Family and Community Engagement Network Team

KIKI: FAMILY ENGAGEMENT NETWORK LEAD

Name: Jacqueline Bispo

Nicknames: Kiki, Jacqui

E-mail: jacquelinebispo@vistausd.org

Phone: (760) 726-2170, ext. 92011

Vista Institute for Parents website: www.vistausd.org/parents/VIP
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EngageVista

Background: 2021 California State Assembly District 76's Woman of the Year. Native Californian (from North to South). Former South Central L.A. High School Girls' Basketball Coach & Science Teacher (A.P. Environmental Science, Biology, Environmental Technology, 9th gr. Integrated Coordinated Science, Leadership); Student Council Advisor; Curriculum Designer (Environmental Technology); 8th gr. Earth Science teacher; Adult School High School Diploma-GED Program Coordinator; Career Technical Education (CTE) Teacher Mentor; Blended Learning teacher-on-special assignment; K-12 Independent Studies school Administrative Designee

Enjoys: Traveling the world (20 countries outside of the U.S. so far!), cooking, learning, elevating students' minds and happiness, leading for sustainability

Alma mater: UCLA (B.S. Psychobiology, Minor in Education, & M.Ed. (focus in Social Justice and Secondary Science)); Currently at UCSD-CSUSM (Ed.D.)

Hope for our families & community: That we may learn to live sustainably so that future generations will have the resources they need; that all children will have the equitable opportunities in life & grow up in healthy communities; that all children know their unique gifts & abilities, and meet their personal goals & dreams; that all oppressed groups will peacefully reach justice and respect.

NANCY: LIAISON - BOBIER ELEMENTARY

Name: Nancy Ramirez

E-mail: nancyramirez@vistausd.org

Phone: (760) 724-8501, ext. 55006

Twitter: @BobierLiaison

Office: Parent Room (#38)

Bobier website: https://bo.vistausd.org/

Background: Born in California and raised in Carlsbad. Graduated from Carlsbad High School.

Enjoys: Spending time with my children and husband, playing soccer, traveling, and helping families in need.

Alma Mater: SDSU (B.S. in Psychology)

Hope for our families & community: To help families get connected to resources and build a connection between school, parents, and community. Helping is my passion and I look forward to helping children succeed.

LILI: LIAISON - HANNALEI ELEMENTARY (on maternity leave - contact: Dalia Hipolito-Martinez)

Name: Lili Gonzalez

E-mail: liligonzalez@vistausd.org

Phone: (760) 631-6248, ext. 42124

Twitter: @HannLiaison

Office: Parent Center (#24)

Hannalei website: https://han.vistausd.org/

Background: Graduated from CUSM with a BA in Human Development with a concentration in counseling. Has been with VUSD since 2011, working three years in Special Education and in her fifth year as Community Liaison. Before coming to VUSD, she worked as a Behavior Therapist for a private company, a facilitator for PIQE (Parent Institute for a Quality Education) providing workshops for families of elementary, middle and high school students, and working as an academic advisor intern in CSUSM's undergraduate department.

Hope for our families & community: As a community liaison, my goals are to connect with families and provide appropriate resources, support and information that will assist active participation in each child's education. I hope to serve as a communication link between families, school and our community. Another goal is to empower families through technology workshops and leadership positions in school to help and to inspire other parents to do the same, and I hope to continue to encourage parents to give back to the community by leading the Tech Workshops. I look forward to working with everyone and the school as a team to help all children succeed.

Enjoys: Spending time with my family, outdoors activities, camping, traveling, and helping my community by empowering parents and helping those in need in any way I can.

SUSI: LIAISON - MARYLAND ELEMENTARY

Name: Susana Torrico

Nickname: Susi

E-mail: susanatorrico@vistausd.org

Phone: (760) 631-6675, ext. 40118

Twitter: @MarylandLiaison

Office: Room 18

Maryland website: https://me.vistausd.org/

Background: Born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana. Spent her summers in Carlsbad and Tijuana, Mexico visiting family. Moved to this area about 17 years ago.

Hope for our families & community: To make a connection with parents and families at her school site and throughout the community. Helping people is a passion of hers and she looks forward to assisting parents and providing them with the resources available in our community.

LUCIA: LIAISON - RANCHO MINERVA MS

Name: Lucia Rodriguez-V

E-mail: luciarodriguez-v@vistausd.org

Phone: (760) 631-4500, ext. 94095 

Office: Front office

RMMS website: https://rmms.vistausd.org/

 

Background: Raised in Davis, CA. Worked with high school students through tutoring and mentoring programs helping them to reach their goals. I have also helped organize for various social justice issues in Sacramento.

Enjoys: Going to the movies, attending different concerts or hanging out at the beach. Love to travel and find new places to eat great food. Can't wait until COVID-19 passes so she can return to all of this!

Alma Mater: CSU Sacramento (B.A. in Sociology, Minor in Chicano/a Studies)

Hope for our families & community: I hope that with this position I can create a network for families to find empowerment. I would like to have parents and communities invested in the success of their children and to be able to have access to all available resources.

 

ALMA: LIAISON - RANCHO BUENA VISTA HS, MURRAY HS 

Name: Alma Cacho

E-mail: almacacho@vistausd.org

Phone (RBV): (760)727-7284, ext. 72219
Phone (MGM): (760) 631-2502

RBV website: https://rbv.vistausd.org/
MGM website: https://www.mgm.vistausd.org/

Facebook: Longhorns Liaison

Background: Born in Mexico City, raised in South Central L.A. Graduated Salutatorian from Manual Arts High School. She has worked for VUSD since 2011, starting as an office assistant for Vista Adult School and has been a Community Liaison for the last three years.

