A New Vision for Schools in the Fall/Winter 2020 Issue of USC Rossier Magazine Dean Pedro A

USC ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION MAGAZINE : SPRING / SUMMER 2021

MAGAZINE

In Conversation Shaun R. Harper on his AERA presidency P. 26 Gamifying the Virtual Classroom Digital tools increase engagement, but can we ensure access to A New Vision them? P. 28 Opinion Pedro A. Noguera for Schools on disruption as an opportunity for change P. 42 Scientific Intuition Exists in All Children But can we keep them engaged as they grow up? P. 14 Looking Back EDMON BY DE HARO ILLUSTRATION on a Year Unlike Any Other Alumni share their experiences and hopes for the future P. 8 DEAN’S BYLINE A second grader attends online school from her socially distanced desk at the Delano Recreation Dear Friends, Center, which is a part of the Safer at Parks: As we go to press, COVID-19 has infected Alternative Learning 3.6 million Californians. On a more profound Centers and After School Program in scale, due to our state’s sheer size and deep Los Angeles. income inequality, the pandemic has shuttered businesses, triggered mass evictions, thrown millions into unemployment and forced teachers and families to rely on virtual instruction. California’s governor, its teachers unions and the massive Los Angeles Unified School District—80 percent of whose students live in poverty—struggled to agree on when to reopen schools safely. The pressure to reopen has been great, and not only due to economic urgency. Although schools tried valiantly to keep students connected to learning, millions of kids have had limited access to online classes. USC Rossier Professor Stephen J. Aguilar’s research in Los Angeles County (p. 5) found that close to a third of students fall into this category. It’s not surprising that a recent study from Policy Analysis for California Education found substantial evidence of learning loss among low-income students. Inequities in educational opportunity that were pervasive before the pandemic have been exacerbated. As vaccines are rolled out, political agreements are forged, plans activated and schools reopened, how will we address these impacts? And is there any chance that schools can perform better than before— for all students, equally? Hugh Vazquez of the National Equity Project writes, “Disturbance is required for change and there is no doubt that disturbance is happening … the question is, are we willing to use this opportunity to create the kind of educational system we want? … To change a system, we … first have to SEE what the system is producing, then we have to ENGAGE with others to design something different, and finally we have to ACT.” When we do look closely and “see” our educational system, it’s clear we can do better. We can provide students with an education that expands opportunity, builds character and inspires them to excel. If we invite teachers to prioritize their relationships with students—to get kids excited about learning by tapping into their natural curiosity—and if we work together, across political differences, to ensure that schools have the resources to support all students, we can create the schools we need for a better, more equitable future. In this issue, you will read about USC Rossier initiatives designed to do just that—our New Vision for Schools. Our faculty, alumni and students “see” the system in question. Together with teachers, counselors, administrators and families on the front lines of the educational challenges in this country, we are ready to devise innovative, aggressive, permanent strategies for change.

Fight On!

Pedro A. Noguera, PhD Distinguished Professor of Education Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean USC Rossier School of Education PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES / AL SEIB EDITOR’S NOTE TABLE OF CONTENTS

A New Vision for Schools In the Fall/Winter 2020 issue of USC Rossier Magazine Dean Pedro A. Noguera we explored how both the COVID-19 pandemic and Executive Director, Communications the Black Lives Matter movement exposed existing Wendy Shattuck inequities in schools, resulting in an urgent need to Editor & Director of Publications Kianoosh Hashemzadeh reconsider how we educate. Our findings were clear: We can’t simply Director of Alumni Engagement go back to normal after the pandemic is over. Instead, we must use Matt DeGrushe ME ’04 this opportunity to help bring lasting change to the field of education. Design & Art Direction In this issue, you will read about how the USC Rossier community is Laura Grey considering the ways education can be re-envisioned and how these Copy Editor Elizabeth Slocum transformations can help us work toward our mission of achieving 20 Proofreader educational equity. Anne Burke Our webinar series, A New Vision for Schools (and Why Now Is Production Manager FEATURES Nina Crum the Time), which brings together thought leaders in many sectors to discuss pressing problems in education, launched in February (p. 4). In Scientific Intuition Exists in All Children 14 partnership with LAUSD, a new Teacher Preparation Residency program But how can STEM instruction tap into this natural curiosity as kids grow up? CONTRIBUTORS By Katharine Gammon Shaun R. Harper to support the next generation of educators will kick off this fall (p. 10). Provost Professor of Education and Our faculty, staff, students and alumni are reimagining how science is Business taught (p. 14), how classrooms and schoolyards can be reconfigured The Pandemic Forced Us Outside, and Oak Park Ross Brenneman Director of Media Relations to promote the social and emotional well-being of students (p. 20), Unified Shows How Schools Can Benefit 20 Led by Anthony Knight EdD ’06, this Ventura County district Arwen Duffy how to reform college admissions (p. 36), and how educators are using provides a model for outdoor education and environmental literacy Assistant Vice President, Development digital tools in their virtual classrooms (p. 28). The pandemic, in fact, By Kianoosh Hashemzadeh Brian Soika Digital Content Writer has shown us in many ways that the things we thought could never change, actually can. Gamifying the Virtual Classroom 28 The pandemic has educators turning to digital tools to increase engagement, but how can we ensure these technologies are accessible BOARD OF COUNCILORS Kianoosh Hashemzadeh, Editor for all students? By Nadra Kareem Nittle Reveta Franklin Bowers, David Hagen, Superintendent, Chair, Head of School, Center Huntington Beach Union for Early Education in Los High School District (former) Angeles (retd.) John Katzman, Founder/CEO, Mary Atwater James, Vice The Noodle Companies Is the Pandemic Worsening the Equity Gap Chair, Los Angeles Executive 28 Board Member, Prime Group Ira W. Krinsky, Consultant, in College Admissions? 36 Korn/Ferry International Robert Abeles, USC Chief While test-optional policies have some applauding, declining application Financial Officer (retd.) Melanie Lundquist, Activist Philanthropist rates for low-income students and people of color are worrisome Kenya Barris, By Elaine Woo Founder & CEO, Khalabo Ink Cindy Hensley McCain ’76 Society MS ’78 honorary degree ’19, Chair, Hensley & Co. Frank E. Baxter, Chairman Emeritus and CEO, Jefferies Noor Menai, CEO/President, LLC (retd.) CTBC Bank DEPARTMENTS Jim Berk, Chairman/CEO, Brent Noyes ’75 MS ’79, Goodman Media Partners Principal, Arroyo Vista Elementary School (retd.); STORY IDEAS? Maggie Chidester EdD ’95, Chair, The Academy Dean’s Byline 1 In Conversation 34 Law Offices of Margaret A. FEEDBACK? Akilah Lyons-Moore Chidester & Associates Charlene Shimada ’91, Principal, Alameda Please write to us at Editor’s Note 2 Robert Filback PhD, Elementary School; Professor of Clinical USC Alumni Representative communications@ Rossier News 4 Opinion 42 Education, USC Rossier rossier.usc.edu Pedro A. Noguera Faculty Council Chair Sheree T. Speakman, Founder/CEO, CIE Learning Tips for Educators 13 Carol Fox MS ’62, Teacher Shaun R. Harper Education Lecturer; President, Shamya Ullah, Bookshelf 43 USC Alumni Association Portfolio Manager, First Vice Board of Governors (former) President, RBC Capital Alumni News 44 EDMON DE HARO DE BY EDMON In Conversation 26 Greg Franklin ’83 EdD ’97, Peter Weil, Co-Managing Shaun R. Harper Superintendent, Tustin Partner, Glaser, Weil, Fink, Rossier Supporters 52 Unified School District; Jacobs, Howard & Shapiro, Chair, DSAG LLP Printed with vegetable oil-based inks on 10% PCW

ILLUSTRATION PHOTO BY WONG APRIL cover stock.

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New vision for schools takes shape through webinar series

By Wendy Shattuck HELPING TO REIMAGINE AND REMAKE K–12 education is one outcomes before the pandemic. “Can we make it happen of Dean Pedro A. Noguera’s imperatives for USC Rossier, as already? We’ve got to be brave!” exclaimed Professor Mary vaccines roll out and we contemplate the return of tens of Helen Immordino-Yang, one of four experts who agreed the millions of U.S. schoolchildren to in-person learning. In Feb- time is indeed now to chart a new course for education in ruary, the school launched a series of virtual conversations on this country. Joining host Pedro A. the topic. A New Vision for Schools (and Why Now Is the Time) The series’ second webinar in March explored further Noguera were, gathers experts from education, public policy, the media, the inequities in educational opportunity that have been from left to right, technology, philanthropy and other sectors to explore how worsened by the pandemic and how we might improve out- moderator Elizabeth our educational system can do better for students after the comes. Future webinars will tackle how to redesign teaching Green, CEO, pandemic. At the heart of the series is an exploration of how and learning, engage young learners digitally and innovate in WHEN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC closed of remote instruction rely in part on parents Chalkbeat; we can use the unprecedented disruption wrought by COVID- policymaking. The conversations all focus on three key areas: Bror Saxberg, schools across the country last spring, dis- acting as educators, when in fact many par- 19 as an opportunity to create a more engaging, more equita- advancing equity, educating the whole child and fostering SURVEY: vice president, tricts turned to emergency online instruction, ents—especially low-income parents—are Chan ble and more effective learning environment for children than engagement. LOW-INCOME distributing tens of thousands of internet hot required to work outside the home or have Zuckerberg they experienced before the prolonged school shutdown. Audience members, including teachers, students, fam- Initiative; spot devices and learning equipment like lap- limited technological proficiency to support Hundreds tuned in for the inaugural webinar in the series, ilies and advocates, will be invited to help develop and José Muñoz, FAMILIES tops and tablets. students’ needs. And only about 1 in 3 families director, “The School Safety Net in the COVID Age,” which examined implement plans that emerge from these dialogues. “This But a survey of low-income families in Los report that students always have a place free Coalition for the worrisome effects we are seeing in students of all ages pandemic presents an opportunity like none we’ve had STRAINED Community Angeles shows that many students became of distraction for remote learning. whom the pandemic forced online. From lack of access and before to disrupt the entrenched modes and mindsets of Schools; disengaged, especially when home technology “Every room in the household is now a Mary Helen learning loss to social-emotional impacts, and from deep- the educational structure in our nation and rebuild from it BY DISTANCE was lacking or unreliable. The research shows classroom,” said Stephen J. Aguilar, an assis- Immordino- ened racial and socioeconomic inequities to mental health something better,” Noguera said. R Yang, professor, — LEARNING that continued school support for internet tant professor of education at USC Rossier. issues, many students are struggling, and the situation USC Rossier access and devices—as well as live instruc- “Bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens are not has magnified issues that affected students’ learning and To view the webinars, please visit rsoe.in/newvision. By Ross Brenneman tion and teacher feedback—will be critical for set up for uninterrupted, focused instruction.” improving remote learning for the remainder Aguilar produced the report with Hernan of the 2020–21 school year. Galperin, an associate professor of communi- “If we want the future of Los Angeles to cation at the USC Annenberg School for Com- be less characterized by profound inequality, munication and Journalism. —R we must do more to guarantee high-quality FOR THE FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW, U.S. News & World Report named USC Rossier learning opportunities for all children,” said The survey was conducted online and by one of the 15 best graduate schools of education in the country. This year we’re Pedro A. Noguera, dean of USC Rossier. “This phone, and sampled 1,971 families with #11, and have ranked in the top 20 in nine of the past 10 years. report reminds us of how far we must go to children in K–12 schools administered by the # Two USC Rossier programs also ranked in the top 30 within their respective deliver a well-rounded education.” Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, Vaughn areas: Higher Education Administration (#5) and Education Policy (#17). The report shows the many ways the Next Century Learning Center and STEM- pandemic is making it difficult for schools to Prep Charter Schools. The California-based 11 provide high-quality learning opportunities nonprofit Great Public Schools Now provided for all children. For example, many models funding for the study. ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS GASH

