Have you ever been to a primary care doctor and wondered why they focus on treating symptoms instead of addressing the root cause of your illness? Rather than take a patient-centered approach to address questions like, “Why are you ill?” they prescribe medications that alleviate symptoms but don’t do much to solve the underlying issue that’s causing you to be sick.
When you have a runny nose, you’re handed an antihistamine. When you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you’re prescribed a pill that treats the number. The truth is that this approach only tackles your symptoms. When the root cause isn’t fixed, your symptoms can get exponentially worse. Remember - your body’s dysfunction isn’t due to your meds not working.
This begs the question: Wouldn't you rather address the underlying cause of your health concerns so you can experience long-term relief? As a naturopathic doctor in Escondido, CA, Dr. Erica Oberg takes a functional approach to medicine and well-being instead of treating the symptoms her patients endure.
Health is a state of vibrant vitality, abundant energy, and positive affect. It can be learned, cultivated, and practiced by everyone. Dr. Oberg's approach to health and medicine combines the rigors of science with the wisdom of nature and our bodies. She is passionate about helping people experience a higher level of health and vitality. As such, her clinical practice focuses on preventing, reversing, and taming chronic disease, neuro-degeneration, and anti-aging.
Dr. Oberg specializes in nutrition & lifestyle, IV therapy, and identifying the underlying causes of disease using advanced testing and creating customized treatment plans to help individuals dial in their lifestyle, dietary supplements, peptides, bioidentical hormones, anti-aging pharmaceuticals, and more. If you’re looking for individualized, science-based, proactive functional, integrative, or natural medicine, we believe you’ll resonate with Dr. Oberg and work your way through life’s challenges with help from our functional medicine clinic in Escondido, CA.
Dr. Oberg and her team of licensed providers specialize in a range of naturopathic and science-based services, including but not limited to:
If you're ready to reclaim your vitality and learn more about Dr. Oberg's approach to health and medicine, we make it easy to get started. The first step is to have a complimentary 15-minute phone call to ask questions and determine if her approach is a good fit. Once Dr. Oberg understands your health needs and goals, your journey to optimal health and wellness truly begins.
Now that you know more about what makes Dr. Oberg different from other physicians, let's dig a little deeper into some of the most popular programs and clinical services offered at her functional medicine clinic.
As people get older, many things change in life. Often, those changes are good, like having more self-control, financial freedom, and patience. Others are hard to deal with, especially when they're out of our control. Like all things in life, our hormones change when we get older. These fluctuations can cause problems for both men and women, including:
If those symptoms sound familiar, you're not alone. A 2019 American Psychological Association survey found that almost half of women aged 30 to 60 in the US have experienced symptoms of a hormonal imbalance. Of course, as men age, they suffer from imbalanced hormones, too. Research from BodyLogicMD states that nearly 38% of males in America aged 45 and older have a testosterone deficiency.
The good news is that balancing your hormones and addressing the root cause of your symptoms doesn’t have to be hard. It’s a realistic goal with Dr. Oberg by your side. As a functional medicine doctor in Escondido, CA, she can help your body metabolize and detoxify both your own hormones and the endocrine-disrupting chemicals infiltrating your life. When your hormones are in harmony, you experience improved energy, mood, and overall health – and that’s something to be excited about.
Our comprehensive Three-Month Hormone Balancing Program is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to take control of your hormonal health. This is no "one-and-done service" - it's a holistic journey that spans three transformative months, offering the support and guidance to become confident, capable, and healthier than ever. Features of our hormone balancing program include:
You will receive support throughout your journey from Dr. Oberg, who will provide healthcare services, and our health coaches, who offers personalized coaching tailored to your specific needs.
Nutrition has a significant impact on hormonal health. A customized hormone-balancing diet plan will be provided to help nourish the body optimally based on individual goals.
We provide a range of practical strategies and tips for regulating hormone balance through your nervous system. These techniques aim to empower you to take control of your well-being.
When appropriate, we’ll prescribe you hormone replacement therapy (HRT), testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), or growth hormone peptide therapy to help balance your hormones.
At our functional medical office, we make it a point to correct the root causes of our patient's problems. We don't treat symptoms - but we do use them to figure out the underlying issues you're facing. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it could be time to consider HRT.
