Gonzales honored as December Employee of the Month

It is with pleasure that the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools honors Angel Gonzales, Education Specialist in the Special Education department, as the December 2017 Employee of the Month.

Angel was the first staff member to volunteer as a full-time teacher in the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools’ Kids Café 2019. He takes every available opportunity to teach the FCSS Adult Transition Program special education students lifelong social, communication and vocational skills at the café.

Angel is encouraging and he consistently fosters student independence while presenting them with new vocational challenges from cleaning tables to taking orders and serving food. He also supports the families of students by arranging student appointments with the Department of Motor Vehicles and Social Security.

“The most rewarding part of my job is when I’ve showed a student who has previously failed new skills and then to see him or her independently doing those skills correctly,” said Angel. “I try to help and encourage my students with teachable moments. They’re adults and I treat them that way.”

Due to Angel’s collaboration and communication with parents, all of the existing full-time café students now have the opportunity to participate in the FCSS workability program. Angel is flexible, caring and a shining example of what it means to truly prepare students to move beyond ATP and into the world successfully.

“I appreciate Chef Paul and all the other café staff,” said Angel. “They’ve helped me learn about the café industry and they’re patient with our students. We’re both learning together.”