The Cotsen Foundation takes great joy from seeing so many alumni, mentors and fellows alike, rising to new heights as leaders in their schools/districts. The following are the names of Cotsen alumni who have taken on new leadership positions as of the 2019 – 2020 academic year and/or have received advanced degrees in 2019:
Andrea Arias (alumna fellow ’09) is now the assistant director for the Early Entrance Program at Cal State LA. Andrea’s most recent position was vice-principal at James Guinn School in the Anaheim Elementary School District.
Ignacio Avila (alumnus fellow ‘11) is now the principal of Daniel Phelan Language Academy. Ignacio was previously the coordinator of instructional technology for the Whittier City School District.
Raquel Bahena (alumna mentor ‘19) is now the IB Coordinator/Coach for Oswalt Academy in the Rowland Unified School District. She is now overseeing the school’s inquiry program, working with teachers in their instructional practices, holding professional development, and working to support our teachers K-8. Raquel just recently finished the Cotsen fellowship as a mentor for Oswalt.
Lila Daruty (alumna fellow ’12) is now the principal of Webster Elementary School in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Lila was previously the assistant principal of Grant Elementary as well as the coordinator for the New Teacher Induction Program in the SMMUSD.
Lani Davies (alumna fellow ’19) received a master’s degree in educational leadership this summer. Lani is currently a teacher at Rowland Elementary School in the Rowland Unified School District.
Alicia Decker (alumna fellow ’11) is now a teacher specialist for Pomona Unified School District. Alicia is now collaborating with teachers and administrators to adjust and design coursework, evaluation/testing, and classroom organization strategies. Alicia was previously a first-grade teacher at Lexington Elementary School.
Fiona Engler (alumna fellow ’15) is now the magnet coordinator for Paseo Del Rey Magnet School. Fiona is now in charge of all magnet enrollment, Title 1 compliance, and GATE compliance.
Elisa Erickson (alumna mentor ’19) is now the instructional coach next year at Lampton Elementary School in Norwalk La-Mirada Unified School District. Elisa is now coaching the staff at Lampton and help develop the school’s Cognitively Guided Instruction approach. Elisa finished the Cotsen fellowship last spring as a mentor at Lampton.
Roisin Fahey Vivo (alumna fellow ’11) is now the new teacher project mentor in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Roisin is now providing support for new teachers’ immediate curricular needs, as well as helping to cultivate their teaching habits of mind while assisting with induction requirements. Roisin was previously a 5th-grade and 3rd-grade teacher at Mintie White Elementary School.
Stephanie Given (alumna mentor ’18) is now the instructional program specialist at Acacia Elementary School in the Fullerton School District. Stephanie is now coaching the staff at Acacia and helping develop the school’s Balanced Literacy approach. Stephanie has been a mentor for the past four years (2 rounds) while acting as an instructional coach for Acacia and Richman Elementary School.
Stephanie Guppy (alumna mentor ’19) is now vice-principal at Robert C. Fisler School in the Fullerton School District. Stephanie finished her second round in the Cotsen Fellowship last spring as a mentor at Robert C. Fisler School.
Karina Hartl (alumna fellow ’12) is now the principal of Carmela Elementary School for the South Whittier Elementary School District. Karina’s most recent position was Coordinator of Special Projects for the Whittier City School District.
Amanda Heineman (alumna fellow ’13) is now principal at Estock Elementary in the Tustin Unified School District. Amanda was previously a coordinator in Educational Services, where she supported curriculum, professional development, and teacher induction.
Amy Hodge (alumna mentor ’17) is now principal at El Rincon Elementary in the Culver City Unified School District. Amy was previously an instructional coach at Farragut Elementary School.
Alicia Jackson (alumna mentor ’16) received a second master’s degree in educational leadership with an emphasis on administration. Alicia is an instructional coach at Farragut Elementary in the Culver City Unified School District. This year, her role has expanded to “district-level” instructional coach.
Krystal Kawamoto (alumna fellow ’19) is now the district instructional coach this next year for Oswalt Academy in the Rowland Unified School District. This position consists of working and supporting teachers, students, and administration. Krystal was previously a kindergarten teacher at Oswalt.
Julienne Lee (alumna principal) is now the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at Fullerton School District. Julienne was previously the principal at Robert C. Fisler School.
Teri Malpass (alumna fellow ’07) is now the principal at Gisler Elementary School in Fountain Valley School District. Teri was previously an assistant principal at McGaugh Elementary School in the Los Alamitos Unified School District.
Katie Masterson (alumna fellow ’17) is now the assistant principal for Juan De Anza in the Wiseburn Unified School District. Katie was previously a teacher at El Rincon Elementary School.
Venus Moeller (alumna mentor ’19) is now the assistant principal at Sowers Middle School in Huntington Beach City School District. Venus was previously a teacher at Courreges Elementary School in Fountain Valley School District.
Anne-Marie Mowad (alumna fellow ’05) is now the assistant principal at Jane Addams Middle School in the Lawndale Elementary School District. Anne-Marie was previously an instructional technology resource coach for the school.
Lucy Salazar (alumna principal) is now the executive director of the Long Beach Education Foundation. Lucy was previously the principal at Alvarado Elementary School in Long Beach Unified School District.
Joan Strasser Durrin (alumna mentor) is now the district instructional coach/TOSA for the Rowland Unified School District. Joan finished the Cotsen fellowship last spring as a mentor at Rowland Elementary School.
Erica Silva (current mentor) has received a doctorate degree in educational leadership this year from USC. Erica is a first-year mentor at Monroe Elementary School in Monrovia Unified School District.
Kristin Welch (alumna fellow ’15) has joined the UCLA Math Project in Center X as a Cognitively Guided Instruction math coach. Kristin was chosen for the Google Innovator Academy in Copenhagen in November 2019 and is aiming to complete the project by November 2020. Kristin was previously a 2nd-grade teacher at Coeur d’Alene in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Jennifer Williams (alumna mentor ‘17) is now the assistant principal of Peter Burnett Elementary School and Juan Cabrillo Elementary School in the Wiseburn Unified School District. Jennifer was previously a teacher and instructional coach at Juan Cabrillo.
Jennifer Wilson (alumna fellow ’10) is now a reading specialist for Boulder Creek Elementary School in the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District. For the last 20 years, Jennifer has taught 1st-grade, 2nd-grade, kindergarten, and reading recovery. She began taking her master’s in reading and literacy this past summer.
Wendy Wood (alumni fellow ’04) is now the Assistant Principal of McGaugh Elementary in Los Alamitos. Previously, Wendy was 20% Administrative Designee and 80% classroom teacher at Lee Elementary in Los Alamitos.
Martha Monahan (alumna principal ’19) has received a doctorate degree in educational leadership this year. Martha is principal at Center Street Elementary School in the El Segundo Unified School District.
If you are a Cotsen alum or know of a Cotsen alum who has risen to new leadership positions or academic challenges, but are missing from this list, please email us at info@cotsen.organd we will be sure to add you or them to the list. Thank you.
Congrats to all Cotsen colleagues!
Wanted to add that I (Fellow ‘13 I believe!) have gathered 2 fellow Cotsen alums to be on the Board of Directors of our new nature-based Pre-K/TK/K community school recently opened in Santa Monica. We have pioneered a model of socio-economic diversity that doesn’t yet exist in preschools. Would be happy to host any Cotsen teachers on a tour! untitledno1.org