Season 3, Episode 15 | Monika Hazel, Superintendent and Tavga Bustani, Assistant Superintendent | Fallbrook Union Elementary School District

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 15 of "Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged."  

Sponsored by a champion of schools, school leaders, teachers and employees - SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union - we have an excellent episode featuring Monika Hazel, the Superintendent of Fallbrook Union Elementary School District and Tavga Bustani, the Assistant Superintendent of Education Services.  


Their Vibrant District and Personal Backgrounds

• Monika describes Fallbrook Union Elementary School District as a vibrant community nestled in an agricultural area, with a mix of veteran and young teachers.
• Tavga highlights the student-centered design of the schools, emphasizing the importance of holistic needs and social-emotional support.
• Monika shares her epiphany about becoming an educator, initially wanting to be a doctor but finding her passion in education after a transformative experience with a supportive teacher.
• Tavga recounts her journey from an immigrant family to becoming an educator, inspired by kindergarten teachers and a desire to give back to underserved communities.

Collective Leadership and Research-Based Practices

• Monika discusses the collective effort in Fallbrook, leading to significant gains in student outcomes, recognized by the State of California.
• The importance of collective efficacy, implementing research-based practices, and living in a culture of continuous improvement is emphasized.
• Tavga explains the investment in principal leadership, developing their capacity to be in classrooms, and providing professional learning on effective pedagogy.
• The implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and the alignment of systems and structures to improve student outcomes are highlighted.

Challenges and AI Implementation

• The discussion shifts to the challenges faced by the district, including the implementation of AI in education.
• Tavga mentions the early stages of AI implementation, focusing on maintaining confidentiality and integrity while enhancing teacher practice.
• Monika emphasizes the importance of aligning AI implementation with core values and involving teachers and students in the conversation.
• The need to educate the community about AI and its benefits is acknowledged.

Mental Health and Student Well-Being

• Monika highlights the district's focus on the whole child, including mental health and social-emotional support.
• The district has a full-time counselor at every school, social workers, behavior techs, and community liaisons to support students.
• The impact of social media on student anxiety is discussed, with a focus on trauma-informed instruction and creating safe classroom environments.
• The importance of student voice and involvement in decision-making is emphasized.

Curriculum Relevance and Skills Alignment

• Tavga discusses the importance of curriculum relevance and skills alignment, focusing on essential standards and vertical alignment.
• The district leverages professional learning communities (PLCs) to identify critical concepts and align assessments to standards.
• The need to make curriculum relevant by incorporating culturally relevant texts and problem-based learning is highlighted.
• The challenge of balancing essential standards with innovative teaching practices is acknowledged.

"Leader in Me" Program and Student Leadership

• Monika shares her excitement about Fallbrook being a district-wide "Leader in Me" program, promoting leadership skills for all students.
• The program includes student-led clubs, assemblies, and Board meetings, fostering a culture of student voice and leadership.
• The impact of "Leader in Me" on student engagement and leadership development is d