Presented by Elizabeth Shafer, Director of Strategy and Influence, Lead by Learning; Katherine Acosta-Verprauskus, Principal, Montalvin Manor K-8, West Contra Costa Unified School District (CA); and Malia Tayabas-Kim, Program Associate, Lead by Learning

Sponsored by Lead by Learning, a program of Mills College School of Education

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Professional learning is changing rapidly to address a spectrum of new needs for educators and their students. This recorded edWebinar will immerse viewers in insights and ideas about creating school cultures in which PLCs value curiosity, center the student experience and provide rich, sense-making spaces for teachers and leaders. A key emphasis is integrating social and emotional learning for educators, within a culture of Public Learning.

Moderated by Elizabeth Shafer, Lead by Learning’s Director of Strategy and Influence, and featuring Katherine Acosta-Verprauskus, Principal at Montalvin Manor K-8 in West Contra Costa Unified School District, this recorded edWebinar will unpack approaches to building a culture of Public Learning and teacher leadership. Malia Tayabas-Kim, a program associate at Lead by Learning,  join the presentation to help showcase Public Learning techniques. The presenters demonstrate how inquiry-based, rich learning partnerships are changing the learning experience for educators and students alike. Viewers will see how these approaches help deliver measurable impacts on student outcomes.

This recorded edWebinar will be of interest to preK-12 teachers, school and district leaders, professional development leaders, curriculum leaders, school improvement leaders, Title I/federal funding directors, and equity, inclusion, and diversity leaders. 

About the Presenters

Elizabeth Shafer is the director of strategy and influence at Lead by Learning. Her work focuses on partnering with school and district leaders to build vibrant adult learning cultures that center students’ learning experiences. Elizabeth believes that equity-driven improvement happens when educators at all levels of the system are asking, “What is happening for my learners and how do I know?” Elizabeth’s experience as a second- and third-grade teacher, a teacher leader, a curriculum developer, and a professional learning facilitator informs her current work at Lead by Learning. Elizabeth holds an M.A. in education from UC Berkeley.

Katherine Acosta-Verprauskus is the principal at Montalvin Manor K-8. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Katherine moved to Kansas when she was 10 years old. Katherine is a first-generation college student and earned her master’s and undergraduate degrees from the University of Kansas. She is dedicated to serving youth and supporting them to reach their goals and dreams. In the past, she has served as a vice principal in a K-8 school in East Oakland and as a special education teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in WCCUSD. Katherine values working in partnership with teachers, students, and families to maximize the learning and experience of ALL students at Montalvin. In her spare time, she chases her two young sons and enjoys cooking in her Richmond home.

Malia Tayabas-Kim is a proud Oakland native and is a product of the Oakland Unified School District. Growing up in a family of educators, she chose to give back to her community by becoming an elementary school teacher. As a teacher in Oakland, Malia took on leadership roles focused on improving teacher practice and students’ academic, social, and emotional growth and development. Malia was a participant and teacher leader in the Lead by Learning Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Inquiry Group for six years, where she collaborated with her peers to examine the interrelationship and interdependence of SEL and academics while also refining one’s teaching based on those understandings. Now, as a program associate with Lead by Learning, Malia facilitates collaborative inquiry for teachers and leaders throughout the Bay Area. Malia received her B.A. from Occidental College and her teaching credential and master’s degree at UC Berkeley.

Closed captioning will be added to the recording within 2 weeks of the live presentation.

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Lead by Learning places learning at the heart of teaching and leading, so educators can continuously deliver on the promise of a quality education for all students. By partnering with a widening community of educators and serving as trusted advisors, we help educators design and create vibrant teacher-led learning cultures, so they evolve as learners who lead systemic improvement and most importantly give all students opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.