The California School-Age Consortium is proud to highlight Damian Reyna from CalSAC's Leadership Development Institute 360°/365 fellowship. Damian is a leader who has demonstrated unrivaled commitment to the field and drive for advanced leadership in the out-of-school time and early learning field.
Damian Reyna, California Teaching Fellows Foundation - Fresno
Damian Reyna has been working with youth since 2009. He began his career in education as an afterschool tutor and a coach with the California Teaching Fellow Foundation where he quickly saw the impact and the value that a quality afterschool programs can have on improving the lives of young people. He is passionate about serving his community and views afterschool as the perfect catalyst to help improve the lives of others. He believes that every student deserves to have access to a high-quality education and that education is the key to improving communities.
Damian has had the opportunity to work in the afterschool field for almost 10 years. During this time, he has been a site lead at two ASES funded middle school after school programs, and helped coordinate one of the biggest summer programs in the state with After School University, based out of Fresno, which has reached over 1,000 students each summer. He has also worked as a Site Liaison with California Teaching Fellows. As a liaison, he has had the pleasure of serving the Tulare County and Madera Unified areas.
One of Damian’s fondest memories of working with afterschool programs has been coordinating field trips for students to have the opportunity to expand their horizons and to experience events that they may not have had without their afterschool programs. Among those field trips are trips to UCLA, Stanford, the San Jose Tech Museum, snowboarding at China Peak, in-depth tours of Fresno State University, and even coordinating a trip for a group of elementary students to attend a Summer Matters Rally in Sacramento.
Damian has a passion for being able to have students showcase their achievements and has been a part of coordinating many events that have allowed them to do so. Some events have included summer program culminating events at Fresno State, end of the year afterschool program showcases at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, and district showcases in Central Unified and Dinuba Unified school districts.
Damian has also been in charge of a high school internship program in which the program provided valuable work experience and workshops for Fresno Unified high school students.
Damian hopes to continue his work and follow his passion of providing opportunities for the youth in his community.