On a vibrant spring morning in Los Angeles, Baldwin Hills Elementary School once again lit up the stage and our hearts with its annual “Us Celebration,” a schoolwide talent show that showcases student ability and celebrates community, culture, and connection. For decades, this powerful tradition has brought families, educators, and students together in an expression […]
We are honored to share that the Cotsen Foundation for the ART of TEACHING is a 2024 Library of Congress Successful Practice Award winner! As part of this recognition, Dr. Julie Graham, Cotsen Associate Director of the Cotsen Foundation, and Carlen Le-Hessinger, and Senior Program Officer, participated in the recent Library of Congress Literacy Awards […]
Congratulations to our graduating Post-Fellowship (PFY) schools! PFY school teams gathered together to share their stories of a yearlong journey towards building Collective Teacher Efficacy within a signature practice. It was clear from their reflections and experiences that each team’s collaborative efforts made a positive impact on teaching and learning across their school campus. Prospective […]
The Cotsen Graduation at the Skirball Cultural Center on May 17th was more than just a ceremony — it was a heartfelt celebration of passion, perseverance, and the power of teaching. Kicking off with warm words from Cotsen’s President and CEO, Barry Munitz, and Board Chair, Jonathan Victor, the event honored the remarkable 2025 cohort […]
Imagine a school where parents and caregivers hug teachers, not just for gratitude, but for giving them the tools to unlock their children’s potential at home. This is the magic unfolding at Ceres Elementary and Danbrook Elementary, two schools fueled by the Cotsen Family Engagement Grant to redefine how families connect with learning. At Ceres […]
The Palisades Fire was a tragedy that tore through the Santa Monica Mountains, leaving devastation in its wake. Among the countless losses were schools like Marquez Elementary, which became a smoking ruin, displacing teachers and students alike. But in the midst of destruction, a story of resilience emerged. Xochitl Becerra, a Cotsen Mentor at Castle […]
The buzz was electric at the Spring CUE 2025 Conference in Palm Springs from March 20 – 22, where thousands of educators gathered to transform teaching and learning. Among them were over 200 Cotsen Principals, Mentors, and Fellows, all united by a shared passion for using technology to help students succeed. They dove into everything […]
Cotsen alumnus have exclusive access to transformative professional development opportunities. Our Alumni Conference Grants covers conference registration, airfare, and accommodation for events like: NCTE/NCTM Joint Conference (Summer 2024) Harvard Family Engagement Institute (Summer 2024) Institute for Racial Equity in Literacy NCTE Annual Convention: “Heart, Hope, Humanity” (November 2024, Boston) CUE Conference (March 2025, Palm Springs) […]
At Hermosa Drive Elementary in Fullerton School District, math class is no longer a dreaded subject—it’s a celebration of creativity and fun. Inspired by a workshop on joyful learning, Cotsen mentor Kyle Ruiz and her fellows have revolutionized the school’s approach to mathematics education. From googly-eyed staplers to vibrant murals, the school environment now […]
As we step into a new year, we are reminded of both the strength and the vulnerability of our community. The recent devastating fires in the Los Angeles region have deeply impacted our neighborhoods, with the heartbreaking loss of schools, homes, businesses, and places of worship leaving a profound void in our community while reminding […]