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I spent much of the summer immersed in professional development with California educators as Executive Director of CATDC. I reveled in the opportunity to be a participant observer, witnessing months of planning come to exuberant life, soaking up what I could from the facilitators as well as the teachers and administrators in the room or…

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the newest member of the CATDC team, stepping into the role of Program Manager. The opportunity to join this organization dedicated to empowering educators and fostering professional growth truly excites me.  I have long been passionate about education and have had a hand in it for the last…

In the summer of 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, record numbers of white people heeded the national call to step out of the shadows. White educators were no different. We heard countless stories of racism shared by BIPOC students—both online and within our independent school communities. For white educators, that summer was particularly…

I was invited to the CATDC Board in 2018 as the first non-Head of School Trustee to the Board and now in 2023 have just completed my first year as Chair. I am deeply honored to be part of such an important organization, vital to the transformation of the educational landscape. As CATDC approaches its 25th…

As I prepare to enter my seventh year as Executive Director of CATDC, I feel proud of our evolution as an organization and excited about what is to come. At the heart of my leadership is my belief in the power of education to transform young people, to help them become more thoughtful, skillful, and…

Fellow Educators, I am excited to journey anew with the CATDC team and honored to contribute to the meaningful and necessary work of the collaborative as the Northern California Director. CATDC has provided me and many others with a welcoming space to learn and develop as teachers and leaders. Its progressive programs and people have…

Ramadan Mubarak!  This translates as “Have a blessed Ramadan,” and in the vernacular it can be taken as “Happy Ramadan.” Take from this greeting the following three truths: Ramadan is a holy month in the Islamic Calendar. Muslims who are able to do so fast during this month from pre-dawn to sunset. Ramadan is on…

Date: April 4, 2023 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm Location: St Paul’s Episcopal School, 116 Montecito Avenue, Oakland, CA Cheryl is the Head of St. Paul’s School in Oakland and has over 25 years of experience in education. She worked at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, Redwood Day School in Oakland and the Bentley School…

Teaching, especially in our students’ second language, is a wonderfully creative endeavor—and one that becomes significantly more effective in collaboration with a professional learning community, encouraging us to share innovative ideas, build upon them, experiment in the classroom, and reflect on our ever-growing instructional practices. I cordially invite and encourage you to join CATDC’s first…

As independent schools navigate the post-pandemic world, levels of teacher burnout are at an all-time high. While many school leaders strive to alleviate the strain upon teachers in order to best serve their needs and thereby the needs of their students, there are only so many ways in which tasks may be redistributed or reimagined…

First, I want to say happy summer. I know how hard you have worked this year, and you deserve a rest. Summer has meant so much more to educators these past few years, and it’s essential to take the time to pause and take care of yourself. As you consider how you’ll rejuvenate and soak…

I live and work two blocks away from a large public high school and two doors down from a preschool. Often the sound of children squealing or teenagers shouting floats up to my home office. Usually, I relish the noise; it has been five years since I left the classroom, and I still miss being…

As ongoing national events relentlessly remind us of the power of white supremacy, educators are working hard to have important and authentic conversations about race and racism. But we are weary and frustrated, too, and sometimes unsure of just what to say to our students.  If we have learned anything in the last few years,…

I want to express my joy and enthusiasm  about becoming the next Program Manager and Northern California Associate Director of Programs beginning July 1, 2022! As an educator who values community and  belonging and thrives in a joyful environment, I am eager to bring my whole self to this role. Being a member of a…