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USC ROSSIER HAS ADDED THREE members to its Board of Council- ors (BOC). Kenya Barris, Melanie Lundquist and Shamya Ullah have Three philanthropists agreed to serve a three-year term on the board, playing a significant role in program development and carrying out numer- with backgrounds ous critical functions on behalf of the school and university. “I am honored and grateful to welcome three outstanding individ- Gregory Franklin ’83, in social justice and uals to the USC Rossier Board of Councilors,” USC Rossier Dean Pedro activism join Board of A. Noguera said. “Kenya, Melanie and Shamya share the passion and EdD ’97 inducted the concerns, but also the great new energy and optimism, that all of into DSAG Hall of Councilors us feel about education right now. … Society is in a unique moment. Postelection and post-pandemic, we must imagine a better way of By Ross Brenneman Fame; four EdD engaging all students in learning and supporting their success.” —R students awarded KENYA BARRIS is MELANIE LUNDQUIST SHAMYA ULLAH is a the award-winning is one of Southern social justice activist scholarships writer, producer California’s foremost and pioneer in the and director behind philanthropists, field of impact invest- By Kianoosh Hashemzadeh projects such as the along with her hus- ing, focusing on the Netflix original com- band, Richard. Their use of private capital THIS YEAR’S AWARDS CEREMONY FOR the Dean’s for his service, for his generosity and for his integ- edy #blackAF; the transformative gifts for social good. She Superintendent Advisory Group (DSAG), which took rity as a leader, [Franklin] is so deserving of this Peabody Award- have created the began her career on place virtually in January, awarded four DSAG schol- recognition,” USC Rossier Dean Pedro A. Noguera winning sitcom black-ish at ABC; two suc- Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, a turn- Wall Street in 1997 at Goldman Sachs. In 2017, arships and inducted Gregory Franklin ’83, EdD ’97 noted in his opening remarks. cessful black-ish spin-offs,grown-ish on around model for underserved noncharter she joined RBC Capital Markets as portfolio into the DSAG Hall of Fame. For Franklin, “changing the lives of kids” has Freeform and mixed-ish at ABC; as well as K–12 public schools. Lundquist serves as vice manager in Los Angeles. From developing Franklin, the chair of DSAG and superintendent always been paramount, and students’ success in a recently green-lit, third spin-off, old-ish, chair of the organization’s board of direc- strategies for fossil fuel, firearms and private of Tustin Unified School District, began his career as school permeates other aspects of their lives. “Every in the works. tors. The Lundquists are signatories of the prison divestment to the newly launched U.N. a social studies teacher at Saddleback High School part of their lives—every measurable part and many Barris has aimed to make an impact Giving Pledge and have appeared four times Sustainable Development Goals investment in Santa Anna, California, where he also coached parts that aren’t measurable—will be better if we’re through his personal philanthropic endeav- on “The Philanthropy 50,” the annual list of portfolio, Ullah has directed more than $500 football and track. Rudy M. Castruita ’82 EdD, USC doing our job well,” Franklin said in his acceptance ors, as well. In 2018, he donated $1 million to America’s 50 most generous philanthropists. million in capital toward impact strategies. Rossier professor of clinical education and Irving speech. establish the Kenya and Rainbow Barris Annual Lundquist is also a double Trojan, hold- Ullah is also a frequent speaker on R. and Virginia Archer Melbo Chair in Education The DSAG Endowed Scholarships were awarded Scholarship Award at his alma matter, Clark ing undergraduate and graduate degrees impact investing, having presented or Administration, hired Franklin at Saddleback High to Christopher Brown, assistant superintendent in Atlanta University; half of the donation will from USC in communicative disorders/ lectured at the Forum for Sustainable and and described him as “one of the best hires I’ve the Office of Research, Planning, Evaluation and support mass media arts majors, with the speech pathology and audiology, as well Responsible Investment, the United Nations, ever made.” Franklin went on to become assistant School Improvement at Long Beach Unified School remaining half serving as an annual scholar- as a credential as a specialist in special Columbia University, USC, UCLA, UC San principal at Saddleback High as well as principal at District; William Gideon Jr., assistant superin- ship for biology students. education. Diego and the Ebell of Los Angeles. Fullerton Union High School and Bonita High School. tendent of curriculum and instruction for the Los His path to the Tustin superintendency included Nietos School District; Lita Mallett, founding prin- appointments as assistant superintendent of human cipal of Milwaukee Excellence High School; and resources in the Fullerton Joint Union High School Karen Mercado, an administrator of instruction in District, assistant superintendent of educational LAUSD Local District West. Mercado’s scholarship services for the Glendale Unified School District and was awarded through a partnership with TELACU, What we’re watching superintendent of the Los Alamitos Unified School whose mission is to equip Latino/Latina scholars District. In 2014, Franklin was named California and with the tools they need to effect positive change A new PBS documentary, A Trusted Space—which features USC Rossier Dean Orange County superintendent of the year. “Known in their communities. —R Pedro A. Noguera and professors Mary Helen Immordino-Yang and Alan Arka- tov alongside other experts, educators, parents and teachers—premiered in November. The film explores social and emotional learning principles and also Gregory Franklin emcees the DSAG awards dinner has an accompanying curriculum guide that provides tools to assist students in 2020. and teachers in dealing with anxiety, grief and trauma in a year in which school BY BRIAN MORRI PHOTOGRAPHY / 211 and daily life have been disrupted. From left to right, Christopher Brown, To view A Trusted Space and access the curriculum guide, please visit Karen Mercado, Lita Mallet, and William allittakes.org/a-trusted-space/. Gideon Jr. GREGORY FRANKLIN PHOTO GREGORY

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VIVIAN EKCHIAN EdD ’19, superintendent, How has the pandemic changed your reminded us we need to continually expand Leaders in Glendale Unified School District: The transi- views on the education system? our efforts on how we are able to educate and tion to distance learning has had an enormous support our students. We were forced to reach Education impact on our students’ social-emotional GOTHOLD: The pandemic has made it clear students in unique ways and to engage within Reflect well-being. We continue to create opportu- that we must do better for our most vulnerable our personal space via Zoom to expand our nities for students to engage online, but the students. It has also reinforced the importance supportive efforts with our students. on a Year of inability to have in-person interactions such of county offices of education. Throughout the MMEJE: The pandemic has highlighted the as athletic competitions and extracurricular pandemic—in consultation with school dis- inequities that exist among our students— Upheaval activities has taken away a critical element trict and charter school leaders, bargaining some have the privilege of focusing exclusively Alumni from Hawai‘i to of the school experience. Our district is com- association and parent representatives, and on their academic and co-curricular pursuits, mitted to offering additional social-emotional experts in topics such as food service and spe- while others are burdened by school and the PAUL GOTHOLD EdD ’17, SCOTT PARKER EdD ’14, VIVIAN EKCHIAN EdD ’19, Minnesota share their support for students and families during this cial education—the San Diego County Office need to work, some serving as caregivers to superintendent of schools, San Diego head of school, Kamehameha superintendent of the Glendale County Office of Education Schools, Island of Maui, Hawai‘i Unified School District, Glendale, experiences and hopes time, including providing online counseling of Education has created materials to support younger siblings or aging parents. It has rein- San Diego, California California for the future through telehealth, expanding access to digi- districts and schools in reopening. forced my strong belief in the advantages of an tal resources and hosting virtual mental health PARKER: A September 2020 Brookings Insti- in-person, residential experience—students forums and support groups. tution report said it best: “It is hard to imagine are more likely to thrive when they are able MERRILL IRVING JR. EdD ’07, president, there will be another moment in history when to fully engage in the collegiate experience. Hennepin Technical College: We have seen the central role of education in the economic, FUENTES: The pandemic is magnifying the historic levels of social unrest over the social, and political prosperity and stability of important role school districts have in pro- results of the U.S. presidential election and nations is so obvious and well understood by viding support services to students and their IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE OVER a year has passed the death of George Floyd and others like him the general population.” What we must do now, families. While addressing the needs for dig- since the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a who have been disenfranchised and discrimi- however, is to ensure that support for educa- ital access and quality online instruction, global lockdown. In this time of unknowns, nated against. I am reminded daily of my call tion does not regress but remains strong and school districts have also had to simultane- to action to help remedy social injustice by constantly front of mind for community leaders, ously address issues with food insecurity and the importance of our educational system MERRILL IRVING JR. EdD ’07, KENECHUKWU MMEJE EdD ’12, ROXANE FUENTES BA ’94, intentionally helping our student population, policymakers and government going forward. social-emotional wellness. Trying to meet has been brought into sharp focus, and we’ve president, Hennepin Technical vice president for student affairs, EdD ’15, superintendent, Berryessa turned to educators time and time again to 62 percent of whom come from underrepre- these critical needs has also emphasized College, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota Southern Methodist University, Union School District, San Jose, help us find answers to the tough questions the sented populations. It is critically important the inadequate funding of public education Dallas, Texas California pandemic has forced us to reckon with. Here, that we continue to educate everyone on cul- “Pre-pandemic, in California. we’ve asked six USC Rossier alumni in leader- tural competency and advance social justice ship positions across the educational spec- with positive action within our communities ‘normal’ didn’t mean Are there any adaptations you’ve EKCHIAN: Even after students return to more lecture recordings available for asynchronous trum how they’ve navigated the pandemic, and across the country. success for every made that will become permanent? traditional instruction, our district will con- learners, providing virtual tutoring, telemed- how it’s changed their views on education and KENECHUKWU MMEJE EdD ’12, vice presi- child, and that has tinue to offer a full-time virtual high school for icine and virtual co-curricular programming the adaptations they’ve made. dent for student affairs, Southern Methodist GOTHOLD: I hope that the increased aware- students who thrived in a distance-learning should be embraced permanently going University: The COVID crisis challenged me to change.” ness and interest in doing better for our environment. We are providing teacher leaders forward. Modifications to learning modality What is one thing you know now and my colleagues in unimaginable ways—we —Paul Gothold EdD ’17, San Diego underserved students will become a perma- with comprehensive professional development and support-service delivery will be critical County Superintendent of Schools that you wish you’d known at the were attempting to respond to an unprece- nent change. Pre-pandemic, “normal” didn’t on blended learning to bridge distance learning to making the collegiate experience more start of the pandemic? dented pandemic, which affected every aspect mean success for every child, and that has to to in-person instruction. The virtual setting has accessible and accommodating of students’ of our operations. The uncertainty caused fear, change. I believe it is a moral imperative to also enabled us to significantly increase family ever-changing needs. PAUL GOTHOLD EdD ’17, superintendent of frustration and doubt among my staff. In ret- EKCHIAN: The pandemic and our transition prepare every child for college. If they choose engagement in meetings and events. FUENTES: I believe we are going to create a schools, San Diego County Office of Educa- rospect, I should have been more confident in to distance learning further exposed existing not to go, let that be their choice, not the sys- IRVING: Students can choose whether they better system than we had before the pan- tion: I wish I’d known how politicized health my team’s ability to rise to the occasion and equity gaps in our communities and our edu- tem’s. It’s imperative we help our schools prefer a meeting in person, via Zoom or by demic. We were working toward becoming 1:1 science and reopening would become and that adapt as needed to devise innovative solutions cational system. We had to mobilize imme- deconstruct those systems that do not sup- phone for all student affairs services. Offer- across all of our school sites. Technology and these lightning rod issues would not be bene- to the challenges resulting from the pandemic. diately to provide children, employees and port or that actively harm children, so all kids ing this flexibility has proven to meet stu- bridging the digital divide instantly became ficial for children. ROXANE FUENTES BA ’94, EdD ’15, superin- families with access to technology devices have access to learning opportunities and all dents where they are, and this will continue a must as we moved into distance learning. SCOTT PARKER EdD ’14, head of school, tendent, Berryessa Union School District: I and rethink how students are taught, evalu- the supports they require in order to be the post-pandemic. Our Student Life & Career I told our team our 1:1 launch was here! We Kamehameha Schools Maui: How to ensure wish I would have known when we closed our ated and supported. Moving forward, we must best version of themselves. Development team stands out—they launched quickly activated hot spots, Wi-Fi partner- that our teachers were better positioned to schools on March 13, 2020, that we wouldn’t place a greater emphasis on closing the digital PARKER: We cannot go back to the way things the first virtual career fair in the Minnesota ships, Chromebook and iPad distributions, leverage digital learning. We’ve been a 1:1 be returning in a few weeks. At the onset we divide and ensuring students have equitable were. Allowing our students access to courses State system, and it was a huge success. teacher training and more. As we plan for campus using iPads and MacBooks for years, believed that school operations would be access to the resources and support they need and programs through digital platforms truly MMEJE: The pandemic has accelerated higher next year, we intend to continue with our 1:1 but we failed to adequately leverage this interrupted temporarily, leading us to a first to be successful. created personalized experiences that cater to education’s embrace of technologies that initiative. We know that this has changed how PHOTO BY HILLSMAN JACKSON technology to deliver learning through more set of strategies. As time went on, we pivoted IRVING: Who would have imagined that a tech- their needs and individual situations. We also enabled many campuses to transition quickly our teachers teach and engage students, and robust digital platforms and in ways that meet to a longer-view approach. Overall, this has nical college could be successful in educating know that digital tools can increase access to to hybrid or fully remote learning modalities, that it will have positive long-term impacts. our students’ needs in more meaningful ways. been a transformational time for educators and supporting students remotely and through learning for those who might not have been and also expand the provision of critical aca- We’ve made progress but it didn’t come with- as we have had to reinvent and reimagine our online learning? We spend our time preparing able to otherwise access our campus and our demic support services. Practices such as For an extended version of this article, long-ingrained approaches. educational experiences. out significant sacrifice. students for the workforce, and the pandemic KENECHUKWU MMEJE streaming course lectures online or making please visit rsoe.in/educationleaders.

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USC Rossier and LAUSD announce In the Media teacher-preparation residency MEDICAL “Even if [college applicants] haven’t had the By Brian Soika SCHOOLING opportunity to have great extracurriculars, USC ROSSIER HAS PARTNERED with the Los Angeles Uni- they can demonstrate worth on a different fied School District (LAUSD) to offer a teacher-preparation How this USC Rossier LDT student dimension that I think will have more value program designed to support urban schools in Los Angeles is improving continuing education when we’re on the other side of the pandemic.” while advancing the careers of teachers. The Teacher Preparation Residency is available to eligi- for health care professionals —JULIE POSSELT, associate professor of higher education, in LAist ble students from USC Rossier’s Master of Arts in Teaching By Elaine Woo (MAT) program who embody the school’s mission to advance “I have been teaching about Whiteness, White educational equity and reflect the diversity of the commu- KIA HILL DIDN’T KNOW IT AT THE TIME, but she has been preparing for her career in instructional design since she was a homeschooler in fragility, White entitlement and White privilege nities of LAUSD. Selected candidates will receive a $42,000 scholarship from USC Rossier and a 20,000 living stipend Indianapolis more than a dozen years ago. over the entirety of my 18-year faculty career. from LAUSD. The combination of the scholarship and the The fourth oldest of 11 children, she regularly found herself helping Never once have I argued that all White people living stipend is equivalent to the entire cost of tuition for her younger siblings learn difficult concepts, whether by drawing dia- are evil. There are productive ways to teach the MAT program. grams to explain lipids’ connection to cholesterol or building toy cars to demonstrate momentum and velocity. And if the computer needed about these issues without having White “We are committed to addressing long-standing inequities in schools,” USC Rossier Dean Pedro A. Noguera said. debugging, she was the tech-savvy one first in line to assist. students feel attacked. In my experience, they “The Teacher Preparation Residency allows us to partner with Hill entered Indianapolis’ public school system in ninth grade, have appreciated being told the truth about the nation’s second-largest school district to target some of attending Crispus Attucks High School, a medical magnet where Hill was “At the minimum,” LDT faculty chair Helena Seli noted, “students are how other racial groups experience America.” exposed to career paths in science and technology. At Purdue University, designing hybrid experiences with reduced in-person interactions,” —SHAUN R. HARPER, Provost Professor of education and business, where she had a full-ride scholarship, Hill initially pursued a premed but some are reorienting their projects to 100 percent virtual learning. in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution “The Teacher Preparation Residency track. But after flirting with becoming a forensic pathologist—the result For her capstone project, Hill is helping to implement a learning- allows us to partner with the nation’s of scientific research and watching many episodes of TV’s Forensic Files management system with Jazz Hands for Autism, a nonprofit founded in high school—Hill came to regard “looking in a magnifying glass all by USC alumna Ifunanya Nweke ’16 that helps musicians on the autism “In my mind, the significance of the election second-largest school district to day a tad boring.” spectrum find and succeed in music-related jobs. Hill feels an affinity is very much tied to the pandemic. Whoever target some of the most underserved Yet she still felt passionate about working in health care. After notic- for Jazz Hands’ students, who face obstacles in landing paid positions gets elected will be helping to determine the areas of education.” ing a job posting in medical education, her career plans fell into place. as performers, composers, music teachers and audio technicians. As very consequential decisions around the health —Pedro A. Noguera, USC Rossier Dean “I said, ‘This is perfect for me,’” she recalled. “This is a way I can a first-generation college student from a low-income family, she has help improve patient outcomes by providing high-quality continuing faced challenges related to access to opportunities. and well-being of students, staff and faculty medical education to providers so they can practice at the top of their “Being a trailblazer is not always easy,” she said. “There were a lot in LAUSD.” the most underserved areas of education. Our goal is to draw licensure.” Armed with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary biology, of things I had to learn on my own, like finding a network of people to —JULIE MARSH, professor of education, in EdSource on the talent and diversity of our Master of Arts in Teaching she went to work for a health network in Indianapolis before moving support me with guidance and recommendations.” students to support the needs of our K–12 community.” to California in 2018. At the same time, she noted, growing up in her extra-large, bustling “I am troubled, however, that social institutions The MAT is a 28-unit teacher-preparation program in Since 2019, she has balanced her job as the continuing medical household helped her develop the initiative, patience and organizational education (CME) coordinator for Los Angeles-based AltaMed Health skills that have proved advantageous in her career. The support she has that claim their raison d’être is about the which students simultaneously obtain their master’s and California teaching credential in their chosen area of interest. Services with her studies at USC Rossier, where she will complete the received from USC Rossier faculty has also been crucial as she gener- search for truth have largely sat on the sidelines Additionally, students have the opportunity to complete an online Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology program ates more online learning opportunities at work. “I have been applying while truth—about both the virus and our Education Specialist Credential and Bilingual Authorization in May. everything I learn into practice,” she said. She has concentrated on democracy—has been under attack. … for Spanish Certificate within the 28-unit program. The LDT program is aimed at people who want to start or advance curating online resources and designing short, impactful virtual learning careers in educational program design, whether in K–12, higher educa- sessions for AltaMed’s busy providers. A successful future, however, rests on a clear The Teacher Preparation Residency is one of three initiatives established by Noguera when he was installed as dean tion, corporate training or other environments. Hill was drawn to the Hill said her long-term goal is to become a CME director. She would articulation of the centrality of American higher in 2020. In addition to the residency, Noguera is leading A flexibility afforded by the program’s online approach and its balance eventually like to create a consulting business to help educational orga- education in discerning and speaking the truth New Vision for Schools (and Why Now Is the Time), an ongo- of instructional design, learning theory and technology. nizations manage online-learning systems and implement education and in supporting democracy.” ing project and webinar series focused on making learning The program has been conducted entirely online since its launch in technology. 2014, so when the pandemic struck, Hill and her fellow students kept “The pandemic solidified for me that technology is evolving and —WILLIAM TIERNEY, University Professor Emeritus, in Inside Higher Ed more stimulating, engaging and equitable after the pandemic (p. 4). A third initiative, The Democracy Project, seeks to up with classes without disruption. Because the program emphasizes more important than ever,” Hill said. “My challenge is, how do I leverage improve civic education and engagement among students online-learning design, course content didn’t have to change, but many technology to keep everyone together, especially during these unprec-

