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 Â鶹Éç 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 […]
We are honored to share that the Â鶹Éç is a 2024 Library of Congress Successful Practice Award winner! As part of this recognition, Dr. Julie Graham, Cotsen Associate Director of the Â鶹Éç, and Carlen Le-Hessinger, and Senior Program Officer, participated in the recent Library of Congress Literacy Awards […]
Congratulations to our graduating Post-Fellowship (PFY) schools! PFY school teams gathered together to share their stories of a yearlong journey towards building Collective Teacher Efficacy within a signature practice. It was clear from their reflections and experiences that each team’s collaborative efforts made a positive impact on teaching and learning across their school campus. Prospective […]
The Cotsen Graduation at the Skirball Cultural Center on May 17th was more than just a ceremony  — it was a heartfelt celebration of passion, perseverance, and the power of teaching. Kicking off with warm words from Cotsen’s President and CEO, Barry Munitz, and Board Chair, Jonathan Victor, the event honored the remarkable 2025 cohort […]
Imagine a school where parents and caregivers hug teachers, not just for gratitude, but for giving them the tools to unlock their children’s potential at home. This is the magic unfolding at Ceres Elementary and Danbrook Elementary, two schools fueled by the Cotsen Family Engagement Grant to redefine how families connect with learning. At Ceres […]