Steve Martinez, Superintendent, Twin Rivers Unified

To Staff and our Twin Rivers Families,

How many times have you heard that learning is a journey? It is, but as all of us know, that journey is rarely smooth. It’s a path of stops, starts, and unexpected turns that each student navigates at their own pace.

With National School Counseling Week (Feb. 2–6) approaching, I’ve been thinking about the people who help our students navigate those turns. Our District is supported by 72 dedicated school counselors -- 64 serving at our school sites and 8 at the District Office -- who work every day to turn our students’ challenges into growth.

The 2026 National School Counseling Week theme is “School Counselors Amplify Student Success,” focusing on their impact on academic, career, and social-emotional development. We often see progress in a grade or a finished project. But other days, it’s much quieter. It shows up when a student finally speaks up to ask a question they’ve been holding onto. It’s there when they push through the frustration of a task that just isn't clicking, or when they decide to try one more time after a setback. These are the moments where our counselors truly shine. Their work goes far beyond academics. They help students process moments of feeling overwhelmed and help them regain their footing. Whether they are guiding a student through a conflict with a friend or giving them the tools to handle pressure, they provide the steady, supportive presence our students need when the world around them starts to feel a little too loud and distracting.

Please join me in recognizing our dedicated counselors and the many adults who support our students in countless ways. Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping every student discover what they are truly capable of accomplishing.

#TRUSDProud Alert!

Congratulations to educator Sarah Lanning! She has been nominated for National Life Group’s 2025-26 LifeChanger of the Year award, which recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the country who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of students. Ms. Lanning is a former Foothill High School math teacher and currently serves as a Content Area Instructional Coach. Since 2011, LifeChanger of the Year has recognized and rewarded more than 8,600 K-12 teachers, administrators, and school employees in more than 2,300 school districts. The program has awarded over $850,000 in cash prizes to winners and their schools for making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, and leadership.

With much appreciation,

Steve Martinez, Ed.D.

Superintendent, Twin Rivers Unified