PHOTO BY REBECCA ARANDA students adjusted their capstone projects to reflect COVID-19 reality. edented times.” R (pp. 34–35). —R —

10 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 11 AWARDS & ACCOLADES TIPS FOR EDUCATORS

more militarized response. Snipers would have about this are available on YouTube. Educators The USC CENTER FOR RACE AND EQUITY created the MORE THAN 100 USC ROSSIER STUDENTS were gunned down every Black protester scaling the should use these digital resources to stimu- Estela Mara Bensimon Society and the Bensimon Prize for inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society Capitol building. Surely, more than one person late productive discussions in their classrooms. Equity-Minded Leadership in Higher Education. in a virtual ceremony in November. would have been shot and killed. There also Without expecting them to speak on behalf of all would have been a significantly higher number Black people, first make space to hear Black stu- The USC CENTER FOR ENROLLMENT RESEARCH, SHAUN R. HARPER, Provost Professor and director of TEACHING of arrests. The threat posed to congresspeople dents’ reactions to racial commentary about the POLICY AND PRACTICE (CERPP) was awarded an the USC Race and Equity Center, received $1 million from ABOUT THE by a large mob of angry Black Americans would insurrection. Ask how it made them feel. Then, 18-month, $477,574 grant by the Bill and Melinda the College Futures Foundation for the California Racial have been used to justify deadly use of force. ask students across all racial groups in the class Gates Foundation for the research project “COVID-19: Equity Research and Resource Hub. In addition, Harper INESCAPABLE Their killers would have been dubbed heroes. why so many outraged White Americans were Understanding Changes to Postsecondary Student was elected to membership of the National Academy of RACIAL Students deserve to know these truths. allowed to threaten members of Congress, storm Enrollment Patterns.” CERPP was also awarded a $65,000, Education. The Capitol insurrection is a useful case into one of the nation’s most heavily secured one-year grant from the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert REALITIES OF study to teach students in K–12 schools and facilities, destroy things and break laws largely Foundation for its USC College Advising Corps program. MORGAN POLIKOFF, associate professor of education, THE CAPITOL higher education institutions about the mul- without consequence. Why were so many of the (Center on Educational Policy, Equity and Governance) tifarious nature of White privilege. People of insurrectionists White? Why were some carrying YASEMIN COPUR-GENCTURK, assistant professor of (co-principal investigator) and Anna Saavedera (principal INSURRECTION color cannot take over a federal building largely Confederate flags? And what should have been education, was selected as one of the National Science investigator) were awarded a grant for $198,148 from without consequence. A mob of White protest- done to hold them accountable? By Shaun R. Harper ers violently occupying the Capitol is the lat- Law enforcement officials knew that hun- Fellows who will participate in the three-year Summer the National Science Foundation for their research Provost Professor of Education and Institute in Advanced Research Methods for STEM study titled, “RAPID: The Impact of COVID on American Business, Clifford and Betty Allen Chair est exposure of America’s racialized double dreds, perhaps thousands of people were education research. Education in 2021: Continued Evidence from the in Urban Leadership and executive director standard, in this instance as it pertains to law coming to Washington for the “Save Amer- Understanding America Study.” of the USC Race and Equity Center enforcement. In the aftermath of the tragic ica” rally. It was widely known that they were ADAM KHO, assistant professor of education, received THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS gathered in our murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, angry about ridiculous claims of election fraud. the Emerging Scholar Award from the American SHAUN R. HARPER (10), PEDRO A. NOGUERA, USC nation’s capital on Jan. 6, 2021, for a rally to millions of demonstrators flooded America’s Teachers and professors should ask students to Educational Research Association’s School Turnaround Rossier Dean (11), ESTELA MARA BENSIMON, University support now-former President Donald Trump’s streets to march for Black lives. A heavy police explain why more was not done in anticipation and Reform Special Interest Group. Kho was also awarded Professor Emerita, (55), WILLIAM G. TIERNEY, University unfounded claims that the 2020 election was presence often awaited them. Students should of chaos and violence, and what preparatory a RAND American Educator Panels (AEP) Scholarship in Professor Emeritus, (61), MORGAN POLIKOFF (148), stolen from him. They were there to “Save be afforded opportunities to juxtapose photos actions would have been taken had there been the amount of $5,000, funded by the Gates Foundation. and JULIE MARSH, professor of education, (164) were America.” The overwhelming majority of and videos from Jan. 6, 2021 with images from advance notice that thousands of angry Black This scholarship is for early-career researchers from featured in the 2021 “Rick Hess Straight Up” Edu-Scholar attendees were White. Most were White men. mostly peaceful protests that occurred through- people were showing up to a protest. Students underrepresented groups to use RAND’s AEP survey data Public Influence Rankings, ranking the university-based I sat in shock as I watched televised news out June 2020. should be invited to name other manifesta- for research to examine the priorities of different school scholars in the U.S. who did the most last year to shape coverage of so many people storming into and Hundreds of news stories and op-eds have tions of White privilege, identify ways to raise sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic. educational practice and policy. overtaking the Capitol. They boldly flooded one been published about the racialized aspects of public consciousness about it and ultimately of the highest-security buildings in Washington, the Capitol insurrection. Furthermore, numer- eradicate racialized double standards in our D.C. It baffled me that some were able to make ous clips of Black Americans and others talking democracy. —R it onto the U.S. Senate floor and remain there long enough to be photographed. How one man somehow made his way into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office, sat in her chair and left her a handwritten note was all so mystifying to me. And then there were the protestors dan- gling off sides of the building. “How could this be happening?” I repeatedly asked myself. I also wondered why so little was being done to stop them, and why protesters were so visibly unafraid of the consequences of their actions. I pondered one additional question: What would ADRIAN HUERTA, ARTINEH SAMKIAN, JOHN BROOKS ZOË CORWIN, have happened had these been Black people? assistant professor of associate professor SLAUGHTER research professor, I know the answer—so, too, do most other education, secured a of clinical education, was named a Deans’ and colleagues earned Black Americans, including those who attend service contract with the received a 2021 Professor of Education the Provost New and are employed by our nation’s schools, col- California State University Associates Award for and Engineering for his Strategic Directions leges and universities. Student Success Network Excellence in Teaching, exceptional contributions for Research Award for There would have been a massacre. Out- for $38,500. the highest honor the USC at USC and nationwide further exploration of raged Black demonstrators attempting to come university faculty bestows and as an accomplished skateboarding culture. within steps of the Capitol while a joint ses- on its members for leader in both fields. sion of Congress was being held would have outstanding teaching. been swiftly assassinated. There would have

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASSOCIATED PRESS / JEREMY HOGAN been a much heavier police presence and a far

12 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 13 FEATURE

SCIENTIFIC INTUITION EXISTS IN ALL CHILDREN

But how can STEM instruction tap into this natural curiosity as kids grow up?

Story: Katharine Gammon Illustration: Chris Gash

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TEACHING SCIENCE explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate. The method isn’t brand BY DOING SCIENCE new: It came out in the early ’80s, but it helps teachers implement what they know is important. For Kleinmaier, teaching science means STEM becomes He explains that within the framework, the STEM an action word: Scientists are doers. “It’s not watching the lesson always starts with an engaging activity—something teacher do it and doing the same exact thing,” she says. She cool to connect to students’ culture or what they care about. tries to build curiosity in her students by looking at relatable “It should be something that hooks them, and then let them phenomena. For example, it rained this morning—but now ask questions about that phenomenon,” he says. “Then they’re it’s sunny. “So a teacher might say, OK, I can give you the exploring it, letting the data lead to the finding, not because steps of the water cycle,” she explains. But instead, she tells the teacher told them something.” her students to be doers of science. It rained, but the rain Teachers can then layer in the academic language, com- is gone off the sidewalk. Why did it start, where did it go? ing from context and understanding. After that there’s an “From there, you can start to explore and investigate that elaboration phase, which allows students to ask additional phenomenon by running experiments, building models and questions and do different experiments and then share with constructing explanations. It naturally encourages curiosity one another. “It really helps kids see what science really is: and confidence in their learning.” It’s a way of knowing, not just a list of facts,” Freking says, Following students’ questions can lead to a cascade of adding that teachers can take the 5E model to any context new lines of inquiry—and the doing of science does not need they want to teach. One of the ways that he helps teachers to be limited to students. Associate Professor of Clinical sharpen their STEM teaching skills is through video review: Education Angela Laila Hasan’s recent research focus involves looking at the cross section of family, teacher and student engagement in the experiential learning of math- “How can you be ematics. Hasan, who started her career as a middle school math and science teacher, has found in her research and creative when teaching experience that parent engagement is one ticket to all you do is sit When Mckenna keeping kids interested and engaged in challenging topics. there and listen? Kleinmaier MAT ’20 It doesn’t mean that parents know as much as the teacher teaches her environ knows, but engaging them in experiential learning in STEM As a scientist, mental science class has direct benefits. Hasan watched as parents would do a students need to ask at Alexander Hamilton physics experiment themselves, charting the path of a car questions, come up High School in Los down a ramp. The excitement of the parents was palpable Angeles, she dives right to their kids. “I learned that if the family values what I am with ways to collect into challenging and doing, it is more likely that the child is going to fall in line,” data and answer complex topics: Hasan says. “Parent involvement is just the key to so much those questions.” potential change. When we leave them out of the equation, A recent discussion included how the as opposed to engaged in the process, we’re doing a disser- —Frederick W. Freking, USC Rossier Professor of Clinical Education human population is connected to vice—and it does not take degrees in order to value science.” global poverty and hunger. “We looked Professor of Clinical Education Frederick W. Freking, at demography, and the students can who taught high school science and eventually combined see very clearly there are issues—and his research background with science teaching instruction, Just as a coach would do for a sports team, the teachers gather they’re coming up with their own solu- says there are some straightforward improvements to science and watch each other’s actions on video, giving criticism and tions,” Kleinmaier explains. In her classes, there is a focus on doing, not just education that teachers tend not to do—like keeping kids advice on how to improve. repeating what the teacher says. “We are practicing developing models, con- talking to each other, he says. “The amount of time is just For Anthony Maddox, a professor of clinical education structing explanations: This is the future of science education.” not what it should be in terms of teacher talk versus student and engineering, one way to approach STEM is to focus on Kleinmaier, a Knowles fellow, is part of a movement of science teachers seek- talk in the classroom,” he says, “Sharing ideas is a key part the notion of practice—the practice of constructing an envi- ing to reinvigorate the field. The stakes are high: Even as women and minorities of science learning.” ronment where learning takes place. “I try to co-construct have increasingly entered careers in science, technology, engineering and math It all has to do with how science is something that is the learning space with the students, so it’s learning-centered since 1990, they are still underrepresented overall. In the United States, kids done actively, not something to be passively acquired. “How and not necessarily content-centered,” he says, adding that are three times more likely to say they want to be a YouTube star than to be can you be creative when all you do is sit there and listen?” he wants students to know that he, as a teacher, is also an astronaut when they grow up. This, coupled with an increasing distrust of Freking asks. “As a scientist, they need to ask questions, come learning. “One of the roles I have in my position is not to science that has manifested itself in the fear of vaccinations and a reluctance to up with ways to collect data and answer those questions.” suggest that I am some fount of knowledge, but I am here accept the dangers of COVID-19, has made it acutely necessary for there to be Freking’s focus is on elementary teachers, who instruct learning and I mediate the learning.” changes in how science is taught in schools. a little bit in science but also have to teach language arts, Often that means working in smaller groups, where At USC Rossier, two innovations are taking hold: making students into social studies and math—the whole gamut. He works on students are talking more and experiencing more. “As human scientists themselves, and increasing access to STEM for everyone. something called the “5E” model of instruction: engage, beings, we are experience-based in some kind of way, and

