A LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LISA HANEY
Dear CATDC Community,
CATDC turns 25 at a time when California educators and schools are facing rapid change and growing challenges. As the fires in Los Angeles County and their aftermath so poignantly illustrate, tapping into the strength of community is more important than ever. We need each other, and we need spaces where we can learn and grow together. In celebrating a quarter century of impact, CATDC is deepening our commitment to support teachers and leaders in their growth so they can better empower young people to flourish and thrive.
Now in my seventh year as Executive Director of CATDC, I have attended hundreds of our programs, experiencing firsthand the transformational learning that takes place. Countless teachers and administrators have shared with me how CATDC has served as a career catalyst, connecting them to a vibrant professional community and transforming their practice. Most importantly, they speak of the ripple effect—how this learning enriches their classrooms and strengthens their school communities.
Improving teaching and learning, nurturing authentic relationships, and fostering innovative collaboration were central to the vision of our founding director Janet McGarvey and continue to drive our work. Research has consistently shown what Janet knew in her heart to be true: student success and well-being are directly linked to the skills and well-being of their teachers. When educators thrive, students thrive.
In the months ahead, I look forward to sharing more about CATDC's 25-year journey as we continue to draw from our creative energy, community sensibility, and collective strength to navigate uncertainty and create the future we hope to see.
With appreciation,
JANET MCGARVEY FUND
In honor of this important milestone, we are proud to announce the Janet McGarvey Fund, which will ensure that more educators can benefit from CATDC programming through:
- Individual scholarships for early-career teachers and aspiring leaders
- Membership grants to schools with demonstrated need
- Program discounts for schools experiencing financial constraints
FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JANET MCGARVEY
What if it worked? These were the words I repeated over and over... and it DID work thanks to the support of our first member schools, and the administrators and teachers who had faith.
A MILESTONE IN LEARNING AND COLLABORATION
Based on our deep understanding of California independent schools and focus on authentic relationships, CATDC offers quality in-person and virtual professional learning programming, instructional and leadership coaching, and consulting.
STATEWIDE COLLABORATIONS
We couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate 25 years than by co-creating transformative learning experiences with the CATDC community. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported these impactful programs!
TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING CONFERENCE
As part of our 25th-anniversary celebrations, the inaugural Transformative Teaching Conference brought together educators from across California for a day of collaboration and inspiration. In partnership with Crystal Springs Uplands School, this gathering centered the expertise of teachers, the power of cross-school connections, and innovative approaches to deepen student learning. With a keynote by Sylvia Rodriguez Douglass, Ed.D., and over 40 presenters, the event reaffirmed our commitment to educator growth, authentic relationships, and bold collaboration.
WOMEN + LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Women + Leadership 2025 was a powerful celebration of 25 years of CATDC, bringing educators together from across California to explore leading with imagination. Deep gratitude to Meena Srinivasan and Tamisha Williams for sharing their stories and gifts, and to our sponsor organizations and schools for making this inspiring day possible. Designed by a planning committee of women leaders from CATDC member schools, the conference fostered reflection, connection, and creativity, reinforcing our commitment to co-creating new pathways and practices.
