Education Matters

Fresno County’s “Count, Play, Explore” early math initiative has been recognized with the prestigious Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association. For the past decade, the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools has worked to transform how young children learn math by engaging families, supporting teachers, and building strong community partnerships. In this Education Matters story, learn how hands-on learning, playful exploration, and early family engagement are changing math mindsets for students from birth through third grade.

Fresno County special needs students are showcasing their creativity at the K-Jewel Art Gallery in a powerful celebration of art, inclusion, and self-expression. This Education Matters story highlights a unique program from the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools that brings high-quality arts instruction directly to classrooms, giving students with disabilities the same creative opportunities as their peers.

Fresno County has officially named its first-ever Youth Poet Laureate, marking a powerful moment for young voices in the Central Valley. This year’s title goes to Evy Singh, a Central High sophomore whose moving poetry rose above four outstanding finalists in a historic competition years in the making.

Clovis Unified is launching a groundbreaking visual and performing arts program for preschoolers, giving four-year-olds a hands-on, immersive creative experience like never before. Inside a transformed classroom on the Buchanan High School campus, students explore a farm-themed art center filled with music, movement, dramatic play, and interactive learning. Thanks to state funding from Proposition 28, preschoolers from across the district are bused in to participate in this innovative approach to early childhood education.

High school seniors are applying to college—and that means it’s time to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In this Education Matters report, learn how schools across Fresno County are helping students and parents navigate the financial aid process, avoid common mistakes, and secure grants, scholarships, and tuition-free options for college.

Thank you to our sponsors – Educational Employees Credit Union, Chevron & Fresno Pacific University

Empowering the next generation of innovators — that’s the goal of the annual STEM for Girls Conference, hosted by the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. 

In this episode of Education Matters, Fresno State’s Jessica Piffero, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist, shares how technology and math play a vital role in her career in public relations — proving that STEM is everywhere. She encourages students, especially young women, to embrace science, technology, engineering, and math as tools for creativity and problem-solving.

The CTE Expo is more than a showcase — it’s where passion meets opportunity. This year, students stepped into the spotlight as fashion, cosmetology, and barbering joined the list of Career Technical Education pathways. From transforming thrifted clothing into runway-ready designs to learning professional hair and beauty techniques, students across the Central Valley are discovering hands-on careers that fuel creativity and confidence.

At Malloch Elementary in the Fresno Unified School District, TK teacher Sherry Nobles is showing that learning math can be fun and engaging for even the youngest learners. Through the Count, Play, Explore initiative, students are discovering the joy of math, science, and computer science by grouping, counting, and exploring through play.

At Sunnyside High School, students are proving that agriculture education isn’t just for rural communities. As part of Fresno Unified School District—the largest urban district in Fresno County—Sunnyside’s Ag program is growing fast, giving city kids a hands-on connection to the Valley’s agricultural roots. From raising goats to developing award-winning Ag Mechanics projects, these students are showing their dedication, hard work, and pride in representing their school through FFA.

Hard work, dedication, and academic excellence took center stage at The Big Fresno Fair during this year’s 4.0 Night — an annual celebration honoring Fresno County students who earned a 4.0 GPA or higher.

For 14 years, the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) has partnered with the Big Fresno Fair to recognize top-performing students with prizes, scholarships, and one life-changing giveaway — a brand new car. This year, 17-year-old Mia Salcedo from Sunnyside High School drove away the lucky winner, proving that perseverance and commitment to education truly pay off.