Ron Jessee - Renee Bonorand Fleming

Ron Jessee: Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, Region 9 VAPA Lead, San Diego County Office of Education

Ron Jessee is the Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts for the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). He began his educational career in 1975 as a theatre, dance and music teacher in the Grossmont Union High School District. From 1996 to 2001, Ron served as the Assistant Principal of Monte Vista and Grossmont High Schools. Upon his arrival at the SDCOE in 2001, Mr. Jessee created the innovative VAPA Standards 101-103 Workshops, recognized throughout California as a model for standards based professional development. In his position with the SDCOE, Mr. Jessee facilitates the needs of the 42 county school districts, comprising 680 schools and 490,000 students. Mr. Jessee serves on the board of the California Alliance for Arts Education and travels frequently to Sacramento to meet with the California CISC and CCSESA Regional Arts Leads. He is also a member of the Kennedy Center Partners in Education.

What is your vision of the future of the Visual arts for San Diego?

"According to No Child Left Behind, Visual Art is a core subject. I envision a San Diego County where educational administrators will make it possible for every child, every day, in every school to have access to a visual arts class taught by a highly qualified art teacher. I am excited about advocating for the Visual and Performing Arts as core curriculum."