When you mention hormone replacement therapy, most people think the treatment is exclusively for females going through menopause. While that's partially true - HRT can relieve night sweats, hot flashes, and other menopause-related problems - men also deal with imbalanced hormones.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in male sexual health. Low levels can result in decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual performance issues. Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection may be a sign of imbalanced hormones or low testosterone levels.
When your sleep patterns change - like when you have trouble falling or staying asleep - it could be a sign of a hormone imbalance. Testosterone is involved in regulating the sleep cycle, and insufficient levels of it can disrupt quality rest.
Imbalances in hormones can affect mental health and mood. If a man shows signs of irritability, mood swings, or depression, it could indicate low testosterone or other hormonal issues. Hormone replacement therapy can help regulate mood by balancing your hormone levels.
Menopause happens when a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for at least 12 consecutive months. It is a result of declining sex hormone levels, causing the ovaries to stop releasing egg cells. During menopause, women face a range of challenges.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in male sexual health. Low levels can result in decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual performance issues. Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection may be a sign of imbalanced hormones or low testosterone levels.
Irregular menstrual cycles are a common sign that women are nearing menopause, and their hormone levels may be shifting. The frequency of their periods may increase or decrease, and the amount of bleeding could be more or less than usual, while also lasting for a shorter or longer time.
Hot flashes are perhaps the most well-known symptom of menopause and a frequent sign that a woman's hormones are imbalanced. Hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth and sweating that are usually most intense on your face, neck, and chest.
Don't let hormone imbalances dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your balance, energy, and vitality. By working together with Dr. Oberg and her team, you can unlock the path to a healthier, more harmonious you.
When you choose Dr. Oberg as your naturopathic doctor in Escondido, CA, a new world of healthy living and wellness options are at your disposal. One of the most popular and effective ways to give your body the goodness it needs is with custom IV therapy at our functional medicine office.
Customized IV therapy from Dr. Oberg is all about tailoring your treatment to meet your health goals and needs. Unlike one-size-fits-all IV clinics, our team considers factors like nutrient deficiencies, hydration levels, and overall health to create a customized infusion. This personalized approach gives you better and more applicable results, whether you're looking to get a boost of energy, fortify your immune system, or get relief from a specific ailment.
Your custom IV therapy begins with a consultation with Dr. Oberg. During your initial meeting, we’ll get a better sense of what your brain and body needs. From there, we’ll create a custom infusion for you – not just a formula that matches your height, weight, and age.
Our IV drip therapy menu includes infusions such as:
IV therapy is considered one of the best ways to get the nutrients and immune-boosting goodness your body needs because it gives you a more direct, efficient means of delivery. Unlike oral supplement, which often falls short due to digestive limitations, IV therapy ensures swift and comprehensive nutrient absorption. Some of the biggest benefits of IV therapy from a functional medicine doctor in Escondido, CA include the following:
IV fluids and electrolytes rapidly hydrate your body, providing an efficient remedy for dehydration resulting from illness, physical activity, or excessive alcohol intake.
IV treatment is able to increase energy and fight tiredness, which can make you feel re-energized.
IV infusions containing immune-enhancing vitamins and antioxidants can fortify your immune system and assist in recovering from illness.
IV therapy containing growth factors, exosomes, and vitamins is effective in improving the health and appearance of the skin and hair. These components complement hair and facial microneedling treatments exceptionally well.
IV therapy can help reduce the symptoms of toxic exposure, like headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dehydration, whether it's from a basic hangover or prolonged exposure to molds, heavy metals, or other toxins.
Dr. Oberg’s personalized IV infusions can serve as an initial boost for making lifestyle changes and play a role in a sustained plan to control persistent conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cancer, heart disease, and others.
Support Mitochondria function and Anti-aging
Dr. Oberg offers carefully sourced and research backed regenerative therapies such as exosome and stem cell infusions. These can be powerful options for people recovering from chronic infections such as long COVID or Epstein Barr or Lyme. They are also powerful for neuro-regeneration and we frequently use them in stroke recovery and for traumatic brain injury.
