CAEAA Member Spotlight: Jaemi Naish

Jaemi Naish, Director of Tamalpais Adult School, has served in adult education for nearly 24 years and currently oversees three major program areas: ESL, GED/High School Diploma, and Healthcare Pathways. Her leadership has focused on building programs that directly respond to regional workforce needs, particularly in Marin County, which has one of the highest aging populations in California and a rapidly growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals.

Among her proudest achievements are the Medical Front Office Assistant Program and Home Care Aide Program, both part of Tamalpais Adult School’s Healthcare Pathways. These programs were designed using an I-BEST model and built in close collaboration with community partners to address critical hiring gaps in the local healthcare system. By prioritizing highly skilled, bilingual, and engaging instructors, Jaemi ensures that students are not only job-ready, but passionate about their roles in serving others — ultimately strengthening care for one of California’s most vulnerable populations.
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When asked what she finds most rewarding about adult education, Jaemi answers simply: “Literally everything.” Her enthusiasm reflects her belief that adult education is dynamic, meaningful, and endlessly impactful. Recent funding challenges around WIOA required steady leadership and clear communication with her district, and Jaemi credits her involvement on the CAEAA board as instrumental in navigating uncertainty with confidence and trust. Her advice to new administrators is to stay grounded in their “why,” build strong relationships, and surround themselves with educators who share a passion for this work. Outside the office, Jaemi enjoys baking focaccia every week and is a devoted sourdough hobbyist — a creative outlet that mirrors the care and patience she brings to her leadership.

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