Today, the Cotsen Foundation for the ART of TEACHING welcomed Jerry Harris as its new executive director, succeeding Judy Johnson, the founding executive director of the ART of TEACHING, who retired at the end of June 2013.
Mr. Harris has served as a program officer for the foundation since 2007, focusing on the development of school governance and leadership that supports the promotion of teaching excellence. With more than 30 years of experience as a highly respected teacher, curriculum specialist and professional developer, principal, and administrative mentor for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Mr. Harris has a deep understanding of all aspects of the conditions that are necessary for schools to excel and for teachers to achieve excellence.
The ART of TEACHING was founded by Los Angeles-based philanthropist Lloyd Cotsen, who was and continues to be inspired by the lifelong impact great teachers can have on the lives of their students. Dr. Johnson led the program since its launch in 2001, helping to develop the ART of TEACHING into a thriving program that, as of the end of this academic year, has engaged nearly 800 teachers and has been active in more than 100 schools across 20 school districts in both Northern and Southern California.
Under the leadership of Mr. Harris, the foundation will continue to focus on developing gifted teachers through its two-year fellowship opportunity that links talented teachers with coaches and provides them with the resources and support needed to become artful in their craft.
Learn more about the ART of TEACHING and Mr. Cotsen’s mission.
For videos of artful teaching, visit Videos of Teaching.