Dr. Oberg offers personalized IV micronutrient therapy tailored to address specific nutritional deficiencies, hydration needs, and overall health. This therapy is based on advanced testing that evaluates your cells' nutrient levels. Whether you need more energy, a stronger immune system, or relief from different health issues, IV drip therapy can be customized to help you rediscover the very best version of yourself.
As we get older, our bodies experience a range of changes that affect our health and appearance. These changes are primarily caused by issues with mitochondria and cellular aging. However, there have been significant developments in regenerative medicine, offering the potential to turn back the hands of time and improve health. Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Oberg to begin your journey with regenerative medicine.
Regenerative medicine is an exciting, innovative field that centers on activating your body's innate regenerative abilities to repair and revitalize tissues, cells, and organs. Its focus is on improving your body's natural healing processes to counteract the impacts of aging and different health issues. If you find that old, nagging injuries won’t go away or that fine lines and wrinkles have become overwhelming, anti-aging medicine from a functional medicine doctor in Escondido, CA may be perfect for you.
At our naturopathic medical office, we use treatments like IV therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and Peptide Therapy to manage a broad array of health and aesthetic concerns. These treatments can aid in tissue repair, inflammation reduction, and enhancement of cellular function.
Anti-aging services offered at our functional medicine clinic include the following:
Peptides are fundamental components of proteins and play a crucial role in various biological processes, such as the aging process. Dr. Oberg offers peptide treatments to help counteract age-related decline, enhance muscle growth and performance, improve skin health, and more.
When you bring your hormones back into balance, you can fight back against issues such as fatigue, mood swings, reduced libido, and even erectile dysfunction.
Replenish vital nutrients, antioxidants, and hydration for improved energy levels, skin health, and immune support.
Exosomes are tiny vesicles generated from mesenchymal stem cells. These vesicles serve as powerful communicators, transmitting signals to various tissues in the body. Their main function is to trigger healing, regeneration, and repair processes, mimicking the actions of younger cells. They are considered to be one of the most effective strategies for combating the aging process.
When nutrition guidance, lifestyle adaptations, and powerful supplements are combined with naturopathic medical therapies from Dr. Oberg, you can reverse chronic diseases in your life and reach your anti-aging goals.
Our goal with regenerative medicine treatments is to rejuvenate deteriorating or aging tissue. Our approach to treatment centers on fixing and reversing damage instead of solely addressing symptoms like pain. Regenerative medicine harnesses the power of healthy cells to renew and restore function by enhancing the body's innate capacity for self-healing.
Dr. Oberg uses regenerative medicine to treat a range of issues, both aesthetic and injury-related, including the following:
Experience the future of anti-aging and regenerative medicine with Dr. Erica Oberg. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and embark on your journey to a healthier, more youthful you.
When you visit our functional medicine clinic, you can rest easy knowing Dr. Erica Oberg uses her unique skills, knowledge, and naturopathic principles for the betterment of your health and well-being. Unlike many traditional primary care providers, our team combines the best aspects of traditional wisdom and modern scientific medicine to diagnose, treat, and prevent chronic diseases.
You don't have to worry about us suggesting addictive pain medications or treatments that simply mask your aesthetic or medical challenges. Instead, our goal is to address the underlying factors holding you back. If you're ready to take the first step toward purposeful progress and healthy living, contact us today.
Sat, Sep 14, 2024 at 12:00 PMGrape Day Park, 321 N Broadway, Escondido, CA, 92025More info hereCome one, come all, Escondido’s oldest and most famous festival returns on Saturday, September 14th, 2024, from 12pm-6pm.The Grape Day festival will take place in Grape Day...
Come one, come all, Escondido’s oldest and most famous festival returns on Saturday, September 14th, 2024, from 12pm-6pm.
The Grape Day festival will take place in Grape Day Park, home to the original festival in the heart of Escondido, next to our beautiful City Hall and the California Center for the Arts.
The Festival will once again celebrate the early days of Escondido, when agriculture was “King” and festival goers traveled from all across the state to see why Escondido was hailed as a great place to grow sweet grapes and a central hub of citrus and other crops. From 1908 to 1950, it drew thousands of Southern Californians and rivaled Pasadena’s Festival of Roses in attendance.