Enjoys: Skydiving, anything to do with heights, road trips, movies, concerts, music, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.

Education: Studied two years at UC Santa Barbara (focus on Business Administration)

Hope for our families & community: That we may continue to be resilient and provide our families with the resources they need; that all our students receive the required instruction regardless of heritage, political views, and cultural differences; and that all students discover their uniqueness, so they can master it and become outstanding members of our society.

 

PATTY: District Liaison

Name: Patricia "Patty" Vega

E-mail: patriciavega@vistausd.org

Phone: (760)726-4040 ext. 54007

Background: Born and raised in Vista. Attended two VUSD schools: Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts K-8 and Vista High School (Class of 2015). Worked for VUSD from 2015-16 at Rancho Minerva Middle School as an Instructional Assistant for the After School Program, and as the Community Liaison for Beaumont Elementary School since January 2017.

Enjoys: Road trips, concerts, music festival, going out to eat, spending time with friends and family, Disneyland & California Adventure.

Alma Mater: Currently enrolled at Palomar College

Hope for families and community: My hope for the families and community is to be able to reach out to every family in need; to enable parents in areas that may be difficult for them, and encourage them to become their child's advocate. I want to enlighten parents and students of all the resources that are available for them to be successful. I want students and parents to know that they can overcome any barrier that they may encounter and that they don't have to do it alone.

 

LETICIA: LIAISON - GRAPEVINE

Name: Leticia Ambriz

Nickname: Lety

E-mail: leticiaambriz@vistausd.org

Phone: (760) 726-8329, ext. 56607

Twitter: @GrapeVLiaison

Office: Room 601

Grapevine website: https://gv.vistausd.org/

Background: Born in México and raised in Valley Center, CA. Graduated from Orange Glen High School.

Enjoys: Spending quality time with my family, reading, and shopping.

Alma Mater: Cal State San Marcos

Hope for our families & community: My hope is that our families are able to build strong relationships with schools and the community, utilize the numerous resources that are available, and for parents to learn to advocate for their children. I hope that our families become motivated, engaged, and empowered to be even better parents and teachers for their children.

REBECCA: MONTE VISTA ELEMENTARY

Name: Rebecca Smith

Nickname: Becky

E-mail: rebeccasmith@vistausd.org

Background: Born and raised in Southern California, graduated from Vista High School. Lived in Austin Texas for 12 years where I begun my career as a Parent Community Liaison in middle school and high school programs.

Hope for our families & community: To serving and empower parents to meet the needs of their children/students. She enjoys working and creating partnerships with community businesses.

GABRIELA: LIAISON - ROOSEVELT MS

Name: Gabriela Thompson

Nickname: Gabby

E-mail: gabrielathompson@vistausd.org

Phone: (760) 726-8003, ext. 63013 

Twitter: @RMSLiaison

Office: Parent Center

Facebook: Roosevelt Liaison Gabriela Thompson

Roosevelt website: https://www.rms.vistausd.org/
Background: Born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Studied Accounting in College and several years in a Holistic school in South America. Grew up helping her parents in their electronics and clothing businesses. Owned a flower and gift shop for 13 years in México. Lived in Denver, Colorado for almost 8 years and worked for Jeffco Public School for seven year as a translator, school clinic aide, and parprofessional. Worked for Jefferson County Human Services a foster parent with 11 kids under her care at different times over three years. In 2014, moved back to California and has been working since for VUSD.

Enjoys: She enjoys decorating homes, painting, remodeling, dancing, working and interacting with people, spending time with family and having long conversations with her son, and staying at home.

Hope for our families & community: Gabby hopes for our families to get more involved in their child's education and performance in school. She would like to gather all of the tools and resources possible to help parents make that happen. She is working hard to link our families to resources; becoming more involved in our communities, our school and with other families so we can all reach our common goals; and in the near future, see our children become successful members of our society.

DINA: LIAISON - T.H.E. LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Name: Dina Rodriguez

E-mail: DinaRodriguez@vistausd.org

Phone: (760)631-6242, ext. 46003

T.H.E. L.A. website: https://www.th.vistausd.org/home

Background: Grew up in Vista, attending Santa Fe and Breeze Hill Elementary Schools, Vista Academy, and graduating from Vista High School. 

Enjoys: Spending time with her daughters, going to the beach, art, hiking, traveling, and helping others. 

Hope for our families & community: During this time of uncertainty, her hope is to bring peace of mind by connecting families with any communication need, resources, and to grow in grace for ourselves and each other. 

ALICIA: District Liaison

Name: Alicia Tabares

E-mail: aliciatabares@vistausd.org

Phone: (760) 726-5766 ext. 61015

Twitter: @VUSDLiaison1

VMMS website: https://vmms.vistausd.org/

Background: I grew up in a flower nursery in Vista, CA. Half of my childhood was spent between Oceanside and Vista. Chicana/o Studies & Social Work

Enjoys: The beach, reading, Lucha Libre movies, comic books, graphic novels, and travelling.

Alma Mater: San Diego State University

Hope for our families and communities: For all students to believe that they can go to college, to empower parents to become advocates for their child's education, to strengthen the connection parents have with our schools and community, help families increase their use of technology, and, finally, for families to use technology as a powerful tool that can positively impact their child's learning. I hope I can create a welcoming, loving, and safe space for parents to feel comfortable to share their stories and ask for support.