A Message from Superintendent Barbara Nemko

It is my honor to serve as Napa County Superintendent of Schools. The Napa County Office of Education (NCOE) serves the five districts and their schools, teachers, students, and families throughout our beautiful valley. We also provide leadership in the field of education by administering a range of regional, state, and national professional development programs.

For Districts and Schools -
As a county office of education, we provide fiscal oversight of our five school districts, as well as critical business services including payroll, credentialing and grant writing. NCOE assists districts and schools with resources, expertise and coordination for a variety of programs and mandated activities such as textbook adoptions and technology training. Our School and District Assistance and Intervention Team helps schools improve the academic achievement of low performing students and schools.

For Teachers -
Teachers are the heart beat of our schools, and we offer services to help them run a successful classroom. The Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program offers support and classes for first- and second-year teachers in order to retain high-quality teachers in our districts and improve student achievement. Our Curriculum Library provides a wealth of materials including assistive technology available free, on loan to teachers and parents. NCOE provides ed1stop, a website portal that gives free access to Napa County teachers and students both subscription-based services and educational web sites. Teachers and students using the portal will find a wealth of resources to help with reports, projects, and skill-building in a fun and engaging classroom environment.

For Students -
If teachers are the heart beat, then students are the lifeblood and we offer programs and support for preschool through 12th grade students to improve their skills and abilities. NCOE provides instructional services to over 4,000 students each year including career and technical education classes such as Forensic Science, Biotechnology, Auto, Drafting, Medical Assisting and many others on their high school campus. We also run a full high school program for students who have been expelled, are incarcerated, on probation, or are battling drug and alcohol issues. The Early Childhood Services program provides early childhood special education services, state funded preschools and childcare services for 3-12 year olds. Additionally, NCOE operates 18 after school programs keeping approximately 1,400 children safe with enrichment programs and homework support between 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. daily.

For Families -
NCOE offers informative parent workshops on a variety of topics ranging from "Children, Food and Health Issues and Solutions" to "Kidpower: Teaching Children about Personal Safety", and "Parenting like a Samurai". In addition to our preschool services, parents can also visit the Curriculum Library, and the ed1stop web portal can be accessed by families at home.

Our Leadership -
NCOE runs a large volume of regional, state, and national grants focused on research, training and technical assistance that is important for the continuous improvement of educational services. These programs include statewide training for AmeriCorps staff and for special education administrators and teachers, and a nationwide program aimed at equipping Head Start personnel to successfully include children with disabilities in their centers. Our research work includes assisting the state to develop an approach for measuring the developmental progress of young children with disabilities and a set of research-based interventions for use with autistic and spectrum disorder youth.

Our primary goal is to provide the best possible customer service to the Napa community. We are proud to have won five prestigious Golden Bell awards from the California School Boards Association, the Publications award from the California County Education Service Agencies (CCSESA), and recognized as a Family, Friendly Workplace by the Napa County Child Care Planning Council.

If we can assist you in any way, please contact us.

Dr. Barbara Nemko, Ph.D.

Napa County Superintendent of Schools