http://leonfoundation.blogspot.com
Dr.
Joyce Leon-Gomez is an enthusiastic, dedicated and innovative person who is
passionate for education and having a sustained impact on children’s education
that goes beyond expectations. Joyce believes that every child must be part of
the global communication community through the use of technology, to pursue a
technical career or higher education and to be multilingual to have more
opportunities and to progress in life.
Before
establishing the LEON FOUNDATION, Joyce taught at two Catholic Schools in
Sacramento, Holy Spirit and Saint John Notre Dame in Folsom where she was a
Spanish teacher for 604 students and was the instructor for 18 classrooms from
K to 8th grade in both schools. In that capacity she was widely
recognized for working tirelessly to demand greater standards of education in
second language and provide meaningful improvement. Joyce achieved the highest
standards at the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Sacramento in Spanish education
that had ever occurred in the history of the Catholic schools.
In
2004 Dr, Leon developed the Foreign Language three years In-Depth Study for
Holy Spirit School, WCEA/WASC Western Catholic Education Association and
Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Dr.
Leon wrote her own Spanish books to be used by students from K-6th
grade at Saint John Notre Dame School, from 2003-2005.
In
2004 she received the Golden and Diamond Web Award 2003-2004, from the
International Association of Web Masters and Designers for her Spanish Language
Website at Saint John Notre Dame School that provided another dimension for
students to be creative, communicative and to be informed.
On
February 19, 2005 Dr. Leon received a Letter of Recognition from the Superintendent
of the Diocese of Sacramento, Mr. Don Puglisi, for the tremendous
accomplishment of the Bilingual Newspaper, “El Periodico Bilingue.” This was
the first bilingual newspaper within the Catholic schools published by an 8th
grade class.
Dr.
Leon, on April 26, 2005 was also praised by Former President Bush and Mrs.
Laura Bush for providing knowledge and guidance to eight grade students of
Saint John Notre Dame School to create their first bilingual newspaper with
full support of the community, which developed recommendations to build a
Spanish Language program of higher education that would be among the best in
California. Her tenure had a lasting impact in shaping students to achieve
higher education and encourage them to be multilingual. During her tenure she
initiated and oversaw a number of highly innovative programs focused on raising
achievement standards to a degree that her schools could compete with the best
in the nation. She effectively established partnerships with her community, as
well as business leaders to improve instruction and achievement and build a
Spanish program to support the Spanish learning process. Her devotion to
children and educational opportunity and excellence was quickly recognized.
On
June 7, 2005 she was again recognized by the Superintendent of the Diocese of
Sacramento, Mr. Don Puglisi for her tremendous dedication, leadership and
singular devotion in favor of the students, which included a groundbreaking
requirement that schools must take specific steps and detail their investments
in proven practices and programs to address improvement in the Spanish
Language.
Dr.
Leon was honored for her leadership in Foreign Language Education by Licenciado
Victor Gonzales Andrade, Mayor of Chaclacayo in Lima Peru and on July 9, 2005, Dr.
Leon answered the call to take an education agenda out of Peru for three
consecutive years, as Honorary Ambassador of Education for Chaclacayo-Lima,
Peru. In this role, she has worked with
Cultural Institutions to promote bilingual education. Dr. Leon has visited
schools and met with students in nations that include Canada, Spain, Greece,
Portugal, Italy, France, Israel, Pakistan, Andorra, Pyrenees Alps, Morocco,
Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and several States in USA with a
particular focus on encouraging them to pursue their education.
On
July 07, 2005 Dr. Leon by Resolution of Alcaldia No 293-05 received recognition
for her invaluable work and capacitating in favor of personnel of Seguridad
Vecinal and her contribution to the service of the Peruvian education from the
District of Chaclacayo-Lima, Peru.
Dr.
Leon’s personal experiences as the oldest of six children in a family that
emigrated from Peru shaped her commitment to a career in public service, which
began in 1979 when Mr. Dennis Brown Principal of USDM gave her the opportunity
to become a teacher with the Unified School District of Morgan Hill, CA. Later,
Dr. Leon served and implemented the Spanish Program for adults however, she
choose to move from the bay Area to Sacramento and her students among them
nurses, veterinarian, doctors, engineer and business owners gave her 37 letters
of recommendation. This was very inspiring and endearing for her.
She
volunteered to provide Spanish Language instruction for Prayer Mountain Church
in Rescue, CA during the year 2001.