16 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 17 FEATURE FEATURE

we’re acknowledging the fact that student experience is ideas and make them come to life. But ultimately, his view program called Black Seeds. The program would form important,” Maddox says. “I’m taking a bet: While they of STEM education comes down to students’ own aspira- mentoring relationships between professors and college may drift off topic, while they are free to express, when they tions. “We shouldn’t lose sight—all these things should students with middle schoolers—with a focus on under- Incorporating land on topic they will be engaged.” work together to create hope,” Maddox says. “I see every represented students. The hope is that these multilevel When it comes to mathematics, Maddox endorses an student as an individual who needs their hope reaffirmed. mentorships will build strong foundations for students to the 6 Engineering approach that links math to other sets of symbols that And my role is to give them the space and freedom to learn.” enter STEM fields in the future. describe or manipulate real things in the world—like com- Why start so early in mentoring students? “Research Habits of Mind puter code that creates software to schedule meetings, or INCREASING ACCESS shows that in order to cultivate interest toward college and a foreign language that lets you find a train going to your TO STEM cumulative-content subject areas like math and science, in the Classroom you have to start as far back as sixth grade for them to For students to fully absorb all the benefits that STEM has have courses they need to be competitive,” Cole says. “We Engineers often make things work, or to offer, they need to have access and encouragement to grab also recognize that middle school is an incredible area of work better—and they have certain habits “Cultural connections opportunities. Historically, minorities, girls and women social-emotional development, and students develop the that can help them do that. Anthony work in terms of have been excluded in STEM—but that is slowly changing. social capital in ways that are congruent with their com- Maddox says he tries to integrate the six Mentoring can be a key way for students to see them- munity background.” engineering habits of mind (first identified getting students to selves in future STEM careers, says Associate Professor When students get fired up about STEM opportu- by the National Academy of Engineering)— engage with rigorous of Education Darnell Cole, who co-directs USC Rossier’s nities, they still need coursework that can support their systems thinking, creativity, optimism, and complicated Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice. He and advancement in specific content areas, like math and science. collaboration, communication and ethical the center’s co-director Shafiqa Ahmadi, associate professor Expanding access to STEM classes and maintaining a high consideration—into every teaching stuff. . . . We need to of clinical education, are working to create a mentoring level of content may seem at odds—but it doesn’t have to endeavor. think within the be. Suneal Kolluri PhD ’19, an assistant professor at San system and change Diego State University School of Teacher Education, has FOR EDUCATORS researched Advanced Placement tests. He says AP classes the system to allow have been expanding rapidly with the goal of including Here are some resources for integrating for more access.” students from marginalized backgrounds, to ensure that those habits of mind into a K–12 classroom: students are readying themselves for college. —Suneal Kolluri PhD ’19, San Diego State Kolluri used data from the state of California on AP Royal Academy of Engineering’s University School of Teacher Education “Thinking Like an Engineer: Implications Assistant Professor performance across the state, and looked at schools beat- ing the odds. He focused on two schools succeeding at an for the Educational System” unlikely task: increasing their AP access—so more were tak- Chapter 5, “Teaching and Learning ing the courses, predominantly Latino/Latina students— Core Engineering Concepts and Skills destination. “My perspective is that if you master a symbol and increasing their scores. He spent more than 100 hours in Grades K–12” in Engineering in K–12 set in the world, you have strong opportunities to do things at the schools, talking to students, watching classrooms, Education you want to do,” he says. In his view, there are five symbol interviewing teachers and principals. sets that can describe different parts of the world: natural The schools were succeeding in very different ways. One Anthony Maddox on Engineering “Habits or spoken languages, artificial languages like computer school adopted a no-excuses mindset, where the principal of Mind,” YouTube code, music, mathematics and currency. Deep knowledge believed strongly that all teachers could teach at a high level, of any of those sets of symbols gives a student access to and all kids could succeed in taking college-level classes. good jobs and opportunities, he says. And all of these sets The other school focused on being culturally relevant, MORE can be an original tool in the hands of students making communal and encouraging to students to explore cultural Visit rsoe.in/engineeringhabitsofmind creative decisions—moving currency around, or composing strengths through the curriculum. Those students also did for links to these and additional resources. a musical score. exceedingly well, increasing access and performance. For Maddox tries to infuse every teaching endeavor with the example, a biology teacher centered her instruction on folk six engineering habits of mind identified by the National medicine in Mexican culture, and how many traditional Academy of Engineering: systems thinking, creativity, healing methods were actually grounded in biology. “I optimism, collaboration, communication and ethical con- think those connections work in terms of getting students sideration. “I can take any content and make sure that any of to engage with rigorous and complicated stuff,” Kolluri says. those six ideas prompt students to think about the content of “We need to rethink and reframe and re-envision because that course, so for me that’s engineering,” he says. “Another what we have been doing has not eliminated the opportunity cally about what type of building to create, or why an artist view of engineering is leveraging technology for useful pur- gaps. We need to think within the system and change the would use a certain type of paint mixture, she says. And poses. And that ties into teaching, because teachers leverage system to allow for more access.” the critical thinking and questioning that happens in these learning phenomena for useful purposes.” In K–12 and higher education, teaching science goes foundational years will follow through to help the students He’s particularly excited about the fusion of education, a lot deeper than just creating future scientists, says Gale of today tackle all kinds of misinformation—from climate engineering and entrepreneurship in hackathons and maker Sinatra, the Stephen H. Crocker Professor of Education. skepticism to unbased vaccine fears. “Scientific thinking and spaces—places where students really get to design their own It’s to have a future architect think scientifically and criti- reasoning permeates every field,” she says. —R

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The Pandemic Forced Us Outside, and Oak Park Unified Shows How Schools Can Benefit

Led by Anthony Knight EdD ’06, IT’S A WINTER MORNING IN CALIFORNIA, but it feels like this Ventura County district spring is coming in Oak Park, an unincorporated community in Ventura County, just north of Agoura Hills along the provides a model for Los Angeles County border. Bok choy seedlings are pushing outdoor education and through the soil in the greenhouse at Oak Hills Elementary School; at Medea Creek Middle GREEN CAMPUSES environmental literacy School, sunshine and fresh air are filtering through the large, open Knight checks on glass doors of the shipping container- seedlings in the greenhouse at Oak cum-classrooms; and tidy rows of Hills Elementary Story: Kianoosh Hashemzadeh student lockers line the walls of School. Photo by Photos: April Wong outdoor shade structures at Oak April Wong / aprilwongphoto- Park High School. The only thing graphy.com / missing: the kids. @aprilwongphoto

20 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE @APRILWONGPHOTO / APRILWONGPHOTO.COM / WONG APRIL BY PHOTO SPRING / SUMMER 2020 21 FEATURE FEATURE

Oak Park Unified Superintendent and former USC Rossier adjunct “If you’re looking at trees when you’re on all measures than if they’d received biology professor of education Anthony Knight EdD ’06 is surveying several of working, you become more productive. lessons indoors.” the schools in the district, largely rendered vacant due to the COVID- It lowers your blood pressure; it makes you Getting kids involved with gardening is also 19 pandemic and the shift to remote learning. Knight, who recently a focus at Oak Park Unified. Knight installed announced his retirement, has a visible joy for and intimate familiarity more relaxed. And it deepens the learning.” the first greenhouse in the district while he was with the school grounds he’s worked on for nearly 40 years—as a —Anthony Knight EdD ’06, superintendent of Oak Park Unified principal of Oak Hills Elementary in 2002, and teacher, principal, director of curriculum and instruction, and, for the garden program has expanded ever since. The the last 17 years, superintendent. He winds through the hilly streets district employs a garden specialist tasked with of Oak Park, crisscrossing the landscape nestled between the canyons overseeing the greenhouse and developing curric- of Malibu and Palo Comado to visit the high school, middle school demic, and new data suggests that these rates have increased over the ulum around the district’s annual gardening plans. Seedlings that are and elementary school. past year. Emergency-room visits associated with children and ado- later moved to gardens around the district campuses are started in the Knight’s achievements over the past few decades are visible in the lescents’ mental health are on the rise, and more school-age children greenhouse, and the edible plants—fruits, vegetables and herbs—that spaces of the schools themselves. Each campus has a garden where kids are reporting feelings of depression. are propagated throughout Oak Park Unified are incorporated into cultivate vegetables that eventually end up on their lunch plates. One “Being upset, anxious, nervous and losing our sense of possibility … student lunches. of Knight’s recent efforts, the recycled shipping containers that have are natural, adaptive reactions to being separated from the people who Knight describes the district’s lunch program as “plant-forward.” been converted into classrooms, have replaced aging infrastructure at love and care about us, and from the communities in which we engage No beef, lamb, pork or fish is served at any of the campuses. Some Oak Park High School and Medea Creek Middle School. and build relationships and a sense of self,” USC Rossier Professor of chicken and turkey—sourced from two California farms that utilize At Medea Creek, these new classrooms, built by Carson, California- Education, Psychology and Neuroscience Mary Helen Immordino- sustainability practices—is occasionally served. There are health ben- A PLACE FOR MATH based CRATE Modular, are filled with sustainable furniture from a Yang, an expert on youth social-emotional development, explained efits to this approach, and it also ties into Oak Park Unified’s focus Gratitude company called Natural Pod, whose website describes its tables, chairs in a recent webinar on the school safety net in the pandemic (p. 4). on sustainability. “The district doesn’t shy away from talking about Students at Gratitude and shelving as “designed to foster creativity and innovation.” The class- Garden tend to plants While schools must address the severe lack of counselors available combating climate change,” Knight says, “and we teach kids how by Garden in the school garden. rooms feature large, glass doors at the front, and the learning space is not to students, spending time outdoors can help lower stress and anxiety altering what you eat, you can have an impact.” confined to the four walls. It spills out onto a sunny courtyard, where levels. Researchers from North Carolina State University recently School gardens have grown in popularity over the past circular, outdoor workstations have been installed. found that spending time outside has helped adolescents counter some SPACES OF ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY few decades, and these green patches are continuing K–2 students were able to return to in-person learning at Oak Park of the negative mental health impacts brought on by the pandemic, to pop up in schoolyards across the United States. Unified by early March. Knight was hopeful that all campuses would with 72 percent of those surveyed in the study reporting that outdoor Fostering care for the environment is embedded into many aspects California, in particular, with its mild climate and be open by mid-March, but that would depend on coronavirus rates recreation has helped them manage pandemic-induced stress. Time of Oak Park Unified—from the campus gardens to the solar panels abundant sunshine, is an especially good place for continuing to decline. outside can also lead to better learning projects like these. GETTING OUTSIDE outcomes. Knight theorizes that nature’s At the Gratitude Garden in San Clemente, Califor- effect on us, and particularly the effect of nia, a pre-K and full-day kindergarten school founded trees, likely has something to do with our by Dustine Rey EdD ’09, students toggle between Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for evolution in them as primates. “If you’re outdoor and indoor learning areas throughout the day. Disease Control and Prevention has emphasized that outdoor activities looking at trees when you’re working, On a typical, pre-COVID-19 school day, students spent are safer because coronavirus transmission rates drop substantially in you become more productive,” Knight 90 minutes outside—in the garden, the chicken outdoor settings. This fact of pandemic life has inspired people around explains. “It lowers your blood pressure; coop or the designated “wet play” area—and then the globe to escape the confines of their homes and rediscover nature, it makes you more relaxed. And it deep- 90 minutes inside. and it’s also stirred up interest in an idea commonly dismissed as niche ens the learning.” The garden is a perfect place to teach kids math, and impractical: outdoor learning. This doesn’t mean that schools need Rey explains. “Our children are using different forms The idea of teaching outside isn’t new, and in fact, explainsPBS to be entirely outside, which would be of measurement to plot out areas to plant seeds,” she NewsHour’s Christopher Booker in a segment on outdoor schooling logistically challenging for some in colder says. “They’re also … [looking] at how tall something efforts in California, at the beginning of the 20th century as tuber- climes (though Knight points the reluc- is, and then they go back, look in their journal, see culous raged and the Spanish flu hit several years later, schools con- tant to schools in Germany that operate how tall it was previously and look at the difference. ducted classes outside—“on rooftops, on front porches, and even ferry outdoors year-round). Spending just So, what we’re really teaching them, indirectly, is boats—throughout the entire year.” As schools were forced to shut 30 minutes or so out in nature, Knight math.” The efforts of their labors are not only better down last spring, a coalition of educators, including Knight, launched says, can help prepare students to set- math skills: Students also harvest the crops and the National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative, which provides tle down for a math lesson. “It changes prepare recipes using the herbs, vegetables and fruits resources to support efforts to move learning outdoors. your attitude and makes the learning they grow. And while this renewed interest has come largely as a result of the happen easier,” Knight says. A recent Gratitude Garden closed for a few weeks in mid- difficult circumstances brought on by the pandemic, there are other study found that March 2020, but the school was able to reopen the benefits to outdoor learning beyond lowering the risk of transmitting third graders who FROM SEA TO SCHOOL following month after some adjustments. Now, in the coronavirus, from improving the social-emotional well-being of attended a biology order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and kids to giving students the environmental literacy skills they will need class outside “were These CRATE ensure the safety of staff and kids, classes are almost to navigate (and quite possibly save) a world struggling with the effects significantly more Modular classrooms entirely outside. of climate change. were installed at engaged in their next Medea Creek Middle Stress and anxiety levels of kids were already high before the pan- instructional period School in 2020.

