Assistant Superintendent, Student Support Services
Newport Mesa Unified School District

U.S.: California Hub | NORTH AMERICA

Dr. Sara Jocham has worked in public school education in California for over 25 years.  She began her career as a speech-language pathologist before being promoted to administrative leadership roles in various school districts.  Sara served as the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Administrator for three districts and one large multi-district SELPA.  In her work at the State SELPA level, she was a co-chair of the Finance Committee and worked closely with the California Department of Education, Special Education Department on special education fiscal issues. She was appointed to two four-year terms on the Advisory Commission on Special Education by the California Board of Education and served on the statewide Special Education Task Force.  After several years of focusing on special education, Sara took her special education skills and expertise and embedded health services and student services into her current role. 

For the past seven years Sara has worked as the Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services for the Newport Mesa Unified School District in Orange County, California.  The district serves approximately 18,000 students and Sara provides oversight for special education, health services, and student services.  This work has evolved over the past seven years with a focus on social-emotional learning, understanding the relationship between physical/mental health and learning, and providing students with special needs with inclusive programs. 

Through her work, Sara sees the necessity of building and implementing systems of structure which facilitate learning for all students and adults.  Her school district is beginning Compassionate Systems training this year for leadership staff, and Sara is excited to support the learning and growth of district staff.  Sara sees the Certificate Program for Compassionate Systems Master Practitioners as a tremendous opportunity to continue her own learning and to contribute to the work beginning in her district.