Find resources about Indigenous territories, languages, and more at www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ai/re/.

Native American Heritage Month is a special recognition, and every month of the year is a time to celebrate and elevate Native American cultures and histories, ensuring they remain a vibrant and integral part of our shared future.

I've also protected Native and Indigenous students’ rights to honor their heritage with tribal regalia at commencement ceremonies and prohibited California public schools from using derogatory Native American terms for school or athletic team names, mascots, or nicknames.

As State Superintendent, I’ve worked to preserve and uplift Native Peoples by ensuring California students learn about the resilience and history of Native Americans and our diverse tribal communities.

I also nominated April as California’s representative for the National Teacher of the Year competition. She will compete against other state nominees, and the 2026 National Teacher of the Year will be announced in the spring.

Congratulations to April and all our California Teachers of the Year!

After school, April continues teaching gardening and cooking through her site’s Extended Learning Program and builds upon the resources of an Edible Schoolyard program that she helped to establish.

April is a dedicated teacher who has become certified as a reading interventionist in order to provide her students with the best possible literacy instruction during the school day.

Resources for California schools to respond to immigration enforcement: www.bit.ly/ToolsForCASchools

I commend the bravery of our educators and school staff who are following existing laws and procedures to make sure that every child’s right to a public education is protected, and I call on President Trump to keep immigration enforcement actions away from school campuses.

All children should have access to healthy meals at school so they can achieve their potential every day!

Our children can’t learn if they are hungry. As someone who grew up on the free lunch program in order to combat childhood hunger, I know how critical it is to ensure that our children have access to food that supports their healthy growth and development.

It’s also a reminder that the struggle for democracy and self-determination is universal. Let’s join together and protect our communities with pride and unity.

of teachers, school staff, administrators, and families to make the first weeks of school a time of happiness, hope, and possibility. At the @cadepted.bsky.social, we will be standing beside you every step of the way.

I've also seen that our families are more committed than ever to get our students to school. Our educators, too, are more committed than ever to provide safe, supportive learning environments for every child. I appreciate the thoughtfulness, hard work, and preparation ...

and I’ve seen our hardworking California educators and school staff welcoming back families with open arms.

I have seen and heard anxiety about federal deportation threats, as half of all students in our state are, like me, children of immigrants — and yet, ...