There is no more important skill for success in employment and life than literacy. Being able to read, comprehend and respond to text is crucial. Additionally, being able to support your ideas in writing; being able to communicate effectively in writing and being able to process your thinking, emotions and dreams in writing are all vital as well. This course will meet students where they are with their literacy and move them forward.

Instructor: Dru Cullison 

Dru Cullison's teaching career spans over 22 years. She has taught a variety of grade levels specializing in the differentiation of reading instruction and development. Mrs. Cullison's most recent teaching experience was as an elementary school teacher at St. James School in Davis.

Understanding banking, budgeting and financial planning are crucial to living an independent life on your own terms. Our math class advances these skills and builds others. Students will be equipped with mathematical knowledge, skills and tools to guide decision-making and understand the world around them. Students will work to develop problem-solving and logical thinking skills and advance their ability to explain step by step solutions in detail.

Instructors: Walter Wade (Years 1 and 3) and Al Mendle (Year 2)

Walter Wade promotes inclusivity and diversity through education and thrives on creating an equitable and welcoming learning environment. He is an alumnus of CSU Sacramento and the University of Nebraska. Walter brings over 20 years of experience mentoring and developing scholars, leaders, and athletes. He will be teaching our Redwood SEED students math and personal finance using teaching methods that accommodate different learning styles and preference. His learning structure includes varied instructional materials, engaging and collaborative learning, and allows for flexible assessment methods to ensure that all students can excel. Walter is exited to share his love for finance with his future students. 

Now retired, Al Mendle was a Lecturer at UC Davis from 1993 to 2021. Working in the School of Education, he has taught Mathematics Methods and Educational Technology. He has contributed to books for the College Preparatory Mathematics and Activity Resources Publishing companies. Having 25 years of teaching experience at the elementary and secondary levels in public schools, he has also served as Director of the University of California at Davis Mathematics Project. His presentations internationally have extended to the Peoples Republic of China, and have also included speaking engagements at the annual conferences of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics as well as California Mathematics Council.

Redwood SEED Scholars will be taught about digital tools, effective communication and presentation skills. They will become adept with email communication and a variety of communication and technology tools like: Google Calendar, Gmail, Outlook, Canvas, Slack, Google Docs, Internet Safety, including phishing and spam, Google Slides, and Google Drive. Students will learn academic and workplace skills that can be used anywhere.

Instructor: Sarah Barnes 

Sarah Barnes works as the Academic Director for the Redwood SEED Scholars program. Prior to her position here, she was a classroom teacher with a love for assistive technology. Sarah is a Level 2 Google Educator with years of experience in both Google and Microsoft suites. She loves teaching people practical, time-saving technology tips, but her true joy is when students show HER their own tech-hacks and workarounds! When she is not working with Redwood SEED Scholars, Sarah loves to spend time with her family at the beach, read and run. 

Healthy relationships with family, friends, and partners can be an indicator of meaningful adulthood. Students will understand that there are many factors to relationships. Sexual health will cover consent, intimate behavior, as well as rights, and responsibilities.  

Students in this course will increase their awareness of sexuality, intimate/private behaciors, and strategies for preventing sexual abuse, as well as learn to communicate about these topics and identify strategies for developing & maintaining relationships. Knowledge and understanding of sexual health will increase independence.

Instructor: Lisa Yamasaki 

Lisa Yamasaki has been a special education teacher/inclusion specialist in Davis for 24 years and is now Assistive Technology specialist for Yolo County Office of Education.  She also volunteers her time with Team Davis and CalTASH. Her free time is spent skiing, surfing, glass blowing and being creative.

Being able to accurately identify and regulate your emotional state is tied to being able to achieve your goals both big and small. Students will learn how to correctly recognize emotions in themselves and others, and they will learn the thoughts, behaviors, and sensations that accompany both pleasant and unpleasant emotions. They will gain new strategies for responding to strong emotions in themselves and others. The knowledge and skills developed in this class will help students work towards their professional and social goals.

Self-Regulation 1 Instructor: Cindy Parks 

As a neurodiverse person, or person with learning differences, Cindy knows the most powerful way to combat negative stigma is to be both educated and open-minded. Her own lifelong struggle with the neurodevelopmental delay ADHD and the present adventure of raising two boys with neurodevelopmental diagnoses inform her practice as an educator. She believes that when a disability or exceptionality is truly understood educators can begin to instruct through a lens that takes into account the learning differences that may come with a disability. As such, she strives to provide equitable access to all learning opportunities for everyone, regardless of their ability.

Self-Regulation 2 Instructor: Nicole Mank

Nicole Mank is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) that has been working with children and families for over 25 years in various capacities.  As a mother of 2 neurodivergent teenagers, Nicole has developed a passion for using her skills to advocate, educate and support the disabled community.  Nicole also teaches at Sacramento State University in the Family Studies & Human Development Department and enjoys supporting young adults in their pursuit of social service positions within the community.  As an alumni of UC Davis, Nicole is excited to be back on campus in this new role! 

Civic engagement at all levels - from voting to holding public office - is key to making changes that will promote the visibility and participation of people with disabilities in our democracy. Understanding the levers of governmental power and the opportunity to influence it is an important part of being an informed citizen. This course will introduce students to the structure of government, models of advocacy and issues of social justice and human rights.

Instructor: Nora Roos 

Nora Roos is an attorney and a graduate of UC Davis King Hall School of Law School. Her previous work includes advising and representing people with disabilities at Legal Services of Northern California. Prior to that she worked as a Legal Editor at Continuing Education of the Bar. Nora is passionate about increasing access to justice and empowering people with disabilities to become effective self-advocates.​