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installed at every campus. Throughout his tenure, Knight has focused environmental literacy but also get them outside and involved in Taking a look at Knight’s achievements, you might think that the school district is on making the campuses environmentally conscious spaces. In 2013, their communities. flush with funds. However, because of the way state education dollars are distributed in What’s Next for Oak Park High School became the first school in the nation to In 2011, a group of students from the district received the President’s California, allotting more base funding for schools that serve foster youth, English learners install classrooms constructed from single-use shipping containers. Environmental Youth Award for a project that raised awareness of and students receiving free and reduced lunch—groups that collectively account for less Anthony Knight? This year, six more classrooms of this kind were installed at Medea whale deaths and injuries caused by large shipping containers in the than 8 percent of the Oak Park student body—the district receives around $8,000 per For Anthony Knight, retirement does not Creek Middle School. A plaque on the side of one of the classrooms Santa Barbara Channel. One of those former students, Sam Hirsch, student from the state. (On average, California spent around $10,281 per pupil according necessarily mean rest. An underwater pho- reads, “This project saved 28,160 board feet of wood and other vir- describes the whale-watching expeditions that Knight led as “like a to numbers from 2019.) Oak Park Unified is fortunate to be able to make up a bit of this tographer and marine conservation advo- gin materials, diverted 155,960 tons of waste, [and] saved 184 tons religious experience” for the high schoolers and believes Knight has shortfall on some of the property-tax measures the district has in place. These types of cate, Knight will now have time to pursue of carbon emissions, a 43% reduction vs. traditional construction.” always been “ahead of the curve” when it comes to incorporating envi- funds, however, are dwindling. Knight, quoted in The Oak Park Talon, the high school’s these passions. Among his plans: earning The shipping containers, many of which come from China, Knight ronmental literacy into curriculum. Hirsch, now in his final year of law newspaper, stresses that the state needs to allocate more funds for public education—it his captain’s license in order to teach ocean school, plans to do some pro bono environmental ranks in the bottom 10 percent in the nation in per-pupil funding. sailing; scuba diving trips to local destina- advocacy work once he graduates. “I’m really envi- Oak Park Unified’s relatively small size (it serves just over 4,500 students) does tions, tropical locales and marine protected ronmentally conscious now,” he says, “and most of make it nimble, and Knight is resourceful. He opted to buy, rather than lease, the solar areas around the globe; and becoming a “I’m really environmentally conscious that stems from the work at Oak Park.” panel infrastructure that generates electricity at all the schools—a $6.8 million upfront qualified naturalist guide on the Channel Two initiatives especially dear to Knight, a cost that has saved the district more than $500,000 each year. The campus gardens are now, and most of that stems from the Islands. Knight would also like to help other certified master scuba diver and a naturalist, is functional—they reduce the school’s food costs—and the shipping-container classrooms work at Oak Park.” districts and plans to continue his work the long-running restoration project the district’s cost about one-third less than traditional school buildings and are more energy-efficient. with the California Environmental Literacy —Sam Hirsch, former Oak Park Unified student Continuation High School participates in on USC Rossier Professor of Clinical Education Sandra Kaplan, who served as Knight’s Initiative and the National COVID-19 Outdoor Anacapa Island and the annual trip to Catalina dissertation chair, highlights Knight’s creativity in his approach to education. As a Learning Initiative. Island for the district’s seventh graders. Nirupam student, Kaplan says, he “was easily able to critically translate information presented The search for Knight’s replacement is explains, are usually bound for the scrap yard. And while Knight Nigam, a professional underwater photographer and Oak Park alumnus, to him to assess and improve education.” And he carried this skill over to his work as underway, and Knight intends to give the wanted to retain some of the industrial look of the containers so stu- first became fascinated with the ocean in the sixth grade during the superintendent, where “he was able to transfer creatively what he had assimilated in incoming superintendent space while also dents would understand how the containers had been repurposed, district’s weeklong outdoor education program in Malibu Canyon and courses into curricular and pedagogical practices that specifically contributed to the being available to help if needed. “After a the interiors are offset with wood floors and furniture, and at Oak Leo Carrillo State Park, where students were introduced to tide pools. development and prominent reputation of [Oak Park],” Kaplan says. superintendent has been there for 17 years, Park High, a garden of native plants grows out front, giving students “I became really fascinated with the ocean,” he says, “and I kept coming The demographics of Oak Park Unified don’t reflect the rest of California, and it’s it’s important to allow the new leader to a view of nature from their desks. Not only do the classrooms divert back [to the tide pools] and eventually started volunteering with the something that Knight has recognized. When he started, he says, the district was nearly find their own way and continue to build tons of waste, but they also have been outfitted with LED lighting, state parks.” When Nigam went on the trip to Catalina Island in seventh 100 percent White. In a move toward diversification, Oak Park became a District of and grow the district,” Knight says. Filling ductless HVAC systems and solar panels to reduce utility costs and grade, he snorkeled for the first time and discovered the abundant life Choice in 2004 Since then, the demographics have changed considerably. As of the Knight’s shoes will be difficult. Profes- the school’s energy consumption. existing below the surface of the water. His love for the ocean was sealed, 2019–2020 school year, the school body is about 56 percent White, 25 percent Asian, 10 sor Sandra Kaplan, who has met many of Jared Weintraub, who teaches math at Oak Park High in a CRATE and these experiences, he says, “put me on the path to where I am today.” percent Latino and 1.5 percent Black, with 6 percent representing two or more races. Knight’s colleagues at conferences and Modular building, enjoys the natural light, the view of the “We have students from over 80 ZIP codes, and [Oak Park] is a much more diverse place other professional events, says, “A com- canyons and the generous dimensions of the classroom. The than it has ever been,” Knight says. “We have increased the diversity of our schools, and mon expression that these individuals have ample space allows for his desk to be in the upper corner of that, to me, has made it a richer learning environment.” expressed is the appreciation they felt to the room so when he’s not in front of the class teaching on be a colleague and educator in the district a smartboard, he can still keep an eye on all of his students. LOOKING FORWARD where he is superintendent.” Weintraub also notes the view of the trees. Weintraub uses After retirement, Knight might not be the trees to teach trigonometry: “We go outside and mea- The spaces we live and work in, and the places where our children learn, can be thought walking the grounds at Oak Park Unified sure the trees we look at all the time.” Being able to see the of as a reflection of what our society values. Unfortunately, a large percentage of our as frequently as he currently does, but his natural world from his desk—the squirrels, the bunnies schoolyards, especially those found at urban schools that serve low-income students, are legacy will endure. There’s the elementary and the butterflies that come around once a year—puts “monocultures of asphalt that support ball play and little else,” says Sharon Danks of school garden that Knight started, which Weintraub in a more relaxed state. “It puts me in a mindset Green Schoolyards America. Creating green schoolyards can give kids valuable learning includes a commemoration that reads, that is happier—and happier means a better teacher.” opportunities to witness ecosystems at work and provide “a microcosm of a green city “Dedicated to Dr. Tony Knight. Thank you for The district’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, and its into [students’] daily school routine,” Danks says. helping our children grow.” There are also list of accolades is long. In 2013, the district was the first In many ways, Oak Park Unified is an outlier. Knight is a strong leader with a clear the trees throughout the district—Knight in California to earn a Green Ribbon School distinction vision, trusted by the school board and local community. But, in a year unlike any has cataloged all 950 of them. Looking back from the U.S. Department of Education for its sustainability other, we’ve seen glimpses of other ways of being, and Oak Park Unified can serve as on Knight’s impact, math teacher Jared practices and focus on environmental education. In 2018, a model. With some form of the coronavirus likely to be around for months to come Weintraub’s mind goes to the sycamore tree the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building as schools do begin to reopen, the outdoor learning initiatives championed by Knight, Knight helped plant at the beginning of the Council and the Green Schools National Network presented Danks and the like will come in handy as social distancing measures continue for school year in 2019. The tree was planted Oak Park with its Best of Green longer than we’d like. But let’s hope we don’t only see getting children outdoors as a during lunch, and Knight, as always, was Schools—School System Award. YOUNG SPROUTS means to keep the virus at bay. Let’s hope we also see fresh air, sunshine and greenery there to get his hands dirty and help get the The district also prioritizes as a necessary component for caring for the whole child and as an essential element in Seedlings poke tree rooted in its new home. hands-on learning activities and through the soil preparing future generations for the global fight against climate change. We’re going long-term projects that not only in the greenhouse to need them. —R at Oak Hills continue to develop students’ Elementary School.

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Your term as president of the American access to Wi-Fi. That, for sure, has compro- ible talking points for now-President Biden Educational Research Association mised their ability to be engaged learners. and Vice President Harris when they were on (AERA) is concluding soon. What are Another, certainly, is that there were already the debate stages and traveling and making some of the accomplishments of which students who were housing- and food-insecure speeches. We equipped them with facts and you are most proud? before the pandemic. With surging rates of data about education. The second thing was I am most proud of the appointments that unemployment, they’re even more vulnerable. to inform the day-one executive actions that I’ve made. The one major responsibility of Those are two that immediately come to mind. President Biden would take. And then the the president is to appoint people to lead and third was to help set an agenda for the first serve on a range of committees and import- “I’ve been on a lifelong 100 days of a Biden presidency, specifically on ant things in the association. Literally a journey to more deeply education issues. third of the appointments are made by the understand what And what was your experience like? president, which is an enormous task, but manufactures and I'm really, really proud of the diversity of my reproduces those kinds It felt so consequential. When I was invited appointees—not just to positions of service of inequities.” to be on it, and the invitation specified what on committees but also leadership of those we would do, I immediately started thinking committees. about, if I could get just one thing done in Second, I’m already feeling incredibly The USC Race and Equity Center hosted this experience—I mean, I wanted to get a proud of the association’s very first virtual Unfinished Business—Race and Equity in lot done—but if I could get one thing, what annual meeting [which takes place in April]. America in October. Can you describe the would it be? At first, it was to help historically Normally, the AERA conference brings summit and tell me about your experience? Black colleges and universities and minority- somewhere between 15,000 and 18,000 peo- It was a beautiful collaboration between serving institutions and community colleges ple together. Having a virtual conference the USC Race and Equity Center, the get more resources. But then there was this could have been an absolute headache and Schwarzenegger Institute and the Safe ridiculous executive order that President nightmare. But for me, weirdly, I’m excited Communities Institute, which are in the Trump issued that banned diversity training. because it affords us an exciting opportunity [USC Sol Price School of Public Policy]. We That executive order was incredibly stressful to try out some technological innovations that did it on Twitch, which is the world’s largest and disorienting for lots of K–12 school dis- we otherwise would not have experimented live-streaming platform. tricts and colleges and universities across the with. It allows us to be much more thoughtful Over three days, we had a series of inter- country. So that was going to be my second- Interview: Brian Soika Illustration: Heather Monahan about accessibility in terms of affordability. views and panels on racial equity topics highest priority—to get that god-awful, But I also mean accessible in a second way. including race and voting rights, race and ridiculous executive order overturned. It was With a 15,000- to 18,000-person conference, policing, certainly education and race, race overturned! It’s gone. We got that done. It In a Year of sessions are oftentimes at a convention center. in Hollywood. And we had lots of elected was a thing that I cared so passionately about, Plus, attendees need to stay in hotels. So for officials. This event was decidedly bipartisan. and I get to now say that I worked on it. colleagues with physical disabilities, there For example, [former Secretary of Housing were mobility challenges. I actually am feel- and Urban Development] Ben Carson was on You were born and grew up in Thomas- Sea Change, Keeping ing really good that we’ll have a virtual space one of the panels. We also had [former senior ville, Georgia. How did your early life to create a much more physically accessible adviser] Valerie Jarrett and Attorney General shape your approach to education? conference experience. Eric Holder from the Obama administration I grew up in a small, rural, racially segregated Equity in Focus join us. We had Usher and Saweetie, who is town. There was tremendous racial inequity You are a member of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s this incredible rapper, and [USC Annenberg and racial stratification. What I mean by that statewide task force on racial equity, School for Communication and Journalism] is, I noticed fairly early in my life that most of Shaun R. Harper, Provost Professor in Education and higher education and COVID-19 recovery. alum. It was a really amazing, inclusive and the White people in my town seemed to be What is the task force’s mission? dynamic three days of not just conversations middle class or wealthy. They were in charge of Business and executive director of the USC Race and Equity To fast-forward ahead and anticipate the ineq- but also action-oriented, agenda-setting pan- things. They were the leaders of most things. uities that will await us on the other side of els around how to move our nation toward a Black people in my community, including Center, discusses his AERA presidency, his role on the pandemic. And to strategically get ahead more racially equitable present and future. my family, we were overwhelmingly poor, of those as opposed to waiting until we’re at lower-income people. I noticed that. As a Gov. Gavin Newsom’s educational equity task force and the end of it and then have to clean up. You were a member of the National child, obviously, I didn't have the analytical Education Policy team for the Joe Biden/ tools to make sense of it. So, you know, in hosting a race and equity summit viewed by millions What are some of the inequities caused Kamala Harris presidential campaign. some ways, I’ve been on a lifelong journey to by the pandemic? What was your role? more deeply understand what manufactures One is student access to reliable high-speed Specifically, I was a member of the educational and reproduces those kinds of inequities. —R internet. Black and Latinx students, lower- equity subcommittee. In that committee, we income Asian-American students and certainly had three responsibilities. First, we helped For an expanded version of this interview, Indigenous students have had inequitable create a set of research to inform very cred- please visit RSOE.in/Harper.

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Javy Martinez ME ’13, Kenedy’s computer science has given educators an incentive to reconsider their teach- teacher, says that game-based apps can be engaged across ing methods. the curriculum. But beyond games, the pandemic is leading teachers to accept a wide range of work, including creative THE CASE FOR EDTECH DURING assignments completed with the video editing software THE PANDEMIC AND BEYOND iMovie or the digital music creation studio GarageBand. “I see a lot more teachers accepting digital assign- The novel coronavirus may have given educators little choice gamifying ments,” says Martinez, chair of Sierra Canyon’s computer but to consider how best to incorporate technology and science department and director of educational technol- gaming into the classroom, but the simple fact that it’s ogy (EdTech) at the private pre-K–12 school. “Students the 21st century should have been the primary impetus for the virtual classroom know how to use a camera, they’ve learned about filters, this shift, says David Cash EdD ’08, professor of clinical they’ve investigated apps. There’s just so much more tech- education at USC Rossier. Students spend hours playing nology usage.” video games, and three-quarters of all U.S. households To make remote instruction stimulating for Generation include at least one gamer, according to a 2020 report by Z — those born in the late ’90s to the early 2010s and widely the Entertainment Software Association. “They’re every- reported to have an average attention span of only 8 sec- where,” Cash says of gamers. “So, it seems foolish not to onds — educators are tapping into this demographic’s deep take what’s happening in homes and try to make it happen interest in gaming and technology. They’re using not only in schools.” game-based apps but also social media and EdTech that The former superintendent of four school districts, most simulate the in-person learning experience. When schools recently Santa Barbara Unified, says that video games are can safely reopen, students and educators alike say tech- a valuable piece of technology because, to some extent, nology should continue to play a role in coursework, but they involve failure—and players readily accept that fact. doing so successfully requires narrowing the digital divide Conversely, schools all too often send the message that fail- between privileged and underprivileged families that the ure is intolerable, Cash asserts. So, the lessons games teach pandemic laid bare. Closing this gap, USC Rossier experts students and their sheer popularity make them an important contend, goes deeper than just getting devices into stu- resource for educators. dents’ hands; it means enabling youth and their caregivers Teachers unfamiliar with video games hesitate to use to meaningfully interact with technology. them in class, but Cash says he witnessed one group of The efforts Kenedy’s teachers have made to include tech- educators recognize their value after they created a system nology in class are inspiring, she says. They’ve mailed to her of badges and awards that students earned through suc- home lab kits that allowed her to do science experiments cessful completion of missions. Even the most skeptical with classmates via Zoom, exposed her to interactive science educators were awed that students became engrossed in the The pandemic has websites that show her what happens when two chemicals are undertaking. He adds that games can also be assets because combined, and given her the chance to closely follow their they’re cross-disciplinary. educators turning lessons by using virtual smartboards. to digital tools to But game-based EdTech stands out increase engagement, among her favorite learning tools. “Video games involve failure and “I definitely am way more likely to but how can we ensure study for a quiz where I get to com- players readily accept that fact. … these technologies pete with my classmates and there’s a Schools all too often send the message little bit of fun involved, rather than are accessible for just printing out worksheets and sit- that failure is intolerable. So, the all students? ting quiet,” she says. “Mr. Martinez lessons games teach students and has been doing a bunch of different Quizlet-style games that we can all their sheer popularity make them an NOW THAT COVID-19 HAS KEPT Kenedy own work, but since online school started, play, and it motivates all of us in the important resource for educators.” Quandt out of the classroom for a year, she’s teachers have been using Quizlet or Kahoot, class because we want to try to get to noticed a change in her teachers: They’ve so everyone’s all excited to play and study.” the top of the leaderboard.” —David Cash EdD ’08, USC Rossier Professor of Clinical Education grown distinctly more creative. Quizlet is a study app that uses flashcards, The key to using technology in the “They’re trying to find ways to keep engag- games and tests to foster student learning, classroom is balance, Martinez says. It ing us,” explains Kenedy, an 11th grader at while Kahoot is a game-based platform fea- should supplement rather than domi- Story: Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, a neigh- turing quizzes accessible through web brows- nate instruction, and it should be age- and subject-matter “You can have a game set up by a chemistry teacher that’s Nadra Kareem Nittle borhood in Los Angeles, California. “Before, ers or an app. These fun learning tools are just appropriate. Although daily use of technology during the going to require a student to be able to read analytically, Illustration: whenever we wanted to study for a quiz or do two of many that teachers have employed to pandemic has been an adjustment for some teachers—often read for understanding, problem-solve, answer questions, Edmon de Haro practice tests, it was mostly just silent on-your- enhance online learning during the pandemic. equal parts humbling and frustrating—distance learning think logically—all things that we would want a student to

