Sycuan Education Department

Sycuan recognizes the future of Sycuan’s social and economic advancement depends on Sycuan’s future leaders. Education is essential for the revitalization, retention, and maintenance of traditional knowledge that was passed down through our ancestors.

Sycuan identifies the crucial role of Indigenous knowledge as an integral part of Nation building in the present and future education of its tribal members and the Kumeyaay Nation at large.

Mission Statement

To empower, educate, and support the development of Sycuan youth to be innovative and empathetic leaders.

Vision Statement

Is that every Sycuan Scholar creates a personalized path that aligns with their purpose and upholds the mission and sovereignty of the Kumeyaay nation.

Leadership Team

Director of Education: Benoni Pantoja

Phone: (619) 659 - 5897 Ext. 302

Cell: (858) 758 - 0203

Email: bpantoja@sycuanedu.org

Office Manager: Aurora Duenas

Phone: (619) 659 - 5897

Email: aduenas@sycuanedu.org

ITP Lead Teacher: Viviana Ramirez

Phone: (619) 659 - 5897 Ext. 305

Email: vramirez@sycuanedu.org

Learning Center Lead Teacher: Nabila Kalu

Phone: (619) 659 - 5897 Ext. 312

Email: nkalu@sycuanedu.org

Teen Center & Young Adult Center Lead Teacher: Martha Tompkins

Phone: (619) 659 - 5897 Ext. 313

Email: mtompkins@sycuanedu.org

We have established the 5 P’s Framework:

Purpose, Perseveration of Culture & Language, Personalized Learning, Pathways – Cradle to Career, and Project for the future, to enhance our efforts to empower our community.

Sycuan Educational Programs

The Infant, Toddler, & Preschool Program (ITP)

Our Infant and Toddler and Preschool Programs (ITP) are designed to support young learners through age-appropriate, engaging activities. We nurture infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with developmentally appropriate lessons that incorporate cultural values, Spanish, and Kumeyaay language. Our curriculum fosters social, cognitive, and emotional growth, inspiring and challenging each child while preparing them for academic success. Essential playtime, experimentation, and kinesthetic learning are integral to our daily program, ensuring a well- rounded learning experience for every child.

Sycuan Learning Center

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The Learning Center provides academic and social-emotional support to Transitional Kindergarten through 5th-grade students of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Our team of educated teachers and tutors develops supplemental and enrichment opportunities to promote skills that will benefit students in school, family life, and the larger community. Throughout the academic year, we offer after-school homework assistance, cultural enrichment in collaboration with the Sycuan Cultural Department, social-emotional learning, and 21st- century skill development. During spring, summer, and fall school breaks, our all-day program enriches the minds and spirits of our youth through engaging science, math, art, and literacy projects, field trips, activities with the Sycuan Recreation Department, and other opportunities for growth and learning as they progress into adolescence.

Sycuan Teen & Young Adult Center (TYAC)

The Teen and Young Adult Center is dedicated to empowering Sycuan scholars from middle school through young adulthood. We offer numerous opportunities to develop essential skills in reading literacy, computer literacy, and numeracy. Our team of four teachers monitors each student's academic progress and creates individualized plans to address both their educational and social-emotional needs.

During the school year, we focus primarily on after-school tutoring and partner with the Cultural and Recreation Departments to provide a variety of enrichment activities. Our students have daily access to an art area where they can explore their creativity through painting on canvas, working with clay, 3D printing, and sketching. The center’s art display highlights the positive impact of this restorative practice.

In the summer, our objective shifts to offering opportunities for students to explore career pathways and readiness, home economics, financial literacy, and community service. These programs are paired with fun activities to incentivize participation.

This past year, we expanded our program to include young adults who are taking college courses or working toward their high school diplomas. These older students attend the center year-round, developing the skills needed to navigate a purpose-driven life and contribute to the advancement of the Kumeyaay Nation Community.