Laurie has been part of the SIATech leadership team since 2005, starting as the principal of the SIATech school in San Jose, and moving to the position of Director of Education Services in 2007. In 2016 she moved to the position of Executive Director of Community Development and Career Pathways. Laurie was the lead on SIATech’s successful Opportunity Youth (OY) CA Career Pathways Trust (CCPT) grant proposal that was selected for funding by the CA Department of Education in May 2015.She continues to provide leadership for OY programs as the OY programs are implemented.Laurie taught High School Physics, Biology and Integrated science before moving to Middle School education where she taught Physical and Earth Sciences. While teaching at the middle school level she was recognized as teacher of the year by Evergreen Elementary School District PTSA and was also recognized as a finalist in Intel's Innovation in Teaching Award Program. Laurie Pianka received her BS in Biochemistry and MS in Nutritional Sciences from San Jose State University and obtained her teaching credential from Santa Clara University. Prior to becoming a science educator Laurie worked for 12 years as a clinical Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian for Lucille Salter Packard Childrens' Hospital at Stanford University and also as a Health Educator for Kaiser Hospitals.
AAPF17 Sessions:
Building Bridges to College for California Opportunity Youth: The Role of CBOs and Pathways in Community College Relationships This session will highlight how the Oakland-Alameda County Opportunity Youth Initiative (OACOYI), Santa Clara County Opportunity Youth Partnership (SCCOYP), and SIATech, a nonprofit charter high school focused on dropout recovery, are all leading efforts to create pathways to college for opportunity youth and young people in alternative high schools. We will showcase tools the collaboratives have used to bring together community based organizations to partner with their local colleges and their progress in these collaboratives.
Past AAPF Sessions:
Collective Impact and Unique Partnerships to Address Opportunity Youth RE-Engagement Come hear how a unique partnership between SIATech Charter Schools and Santa Clara County Office of Education came together to address student disengagement in Silicon Valley. See how focusing on a clearly identified need and working together with local community support providers resulted in the creation of Opportunity Youth Academy. Learn how combining organizational strengths, best practices, technology, and research- based programming has created an environment designed to re-engage students in a blended model that accelerates learning and is both “high -tech and high- touch.”