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be engaged in when they’re doing close reading in English and social studies,” he says. Educators, however, should avoid using games as gim- micks because students can see through them, both Cash resources for the Virtual Classroom and Martinez argue. Teachers should develop games with content that appeals to kids and be open to accepting work There’s no shortage of digital resources for teachers. The EdTech sphere includes everything from that shows mastery of the concepts even if it isn’t completed anti-cheating to project collaboration software. Javy Martinez ’ME 13 recommends the following: in a conventional fashion. “We have games that apply to typing,” Martinez says. ProProfs.com VoiceThread.com “We have games that apply to geography, history, English, “Kids are overloaded with “It’s the next best thing to having a live person Allows students to record, write, call in or make but at a certain point, the students don’t see where it applies proctor the exam,” Martinez says. “It disables their own video response to a prompt. technology. … There’s a lack in the real curriculum. Now, that doesn’t mean that you can’t you from going to any other tab. It disables have trivia games, such as learning vocab words in English copy/paste, and it disables clicking. So the MindMeister.com of motivation unless there is or learning dates with pictures in history.” minute that you click on any other tab, boom, A word-mapping software that allows users By high school, though, the most advanced students you’re busted!” to collaborate on projects and branch off into some dynamic instruction might find it insulting for teachers to disseminate knowledge different subjects. through game-based drills, Martinez says. This doesn’t occurring on the other end.” Nearpod.com mean that educators must stop using games in the secondary Allows teachers to see which of their students Repl.it —Maria Romero-Morales, Research Project Specialist, grades. However, they should make sure that the games Pullias Center for Higher Education and USC Rossier are online during presentations. If a student Allows users to learn multiple computer reflect students’ sophistication level. EdD student leaves, the teacher will know. languages and share with others. Kids and teens are also increasingly turning to social “The ultimate group computer science media for information, be it for learning or for connecting Go Formative website,” Martinez says. with friends and pop culture. Kenedy Lets teachers upload documents and add says she uses the video-sharing social places for student responses. Educators can Visit rsoe.in/virtualclassroom for links networking service TikTok in part to also track student growth with this software. to these and other resources. watch teachers from all over quickly break down complex historical issues and events. “Mr. Martinez posts our class lectures on YouTube, and so I can rewatch them if I have any questions,” plays, movie nights, slam poetry events and choral perfor- CLOSING THE she says. “Things like that are really mances, muting students at certain times to create a melodic DIGITAL DIVIDE helpful because students can com- effect. “They have taken Zoom and made it their own,” he ment in the comment section saying says. “It has been great.” Just a month before the pandemic forced schools to close they didn’t understand something, But technology’s use in the classroom isn’t always showy. in March 2020, Kenedy Quandt bought her first laptop, a and if someone else sees it, they’ll Often, it’s relatively mundane. Maria Romero-Morales, a purchase her parents paid half for while she covered the rest comment back.” research project specialist at the USC Pullias Center for with her earnings as a STEM tutor. She is the founder of Sierra Canyon instructors also rely Higher Education who is completing her EdD in higher the organization Project STEMinist (STEM plus feminist), on the software program Flipgrid, education at USC Rossier, notes that educators routinely which provides free tutoring to low-income girls and fee- which allows them to create prompts employ technology for logistical reasons. This includes hav- based tutoring to girls from higher-income brackets. Sierra that students can respond to via video. ing students start discussion threads in the chat sections of Canyon doesn’t require students to use computers for school- The program lets students interact videoconferencing programs or asking students and their work, but when the pandemic struck, the school scrambled with each other through video posts families to get the Remind app, so they can stay on top of to get laptops to the students who didn’t have devices. as well. Meanwhile, Microsoft Teams homework and project deadlines. In the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s gives teachers and students opportu- Gary Wu, a Sierra Canyon 11th grader, says he has second largest district, ensuring that students received the nities to chat, videoconference and depended on apps like OneNote, Evernote and Google technology needed for distance learning was a herculean store files, among other features. Calendar to take notes digitally and stay organized. He effort given that one-third of the district’s roughly 600,000 Although the perception per- appreciates that these apps have an environmental benefit students had neither a laptop nor broadband internet at sists that EdTech is more appropri- as well: They help him “shrink down the amount of paper” home. “We’ve known through different studies that we’ve ate for science and math than the he uses for class, he says. done, whether it’s K–12 or higher ed, that some students humanities, Martinez says he’s very Like Gary, a number of students have thrived using were and still are doing assignments and homework over impressed by how the performing arts EdTech during the pandemic, but many have logged on their phone,” says Romero-Morales, who researches digital teachers at his school have adopted infrequently or not at all, revealing how much of a digital equity in education. “Not every student had a device.” technology during the pandemic. divide exists between middle- and high-income families A report from USC Rossier and the USC Annenberg Entirely remotely, they’ve organized and their low-income counterparts. School for Communication and Journalism, published in

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Gary says some of his teachers lecture throughout the class period, which he doesn’t find engaging. In Martinez’s computer science class, though, students go into digital break- out rooms that allow them to interact with each other in small groups. This motivates him to participate, Gary explains. While mediocre teaching may bear some of the blame for low student engagement, caregivers likely play a role as well. The “When School Comes Home” report found that “The internet is basically the caregivers may not be able to provide the technical support needed to help their children excel as remote learners. Fifty- new electricity. If we are to call two percent of parents surveyed in the report said they had not completed high school, and although 73 percent reported ourselves a society that wants to using the internet daily, just 33 percent said the same of ensure that every resident has their computer use. In fact, a higher number, 44 percent, said they never use computers. These findings indicate that what they need to be successful, low-income parents may have a limited capacity to help their children address software and connectivity problems that then the internet has to be on arise during online instruction. “There are gaps there that preclude them from help- the table.” ing their child, despite wanting to, in ways they think are —Stephen J. Aguilar, USC Rossier Assistant Professor of Education important,” says Stephen J. Aguilar, principal investigator of the “When School Comes Home” report and a USC Rossier assistant professor. “Older siblings are now de facto tech support, which I’m not saying is something that we should avoid. Sometimes the older sibling is the one who knows October, found that low-income families have made sac- how to use the device better, but it’s a finite resource where rifices to ensure that their children take part in distance in helping a younger sibling, an older sibling might actually learning. With a sample size of 1,971 LAUSD families, the be choosing not to engage in their own work.” study, “When School Comes Home: How Low-Income Families Are Adapting to Distance Learning,” found that about 1 in 3 families report paying for devices such as laptops or for internet service to accommodate their children’s learning needs (p. 5). In May, LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner tiktok announced that essentially every LAUSD student who needed computers and internet access had received them, but Hashtags to Follow two months later, the district reported that more than 50,000 Black and Latino middle and high school students hadn’t regularly been logging on to remote classes. Moreover, #historylesson low-income students were 10 to 20 percent less likely to History is reportedly TikTok’s most popular Throughout the pandemic, families have had to make of 2022, California lawmakers are working to make broad- participate in online instruction, and English learners, education topic. Videos using the #historylesson these difficult decisions while facing stressors such as inse- band accessible to residents in underserved communities. special education students, and foster and unhoused youth hashtag have garnered more than 229 million curity in employment, housing and food. Closing the digital Also, in 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom launched the Broadband were all less likely to log on as well. views combined. These short clips have helped divide requires educators to consider all of the factors that for All initiative and issued an executive order to get state While LAUSD’s work to give students access to devices students understand complex historical might keep children offline and to make sure that if they’re agencies to pool their resources to provide Californians with and the internet has made it easier for them to participate in subjects—from the French Revolution to the going to engage certain technology in class, students know access to high-performance broadband at home, devices to distance learning, educators must ensure that their lessons women’s suffrage movement. how to use it. If not, technology may become more of a use the internet, and training and support for digital literacy. are engaging enough to motivate youth to log on regularly, hindrance than a help to learning. Today, an estimated 1 million California schoolchildren still says Romero-Morales, who has more than 15 years of teach- #literaturememes When schools resume in-person learning, Aguilar lack internet access. ing experience. The hashtag #literaturememes is a hub for memes says it will be important for educators to remember what “The internet is basically the new electricity,” Aguilar “We’ve known that these kids are overloaded with tech- about classic literature. Rather than assigning the pandemic revealed about the digital divide. Policies, says. “If we are to call ourselves a society that wants to ensure nology,” she says. “They’re sitting in front of a screen from students to write about the 19th-century novel practices and infrastructure must be put in place to allow that every resident has what they need to be successful, 8 to 3:30, and it’s really challenging for them to just stay they’ve just read, teachers can assign a meme schools to better serve economically disadvantaged stu- then the internet has to be on the table. It has to be one of there and stare into a screen when there isn’t going to be a response that they post to TikTok. dents should remote instruction become a necessity once those things that everyone has because everything relies lot of engagement. There’s a lack of motivation unless there more. Having recently introduced legislation such as the on it now.” —R is some dynamic instruction occurring on the other end.” Internet for All Act of 2021 and the Broadband for All Act

32 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 33 IN CONVERSATION IN CONVERSATION

You grew up in Pacoima in the San Dean Noguera asked me and Dr. Jenifer One of the most important things is to equip Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. Crawford if we would be interested in help- young people with civic-minded skills and [an How did that shape you? ing to shape a new initiative around improv- understanding of] the history of the country. Pacoima is a community where everyone ing civics education. Coming together—being I’m a community organizer at heart, so I think knows everyone. As a result of housing cove- able to talk and hear each other—is necessary, about how our young people can consider these nants, it was the only place in the San Fernando especially in our current context. And yet, it is issues in the context of their own communities, Valley where Black people could live. There are not taught in K–12 civics education. bridging civics education with civic engage- Indigenous peoples who originated in Pacoima Dr. Robert Filback, Dr. Crawford and ment. Our goal is to create a whole generation and still live there. Pacoima became this area of I are co-chairing the committee to get the of young people who are civically engaged. immense diversity because of the racist hous- project up and going. I’m so excited to be a ing policies—[home to] Latinos, Filipinos, part of this and to rethink how civics educa- What impact can training teachers to Japanese Americans and Indigenous folks. tion is taught. be better equipped to teach and discuss My grandmother, Toy Dula Knight, was issues of civic engagement and democ- a member of the NAACP and was very active What are some preliminary findings? racy have on historically marginalized in the civil rights movement and in the com- As we researched civics-education curricu- students in particular? munity. Before she relocated to L.A., she was lums, we found that current practices are all That’s a concept we’re talking about in The a one-room school teacher in North Carolina about memorization. There is a gap between Democracy Project working group: What does and served in the Black Women’s Army Corps the need to actually engage students in civic- civics education mean for our Latinx students, in World War II. After earning her California minded activities and learning experiences. students who identify as LGBTQ , and Black teaching credential, she was—for years— So, we’re really thinking about how to utilize students? [These students] oftentimes have unable to secure a permanent teaching position the voices of young people and their forms of been left out of the civics-education experi- with LAUSD because of her Southern accent. activism, within what is traditionally called ence, but these communities are often impacted For most of her teaching career, she was a civics education. There is a lack of understand- greatly by what happens in our democracy. substitute, eventually landing a permanent job ing around free speech, our amendments and at Filmore Elementary in Pacoima. I was in the Bill of Rights. There is also a significant elementary school when she started showing lack of ability to parse through discourse and signs of Alzheimer’s. I missed out on a lot of identify what is truth, data and facts, and what “Our goal is to create a time with her, but a lot of people say that I are political arguments. whole generation of have carried on her legacy. My grandmother’s I think about the people who claimed that young people who are Interview: Kianoosh Hashemzadeh Illustration: Heather Monahan activism and my involvement in the Black the election was stolen and what happened civically engaged.” church were instrumental for me. at the Capitol, and the first thing I think Much of my youth was spent in the Black about is our students. How can we teach to church in Pacoima. The Black churches would this moment, in order to truly prepare civic- Why We Must come together to celebrate Black history, minded students who can have political or One thing that is rarely taught is the leaders and community service, providing a ideological disagreements? How do we help role of youth and community organizers in lot of opportunities for young people to give them debate their own perspectives and use the expansion of democracy through voting Rethink How speeches and take leadership positions. evidence? At the same time, how can we help rights. One of my heroes is Ella Baker; she was them to talk to each other with respect, with the adult behind the scenes [of the Student You were once a high school history and empathy, with an understanding that there are Nonviolent Coordinating Committee] help- social science teacher. What do you miss a lot of people in this country who are mar- ing young people organize, train, strategize We Teach Civics about teaching high school? ginalized and have been historically, because and do the work of registering Black voters I loved my students, being able to talk with it was written within the founding documents in the deep South. There are some things that Akilah Lyons-Moore, USC Rossier assistant professor them, teach them, collaborate, build relation- of our country? communities of color have done historically, ships, and see their growth. I taught 11th and that have contributed to our democracy in of clinical education, discusses The Democracy Project, 12th grade, and I was their adviser for the Black What is education’s role in ensuring the fundamental ways, that are not acknowledged. Student Union, so I knew a lot of students health of our democracy? Civics education has the potential to [help] growing up in Pacoima and what she misses before they got to me. I miss opening a world Education’s role is to equip young people with young people know that they come from a leg- to students that they didn’t know existed. I the skills they need to participate in democ- acy of people who have changed our democracy about teaching high school taught history from a different perspective racy. Instead of focusing on these skills, there’s for the better. The Democracy Project has the than most of my colleagues. For a lot of my too much focus on the content—and the con- potential to help transform communities. Not students, I was their first Black teacher. tent is biased. If we focus on, for example, according to our ideas, but according to the reading and literacy, and think about per- ideas of the community. —R Tell me about your role with Civics & spective and how it changes over time, we can Civility: The Democracy Project, USC equip students to read original documents and For an expanded version of this interview, Rossier’s new civics education initiative. help them to unpack the meaning in them. please visit RSOE.in/Lyons-Moore.