The festival was re-invigorated to its early years in 2022, with a genuine focus on celebrating the traditions of Escondido’s glorious past. The 2024 festival promises to keep that tradition alive, with something for all ages to enjoy. Cynthia Castaneda, the Escondido History Center Executive Director recalls, “Grape Day is Escondido’s fun one-day history lesson and free to attend!”
To celebrate the grape, there will be grape stomping for all ages to enjoy and free table grapes handed out as guests enter the festival, just like they did back in the original festival in 1908. Attendees can enjoy entertainment on the main stage from Swing Jazz to Bluegrass and as well as Wild Wonders Animals and talented Mariachi. Across Grape Day Park will be artisans and crafters, showing how things were made back in the day and selling their wares, with live demonstrations of spinning, weaving, corn shelling and grinding and butter making. Antique farm and mining machinery as well as early-century vehicles will be on display for all to see. New this year, there will also be a spectacular display by James Stone, expert glass blower, and his team, doing a live glass-blowing demonstration in front of the train depot. The Blacksmith shop and Wheelwright shops will be open, demonstrating their crafts as well.
Kids can get their faces painted, balloons twisted and enjoy an entire Kids Zone dedicated to old fashioned fun and games, including the 4-H petting zoo. Hollandia Dairy will be onsite with a cow milking display and a local boy scout troop will have a rope ladder course for kids to try out.
Adults can head over to the wine and beer garden to savor the area's finest local wines and craft beers, with wineries and breweries participating from across San Diego county. Tickets for wine and beer tasting are available online on Eventbrite and at the door. (Advance online tickets are discounted)
There will also be a food court, with tasty food offerings for everyone to enjoy, from Mexican food to Barbeque and Hong Kong style foods. Also, enjoy ice cream, hot popcorn, roasted peanuts, shaved ice, and cold drinks while you take in the festival. Local Native American, first responder, and other community organizations will be there to showcase their contributions to the community and answer questions.
The Grape Day Festival is produced by the Escondido History Center, in partnership with the Brothers of 6 Charities, a local organization dedicated to preserving history, honoring veterans, and enhancing the community. Together, they bring renewed energy and enthusiasm to once again make this year’s Grape Day a fun and memorable celebration of Escondido’s agricultural heritage
The students are among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the running to be named a National Merit Scholar.Kristina Houck, Patch StaffESCONDIDO, CA — Dozens of San Diego area students — including two in Escondido — were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced this week.The students are among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the running to be...
Kristina Houck, Patch Staff
ESCONDIDO, CA — Dozens of San Diego area students — including two in Escondido — were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced this week.
The students are among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the running to be named a National Merit Scholar, and receive a $2,500 scholarship to help them further their education. Roughly 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million will be awarded next spring, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
To become a finalist, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application that provides information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. They must also be recommended by a high school official, receive SAT or ACT scores high enough to qualify, and write an essay.
About 95% of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists are expected to win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Winners will be announced between April and July 2025.
These are the semifinalists in San Diego County:
Carlsbad
Army and Navy Academy
Carlsbad High School
Pacific Ridge School
Sage Creek High School
Chula Vista
Olympian High School
El Cajon
Granite Hills High School
Encinitas
The Grauer School
San Dieguito Academy
Escondido
Classical Academy High School
San Pasqual High School
La Jolla
The Bishop's School
La Jolla Country Day School
La Jolla High School
La Mesa
Helix Charter High School
Oceanside
El Camino High School
Poway
Poway High School
Rancho Santa Fe
High Bluff Academy
San Diego
Cal Coast Academy
The Cambridge School
Canyon Crest Academy
Del Norte High School
Francis W. Parker School
Mission Bay High School
Morse High School
Mount Carmel High School
Mount Everest Academy
Rancho Bernardo High School
Scripps Ranch High School
Torrey Pines High School
University City High School
Westview High School
San Marcos
San Marcos High School
Santee
West Hills High School
Solana Beach
Santa Fe Christian School
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Neighbor News|5d
Some county leaders are considering a moratorium on lithium-battery storage facilities after a couple of fires broken out at two sites in the county, most recently Escondido on Thursday, prompting evacuations of residents and businesses.Nancy Jennings lives in Escondido, just a few miles from the fire. She was forced out of her home Thursday due to a power outage. She said an SDG&E representative told her extreme heat caused the power to go out.The fire forced nearby businesses to evacuate, and the Escondido Union School Di...
