Desiree Gonzalez is an author and a mother of two in Chico.
In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell asserts that it takes at least 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at anything. The Beatles didn’t become the Fab Four with raw talent alone; their willingness to practice endlessly – along with access to instruments and locations in which to hone their talents – took them … [Read more...]
At the age of eighteen, random chance led Marty Parker to a career as an instructional paraprofessional at Sierra View Elementary School in Chico. “A friend employed in special education encouraged me to apply for an aide position,” says Parker. “At the time, my various burger-flipping jobs had me in a depressed fog, so it was a relief to be … [Read more...]
Faelin Klein embodies the term “mama bear.” For 23 years, the diminutive blonde has fought long and hard to ensure her daughter has had access to the medical, educational and community resources she both needed and deserved. While this is not exceptional in itself, in many ways she has become a fierce advocate for thousands of children besides … [Read more...]
It’s no secret that statewide budget cuts have dramatically affected arts programs at many public schools. But thanks to a supportive administration, help from the community, and the passion of two teachers in particular, the arts continue to thrive at Corning Union High School (CUHS). Karen Atkinson teaches ceramics and drawing at CUHS, and … [Read more...]
