OUR CENTER |
The Yolo-Solano Center for Teacher Credentialing (YSCTC) was established in 1998 through the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) as a joint venture to offer Induction and Intern Programs to serve the greater Sacramento area and I-80 corridor. We are a regional consortium comprised of ten (10) TK-12 educational institutions, numerous private and charter schools, and various University partners in the greater Sacramento area. Our programs are accredited through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
At the Yolo-Solano Center for Teacher Credentialing our Candidate Teachers and Mentors are at the core of our program. Our team and resources are focused on providing an exemplary support and formative assessment system for teachers in alignment with state induction and intern program standards.
At the Yolo-Solano Center for Teacher Credentialing our Candidate Teachers and Mentors are at the core of our program. Our team and resources are focused on providing an exemplary support and formative assessment system for teachers in alignment with state induction and intern program standards.
OUR TEAM
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Constance Best executive Director "Empress of education and Innovation" Teacher Induction Program Career Technical Education Teacher Program Classified Employee Grants Local Solutions Grant See Office Hours on COVID-19 Closure Tab |
To “Think Different” has guided Connie’s quest for creating high quality, personalized learning experiences for all learners, children and adults, in and out of school.
After graduating from State University of New York at Geneseo with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education, she began teaching primary age students with severe multi-handicaps in the North Country of New York. Following a move to California, she began teaching adults with a variety of developmental disabilities at an award-winning nonprofit while attending University of the Pacific, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Special Education: Emphasis in Behavior and Emotional Disturbance. During more than 34 years in education she has also taught in a Day Treatment Program for students with Serious Emotional Disturbances, a special day class for elementary aged students with moderate to severe disabilities, students with severe behavior problems, such as Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorder, and general education upper elementary students at an agriculture & environmental sciences thematic school. One of her most proud achievements was the creation and opening of the Community Day School in Woodland for Elementary students with severe behavioral needs which provided wrap-around educational and mental health services for students and their families. She has received numerous awards, including three separate Yolo County Schools’ Striving for Excellence Awards and Yolo County Community Advisory Committee Award for outstanding service to students with disabilities. Over the last 17 years, she has been working with new teachers in developing their practice through Induction as a mentor, coach, coordinator of services and seminar facilitator. In 2012 Connie became the Executive Director of Yolo-Solano Center for Teacher Credentialing, formally Yolo-Solano BTSA Induction Program, focused on expanding programs and support for the preparation of teachers. Connie has been active in youth sports as a coach and assistant commissioner for AYSO soccer and parent volunteer for youth wrestling and Pioneer High School wrestling. For fun Connie enjoys time with her animals (including a pony), grandchildren and restoring old homes. She is currently working on a 1919 Craftsman in California and a 1834 Colonial in upstate New York. |
Julianna Sikes Director "Curriculum Ninja" Teacher Intern Program Cal Ed Grant |
Julianna believes developing, supporting, and sustaining teachers and school leaders is key to providing a quality education for all students. With over 20 years of experience in education, Julianna is thrilled to be leading the Teacher Intern program for the Yolo Solano Center for Teacher Credentialing. They began their career as an art teacher in Upstate, NY and has worked in different administrative positions in California. They have been an Elementary Principal, District Office Administrator, and coached administrators as a School Leadership Coach. Skilled in instructional design and teaching adult learners from their work at the New Teacher Center, and experienced in supporting early career school leaders through their work at UC Berkeley’s GSE Leadership Support Program, Julianna loves leading the Intern program and developing teachers. Outside of education, Julianna is an avid crossfitter, spends time with friends and family, and frequents the local farmer’s markets.
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Grant Ermis Director "CTE Czar" CATIP Program CTE Program |
Grant’s current position as Director for the California Agricultural Teachers’ Induction Program (CATIP) has been preceded by over twenty years of involvement in agricultural education at all levels. While he has transitioned into the role of program administration his interests still surround agricultural education with particular focus in teacher preparation, teacher induction programs, and education policy.
