History

Our Story: Expect More Tehama

In the fall of 2009, a small group of community members met at a local Starbucks—not with an agenda, but with a shared concern and a lot of questions. Why weren’t more of our students pursuing education after high school? What barriers stood in their way? And most importantly—what could we do together to make a difference?

As we talked with parents, educators, and local leaders across the county, a powerful theme emerged: for some students, college or training beyond high school wasn’t expected—it wasn’t understood or even considered. For others, it was simply out of reach. From this truth, a quiet but determined movement was born: Expect More Tehama.

From day one, this effort was never just about academics. It was about hope. About lifting expectations not only for students—but for what our community could be. We knew that wanting more for our kids meant taking a closer look at poverty, access, caring adults, career readiness, and the overall well-being of our community. And we knew education couldn’t shoulder that alone. The community had to come alongside.

We began by doing what we do best: convening. Listening. Making connections. We created space for the people closest to the work—teachers, parents, youth, nonprofits, employers—to talk, think, and act together. We became known for helping others align efforts, tell their stories, and imagine what’s possible when we follow the energy of the community.

Today, Expect More Tehama continues to evolve—but our heart remains the same. We walk with, not ahead. We support local leadership, strengthen systems thinking, and create the conditions for real change through storytelling, facilitation, and thought partnership.

In 2025 and 2026, our focus is clear:

  • Literacy, so every child reads by third grade
  • Hands-on learning and quality, clear career pathways, so every young person sees a future for themselves
  • And community engagement, so the work stays connected, visible, and sustainable

This work is personal—because we live here. We raise our families here. And we believe deeply in the promise of our rural region. As one of the five original counties in the North State Together collaborative, we’re proud to be part of a broader movement, one that has brought over $18 million to support aligned, community-driven work across our region.

Expect More Tehama isn’t an organization. It’s a shared belief that our youth deserve more. That our systems can work better—together. And that hope, when combined with action, can change everything.

Let’s keep building that future—together.