34 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 35 FEATURE FEATURE

IS THE PANDEMIC WORSENING THE EQUITY GAP IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS?

While test-optional policies have some applauding, declining application rates for low-income students and people of color are worrisome

Story: IT WAS EARLY FEBRUARY, and Jefferson High been accepted to CSU Dominguez Hills this fall. Elaine Woo School college counselor Enrique Carranza had But what should have been an occasion for pure been trying for days to reach one of his seniors by joy—she would be the first member of her family to Illustration: email and messages on the school networking ser- attend college—instead was fraught with uncertainty. Joanna Grochocka vice, the primary means of staying in touch while Since COVID-19 turned everything upside campuses across the Los Angeles Unified School down, she has been working as many as 30 hours a District were closed. week at a fast-food restaurant to support her family When the student finally checked her inbox, through the pandemic. She intends to go to col- she found not only Carranza’s messages but also one lege, but until her family’s finances improve, she from California State University telling her she had told Carranza, where and when are up in the air.

36 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 37 FEATURE

“These are the conversations counselors across Los on families having a computer and reliable internet service. normal application rate at selective institutions to a Angeles are having with students,” said Carranza, who “The counselors are really taxed,” Hall said. decision that caused seniors to sigh in relief: About was hired onto Jefferson’s permanent staff after two years And, FAFSA filing is not the only college application 1,700 colleges and universities, including USC, at the predominantly Latino/Latina, low-income campus requirement that is getting bogged down by the need to do scrapped the SAT/ACT requirement for at least as a member of the USC College Advising Corps. it remotely. “Something as simple as a letter of recommen- this year because of the closure of testing centers COLLEGE The Jefferson High student’s plight reflects worrisome dation is taking months,” Hall observed. during the pandemic. Some experts predict that the national trends that suggest the pandemic is deepening A further sign of the pandemic’s toll is the nearly 22 requirement will eventually be eliminated perma- COUNSELING inequalities in college access for students from historically percent drop in the number of 2020 high school graduates nently. “Instead of disqualifying themselves from underrepresented groups. who enrolled in college last fall, according to the National applying because they think their scores aren’t good BY ZOOM “COVID-19 is affecting dramatically who goes to college Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The drop-offs enough, students are saying, ‘I’m going to go for it,’” and where they go to college,” said USC Rossier Professor of varied by type of institution, with the steepest decline seen said Alyssa Orrantia Bieneme, Cornell University’s The coronavirus pandemic upended nearly everything Practice Jerome Lucido, who directs the USC Rossier Center at community colleges. associate director of admissions and coordinator of about going to college, including the way members of the for Enrollment Research, Policy and Practice (CERPP). The center found that community college enrollment fell diversity outreach, who will complete a master’s USC College Advising Corps (CAC) work. “It’s exacerbating the disadvantages of many populations.” by 21 percent nationally, a rate of decline that was almost 20 degree in enrollment management policy at USC In normal times, counselors could nab a student One of the most troubling signs of a growing equity gap times higher than during the pre-pandemic year of 2019. Rossier this spring. outside a classroom for a quick chat or summon them to is the sharp decline in financial aid applications. Because two-year colleges provide a crucial path into higher At Cornell, freshman applications are up by the campus college center. But once campuses closed, The number of students who have submitted the federal education for low-income and other marginalized students, more than 16,000 this year. A contributing factor keeping tabs on college-bound seniors became much form known as the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal the plummet is ringing alarm bells. may be the shift to virtual recruiting: Cornell, like more difficult, requiring technology and other resources Student Aid) in February compared to the same time last “It is scary,” said USC Rossier Professor of Education USC and other highly competitive institutions, many students didn’t have. year has fallen by 12.3 percent at high schools with large Tatiana Melguizo, who studies the economics of higher hosted information sessions online, which enabled Perhaps the biggest challenge facing CAC’s 38 coun- them to reach many more high schools than was pos- selors—all recent college graduates with backgrounds sible when in-person campus visits were the norm. similar to those of the students from the underrepre- “This has been surprisingly beneficial,” Bieneme sented communities they serve—was learning to develop “COVID-19 is affecting dramatically who said, and may have contributed to a significant rise rapport in an online environment. in applications to Cornell from historically under- “Building relationships happens walking through the goes to college and where they go to college. served students. hallway or at a basketball game or play,” said Program Even before the pandemic, some institutions Director Ara Arzumanian. “That’s all gone. Now much It’s exacerbating the disadvantages of declared themselves test-blind, meaning that they more work has to go into just arranging meetings with do not look at scores even if applicants submit them. students.” many populations.” —Jerome Lucido, USC Rossier Professor of Practice More schools have chosen the test-optional route, Some students are too shy to turn on their video meaning that they are not requiring scores but will during Zoom advising meetings, for example. “Most of the consider them if submitted. time, I’m talking to a picture. That’s a barrier,” said Lupita The movement toward test-optional or test-blind Martinez, who works at Alhambra High School, a predom- enrollments of low-income students, as defined by the fed- education. “Community colleges are engines of opportunity. policies is the biggest change in college admissions inantly low-income, Latino/Latina and Asian-American eral Title I program; by comparison, FAFSA submissions If no one is reaching out to those students, they are going in the COVID-19 age. It will be a cause for major campus in the San Gabriel Valley. have dropped 7.4 percent at non-Title I schools, according to postpone. And nobody knows if they will come back.” celebration if it ends up leveling the playing field for To increase the ways they connect with students, the to the nonprofit National College Attainment Network corps members have gotten creative. SIGNS OF HOPE? poor, Black and Latino/Latina students, whose low (NCAN). NCAN found a steeper decline, of nearly 15 per- average scores have been linked to lack of access to They expanded online resources, including a YouTube cent, at schools with high proportions of students of color. costly test-prep courses. channel with helpful videos on topics such as how to Although the gap has narrowed since FAFSA season opened While it’s too early to know this fall’s enrollment picture, But that is a big “if.” navigate college application portals and to request tax in October, experts remain concerned. worrying—and encouraging—trends are emerging in data “Test-optional and test-blind operate alongside records for financial aid forms. Martinez has held live These numbers are distressing to college-access advocates about the widely used Common Application. a host of factors affecting enrollment,” said USC Instagram sessions where students and parents pop in to because research shows that students who submit the FAFSA The early numbers show that applications at the nation’s Rossier Associate Professor of Higher Education Julie ask questions. are far more likely to attend college and receive a degree. most elite institutions, both public and private, are booming. Posselt. “In many places the move to test-optional Senior advisers also developed a guide to e-advising “We’re hoping for a late swell in FAFSA filings,” said Freshman applications at top colleges and universities, seems to be associated with an uptick in applications. with concrete tips on how to connect with school staff as Rakin Hall ME ’13, vice president of enrollment manage- such as UCLA, Harvard and Penn State, have surged by 17 What’s not clear is whether there are countervailing well as students in a remote world. ment at the private Arcadia University near Philadelphia. percent overall compared with the previous year, according factors that might still pose barriers to students being “Our advisers are working their behinds off,” Arzuma- “The pandemic has really exposed a lot of gaps in resources to the Common App. Some campuses have reported growth admitted and ultimately enrolling,” such as the desir- nian said, “but they are determined to reach every student at the K–12 level.” of 20 percent or more, with significant increases among ability of their extracurricular activities and ability they can.” Part of the problem may be unequal access to college Black and Latino/Latina applicants. to write a compelling personal statement. counselors, who play a crucial role in the FAFSA filing USC is expecting about 70,000 applications for this “There are lots of ways that privilege and cultural For more on the USC CAC and how you can help keep process. High school counselors usually hold on-campus fall’s freshman class, a 2 percent rise over last year and a 7 capital show up in admissions,” Posselt said. these much-needed advisers in schools, see p. 52. workshops to help students and parents wend their way percent increase over the previous high in 2019–20, USC Some admissions professionals say that waiving through the long FAFSA form, but now they must do it spokesman Ron Mackovich said. the test-scores requirement will not radically alter on Zoom, a far more time-consuming affair that depends Admissions experts have attributed the higher-than- the process because they approach applications

38 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 39 FEATURE FEATURE

At Arcadia University, Hall said admissions decisions the most elite institutions, find better ways to identify the will lean more heavily on grades. most promising students from disadvantaged communities, “I’ve always been a huge fan of GPA,” he said. “The and create and fund programs that give them the greatest SAT is a snapshot of a student’s day—could be a good day chance for college success. or a bad day. GPA tells me how you show up in life. Isn’t One approach she admires is the USC McMorrow that what it’s about, how you show up at 8 a.m. or 8 p.m.? Neighborhood Academic Initiative, a seven-year pre- [It tells me], ‘Are you ready?’” college program that prepares students from South and East “I also like the idea of letters of recommendation,” Hall Los Angeles for admission to a college or university. Since added. “GPA indicates consistency. Letters of recommen- its first graduating class in 1997, 83 percent of the more than dation speak to your character.” 1,000 participants have enrolled as freshmen at four-year

“COVID-19 and the racial uprising unveiled the unequal opportunities for our students … a whole reckoning with the idea of merit.” —Tatiana Melguizo, USC Rossier Professor of Education

College advisers say they hope admissions officers will institutions, including 42 percent at USC. take personal context into account when assessing applicants Another model is the Thompson Scholars Learning from disadvantaged communities. Communities, a comprehensive, college-transition program “I’m happy to hear from some of them that they are based at the University of Nebraska. A residential program definitely looking at senior year with a grain of salt,” said that combines academic and social support, scholarships and Ara Arzumanian, program director of the USC College individualized attention in the first two years of college, it Advising Corps, which aims to improve college outcomes has improved the graduation rates of low-income and racially for low-income, first-generation and underrepresented stu- minoritized students. dents by providing understaffed Los Angeles high schools “When you give the resources and the emotional support, with qualified counselors. “They’re trying to figure out what these students thrive,” said Melguizo, who has studied the happened to the students, how much of what they see on the Thompson Scholars program. transcript is related to the pandemic or the fact they don’t Such initiatives are expensive, but USC Rossier scholars have Wi-Fi or a place to do classwork at home.” are examining new ways to pay for them. At CERPP, Lucido and his colleagues are launching an FORGING A NEW PATH effort to design a federal program that would provide colleges and universities with greater financial support if they commit Many experts hope the pandemic, along with last year’s to admitting and graduating more underserved students. holistically, meaning that no one indicator of merit will “Not only will low- and moderate-income students Black Lives Matter protests, may finally lead to a wholesale It targets federal Pell Grants, which flow to institutions determine a student’s admissions status. This year, the not understand the rules of the game, but the process will rethinking of college admissions that improves equity in without requiring them to ensure that the recipients persist Common App also includes space for applicants to describe become less transparent to all students,” Hossler wrote in a college outcomes. to graduation. Lucido would like to make those institutions how the pandemic may have affected them. recent op-ed. “This should give all of us pause.” “COVID-19 and the racial uprising unveiled the unequal more accountable. “We have always approached the review of applications If test scores are off the table this year, what factors might opportunities for our students … a whole reckoning with “Colleges may chafe at such a federal requirement, but holistically and compassionately, understanding the challenges come in for greater scrutiny? the idea of merit,” Melguizo said. there is ample data to show that higher education as a sector many students and families face,” Cornell’s Bieneme said. Bieneme said assessments of academic rigor, such as “It hit our most vulnerable communities harder, so we has not stepped up to move these students forward and Don Hossler, a senior scholar at USC Rossier’s CERPP, whether students took advantage of any available Advanced have families who have first responders who need to be at advance social mobility in America in any way that meets said removing test scores, no matter how problematic, from Placement courses, will be a key factor in Cornell’s holistic work every day, and we have parents who are able to work current need,” he said. the equation could make it even harder for students and review process, as it was before the pandemic’s disruptions. from home and who are going to give as much as they can “I don’t know an admissions officer who doesn’t want parents to understand how admissions decisions are made. Essays may also receive greater scrutiny. afford to make their kids more competitive. As institutions, to do better on the equity front, but they feel so many con- He helped lead a recent study of 10 institutions with dif- “I think that this year of all years, [applicants] should we need to think about that. We need to think about ways straints in getting that done,” he said. “So we really need ferent levels of selectivity that emphasize a holistic approach pay particular attention to the writing that they submit to to expand educational opportunity. Otherwise, we are max- the kind of restructuring and breaking down of barriers to admissions. The study found that no school used the same colleges,” USC Dean of Admission Timothy Brunold said imizing these inequities.” that have prevented them from opening doors wider.” —R criteria and processes when making admissions decisions. in October. Melguizo would like to see higher education, especially