Outside of work and school, Grant finds particular interest in maintaining an advocacy role between the agriculture industry and LGBT+ community, which culminated in the inaugural cultivating Change Summit in 2015 and formation of the national Cultivating Change Foundation in 2016. He continues his efforts as a member of the Board of Directors and seeks to make consistent progress toward the mission of the foundation through research, networking, and advocacy. |
Taryn Tyrell Program Manager "Countess of Credentialing" Induction Program CTE Program Intern Program |
Taryn was born into a family of educators and believes it is important for everyone to strive to be a lifelong learner. She began her career in education after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Law & Society as a substitute teacher, eventually enrolling in California Lutheran University’s Teacher Credentialing program. After serving in several capacities at the high school level from teaching, to Testing Coordinator, to coaching Mock Trial, Varsity Basketball and Softball she decided to move into the classified side of education while pursuing her Juris Doctor from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. She has been fortunate to oversee all aspects of the Human Resources department including Risk Management and Teacher Credentialing, as well as the recruitment, training and retention of a high-quality workforce. As Program Manager for the Yolo-Solano Center for Teacher Credentialing, she enjoys her role as a support for our various programs, participants and advisory groups.
When she is not in the office, Taryn can usually be found at the beach with her family, bbqing with friends, hiking with her dogs (the chickens would rather stay home), or creating a new recipe in the kitchen with her most favorite sous chefs, her sons. |
Zeynep Aynagoz Evrensel Administrative Assistant "Digital DIVA" Teacher Intern Program YSCTC Webmaster |
Zeynep believes strongly in public education and is proud to be part of a team that is tackling California's teacher shortage one credential at a time. Zeynep moved to California from Istanbul, Turkey where she obtained her B.A in Sociology at Bogazici University and started her career in the field of education as a project assistant for the Human Rights in Education Project. She then worked as an Exchange Student Coordinator at her alma mater and was so inspired by her students’ positive experiences that, she moved to Spain to pursue her graduate studies in Human Resources Management at Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. As an administrative assistant, she provides administrative support for the Intern Program as well as designing and maintaining the website. In her free time, Zeynep enjoys discovering new cuisines (yes she eats sweetbreads and tripe) cooking with her girls and binge watching Netflix series when she can get a chance. |
Jessica Nop Administrative Assistant- "Grant Guru" Classified and Local Solutions Grants |
Jessica understands the importance of a one-size does not fit all approach in education. She feels blessed to be a part of a program that offers non-traditional education pathways and individualized support to all of our participants throughout their journey to become credentialed teachers.
As an Administrative Assistant, Jessica assists the Yolo-Solano Center in various capacities but her main focus is to provide support to our Grant participants. Jessica takes great pride in providing a one-on-one approach with each Grant Participant to ensure their ongoing success. Outside of the office Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends, Candy Crushing, exploring new places in the family RV, and teeing it up on one of the local golf courses! |
Professional Development Providers
Induction Candidate Teachers (and Mentors) have the opportunity to attend professional development workshops through our program. Topics include (but are not limited to): social-emotional learning, classroom management strategies, differentiated instruction, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), best practices in reading and math instruction, and culturally-responsive classrooms. Below is a list of current professional development providers.
Linda Biewer-Elstob lbiewer@djusd.net |
Catherine Bowers cbowers@travisusd.org |
Bonnie Coldiron bcoldiron@vacavilleusd.org |
Liz Coman lcoman@wintersjusd.org |
Treva Foster treva.foster@dixonusd.org |
Suzanne Frechette suzanne.frechette@wjusd.org |
Sissy Keck-Faught sissyk@vacavilleusd.org |
Cammie Portello cportello@djusd.net |
Marc Rodriquez marodriguez@dixonusd.org |
Emily Stewart emily.sibley@wjusd.org |
Staci Turner staci.turner@wjusd.org |
Niki Reina-Guerra nreinaguerra@djusd.net |
Carol Stewart cstewart@djusd.net |
Sarah Foley sfoley@djusd.net |
Charlene Schmid cschmid@djusd.net |
Value |
JOIN US!
Are you interested in offering a professional development topic in an area of expertise?
Qualifications:
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of work in education
- Advanced Professional training (e.g. Graduate Degree or relevant graduate level coursework, certifications as an educational trainer or in field of topic)
- Ability to present evenings workshops to groups as large as 40 participants
- Experience as a mentor preferred
CONTACT US |
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Address: 4632 Second Street, Suite 120
Davis, CA 95618 (across from TJ Maxx/Target Shopping Center) Telephone: (530) 747-2008 Email: yscenter@yscenter.org |
If you have questions about our programs, please contact us at yscenter@yscenter.org
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