Some county leaders are considering a moratorium on lithium-battery storage facilities after a couple of fires broken out at two sites in the county, most recently Escondido on Thursday, prompting evacuations of residents and businesses.
Nancy Jennings lives in Escondido, just a few miles from the fire. She was forced out of her home Thursday due to a power outage. She said an SDG&E representative told her extreme heat caused the power to go out.
The fire forced nearby businesses to evacuate, and the Escondido Union School District announced it's canceling school operations at a number of sites. NBC 7's Dave Summers reports.
“When I had called SDG&E and spoke to their representative, she had checked with her people there, and what they told her was that the fire had damaged SDG&E's equipment and that was why the outage and why it took so long to repair — because it was over 12 hours,” Jennings said.
SDG&E has not confirmed a connection between the fire and the power outage at Jenning's home.
Jennings is not a normal utility customer — in fact, Jennings relies on power for survival.
“Appliances? Who cares? I can do without," Jennings said. "I can't do without my oxygen."
San Diego Unified School District Sep 17
Jennings said that, even before the fire broke out, she and many of her neighbors opposed the battery facilities in their community.
“It's just too dangerous,” Jennings said.
County Supervisor Jim Desmond for District 5 expressed a similar sentiment.
“We’re getting way too many fires from these types of battery storage facilities, and we need to get some more, unfortunately, some more regulations in place to make sure they’re safe,” Desmond said.
On Wednesday, the county board of supervisors is going to consider guidelines and a potential moratorium on the battery energy storage facilities.
Desmond said the moratorium would only apply to battery systems that need county permits. He said that, of the nearly 50 such sites across San Diego County, about 80% don’t require county permitting because they get approval through the California Public Utilities Commission.
“I don’t think a moratorium is required, but I do recommend that communities, like Poway, due to the level of detail that Poway did,” Kevin Smith, CEO of Arevon Energy said.
Arevon Energy is a company that owns six operating battery storage facilities and has additional sites in development, including one in Poway.
“We’ve got state-of-the-art technology, a perfect track record on safety on our energy storage projects,” Smith said.
Smith said battery storage facilities build grid stability, reduce brownouts and blackouts, and add renewable energy to the grid.
However, Desmond said, more regulations should be considered to ensure the safety of the community.
“We have to put some sort of safeguards in place to where any new ones have to have the latest and greatest technology for fire suppression, fire detection, and we have to make sure that those work,” Desmond said.
Another energy storage project has been proposed right around the corner from Jenning's home.
“They need to figure out a better solution," Jennings said. "It does not belong in this valley or anywhere near residences."
In a statement to NBC 7, SDG&E said in part, “Over the coming weeks, the Escondido Fire Department and SDG&E will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire."
Former engineer and battery storage facility developer Joe Rowley said location is key.
“What's needed here, and I think it's needed urgently, is a moratorium on projects that are located near homes, schools and hospitals,” Rowley said.
That said, Rowley added that a pause would slow the momentum San Diego is building toward using 100% green energy by 2045.
Beyond that, the power grid leans on battery storage.
“These projects are necessary in order to move solar and solar energy from the daytime to the evening and nighttime, and without batteries, that can't be done,” Rowley said.
NBC 7 also received the following statement from SDG&E:
"Our energy storage systems are an essential part of a reliable and resilient grid. SDG&E will be conducting a thorough investigation of the event to determine the cause of the incident. Ensuring public and employee safety is our top priority in energy storage operations."
San Diego County supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer sent NBC 7 the following statement on Monday afternoon:
“We are entering new territory with the construction of these battery storage facilities, and we need to move forward in a way that protects our communities while meeting our climate goals. I’m eager for county staff to come back with their recommendations.”
A fire inside a San Diego Gas & Electric battery storage facility in Escondido on Thursday ignited lithium-ion batteries in a storage container and prompted the evacuation of about 500 businesses, a fire official said.Firefighters responded to a ringing alarm and report of smoke shortly before 12:10 p.m. at the facility on Enterprise Street near Commercial Street, Escondido Fire Division Chief Tyler Batson said. They found a fire burning in one of the battery storage units, which he described as being about the size of a trailer....
