Be The Change – Sommer Grooms

When I say I’m a principal of a juvenile hall, most people say, ‘Wow, that’s a tough job.’ But this is the best job I’ve ever had,” says Sommer Grooms. “I thought this was going to be the thing that stretches me, and in a way it does. But it’s exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

Sommer entered the education world after serving in the US Marines. Her passion for education has consistently drawn her to students who face adversity and need a champion. Toward this end, she taught at California Heritage Youthbuild Academy, an alternative education school, for six years. Sommer’s husband, Trevor, says her care for at-risk youth comes from the core of her being. “She does it all for the kids,” he says. “It isn’t to make a name for herself or anything. She cares so much about those kids.”

Answering anger with love helps close social learning gaps

In July 2023, Sommer became the first on-site principal of Tehama Oaks, Tehama County’s juvenile court school. About two dozen students from Tehama, Glenn, Lake, Siskiyou, Trinity and Plumas Counties attend Tehama Oaks – some for only for a few days and some for multiple years. Sommer’s goal for her students is to close both the academic and social learning gaps into which most of them have fallen. “We have kids who come in and are not responsive and are filled with so much hurt from their lives that they’re not ready to receive love,” she says. “But we have to keep on keeping on, just pouring out the love, no matter how much anger they’re pushing back.”

Positive and meaningful education inspires students

Renee Walker, the school’s transition specialist, says one of Sommer’s first efforts was to move the school beyond simply assigning homework packets. While the students initially resisted the loss of easy credits, they soon began to recognize the beauty of replacing busy work with meaningful education. “Everything she has changed has been a huge improvement,” Renee says. Having an on-site principal helps students feel more seen and supported and Renee says students especially enjoy the reward of one-on-one lunches with Sommer. “They all like her a lot,” says Renee. “They haven’t always had positive adults in their lives, and she recognizes their abilities.”

Sommer also recognizes the abilities of her staff. She enthusiastically credits her team for creating the school’s positive environment. “I have worked at quite a few sites and I have never been more blessed than I am with the staff I have,” she says. “They are all team players. I came in and made so many changes – one of my teachers has been here 26 years – and everyone has been on board with all the changes. They’re so incredible and supportive, and it’s a fun place to work.”

Opportunity to earn college credits opens new horizons for high school students

During Sommer’s time as principal, Shasta College initiated a partnership with the school to offer students the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. When she announced the dual-enrollment program, students responded with a deeper appreciation than Sommer had expected. “One of them said, ‘I never thought I would go to college.’ And now, every single one of my students has completed at least one college credit.”

Transition Specialist Renee Walker works with Sommer Groom to help children move toward a successful future. Photo by Pamela Newman.

Focus on healthy relationships, community involvement leads to reduced recidivism

In addition to the traditional “three R’s” of education (reading, wRiting and aRithmetic), Tehama Oaks focuses on a “fourth ‘R’”: relationships. A designated course helps students learn about healthy relationships, such as healthy boundaries and good communication. A recent third-party evaluation praised the school’s positive culture and relationships. As Sommer observes, “For that to be the shining light at a juvenile court school is huge.”

Sommer’s future plans for Tehama Oaks involve expanding career technical education (CTE) courses and strengthening community involvement. As a co-liaison for the Community Schools effort in Tehama Count, Sommer promotes schools connecting to the resources in their communities to increase families’ access to mental health supports, housing, food pantries, wellness centers and more.

While the Community Schools approach can benefit any school, Sommer sees it as especially essential for her student population. Knowing they have community support can help these students envision a brighter future for themselves, providing powerful motivation to safeguard against recidivism – a topic Sommer is investigating through her doctoral program for educational leadership at Liberty College. “These are not detention facilities; these are meant to be rehabilitative,” she explains. “We as a community have the responsibility to pour into these kids and support their rehabilitation, because they will come back into our community.”

When she’s not preparing youth for the future ahead, Sommer enjoys engaging in her church, working on home improvement projects with her husband and spending time with his eight-year-old son and her high school children. Sommer’s son is about to graduate and her daughter is a freshman in high school. “There is nothing that can prepare you for the senior year,” she says. “So many emotions!” Sommer also loves snuggling with Brittany, her 200 pound pet pig. “I didn’t know the hole in my heart was pig-shaped,” Sommer laughs.

Fortunately for the North State, the holes in Sommer’s heart are also shaped for youth who need caring, compassionate support. With Sommer leading the charge to bring the community around them, these youth – and the North State as a whole – have hope for a brighter future.