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Maria Vazquez: I'm not quite sure what's happening. I think it has something to do with all the people around me. Stay tuned. We'll be right back.
Maria Vazquez: Our first Mondays with Maria. This is exciting. I hope these conversations help you get to know me and our growing school district. Welcome to our new set with a new look and new topics for this upcoming year.
Jamie Holmes: Season three of Mondays with Maria now an award-winning show.
Maria Vazquez: Today we're talking about early learning. We are talking about transportation, absenteeism, the mobile dental unit, school connectedness, science of reading, behavior and discipline, national school lunch week resiliency, rapid-fire questions, music education or high school branch program, kindergarten registration
Jamie Holmes: The Code of Student Conduct.
Maria Vazquez: Parent academies are back. I have another new guest joining us for Mondays with Maria School Board Member Melissa Byrd, Anne Douglas, Stephanie Vanos. Meet Greg Dotson, all five of our Stellar Award winners. OCPS alum Omar Jones. Meet Coco.
Crowd: Monday's with Maria
Announcer: From the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center. It's the hundredth episode of Mondays with Maria, presented by Addition Financial Credit Union. I'm Kaleb Priester, a senior at Jones High School. And here's our superintendent, Dr. Maria Vazquez.
Maria Vazquez: Thank you. Thank you.
Maria Vazquez: Thank you so much for being here. So this is our 100th episode and I am so thrilled that so many of you joined us today. And we have Nancy Alvarez, who I believe I'm just turning control over to you—Mm-Hmm <affirmative>. So I, I'm, I'm excited. I think.
Nancy Alvarez: Here we Go. Here we go. Yes, you are. I'm taking over. Thank you all so much for being here. This is so much fun. We have a lot of surprises. Don't be nervous. I got you. I got you. I know it's not fun knowing what is, not knowing what is about to happen, but I promise this will be a fun field segment in front of a live audience. Yeah. So let's hear the audience one more time. Alright. So we thought we would turn the tables and interview you and ask you a few questions. It has been nearly three years for you, a superintendent, and 100 episodes of Mondays with Maria. Unbelievable. Right? How fast time flies. So let's go back to the beginning. So, what did you think, what were your first thoughts when your chief of communication, Scott Howat came to you and said, I have an idea, I have a vision and I want to call it Mondays with Maria.
Maria Vazquez: So, no <laugh> my, my first response as many of you know I'm not very comfortable being the center of attention. And so, when they proposed the idea of show Mondays with Maria weekly, I was like, oh, I don't think I can do this. But we have a phenomenal team as you know, who were very patient and continue to be very patient with me. And it was rough at first talk about retakes and retakes and Scott would joke, and I think Shari does too. Yeah. That if you watch the early episodes, she's holding on, like holding onto the chair, like it's the electric chair <laugh>. So yeah, my initial thoughts was, was no, but you know, the purpose of Mondays with Maria is really to get out information to our public all of our various stakeholders in a fun way. And I think our team's been able to accomplish it.
Nancy Alvarez: Yeah. And it's just, you've been so accessible and really an open book in all of these episodes. And so it's been refreshing even as a parent to build a relationship like this with you over this, this couple of years. Right? Yeah. With these episodes when we first started Mondays with Maria, you actually had another person on the set with you quite a bit. I cannot remember his name. Oh, he like, he thinks he's super funny, but he's not, I can't remember. Jamie. Yeah. Jamie Holmes or something. I think his name is. Yeah. Like the dad jokes. Yes. That guy. I, I don't know where is he. Is he even here participating in this?
Jamie Holmes: Hello everyone. Congratulations on 100 episodes of Mondays with Maria. I can't believe it's been a hundred episodes. I'm honored to have been a part of a lot of those shows. My favorite one was the one we did at Orange Technical College, when in a strange turn of events I stole a mannequin.
Student: Hey, you can't take that Dummy!
Jamie Holmes: Ha <laugh>, man. I can, that's probably a story for another time. Right now I'm on the street asking random people about their thoughts on Mondays with Maria to see if they've actually heard of the show. Oh, hello sir. How are you? Oh, how, how are you? Oh, it's good to see you. What, what is your name, sir?
Scott Howat: Scott Howat.
Jamie Holmes: Scott Howat. Alright. Scott, have you ever heard of Mondays with Maria?
Scott Howat: Mondays with Maria? Is it, is that on Mondays?