In
1997, she joined the US. Navy and received an honorable discharge in 2005.
Hardly speaking the English language, she was tested and passed all the
military tests and was accepted in the US Navy. Her first school training was
at The Naval Reserve Management School in New Orleans and was awarded a special
academic achievement diploma.
On
March 18, 2004 she took the Oath for Naturalization as an American Citizen and
since then she has honored her oath to the United States of America.
During
2008, she taught 3rd grade Catechesis at Holy Trinity School in El
Dorado Hills, CA. Also from September 27, 2003 to March 15, 2011 she took Bible
Lessons in the Diocese of Sacramento because, spiritual life based in values
and moral is very important to her.
Dr.
Leon was a volunteer translator for the Bishops office of the Diocese of
Sacramento during 2009 and 2010. She translated documents from English to
Spanish and from Spanish to English.
Dr.
Leon traveled to Europe and received studies in “Iberian Cultures and
Societies,” “Practicas Comunicativas Globales” and “Theology” at the prestigious
University of Salamanca, in Spain during the year 2008.
In
2006, Dr. Leon was invited by the President of the University of Sacramento,
Father Robert Presutti, to join the
Master of Liberal Arts of Education Program from 2006-2010. On June 21,
2011 she received her Master Degree in Theology and Faith Formation.
On
October 9, 2009 Dr. Leon founded the LEON FOUNDATION a non-profit organization
in the State of California under 501 © (3) to support children’s education in
Peru through technology and to expand to all South America. This was a dream
that came true! She established the Leon Foundation to honor the memory of her
father Raul A. Leon Zarate, who strongly believed in giving back to the
community and who had strong devotion toward helping others. Dr. Leon remembers
her father as a compassionate person who every moment of every day was
dedicated to help others and to encourage them to achieve higher education
emphasizing humanitarian values and professional proficiency. She is committed
to the Leon Foundation to reach out to others following her father’s
example.
On
December 24, 2010 Dr. Leon made the First Computer Donation to La Cena del
Senor Church in the community of Santa Anita, Lima- Peru in a very special
ceremony during the Christmas Eve Mass with the presence of more than one
thousand people from the community. The funds that made that donation possible
came from supporters from all over the world, family, friends and local
businesses in the USA. This technological aid is supporting technological
education for more than 350 children.
On
January 10, 2011 Dr. Leon was appointed member of the Board of Directors of the
House of Hope, a non-profit organization that provides medical social and
educational assistance to young people in Sacramento, CA.
On
November 16, 2011 under her leadership the Leon Foundation’s accomplishments
were made possible through the diligent efforts of the Leon Foundation’s staff,
the enduring support from the Leon Foundation Board of Directors, and the
essential and growing involvement and contributions from supporters, family,
friends and volunteers. Dr. Leon in representation of the Leon Foundation gave an
invigorating support to the community of Moron-Peru with the implementation of
the computer laboratory for Juan Pablo II School that has an enrollment of 520
students. She took the time to work with the teachers in the Department of
Education at Juan Pablo II School to launch the project “Knowing my District”
and to develop a plan for the year 2012 regarding “Environment and Health” a project
supporting critical thinkers and future leaders. She created the Health Brigade
2012 at Juan Pablo II School to cultivate middle and high school students’
appreciation for the place where they study, for civic engagement and community
service on their path to adulthood.
Dr.
Joyce Leon was born on October 21, 1960, in Peru. Joyce’s humility and sense of
hopefulness is inspirational. She has
brought hope to children in need of technology and initiated change for the
common good. Prior to coming to the USA, she earned a Medical degree and worked
for several years as the President of an institution in favor of abandoned
children custodian by the Feminine Police in Salamanca-Peru. She was one of the
Presidents of the “Asociacion de Vecinos de Villa Jardin,” Lima-Peru. She
started her humanitarian work at age 17 supporting medical campaigns offered by
the PPC at El Cerro El Augustino in Lima.
Joyce has her supportive and lovely Mother, Abby and five sisters, Julia,
Annette, Jacqueline, Elizabeth and Maria. She also has two nephews, Raul and
Giancarlo, and one niece, Shannaleah.
She
married an unconditional and kindhearted husband, Colonel US Army Augustine
Gomez. She likes to travel with her husband, meet people, learn from other
cultures and enjoy nature. The Leon-Gomez family includes one dog, Tuffy and
one orange canary, Pavarotti.
