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Teaching and Learning: A Winning Recipe in School and Beyond, including Lodi’s Vineyards

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It was Ben Franklin who noted, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Even though Ben said that about 250 years ago, it wasn’t lost on Stephanie Bolton and her colleagues in the Lodi winegrape community.

Students of all ages are on their own journeys. Whether you’re 6 or 60, life is more joyful when discovery is involved; what a journey looks like often begins with a teacher. 

That’s Stephanie’s story. “I owe much of my success to Mrs. Greenwood. I almost didn’t get in advanced chemistry and once I did she inspired me. I think our entire class became science majors. A great teacher inspires all, and that was Mrs. Greenwood.”

Growing up in North Carolina, studying chemistry at Wake Forest and earning a PhD in plant science at the University of Georgia, the idea of Stephanie ending up in Lodi seemed improbable, but, then again, Mrs. Greenwood taught Stephanie the joy of new learnings and new places. Or perhaps Mrs. Greenwood was inspired by Dr. Seuss’s Oh the Places You’ll Go and her chemistry class were the joyful recipients of the adventure gene.

In any case, Stephanie credits winejobs.com and the Lodi Rules infographic and traveled west. Now in her fifth year as the director of sustainable winegrowing, Stephanie is her own version of Mrs. Greenwood. Only this time her students aren’t high school chemistry seniors but senior growers, colleagues and clients.

“At the Winegrape Commission I have to be well prepared in order to ‘over-care’ for our clients. My role is to help our farmers achieve so they do their very best for their clients, themselves and their families.” She does that by involving and connecting, following Ben Franklin’s advice, so to speak. Stephanie believes you’re networking or you’re not working, so listening and learning from one another, near and far, are the keys to involving and growing as individuals and the wine-growing community. 

She’s also emulated Mrs. Greenwood in other ways; one of which is to champion her farmers and celebrate the growing list of accomplishments in the Lodi Wine community. She does it with a weekly viticulture blog at lodigrowers.com; with the Wine Enthusiast article “Here’s Why Underdog Lodi Grapes are Challenging the Status Quo;” with award-winning grants that celebrate and connect growers and researchers and more.

Stephanie’s not the only one who credits teachers with her success. Another proof point is Christina Lopez, only this time her teacher is her mentor and boss, Sue Tipton. Sue’s a Lodi winemaker recently named the 2022 Best Woman Winemaker in the International Women’s Wine Competition. She’s proud of that, but even more proud of Christina and her goal to become a winemaker herself. Sue is also a member of LAIC, or Lodi Appellation Inclusion Collective, and the goal of the organization is to identify and develop diverse talent in the wine industry.

After earning her enology degree from Washington State University, Christina found Sue through LAIC. Sue saw a hardworking and passionate colleague. That led to Sue’s mentoring and developing a plan for Christina that includes teaching and involving, à la Ben Franklin, and history is about to be made. As soon as Christina finishes their plan, she’ll succeed Sue as the winemaker. Mentors matter and teachers in the workplace are the essence of an industry that thrives. 

Teaching is a critical ingredient to success at every age and in every walk of life. We need only look to the vineyards of Lodi to see a bright future for our local youth.

To learn more and share comments or other story ideas:
Visit the SJA+ website at sjaplus.org
Email me at don@sjaplus.org

By: Don Shalvey

Dr. Don Shalvey is the CEO of San Joaquin A+. He is widely recognized as an innovative leader in public education. Don’s career includes roles as a teacher and principal, ten years as superintendent in San Carlos, founding both California’s first charter school and Aspire Public Schools, and 11 years as a deputy director for K-12 education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Shalvey is a frequent advisor to policy makers and school system leaders. The prestigious Ashoka Foundation recognized Don as a Fellow for his outstanding work as a social entrepreneur. Don brings a half-century of experience to the boards he serves, including his role as a Regent at the University of Pacific, the oldest chartered university in California. Don earned an EdD in educational leadership and administration from the University of Southern California, an EdM in counseling and guidance from Gonzaga University and a BA from LaSalle University.
don@sjaplus.org
sjaplus.org