Scott Howat: They do it on Mondays. Mondays. And, and, and it, Maria,
Scott Howat: Who, who's
Scott Howat: I'm kidding. Yeah, Dr. Vasquez. Congratulations on the hundredth episode. So happy that we're able to work together on this. It's amazing. And with this guy too.
Jamie Holmes: Well, that's probably holding you back some <laugh>.
Nancy Alvarez: Oh my God. That's hilarious. He's very funny. He's funny. Sometimes I'll give him that. Okay. So Jamie told us his favorite episode. How about you? What has been your favorite show so far?
Maria Vazquez: So I, my favorite, I don't think I have one that is, you know, favorite. I love the shows that involve students. Mm-Hmm <affirmative>. And our employees. I think it's a great window into what's happening across our district. The incredible employees that work for OCPS, and their dedication. And then when you hear the stories from our students, they're, they're amazing. And there've been so many right, that have been memorable. We did the Christmas story, the Christmas one, and we had students from OCPS ACE and the team made it snow. And in the, in the studio. We've, we've had a student from Howard Middle School that interviewed me. We've had amazing teachers and employees. So those, those are my, my favorites. Yeah.
Nancy Alvarez: There have been some really great ones. What about a guest? Is there a guest that may have stood out for you?
Maria Vazquez: So I, I <laugh>. So, I think the guest that stands out the most is Coco and I, and for some of you know, that for me to do things with animals is a stretch. And so with Coco it was, it was a lot of fun. And I can't tell you how many text messages, emails I got about the show with Coco. Yeah. so that, I think that guess stands out for me.
Nancy Alvarez: Yeah, no, you're right. No doubt working with animals is not always easy and things rarely go as planned. You just never know. Very unpredictable. I think we caught some of that on camera, so let's take a look.
Sergeant Brian Howard: You know, it's different working with a dog than it is as a human. As Coco goes running off
Maria Vazquez: Yeah, she's fine. She's Sniffing around. <Who let the dogs out, song playing>
Nancy Alvarez: <Laugh>. Oh, Maria, what a great episode. That was so much fun to watch. And you know what, just one of, one of your first surprises, your special guest Coco is here. Yay. Saying hi, everybody. <Laugh>.
Maria Vazquez: Yeah. Very friendly. And Coco is I think the most recognized employee of Orange County Public Schools, so it's great to have Coco here.
Nancy Alvarez: Thanks for being here, Coco. Yay. Let's give it up for Coco. That's wonderful. Alright, so something new this year that we've added because you're not doing enough. <Laugh> has been the Mondays with Maria podcast. Yeah. So how has that been going?
Maria Vazquez: So actually that I feel a little bit more comfortable because
Nancy Alvarez: You're not on camera,
Maria Vazquez: because I’m not on camera. And it's more of a, it's longer. So, it's a much longer segment. And if you make a mistake, you're not doing the whole thing over again. They, they slice, they do their magic. And it's also like a practice because we, we don't practice before the, the live shows for any of the shows, the tape shows. And so it gives us an opportunity to kind of warm up and actually get more conversation around the topic. So, I really have enjoyed the podcast. Scott probably should have led with the podcast <laugh> and then gone with it.
Nancy Alvarez: We really have learned a lot about our superintendent over the years from Mondays with Maria. And the rapid-fire question shows, in fact, I thought it might be fun to quiz someone in our audience Oh. About things we've learned about you. Right. Because I said, you know, you've been so transparent and open with us. So, we're actually going to quiz somebody. Is there a Mondays with Maria Superfan? That would be
Kaleb Priester: Me. I'm your super fan. Hello.
Nancy Alvarez: Hello, it's Kaleb. So thank you so much for being here. Yes. And and to take this quiz with us. You ready? I'm ready. All right. Superfan, let's see how much you know. Ready? Which season of the year did Dr. Vasquez says she likes more summer or winter?
Kaleb Priester: Winter, Nancy.
Nancy Alvarez: Yes, that's right. <Laugh>. Did Dr. Vasquez say she would rather travel to the past or the future?
Kaleb Priester: Definitely the past.
Nancy Alvarez: Excellent. Right. Again, what is Dr. Vasquez's favorite beverage, coffee or tea?
Kaleb Priester: Dr. Vasquez loves her coffee
Nancy Alvarez: That's my girl. That's right. Coffee
Maria Vazquez: Loves. Yes.
Nancy Alvarez: All right. Does Dr. Vasquez enjoy swimming in a pool or at the beach?
Kaleb Priester: Swimming in a pool?
