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Spotlight on Christiana Gomez: Southwest Preparatory's McKinney-Vento Liaison
This month, we’re proud to spotlight Christiana Gomez, who serves as a Counselor and the District McKinney-Vento, Foster, and Migrant Liaison at Southwest Preparatory School. Now in her sixth year with the organization, Christiana is in her second year leading efforts to support students and families experiencing homelessness.
Through her dedication and compassionate approach, Christiana has made a significant impact in her roles. As a liaison, she works tirelessly to connect students and families with essential resources, ensuring they have the support needed to thrive both academically and personally.
We’re excited to celebrate Christiana’s achievements and the unique ways she champions the needs of students and families facing challenges. Stay tuned for more spotlights as we continue to highlight the incredible work of McKinney-Vento liaisons in our community!
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 New or Improved Initiatives:
Christiana demonstrates a strong commitment to professional growth by actively engaging in training and information sessions offered at Region 20. She seeks out every opportunity to deepen her understanding of the challenges faced by students and families experiencing homelessness and to discover innovative strategies for addressing their needs.
By continuously expanding her knowledge and refining her approach, Christiana ensures she is equipped with the most up-to-date resources and tools to provide meaningful, impactful support.
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 Notable Achievements:
Christiana has fostered strong partnerships with organizations like SA Thread and the San Antonio Food Bank, playing a pivotal role in connecting students and families with vital resources. Through these collaborations, she has successfully provided clothing referrals to students in need and ensured that families have access to food during parent events.
Additionally, Christiana has worked with UT Health to establish a referral system for TCHATT, offering students access to essential mental health support. Her efforts have significantly enhanced the support network available to students and families, ensuring their well-being is prioritized.
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As a counselor, Christiana makes a profound impact on students, families, and the broader school community through her comprehensive approach to support. She provides emotional guidance, academic assistance, and conflict resolution, helping students navigate their personal and educational challenges. Christiana actively engages with families, offering support and resources to students facing a variety of obstacles. Her commitment extends beyond the school walls, fostering strong community partnerships that enhance the services available to those in need. Through her holistic efforts, Christiana ensures that every student has the support they need to succeed academically and thrive personally. |
Personal Mission and Approach
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Passion for McKinney-Vento Liaison Work:
Christiana is deeply passionate about her role as a McKinney-Vento liaison, driven by her commitment to making a difference in the lives of students. What excites her most is the opportunity to step outside her comfort zone to identify and secure resources that remove barriers preventing students from attending school.
Rewarding Impact:
Through her advocacy, relationship building, and community partnerships, Christiana creates meaningful change for students experiencing homelessness. This role allows Christiana to combine her love for education and community support, making it both personally fulfilling and incredibly impactful in the lives of the families and students she serves.
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Hobbies and Interests:
In her spare time, Christiana enjoys cleaning and organizing her home, watching movies, and playing board games with her children.
Favorite Success Story:
Christiana shared that working with the homeless population has been both an eye-opening and rewarding experience for her. She mentioned one of her favorite success stories from earlier this school year, when a couple of elementary students received backpacks filled with hygiene kits, snacks, and other essential items. Christiana shared, "The excitement, joy, and appreciation on their faces was priceless, and it truly serves as a powerful reminder of why the work my team and I do is so meaningful and worthwhile."
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Words of Wisdom:
Christiana's advice for those just starting in the role of McKinney-Vento liaison is to ask questions, attend any available training or information sessions, and remain open-minded and willing to learn. She also recommends streamlining communication with the registrars at each campus and the PEIMS coordinators, as collaboration with them is essential in identifying and coding students as they enroll. These steps will help ensure a smooth and effective approach to supporting McKinney-Vento students.
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