A fire inside a San Diego Gas & Electric battery storage facility in Escondido on Thursday ignited lithium-ion batteries in a storage container and prompted the evacuation of about 500 businesses, a fire official said.
Firefighters responded to a ringing alarm and report of smoke shortly before 12:10 p.m. at the facility on Enterprise Street near Commercial Street, Escondido Fire Division Chief Tyler Batson said. They found a fire burning in one of the battery storage units, which he described as being about the size of a trailer.
After consulting with SDG&E’s fire coordinator and the company’s contracted fire agency, as well as San Diego city and county hazardous materials officials, firefighters decided to let the batteries burn themselves out. Crews sprayed water on neighboring storage containers to keep them cooled down and to prevent the fire from spreading, Batson said.
“The unit with the batteries on fire, it is best to let those burn,” Batson said. “We don’t want to introduce water to the battery fire. It creates a much bigger problem, and it doesn’t ultimately put it out anyway.”
Batson said an evacuation order was sent to businesses nearby — an area bound by Auto Park Way, Enterprise Street, West Mission Road and Alpine Way. Batson said no homes were affected.
He said fire officials have been told the fire could go on for 12 to 48 hours “until it burns itself out.”
“It flares up to some pretty decent amount of flames and then as it goes from one battery rack to another, inside that storage unit, it will ignite again and go for a while,” he said. “The fire is kind of running its course inside that individual unit.”
He called the evacuations “really precautionary.”
“Right now the amount of smoke being put off by what’s on fire seems pretty small and is dissipating really fast,” he said. “But we did evacuate a pretty large area in the commercial area of Escondido as a precaution.”
He said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
An SDG&E official said the fire was limited to one of 24 battery storage containers at the 30-megawatt facility. Advanced fire suppression systems at the site were activated immediately.
“There are no reported injuries and emergency responders are on scene,” spokesperson Anthony Wagner said. “SDG&E is working with first responders to ensure safety of our employees and the community and will be conducting a thorough review of the event to determine the cause of the incident.”
In May, a fire ignited at the Gateway Energy Storage facility in an industrial park in Otay Mesa, prompting evacuation orders for nearby businesses.
That blaze was centered in one of the seven buildings at the 250-megawatt site that stores lithium-ion batteries to help bolster the state’s electric grid. It burned for 16 days before that last unit cleared the scene May 31.
Cal Fire officials estimated that crews sprayed 8 million gallons of water onto the site. The county’s hazmat team tested water runoff and took air samples, and no toxic levels were reported. The Gateway facility is owned and operated by LS Power and its subsidiary, Rev Renewables. The cause of that fire remains under investigation.
©2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize teachers and show them how much they're valued and appreciated.Kristina Houck, Patch StaffESCONDIDO, CA — Great teachers matter. In Escondido, we're fortunate to have teachers like Stacy Ganzer.Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize teachers and show them how much they’re valued and appreciated.This submission comes from Tracy Nguyen, O.D., who n...
Kristina Houck, Patch Staff
ESCONDIDO, CA — Great teachers matter. In Escondido, we're fortunate to have teachers like Stacy Ganzer.
Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize teachers and show them how much they’re valued and appreciated.
This submission comes from Tracy Nguyen, O.D., who nominated Stacy Ganzer of Escondido.
Teacher's name
Stacy Ganzer
How do you know the teacher?
STEM Community Partners
What does this person teach?
Special Education — all grades
Why do you believe the teacher should be recognized or honored?
In 2018, I had the pleasure of meeting Stacy Ganzer when she took on the role of coaching her son's FIRST Lego League team, a task typically associated with fathers. It's worth noting that my daughter served as the mentor of his team, deepening our connections to Stacy's admirable efforts. Witnessing the profound impact that FIRST had on her son, Stacy was inspired to extend that opportunity to others. Her selflessness and dedication to helping others were truly impressive. Therefore, it is with great admiration that I nominate Stacy Ganzer for the Patch Teacher Shout-out.
Stacy Ganzer is an educator in the Escondido Union Elementary School District. She holds a Master's in Education from National University. Since 2000, she has worked as an elementary school teacher in general and special education. She enjoys interacting with students of all age levels, having taught TK through 5th grade students. She is currently an Education Specialist at Miller Elementary School, supporting students with special needs and their teachers to help ensure success in the classroom.
