient and kind. Before she worked as a teacher, she was a flight attendant. She has many skills to help people feel safe, comfortable, and ready to learn and do new things.  I asked Carolyn to share a bit about her time at San Mateo Adult School.  Here are her answers: How long have you worked at SMAS? I have worked at the Adult School s ..read more

Gratitude for The Opportunity to Serve Others in a Time of Crisis Two SMAS students, Vanessa Santos and Xin Ying Li, and two staff members, Stephanie Kriebel and Marina Kravtsova, were recognized by San Mateo City Council as CERT volunteers active in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic this past summer. SMAS Staff Member Marina Kravtsova writes:   I personally want to thank Stephanie Kriebel who provided an opportunity to receive the CERT training for SMAS students and staff in Summer 2019.  Opportunities like that make the difference in immigrants' lives (speaking from ..read more

Count on us to help you Connect to College!   Check out these events and opportunities:  CSM College Info Sessions November 2, 4, 5, 6- CSM Transition Coordinator, Kelsey Harrison, will present on college program options, admissions process, fees and financial aid, and support services CSM Pronunciation Class Info Session  Monday, Dec 7 & Tuesday, Dec 8 for ESL Int High & Advanced students            Students can meet the Pronunciation instructor, learn about the class, and ask questions College Application & ..read more