Newsletter

New Commissioner: Caryn Lewis

Caryn Lewis, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services at the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE), joins the First 5 Commission for her first regular meeting on December 3, 2018.  Caryn is filling the vacancy left by Commissioner Jamie Valenzuela-Mumau who resigned to take a Superintendent position in the Los Angeles area.  While he is sorely missed, Caryn will continue to help bridge early childhood programs with the K-12 educational system. We are thankful for Jamie's commitment to young children and families and appreciated his dedication to our vision.

Commissioner Lewis has spent over 20 years in service to California's Title I schools helping create equitable environments for all learners.  As a teacher, school principal, and director of extensive educational programs, she also brings a strong commitment to the importance of early childhood education and a comprehensive understanding of the formal education system. She currently serves as an active member of county and state education partnerships connecting early learning and K-12.

Before coming to MCOE, she was a strong advocate and member of the Bright Beginnings Greenfield Community Action Team. At MCOE, she has served as a key partner on the Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Advisory Committee, the Bright Futures Steering Committee, and as an internal partner for Quality Matters.  Caryn said she wants to serve on the F5 Commission because, "I have a strong desire to better understand the community we serve and to actively contribute to large scale systemic change."