Stacy Ganzer's approach to STEM education is a testament to her creativity and innovation. Her unique methods, particularly her dedication to fostering enthusiasm and excitement among the next generation of female-identifying explorers and innovators in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), set her apart. Through dynamic extracurricular activities, she consistently goes above and beyond to ignite a passion for STEM in her students. One of her most notable contributions is her dedication to providing STEM opportunities for students through after-school robotics programs. As a volunteer coordinator for Mustang Robotics at Meadowbrook Middles School in Poway, Stacy works to create STEM learning opportunities for students. Since 2000, she has headed the effort to continue a rich history of FIRST Lego robotics at the school and help spread it throughout the district by attending robotics information sessions, Science nights and fairs at district elementary schools.
Through mentoring parent coaches, maintaining the robotics equipment, and ensuring all coaches and students have the support they need to compete in Lego robotics, Stacy has enabled parents and students to discover their passion for STEM through robotics. As an educator, Stacy acknowledges the significance of representation and inclusivity in STEM fields, particularity for young women. With this in mind, she served as the SWE advisor for her son's robotics team, helping to promote understanding and collaboration with HeForSWE to ensure empowerment for girls was truly a team effort. Additionally, she coaches her school's after-school robotics program, providing students with special needs an equal opportunity to participate in STEM learning, a clear testament to her commitment to inclusivity within the field. Moreover, Stacy's commitment to nurturing the talents extends to empowering other teachers to enter STEM education. She created and taught workshops on Spike Prime Lego Robotics for the Escondido Union School District to help expand the robotics after-school program. Through her coaching, Stacey provided streamlined and manageable robotics materials and lessons, empowering other female- identifying teachers to build confidence beyond their comfort zones in teaching robotics. Stacy Ganzer's commitment to community involvement, particularly in the San Diego area, is a testament to her dedication to promoting STEM awareness beyond the classroom. Recognizing the importance of engaging with the broader community, she has taken on leadership roles in various community activities and organizations, furthering her impact in the field of STEM education.She was on the non-profit R&D Robotics Education board as secretary while her son participated in robotics. She spearheaded the initiative, Storytime with Engineers at Miller Elementary School with SWE - San Diego for two years to celebrate National Engineers Week. Students enjoyed engineering and STEM stories from community and SWE engineers to provide positive role models and inspire them to be future engineers. Stacy's involvement in SWE-San Diego is exemplary, where she has led numerous events and activities to inspire the next generation of female engineers and technologists.
From organizing outreach programs at local schools to supporting workshops and seminars for young women interested in STEM fields, Stacy has played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for aspiring female-identifying STEM professionals to learn, grow, and succeed. Stacy Ganzer has organized the Wilson Robotics FLL Scrimmage for two consecutive years, tailored explicitly for underserved and underrepresented youth in City Heights. Her dedication to this initiative has been unwavering, which is evident in the meticulous planning and execution she has put forth. Stacy has gone above and beyond, conducting extensive Zoom workshops to ensure that judges are well-prepared and proficient for the scrimmage, thus providing a smooth and impactful experience for all participants. Thus, recognized for volunteering over 100 hours for SWE-SD, she has earned the well deserved President Volunteer Service Award last fiscal year. Furthermore, Stacy's leadership extends to her involvement in SWENext, SWE collegiate sections, and other outreach initiatives, where she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting and mentoring young women on their STEM journeys. Whether volunteering at a STEM fair or mentoring students and coaches, Stacy consistently goes above and beyond to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
In conclusion, Stacy Ganzer is a true trailblazer in STEM education and community engagement. Her passion for inspiring the next generation of female-identifying explorers and innovators is evident in everything she does, from her innovative curriculum to her leadership in community outreach efforts. Through her tireless dedication and unwavering commitment, Stacy is shaping the future of STEM and empowering young women to reach their full potential in these critical fields. She is a shining example of excellence and inspiration, and her contributions to education and the community deserve recognition and praise.
What's one thing you want everyone to know about the teacher?
She has a heart of gold! Very generous.
This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.
Know an outstanding teacher who deserves a shout-out? Nominate them here.
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