Cherise Jones believes so much in St. HOPE Public Schools’ innovative education model that she is both a Sac High alumni and a proud staff member. After Cherise graduated from Sac High she attended San Jose State University and then she worked at St. HOPE Public Schools in the special education department for four years. 

In 2016, Cherise decided to specialize in mental health and pursued master’s degrees in both psychology and early education. She says she was eager to learn more about the mental health field and to gain a deeper understanding about how to serve kids that need additional resources and support.

A few years later, Cherise was eager to get back into education as she felt she had gained the knowledge she needed to directly help students. In 2023, Cherise re-joined St. HOPE’s special education team and says she is proud of her work to close the gaps and support students in need. As an educational specialist, Cherise works with the students who have special needs. She prides herself on working to build relationships with all of the scholars and their parents and often says to them, “You can do this and I know you will succeed!”

Cherise says she is drawn to the St. HOPE Public Schools’ focus on excellence and loves the emphasis on college.  She credits that fact that she was accepted into nine different colleges to the support systems in place at Sac High. She often wears her San Jose State apparel to work and loves it when scholars ask questions about her college experience.  

Cherise says that when she was a scholar at Sac High all of her teachers supported her and set her up for success in college. She came back to St. HOPE Public Schools so that she could give back and help support students like herself. “I want all of our scholars to know that they have many opportunities and with hard work and dedication they can achieve their goals.”

When asked what she likes most about working at St. HOPE Public Schools, Cherise says “I love the people I work with and the families and students I help make it feel like home.”