Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara Hosts Educator’s Day 2025 to Strengthen School-Court Partnerships

SAN JOSÉ, Calif. (October 27, 2025):  The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara hosted Educator’s Day 2025 on Thursday, October 23, 2025, a full-day program that brought together educators, administrators, judicial officers, and community partners to strengthen collaboration between schools and the courts in support of student success, civic learning, and community engagement. The event was made possible through a grant from the California Judges Foundation.

Hon. Julia Alloggiamento, Chair of the Court’s Community Outreach Committee and Vice Chair of California’s Power of Democracy Steering Committee, opened the event with welcoming remarks that emphasized the importance of education, partnership, and prevention in addressing challenges faced by local youth and families. The program featured a series of dynamic sessions focused on shared responsibility, innovation, and civic connection. Presiding Judge Julie A. Emede expressed her gratitude to the audience, stating, “We know that you are continually doing more with limited resources. Thank you for your dedication to public service.  It is true public service that you provide each day through your work with students.”

The day began with a panel discussion on school attendance featuring Alisha Schoen, Deputy District Attorney; April Crider, District Wellness Coordinator at the Campbell Union High School District; and Kavita Narayan, Chief Assistant County Counsel. Panelists explored the social, emotional, and systemic factors contributing to absenteeism and presented early intervention strategies that help keep students engaged and on track.

The next session spotlighted community collaboration through the work of the South County Youth Task Force and the San José Youth Empowerment Alliance. Bernice Aguilar, Program Manager for the South County Youth Task Force; Dr. Carmen García, Superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District; and Petra Riguero and Olympia Williams from the City of San José shared how multi-agency partnerships empower youth through prevention programs, mentorship, and resource coordination. Their discussion underscored the importance of shared data, sustained communication, and collective impact across agencies serving young people.  “It’s inspiring to see families of students use their voices and take action to make a difference in their communities,” said Bernice Aguilar, Program Manager for the South County Youth Task Force. “Their energy and compassion give me great hope for the future.”

During the lunch hour, the Court hosted its Civic Learning Award Presentation, recognizing schools that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to civic education and engagement. Judges Emede and Alloggiamento congratulated educators and students for advancing the Chief Justice’s Power of Democracy initiative, which promotes civic understanding and participation as essential components of California’s educational framework. 

Bringing this vision to life, attendees explored resource tables hosted by community partners, including Amigos de Guadalupe (Ruby Ramirez, Program Director), Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Department (Catherine Aspiras, Division Director), Civil Grand Jury (Britney Huelbig, Deputy Manager), Parent Project (Gloria Maturino, Director), City of San José (Petra Riguero, Program Manager), South County Youth Task Force (Bernice Aguilar, Program Manager), Peer Court (Greg Zieman), and the Court Community Outreach Committee (Rafael Jimenez, Management Analyst).

The afternoon continued with a session on civic learning and engagement, featuring Dr. Anthony Oskar Alvarado, Principal of Ida Jew and Valle Vista; Raquel Topete, Principal of August Boeger; Kristina Ravo, Coordinator at the Santa Clara County Office of Education; and Greg Zieman of Peer Court. They discussed practical approaches to experiential learning—such as mock trials, peer court programs, and community service projects—that help students apply civic principles in real-world settings while cultivating empathy, leadership, and critical thinking. Principal Topete shared, “Civic learning isn’t simply another subject; it’s a powerful catalyst that helps students find their purpose, sense of belonging, and capacity to lead.”

The day concluded with Collaborations with the Court, a discussion led by Judge Alloggiamento, Judge Kelley Paul, and Judge Micael Estremera. The judges reflected on the importance of transparency, education, and engagement in building community trust and highlighted opportunities for continued collaboration between educators and the judiciary through courthouse visits, civic presentations, and student engagement programs.  “Civic education and engagement is crucial to an understanding of and trust in the third branch of government and our justice system as a whole and educators are in the front line of that engagement,” said Judge Alloggiamento. “The Court is here to collaborate with educators in a stepladder approach providing our youngest students with educational programs such as Read Across Santa Clara County and Constitution Month and assisting older students to find their voice and realize their role in the community through Young Women’s Power Lunch, the Color of Justice Program and the Law Day Video Contest.” 

Educator’s Day 2025 reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to fostering civic learning, strengthening school-court partnerships, and empowering educators as key partners in building an informed and engaged community.