On July 30 and 31 , 2025, Cotsen Mentors and Fellows came together at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles for a two-day professional development seminar that turned history into a hands-on adventure. The workshop kicked off at the James R. Parks Library and Archives, where Cheryl Miller and Alejandra “Ale” Gaeta walked us through the […]

First-Year Cotsen Mentors First-and-Second-Year Cotsen Mentors

On Saturday, August 16, new Cotsen Mentors and Fellows gathered for orientation and the start of an exciting two-year journey together. Educators from Ocean View School District, Walnut Valley Unified, Montebello Unified, Fullerton, Long Beach Unified, and Los Angeles Unified joined to learn, connect, and build community.to learn, connect, and build community. The day highlighted […]

What happens when you bring math into storytime? For Hayde Cervantes, an alumna Cotsen Fellow at Edison Language Academy, the answer was joyful engagement. After learning about Mathematizing Children’s Literature at the NCTE-NCTM conference, Hayde teamed up with her Cotsen Mentor, Alma Williams, to put these ideas into practice. Inspired by Karen Recinos’ dual language CGI training, […]

On June 16–18, the Cotsen Foundation proudly supported a group of 25 mentors, fellows, and staff in attending the 2025 NCTE–NCTM Joint Conference for Elementary Literacy & Mathematics in Chicago. They joined over 1,500 educators for a powerful learning experience focused on integrating math and literacy through innovative strategies. Among the standout moments was a […]

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 […]