Nancy Alvarez: Yes. Excellent. I think we found our Mondays with Maria Superfan. How about a round of applause for Kaleb
Audience: <Laugh>?
Nancy Alvarez: Excellent job. All right. Now can you share something, Dr. Vasquez, that someone watching might actually not know about the show?
Maria Vazquez: I don't watch them.
Audience: <Laugh>.
Maria Vazquez: I and Scott tricked me into watching the very first one, but I don't watch myself. And the reason I don't watch myself is because I will focus on the or a word that maybe I didn't pronounce clearly. And so that, and that just plays in my head. So I just do the retakes and pray that people like the episodes, but I don't watch them.
Nancy Alvarez: But I'll tell you people do because I have shared this with you before. I have done TV here for 25 years. Okay. That's a long time. And people are now coming up to me and going, excuse me, are, are you the lady from Mondays with Maria <laugh>? And I'm like, yes, I could have been doing this the whole time. It would've been a lot more fun. It would've been a lot more fun. So people do watch and people that are very close to you watch as well. They are big fans and I think they'd like to say hello. So let's take a look at this.
Dr. Vazquez’s daughter, Stephanie: Hi mom. Hi
Grandsons, Theodore and Wyatt: Grandma. We know we can celebrate the 100th episode,
Stephanie: But we love watching Mondays with Maria every week here in Colorado. We love you. We miss you, and we'll see you very soon. Bye bye.
Dr. Vazquez’s son, Robert: Hey Mom, congratulations on the hundredth episode. We're proud of all the hard work you've done with Mondays with Maria.
Dr. Vazquez’s daughter, Elizabeth, and grandsons, Henry and Charlie: Hi Mom. Hi grandma. We miss you and we can't wait to see you soon. Congratulations on hitting a hundred episodes on Mondays with Maria. We enjoy watching it every week because we get to see a little bit of you every time. Love you. Bye Bye. Ah,
Nancy Alvarez: Now we're all crying. Now we're all crying. Anybody have a tissue? Alright, who did we just hear from? I think we know, but let's, let's tell us who we just saw there. That's your whole world right there, right? It is in one video.
Maria Vazquez: So those are my three children. The first one is Stephanie, who lives in Colorado. She's married to Andrew. And my two grandchildren out in Denver, Theodore and Wyatt. And then Elizabeth with her husband Chris and the two boys Henry and Charlie. And, and then my son Robert, who lives here. Yeah.
Nancy Alvarez: And you know what, another thing people don't know about this show is that we talk quite a bit Yeah. When we're not on camera. And it's usually about our families. Yes, it is. And so I know how much they mean to you and it was very, very special. So I'm so glad they could be a part of this. Yeah, it's wonderful. Alright, I think we have one more surprise, just one more. Someone who is probably your biggest fan of all and I think he's thrilled to be on camera too. So come on out. Our special guest. Where are you, ladies and gentlemen? A round of applause
Nancy Alvarez: For Dr. Vazquez's husband.
Dr. Vazquez’s husband, Ulysses: Congratulations. Beautiful.
Nancy Alvarez: Yay. Surprise. Isn't that lovely? Oh, wait, you're running away from the camera. <Laugh>. You don't want to sit here and stay on camera. It's okay. He's like, I'm out. I'm done. I delivered the flowers. This has been so exciting and really just such a pleasure and honor for me to be a part of this with you as a parent. So thank you for the opportunity. Thank you guys all for being here. We are so excited to have welcome you to our episode. I hope you had a lot of fun. Let's give another round of applause for our 100th episode of Mondays with Maria.
Maria Vazquez: Thank you <laugh>. This was great.
Nancy Alvarez: Go big or go home. Go big or go home. I know. And I think we have cake. Where's the cake? I think we have cake. There it is. We have a cake as well. Oh, thank you again to all of you too who are here in our studio audience. It's been a lot of fun. And of course, for those watching at home, don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe. We will have more about the 100th episode on the podcast as well. Just go to wherever you get your podcast and search for Mondays with Maria. Thanks for being a part of our celebration. Have a great week everyone.
Announcer: For an extended conversation on today's topic. Listen to the Mondays with Maria podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. Mondays with Maria's presented by Addition Financial Credit Union. Count us in for every step of your financial journey. Learn more at Additionfi.com. For more OCPS news and information, visit TheSlice.ocps.net. I'm your announcer. Kaleb Priester, a senior at Jones High School. Thanks for watching and have a great week.