educator of the year
MORGAN HILL
celebrate awards
Written By Robin Shepherd
Juan Carlos
J
VILLASENOR
uan Carlos Villasenor, 32, is the
founder and Principal of Voices
College-Bound Language Academy
in Morgan Hill. “Mr. V,” as he’s
called, is well-liked and respected
by his students, their families, and his
staff. When the Chamber of Commerce
announced him as Educator of the Year,
it was a proud moment for them all.
“During our annual carnival I was
speaking onstage when my parent liai-
son interrupted me to invite Chamber
members in the audience to make an
announcement. It was obvious to every-
one that I had no idea they were going to
honor me—I was dressed up as a rein-
deer at the time!”Juan Carlos said.
“I’m honored to be recognized for
something that is my life’s passion. As an
educator, the impact you have on the life
of a child, and therefore the community,
can be huge.”
54
Voices Academy is a public charter
school currently serving 310 students
in grades TK through 5. It was recog-
nized in 2018-19 as one of the Top #9
Bay Area Schools for Math (An Innovate
Public Schools annual ranking, based on
state testing).
While a student at UC Berkeley, he
volunteered with after-school programs
in the Berkeley and Oakland area. The
experience made him an advocate for
the educational needs of underserved
communities.
After college Juan Carlos joined Teach
For America and landed a teaching
internship at Voices-Franklin McKinley
in South San Jose while working toward
his teaching credential. He founded the
school’s Fourth Grade program, which
he taught for three years. After that,
he developed the Voices Middle School
program, including the formation of a
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
SPRING 2020
middle school vision, a character devel-
opment program, and curricula for
Spanish and Social Studies.
His successful efforts at Voices-
Franklin McKinley led to an offer to
become Principal of Voices in Morgan
Hill, starting in the 2014-15 school year.
“I wasn’t sure I was ready, but school
leaders encouraged me and I gladly
accepted. During the summer before
school started, I attended community
events, went door-to-door to say hello in
neighborhoods, networked at Chamber
activities, talked to folks at the library,
and asked people what was on their
minds with regard to education. I invited
them to come and see what we are doing
at Voices. It gave me a chance to share
about our challenges, including facili-
ties issues, and to encourage community
involvement,” he said.
“I love Morgan Hill. It’s a tight com-
munity where people know each other
because they are involved and they help
each other too. I see it in our parent/fami-
ly community and in the city as a whole.”
Voices has acquired a vacant parcel
located north of Cosmo Avenue and west
of Monterey Road for a new full-service
campus with capacity to serve up to 504
students through Eighth Grade. The first
class of Eighth Grade graduates is slated
for 2022.
“We’ve been operating out of facilities
previously used for the Flex Academy
in a building originally developed for
industrial-commercial use. The staff, and
our kids and their families are excited.
“Five, ten years from now, I want
Voices to be known throughout the com-
munity as a great place to learn, a safe
place for students and families, a place
that graduates students who go on to suc-
ceed and come back to work and serve in
our community.
“My team works very hard. This
recognition is for them. I’m thankful
for it because we tell our students that
hard work gets recognized. Now they
see it’s true.”
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