Community Talks

Carol Van Vooren is currently a professor in the School of Education at California State University San Marcos.

She is a past principal of Jefferson Elementary in Carlsbad and earned a record of increasing diverse student and parent participation, implementing the International Baccalaureate program, and raising student outcomes to receive the California Distinguished School Award.

Dr. Van Vooren served on the board of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation from 2010-2016. She continues to be an active participant in several CEF committees and events. Her passion is in guiding teachers and students to embrace diversity and inclusion for the strength of the community and success for all.

Dr. Allison Estrada is a Carlsbad native and attended Jefferson Elementary, Valley Middle School, and Carlsbad High School, graduating in 2009. She studied human biology at UCSD, earned her master’s degree in medical anthropology at Harvard, and her medical degree in 2019 from UCLA PRIME.

Currently, Dr. Estrada is in her second year of residency in family medicine in Chula Vista. Dr. Estrada’s research is in border health and she serves primarily the Latinx community in both the hospital and in local clinics. In looking back at her memories of the Carlsbad Educational Foundation, Allison loved the music program including performing in the CEF Telethon. Thank you for attending this panel in support of Carlsbad students.

Jenée Peevy, has been employed with the San Diego County Office of Education for over 14 years; in Student Program and Services. Currently, she is a Program Specialist, Manager of School Social Work Services. Graduated from San Diego State University in 1999 with Master’s degree in Social Work Administration; specializing in Children Youth and Families. She also holds a BS in Criminal Justice Administration; minoring in Sociology/Juvenile Delinquency. In 2015, obtained PPS Credential in School Social Work/Child Welfare & Attendance. For the past 13 years, Jenée has served as a Social Work Field Instructor/Supervisor for several universities; providing this service to students obtaining their BSW, MSW and PPSC in social work. She supports San Diego County school districts with social-emotional/mental health, emotional literacy programs, parent workshops, truancy prevention and Restorative Practices.

Personally, Jenée is the proud mother of five children ages 35-15; 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. She is very involved in the community; and has served on many boards and volunteers her time to support the youth. Currently, she serves as the secretary for the California Association of School Social Workers (CASSW) and the Region E Director for the National Association of Social Work (NASW).

Scott Schimmel is a constant student of helping people grow.

As President & Chief Guide of the YouSchool, he is responsible for leading the charge with schools, athletes, and veterans, ensuring that everything they do delivers on the mission and vision.

After being rescued from a career path headed into corporate finance, and spending over ten years at a non-profit leadership development organization in higher education, helping develop college students into world changers, Scott is deeply aware of the challenges people face when transitioning into the ‘real’ world. This is why he’s invested his time guiding students, athletes, and veterans to discover and write their own stories.

Outside of the YouSchool, Scott is an avid reader, speaker, writer, and golf fiend. He serves on the board of UrbanLife in City Heights and is the co-host of Bob Goff’s Dream Big Podcast. His wife and three children keep him anchored.