Joe Taylor
I attended and graduated from the University of California, Davis back in 1973. My degree earned was a B.A. in History and I specialized in Ancient African Civilizations. I later completed a Life Teaching Credential in Social Studies and also earned a Administrative Service Credential both at California State University, Sacramento.
I began my Education career as Teacher at the California Youth Authority O.H. Close School in Stockton, California in 1986. I taught History, Social Studies, Physical Education and also worked overtime on nights and weekends on the living units. After teaching for eight years and wanting to get into education administration I promoted to Supervisor of Academic Instruction (SAI) at the Department of Corrections(CDC), California Medical Facility(CMF) in Vacaville, California. As the SAI at CMF I supervised academic programs for inmates at the medical facility in various categories. After three years at CMF., I promoted to Supervisor of Correctional Education Programs (SCEP) at the Correctional Training Facility(CTF) in Soledad, California. Here I supervised academic and vocational education programs for inmates and also served on a number of statewide education committees for the CDC. As a result after one year at Soledad I was promoted to SCEP at the Education and Inmate Programs Unit(EIPU) at CDC Headquarters in Sacramento, California. My duties included working on a statewide basis with all 22 CDC institutions to provide monitoring of all academic and vocational programs, serving on numerous CDC committees, recruiting education personnel, liaison with the Department of Education(CDE), providing testimonies at the State Legislature and providing training sessions and seminars on CDC education procedures.
After nine years of working for CDC, I moved to the Sacramento County Office of Education(SCOE). I was hired at SCOE to be a Principal of Court School Programs and to expand these programs throughout Sacramento County. In addition I served as Principal at the Sacramento County Boys Ranch and also Juvenile Hall. I was also concurrently the Child Welfare and Attendance Administrator(CWA) for SCOE. In this role I coordinated attendance and truancy programs for the sixteen School Districts in Sacramento County. I also chaired a number of statewide committee on CWA policies and procedures. I also was the Sacramento County School Attendance Review Board(SARB)Chairperson and CDE State SARB representative for Sacramento County.
After 15 years working at SCOE I retired in 2011. I hope my many years experience working at what was previously the California Youth Authority and the adult Department of Corrections which has now combined into the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and also my experience working at the Sacramento County Office of Education will be a resource for your Board. I believe I have a very good perspective on how to work with former wards and inmates to help them reenter and be successful in society.
