The journey from preschool to kindergarten represents a pivotal transition in a child's educational life - one that shapes not just their academic foundation, but their social, emotional, and cognitive development for years to come. That's why transitional kindergarten (TK) matters so deeply.

Join host Lisa Gonzalez-Solomon as she delves into the transformative world of TK with two passionate education leaders from Santa Ana Unified School District: Maricela Roque, Director of Elementary Education, and Damaris Sandoval, Certificated Learning and Achievement Specialist. Together, they unlock the secrets of how thoughtfully designed TK classrooms support children's natural development through play-based learning while building critical skills.

Discover how TK serves as the perfect bridge between early childhood experiences and elementary education, allowing children to learn through exploration, collaboration, and hands-on activities. You'll hear how classroom environments are deliberately organized into specialized areas for literacy, math, science, and dramatic play - each designed to nurture different aspects of a child's development.

The conversation explores the crucial partnership between parents and educators in supporting early learning success. From establishing consistent routines at home to fostering independence, asking open-ended questions during daily activities, and maintaining regular communication with teachers, parents play a vital role as their child's first and most influential teachers.

Looking toward the future, our experts share how Santa Ana Unified is expanding TK programs while emphasizing equity, cultural responsiveness, and innovative teaching practices to meet diverse student needs. Whether you're a parent of a young child, an educator, or someone passionate about early learning, this episode offers invaluable insights into how we can work together to build a strong foundation for our youngest learners.

Subscribe to Better Together and join our community dedicated to educational excellence through collaboration. Have you enrolled your four-year-old in transitional kindergarten yet? Connect with your neighborhood SAUSD school today to give your child this transformative educational experience!

Visit us at our Buzzsprout site below for more ways to listen, links to our social media sites and any referenced materials, and complete transcripts of our full-length episodes.

Visítenos en nuestro sitio Buzzsprout a continuación para conocer más formas de escuchar, enlaces a nuestros sitios de redes sociales y cualquier material de referencia, y transcripciones completas de nuestros episodios completos.

bit.ly/SAUSDBetterTogether

El paso del preescolar al kínder representa una transición crucial en la vida educativa de un niño, que define no solo su base académica, sino también su desarrollo social, emocional y cognitivo para los años venideros. Por eso, el kínder de transición (TK) es tan importante.

Acompañe a la presentadora Lisa Gonzalez-Solomon mientras profundiza en el mundo transformador del TK con dos apasionadas líderes educativas del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Santa Ana: Maricela Roque, Directora de Educación Primaria, y Damaris Sandoval, Especialista Certificada en Aprendizaje y Logros. Juntas, descubrirán los secretos de cómo las aulas de TK, cuidadosamente diseñadas, apoyan el desarrollo natural de los niños a través del aprendizaje basado en el juego, a la vez que desarrollan habilidades cruciales.

Descubra cómo el TK sirve como puente perfecto entre las experiencias de la primera infancia y la educación primaria, permitiendo que los niños aprendan a través de la exploración, la colaboración y las actividades prácticas. Escuchará cómo los entornos de clase se organizan deliberadamente en áreas especializadas para lectoescritura, matemáticas, ciencias y juego dramático, cada una diseñada para fomentar diferentes aspectos del desarrollo infantil.

La conversación explora la crucial colaboración entre padres y educadores para promover el éxito en el aprendizaje temprano. Desde establecer rutinas consistentes en casa hasta fomentar la independencia, hacer preguntas abiertas durante las actividades diarias y mantener una comunicación regular con los maestros, los padres desempeñan un papel vital como los primeros y más influyentes maestros de sus hijos.

Con la vista puesta en el futuro, nuestros expertos comparten cómo el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Santa Ana está expandiendo los programas de TK, enfatizando la equidad, la sensibilidad cultural y las prácticas docentes innovadoras para satisfacer las diversas necesidades de los estudiantes. Ya sea padre, madre o educador, este episodio ofrece valiosas perspectivas sobre cómo podemos trabajar juntos para construir una base sólida para nuestros estudiantes más pequeños.

Suscríbete a Better Together y únete a nuestra comunidad dedicada a la excelencia educativa mediante la colaboración. ¿Ya inscribiste a tu hijo de cuatro años en kínder de transición? ¡Conéctate hoy mismo con la escuela de tu vecindario del SAUSD para brindarle a tu hijo esta experiencia educativa transformadora!

Visit us at our Buzzsprout site below for more ways to listen, links to our social media sites and any referenced materials, and complete transcripts of our full-length episodes.

Visítenos en nuestro sitio Buzzsprout a continuación para conocer más formas de escuchar, enlaces a nuestros sitios de redes sociales y cualquier material de referencia, y transcripciones completas de nuestros episodios completos.

bit.ly/SAUSDBetterTogether

Santa Ana Unified School District has taken a revolutionary approach to their foundational work by making family and community engagement central to developing their core values, vision, and mission. This powerful conversation brings together Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Program Coordinator Elisa Briceño-Sandoval and dedicated parent committee member Maribel Texta to reveal the transformative journey of collaborative leadership.

Values aren't just words on paper - they're the driving force behind every decision and action within a school community. Elisa eloquently explains how principles like faith, integrity, family, and love guide both personal conduct and professional leadership. Meanwhile, Maribel shares how her commitment to inclusive equity, empathy, and engagement has shaped her advocacy for her children and all students within the district. Their perspectives illuminate how personal values intertwine with institutional mission to create educational environments where everyone can thrive.

The true innovation in Santa Ana's approach lies in their deliberate inclusion of diverse voices throughout the process. By bringing together families, students, staff, and administrators, the district ensured their guiding principles authentically reflected community needs and aspirations. Maribel's firsthand account of committee participation reveals effective strategies for meaningful parent engagement: offering translation services, creating welcoming atmospheres, practicing genuine empathy, and valuing diverse perspectives regardless of background or language. Her practical advice for other parents who want to make their voices heard provides a roadmap for increased family involvement across all schools.

Subscribe to Better Together to explore more conversations about family engagement, collaborative leadership, and how schools and communities can work together to create exceptional educational experiences for every student. What core values guide your approach to education and community?

Visit us at our Buzzsprout site below for more ways to listen, links to our social media sites and any referenced materials, and complete transcripts of our full-length episodes.

Visítenos en nuestro sitio Buzzsprout a continuación para conocer más formas de escuchar, enlaces a nuestros sitios de redes sociales y cualquier material de referencia, y transcripciones completas de nuestros episodios completos.

bit.ly/SAUSDBetterTogether