We are thrilled to announce that on August 1st, 2024, the United States Library of Congress in Washington D.C. selected the Cotsen Foundation as a 2024 Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program Successful Practice Honoree. The Foundation received a prestigious $10,000 award in recognition of its outstanding work in promoting literacy through innovative and effective […]
With 26 years of experience in education, Sean Lindsay continues to make a profound impact on the Cotsen community. A former teacher at Alvarado Elementary School, Sean spent 16 years inspiring students, serving as a Cotsen mentor for four of those years. During his time at Alvarado, he founded the Writing institute that eventually led […]
Imagine being seven years old arriving at school 30 minutes late and being sternly told, “You’re late,” while another adult admonishes, “You need to be on time!” Then your teacher repeats that. You are seven and have no control over when you arrive at school, but you are made to feel awful before your day […]
In our mission to take teachers from good to great and journey towards teaching excellence, we understand the importance of strong leadership to support our teachers at Cotsen schools. On August 23rd, we hosted our annual principals’ breakfast and new principals’ orientation, providing space for the principals to learn in community with one another. The […]
The 2024 National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Annual Conference, held in Denver for four days in March, brought together educators, researchers, and science enthusiasts. The event featured diverse workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities focused on advancing science education. The Cotsen Foundation funded 12 current science fellows and mentors from Los Angeles Unified, Pomona Unified, Walnut […]
On May 18th, we honored 74 fellows and 13 mentors across eight school districts. The celebratory luncheon included a warm welcome from Dr. Barry Munitz (President and CEO) and congratulatory messages from Jonathan Victor (Board Chair), Jocelyn Tetel (Vice President of Advancement at Skirball Cultural Center), and Jerry Harris (Executive Director). On behalf of the […]
Ten schools were invited to participate in the Post-Fellowship Year (PFY) program to deepen and broaden the work of alumni and spread and sustain learning across the school. Upon completion of the 2-year core fellowship, the mentor, fellows, and school principal engaged in a yearlong journey of building their skills as leaders and change-makers in […]
On Saturday, March 2nd, nearly 200 educators gathered at Telesis Academy in Rowland Unified School District for the 2024 Empowered Learning Conference. Despite the rainy, cold weather, a diverse group of current and former fellows, mentors, and administrators attended the event, eager to engage in a day of professional growth. Dr. Sonal Patel, Program Manager […]
We are thrilled to announce that Suzanne Huerta, a teacher at Whitaker Elementary School in Buena Park, has been named a finalist for the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This award, the highest recognition for K-12 STEM educators in the United States, celebrates Suzanne’s outstanding contributions to mathematics education […]
Aviation Elementary in the Wiseburn School District has been buzzing with excitement this year, all thanks to the Bulldog Bark, a student-run school newspaper. A dedicated staff of 44 students from grades 3 to 5 have passionately contributed to the newspaper, bringing their unique perspectives and voices to various topics of interest. Their commitment and […]