It gives the Cotsen Foundation great joy to see so many alumni, mentors and fellows alike, taking on new challenges and roles as leaders in their schools/districts. The following is a list of Cotsen alumni who have taken on new leadership roles as of the 2018 – 2019 academic year and/or have received advanced degrees in 2018:
Cindy Bak (Alumni fellow ’09) is now principal at Laguna Road School in the Fullerton Elementary School District. Cindy was previously the principal at Valencia Park Elementary.
Sue Bernstein (Alumni mentor ’11) After 38 years of teaching for the Long Beach Unified School District and Herrera Elementary School, Sue retired from teaching. She plans to stay connected to education by volunteering at Herrera and becoming a substitute teacher. She also looks forward to taking all types of educational classes, including sports, photography, and an array of others, traveling in the states and a abroad, and spending more time with her friends and family.
Jennifer Brkich (Alumni fellow ’18) is now an RTI teacher at Pacific Drive Elementary in the Fullerton Elementary School District. Jennifer was previously a kindergarten teacher at Woodcrest Elementary School.
Adrienne Clay (Alumni fellow ’11) is now a member of the District PBIS Leadership Team at Pomona Unified. Adrienne previously served as a PBIS team member for Vejar Elementary School.
Kimberly Costigan (Alumni fellow ’10) is now a TOSA for 3-5th grade at Newland Elementary in the Fountain Valley School District. Kimberly was previously a 4th grade teacher at Newland.
Kathi Denny (Alumni fellow ’12) is now Principal at Tustin Ranch Elementary in the Tustin Unified School District. Kathi was previously an instructional coach at Tustin Ranch.
Julie Ebert (Alumni Principal ’13), after 17 years teaching in the Soquel Union Elementary School District and four years as principal at Vine Hill Elementary, retired from the field of education. Julie is looking forward to traveling, hiking, skiing, reading, spending more time with family and friends, and doing some meaningful volunteer work.
Vanessa Freedman (Alumni fellow ’08) has received a second masters degree in Education with an emphasis in administration and supervision in conjunction with an administrative credential. Venessa is currently a teacher at Morris Elementary School in Cypress Elementary School District.
Joyce Garcia (Alumni mentor ’09), after 19 years of teaching for the Rowland Unified School District and La Seda Elementary School, retired from the classroom to spend time with friends, family, and an incoming grandson-on-the-way! Joyce looks forward to reading a cache books saved in her Amazon cart, improving her ukulele skills, catching a few trout, and traveling the world.
Sheila Gibbons (Alumni fellow ’11) is now the parent workshop educator at Lincoln Elementary School in the Long Beach Unified School District, where she also teaches 1st grade.
Jacqueline Gilliam (Alumni fellow ’15) is now a Professional Development Coach at the Florida College Academy, for teachers studying mathematics and balanced literacy. In addition, Jacqueline will also teach fourth grade at the Academy. Jacqueline previously was a teacher at Hicks Canyon Elementary in the Tustin Unified School District.
Stephanie Given (Alumni mentor ’18) will be joining the Richman School staff in the Fullerton School District as a Writing Instructional Coach. Stephanie will also be a Reading Instructional Coach at Acacia School as well. She will be supporting teachers using the Cotsen Reflective Coaching Cycle as they journey together to improve their instructional practice within the TCRWP’s Reading and Writing Workshop model.
Stephanie Guppy (Alumni mentor ’18) has received a masters degree in Educational Administration this year and is currently doing a second round as a mentor at Robert C. Fisler in Fullerton School District.
Renee Keeler (Alumni fellow ’09), after 30 years of teaching for the Los Alamitos School District and Lee Elementary, retired from the classroom. Renee looks forward to playing golf in every state and visiting every National Park in the US. She also looks forwards to volunteering at her local community and Lee Elementary where she plans to help coach teachers in the Writer’s and Reader’s Workshop model.
Amanda Kitahara (Alumni fellow ’10) is now a Language Arts TOSA for 3-5th grade at Fountain Valley School District. Amanda was previously a teacher at Newland Elementary School.
Abir Kim (Alumni fellow ’09) is now the president at the Fountain Valley Education Association. Abir’s previous role at the association was vice president.
Jennifer Lawyer (Alumni fellow ’09) is now a Numeracy Coach for the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, where she will be supporting the district with mathematical instruction and professional growth. Jennifer was previously a classroom teacher at J.E. Moss Elementary in Nashville.
Ana Ligorria-Tramp (Alumni fellow ’11) is now a TK liaison at Vejar Elementary School for the Pomona Unified School District. Ana also received her second Masters in Literacy as well as the state literacy specialist credential this year. Ana was previously a classroom teacher at Vejar.
Jodi Manby (Alumni fellow ’05) and Chris Quirarte (Alumni mentor ’13) have been added to the staff at the Cotsen Foundation as Senior Program Officers. Jodi was previously a professional development coach for Growing Educators and Chris was principal at Andrews Elementary School in the Whittier City School District.
Kyle Myers (Alumni mentor ’16) is now a Project Specialist for the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department in the Fullerton School District. Kyle was previously a Teacher on Special Assignment for the VAPA and Gifted and Talented Education (GATE).
Kristin Oppel (Alumni fellow ’17) is now partnering with University of California, Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District to facilitate CGI professional development workshops. Kristin has also earned a Masters in Curriculum Planning this year. She will continue to teach second grade at Couer D’Alene Avenue Elementary School in LAUSD this year.
Karla Palomino (Alumni fellow ’11) is now a full-time Dual Immersion Specialist for Phelan Elementary School in the Whittier City School District. Karla was previously a Kindergarten Teacher at Phelan.
Amy Rosado (Alumni fellow ’11) is now a Teaching Teacher Specialist for the Pomona Unified School District. Amy was previously a classroom teacher at Lexington Elementary School.
Lucy Salazar (Alumni Principal ’07) has received a doctorate degree in education this year. Lucy is principal at Alvarado Elementary School in Long Beach Unified School District.
Courtney Smith (Alumni fellow ’16) is now a Connect Coach at Tustin Unified School District where she will be supporting staff at Tustin Memorial Academia with technology integration, readers and writers workshop, CGI math. Courtney was previously a kindergarten teacher at Tustin Memorial Academy.
Danielle Winters (Alumni fellow (NorCal) ’12) is now the Assistant Principal for San Lorenzo Valley High in the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District. Danielle was previously a Data and Assessment Coach for San Lorenzo Valley High.
If you know of Cotsen alumni that have risen to new leadership positions or academic challenges this year, but are missing from this list, please email us at info@cotsen.org and we will be sure to add them to the list. Thank you.