Our school welcomes a new member to the administration team, Mr. Joel Dickson, one of our new learning directors. With 18 years of experience in education, he brings a clear dedication to supporting student success.
Dickson plays a crucial role in supporting the learning environment across campus. “My main role is to support the learning that is going on campus,” he explained. “I do that by overseeing a number of different programs and staff members and helping support them in their roles.”
Some of the key programs Dickson oversees include 504 plans, the English Learning department, the counseling team, the ROP, SSST, and the Seal of Biliteracy. When asked about his goals for his first year in this role, Dickson emphasized his desire to bring “vision and organization” to the school.
A key part of his focus is building a stronger unity among the staff, all with the goal of supporting student learning. “All of that is for the purpose of helping students in the classroom, helping them learn,” he explained.
Before stepping into the role of learning director, Dickson served as a school counselor for 18 years. Making the transition wasn’t just a career move but was a thoughtful decision for both personal and professional growth.
He believes that his background in counseling provides valuable insight and perspective that he now brings into this new role. So far, he says the transition has been a positive one.
“I love the school, love the students, love the staff. Great community pride, great history, great tradition. So it’s been great. I’ve loved it.”
Originally from Merced, Dickson is a family man with a wife and four children. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active by going to the gym, spending time outdoors, playing video games with his kids and taking family trips.
With his enthusiasm, experience, and focus on student learning, Mr. Dickson is looking forward to making a difference this year, aiming to strengthen campus programs, support staff, and ultimately help students succeed both in and out of the classroom.