40 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 41 While the logistics involved with reopening safely have have safely reopening with involved logistics the While for change for opportunity an Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean Stoops King Joyce and Stoops Emery Education of Professor Distinguished By as Disruption commitment to the education profession. profession. education to the commitment and scores test in of improvement evidence demonstrate one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one between gateway a portal, is a It no different. one is our environment was deteriorating rapidly. Is it possible it Is possible rapidly. deteriorating was environment our growing, our political systems and parties were unable to unable were parties and systems political our growing, grappling with severe teacher shortages—not from a from shortages—not teacher severe with grappling a opportu an as disruption this use can we whether about graduation rates, many are questioning their long-term long-term their questioning are many rates, graduation are Kids unchanged. largely is status socioeconomic and able, equitable and beneficial for all of us? of all for beneficial and equitable able, asked to do more with less. Under relentless pressure to pressure Under relentless less. with more to do asked willing are few too because but teachers, of qualified lack how many are truly inspired by what they learn? learn? they what by inspired truly are many how solve the problems that eat away at our quality of life, and and of life, quality at our away eat that problems the solve was Inequality stress. and of strain signs clear showed nity for positive, lasting change. Too many of our schools Too schools of our many change. lasting for positive, nity taken precedent, it’s not too early—or too late—to think think late—to too it’s early—or not too precedent, taken to use this moment to forge a path that is more sustain more is that apath moment to forge this to use to accept teaching jobs. Principals and superintendents, superintendents, and Principals jobs. teaching to accept race on based gap achievement the reforms, and effort especially in urban school districts, are frequently frequently are districts, school urban in especially world and the next.” Before the pandemic, our society society our pandemic, the Before next.” the and world to humans forced have pandemics “Historically, wrote, under pressure to earn high grades and test scores, but scores, test and grades high to earn pressure under break with the past and imagine their world anew. This This anew. world their imagine and past the with break r e reproducing patterns of inequality. Despite years of years Despite of inequality. patterns e reproducing Pedro A. Noguera A. Pedro Th Educators have not fared much better. Districts are are Districts better. much not fared have Educators In April of last year, acclaimed author Arundhati Roy Roy Arundhati author acclaimed year, of last April In i s question is particularly pertinent to schools. to schools. pertinent particularly is s question I’ve thought there must be some some be must there thought I’ve lessons what on reflected I have THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC deeper meaning that we could could we that meaning deeper of “normal.” of “normal.” things return to some semblance semblance to some return things extract that might prove helpful as as helpful prove might that extract we might learn from this crisis. crisis. this from learn might we 42

- - , It’s easy to see how obstacles related to state regulations, regulations, to state related obstacles how to see It’s easy cult. However, if we are willing to learn from the schools schools the from to learn willing are we if However, cult. unattainable. seem may policies and schools such creating dead rivers and smoky skies behind us,” we can, Roy Roy can, us,” we behind skies smoky and rivers dead chological and emotional needs of kids. We also need to need We also of kids. needs emotional and chological meeting the needs of all the students they serve. serve. they students the of all needs the meeting challenged and supported. Parents have a right to know to know a right have Parents supported. and challenged over which they have no control. no control. have they which over l and if we allow ourselves to imagine and act on possi act and to imagine ourselves allow we if and su hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our our ideas, dead and banks data our avarice, our hatred, imagine another world. And ready to fight tofor fight it.” ready And world. another imagine need a vision and plan for creating schools capable of capable schools for creating plan and a vision need new world, “dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and and prejudice of our carcasses the “dragging world, new narrow focus on achievement that ignores the social, psy social, the ignores that on achievement focus narrow tion policies that prioritize high-quality teaching and and teaching high-quality prioritize that policies tion t that they will not be blamed for failing to solve problems problems to solve for failing blamed not be will they that to for educators fair and it reasonable is And future. the for well-prepared being and safe are children their that expect that their service be honored and respected, and and respected, and honored be service their that expect writes, “walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to ready luggage, little with lightly, through “walk writes, preschool programs are widely available. Most of all, we we of all, Most available. widely are programs preschool and after-school excellent and internships psychologists, poverty, union contracts and politics make change diffi change make politics and contracts union poverty, bilities for change, there’s no reason why returning to a returning why no reason there’s for change, bilities bu e OPINION h arning opportunities over standardized testing and a and testing standardized over opportunities arning bpar status quo must be inevitable. inevitable. be must quo status bpar at already serve as beacons of hope and opportunity, opportunity, and of hope beacons as serve at already ild systems of support for schools so that social workers, workers, social that so for schools of support systems ild To create the schools we need, we must have educa have must we need, we To schools the create For those who’ve been in the trenches of education, of education, trenches the in been who’ve For those Rather than walking through the gateway to this to this gateway the through walking than Rather Our kids deserve to be in schools where they are are they where schools in to be deserve kids Our US C ROSSIER MAGAZINE ROSSIER C —

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ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS GASH Faculty publications commonground. rsoe.in/ visit book, their about Hess and Noguera between discussion improve teaching and learning across America’s 13,000 school districts. school 13,000 America’s across learning and teaching improve to do can we what and salvaged, be can reform standards-based whether failed, have standards why addressing excellence, and equity educational of pursuit the undermine systems educational decentralized our that ways the about argument impassioned an offers Polikoff Press Education /Harvard 2021 May USC Rossier) by Reform Curriculum of Promise the and Governance of Education The Fragmentation Standards: Beyond training. and ineducation used games and simulations of outcomes assessment and learning enhance and cognitive and affective metricscan be used to effectivelyassess, modify, how explores volume this sectors, professional and academic across games and simulations computer-based of inuse rise the to In response /Routledge 2021 May WATSON E. U.S.), and STEPHEN Research, Naval of Office Program, Learning RAY PEREZ S. UCLA), at Rossier), USC at technology and psychology educational of edited (professor by O’NEIL HARRY Contexts Workplace and inSchool Applications Games: and Simulations inEducational Metrics and Affective Cognitive Using ground. common of amount asurprising uncover they debate, civil and honest sharp, their through exchanges, back-and-forth of aseries as Written privatization. and diversity to testing and choice in K–12 school from issues education, toughest the of some discuss candidly aisle, ideological the of sides opposing on fall often who Noguera, and Hess polarization, national bitter with rife atime During Press College /Teachers 2021 March Rossier) USC of (Dean NOGUERA A. PEDRO and Institute) Enterprise by inK–12 Education Questions Toughest the About Conversations Ground: Common for A Search SPRING 2021 /SUMMER free speech to the rise of for-profit colleges and student debt. student and for-profit of colleges rise the to speech free and diversity from education, higher confronting challenges many the of overview athought-provoking provides Tierney essays, short In 49 York New Press of University /State 2020 December USC Rossier) by Confronting 49 Real: Higher Education Challenges Get MORGAN POLIKOFFMORGAN American the at Studies Policy Education of (director HESS RICK WILLIAM TIERNEY WILLIAM (independent consultant)

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To a view from ourstudents Recommendations AS REFUGE READING myself, others and the world around me. around world the and others myself, to relate better me help factors these how andstories’ appeal for factors scientific telling was extremely profound. profound. extremely was me around occurring events impactful the observing I was as material the with engaging speeches, and essays of a collection as form its with Particularly perspective. a new from content the on reflect to opportunity the gave me several sociopolitical events this year the of midst in the it re-reading and ago, years four about book this read I first recommend I’d Sorr Will by to Tell Better Them like both. feels book back—this reflected own our see and experience lived others’ stand under both to mirrors” and “windows providing about talk we In education experience. human deeply and acter char of depth its for often book this to . I loved it because it explores the the explores it because it . I loved 43 The of Science Story JACOB BOARNET JACOB Audre Lorde and Speeches Essays Outsider: Sister Affairs Student and Administration in Post-Secondary ME Us Human and How How and Human Us Make Stories Why Storytelling: of Science The Counseling in Educational ME LIU KEVIN have returned and sci-fi I contemporary love Laymon Kiese Long Division Family Therapy and in Marriage MS MOLLY NESTOR ,

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- - - Every Child the Talents in Discovering to the remote villages of Mexico education gifted took her from LA This alumna’s illustrious career in Diane Krieger Diane Story: 44

ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI her BSin1959. adena CityCollege, then transferred to USC in1957, earning kids. At 18,sheenrolled intheteacher-training track atPas started herownbackyard summerschoolforneighborhood travel agency. He laterPasadena. opened a Danish import business and a sulate to workforLockheed, andthefamily settled downin Knud BoldtAfter Germany occupied Denmark, left thecon anAustralianBoldt, immigrant whoworked asasecretary. a Danish diplomatBoldt, stationed inLosAngeles, and Linda JANET BOLDT SÁENZWAS BORNIN1937,thechild ofKnud summer research trips. home.” Sáenz’s young daughters stayed those with her during Mexico City and return for us three months later to drive us five days to theUniversity Thenhe’d ofAlabama. fly back to and doctoral degrees thanks to him.Every summer, wedrove at theUniversity ofAlabama. summers inTuscaloosa to workalongside faculty researchers Salvador, Venezuela, andspend Ecuador andGuatemala, required herto take weekslong teaching assignmentsinEl nightclubs or toured nationally and internationally with his trio. daughters, Charlotte and Laura, while Efrén performed at often alone Janet Sáenz was with their twoyoung dent by night, their 50thweddinganniversary lastyear. he foundedin1959. Theenergetic octogenarians celebrated still performswithhisensemble, Trio LosSoberanos, which professional bolero musician and composer, 84, Efrén Sáenz, backtohead Mexico City, where shelives withherhusband.A uate courses inperson. OnThursday afternoon, shewould then states lines and a volcanic mountain range to deliver hergrad would make thetwo-hourdrive early Tuesday, crossing two pandemic, she’s beenteaching remotely. Normally, Sáenz pioneerswith gifted-education JosephRenzulli andSally Reis. proposed doctoral program thatSáenzdesignedinconsultation hold offuntilthe rollout ofthe revamped master’s program and She’s beentoying withretirement, asked butherdean herto Mexico’s first guide for teachers and parents of gifted children. itative identificationofgiftedness. She’s alsoco-developing course onmulti-exceptional persons andaseminarinqual cation. Stillvery active inher profession, Sáenz is teaching a a tour guide whospoke rudimentarySpanish. was Mexico she inthefirst place.Whenshearrived in1964, atAutonomous Universityfessor ofeducation ofTlaxcala, to training teachers to identifythem. 60 years studyingniñostalentosos(“talented children”) and Sáenz ’59 having is an expert spent the past on the subject, SOBRESALIENTE. THAT’S SPANISH FOR “GIFTED.” JanetBoldt Sáenz always knew she wanted to be teacher. At 10, she “He understood,” shesays. “Ireally have my master’s But he always supported Sáenz’s career goals, which The early years were hard. Ateacher by day andgrad stu At least sheisn’t driving to Tlaxcala Sincethe every week. Today, atage 83,she’s- anationalauthority ongifted edu pureIt was alongtime serendipity pro thattook Sáenz, - US C ROSSIER MAGAZINE ROSSIER C - - - - -

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JANET BOLDT SÁENZ Tlaxcala. of University Autonomous present at the in 1990 to City visit Mexico Angeles,Los University,State at California professor emerita Clark,Barbara colleague and (right) Sánez HER FIELD A LEADER IN Laura. and Charlotte and daughters second from left, husband, Efrén, with her family, Sáenz (far right) Negroponte. John to Mexico U.S. ambassador of then- wife (blue dress), Negroponte by Diana accompanied in 1990, community in a Nahuatl bilingual school dress) visits a (white Sánez TRAVELED THE PATH LESS Sáenz engineered atwo-year teacher-loan arrangement for guished, international K–12 schoolinMexico City. Intrigued, with teachers at the American School Foundation, adistin students onoverseas tours. free, sheworked forherdad’s travel agency leading college matic improvement. As a young teacher with her summers SÁENZ’S OWN SPANISH SKILLSwere aboutto undergo dra migrants, amazed shewas to seehowquickly they advanced. an experimental K–1 classfullofgifted Spanish-speaking im she first becameinterested intalented children. Assigned to known as the USC Demonstration and there School, it was that training at32ndStreet USC then Performing ArtsMagnet, stration teacher. Sáenzhadreceived herstudent-teacher but after three years shereturned to USC asamaster demon erything elseI’ve doneinmy whole career.” Sáenz says withabrightsmile. “Itgave methebasisforev SPRING 2021 /SUMMER While accompanying agroup to Mexico, sheconnected Her firstwas atLockwoodElementary job teaching School, “I can’t say enough good things aboutmy ’SC training,”

ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI - - - - - chil teachers, together withparents, identify thetalents ineach recommendation is for more qualitative research to help his embroidery. with dazzle could which and vessels clay magnificent create carver,wood might or which carpenter exceptional an make would child which identify that questionnaires devised she people, Indigenous For intelligences.” of kinds many in giftedness of kinds many theory of multiple intelligences, she says, “I discovered many, Mexican gifted students.Shebecamethefoundingpresident ofthe Mexico andtrained ofteachers tens ofthousands to identify with developing Mexico’s first gifted-student program. She also began taskedconsulting for the Ministry of Education, of Tlaxcala and the University of theAmericas in Mexico City. identify tal hundreds ofteachers anddeveloped qualitative methodsto on the playground. In one-room schoolhouses, Sáenz trained in the classroom and a native language like Nahuatl or Totonac do edness inMexico’s Indigenous communities.Shehasvisited Gifted recognized her 50 years of service with a special award. dreds of conferences. In 2017, the California Association for the hun- at presented has and outlets media Mexican numerous by interviewed been She’s articles. scholarly 70 than more her completed hermaster’s in1975 inelementary education and program inMexico City, shejumpedatthechance.Sáenz through theUniversity ofAlabama’s then-newinternational LAUSD superintendent offered to send her to graduate school herself through Los AngelesWhen an Unified School District. women unconventional gender roles date backto antiquity. While traditions of the Nahuatl town of San Isidro inTlaxcala, where e systems, Sáenzdocumentededucational the inception-to- tion withint t and dissertation. Me dr THE BOTTOM LINE FOR SÁENZISTHIS:“Hiddengifted [chil appointments t iconic Confratute. o embroider traditional g xecution program ofthe nationwide gifted-education inher en] are everywhere, but they’re not easily identified.My zens of villages where teachers Spanish and students speak xico d. Sáenz t Y “ Of specialinterest to Sáenzhasbeenthestudyofgift Sáenz isnofanofIQt As theeffort expanded across Mexico’s public and private Sáenzdesignedgifted programs, enrichmentprograms Sáenz started teaching at the university level with in 1985, EdD in1990, supplementing herstudiesingifted educa ESL programs deployed in more than 1,000 schools across We openedthepilot in80publicelementary schoolsin es, his. ” — R City,” commonly Association fortheGifted in1997 andhasauthored ent inIndigenous children. ook upphotography to documenttheartisanal ensive training attheUniversity ofConnecticut’s she recalls. o thefaculties oftheAutonomous University work thefields, themenoften stay home craftsmanship, fine their for renowned ests. InlinewithHoward Gardner’s arments w 45 orn i n r eligious festivals. - - -

issues, please [email protected], mit updates forconsideration forfuture magazine visit rossier.usc.edu/alumni/class-notes. To sub Forni engagement. additional ClassNotes, please ME’04,DeGrushe USC Rossier’s director ofalum- Class Notes are compiled andwritten by Matt Notes Class from Highlights Join today atrossier.peoplegrove.com and explore resources. share jobleads, learn aboutevents entire community, joingroups, Users canposequestionsto the and abuilt-in system. messaging searchable memberdirectory Platform features include a faculty andstaff). Rossier Family (students,alumni, to connectmembers oftheUSC mentorship platform designed is ouronlinenetworkingand The USC Rossier Career Network NETWORK! CAREER ROSSIER ON THEUSC STUDENTS CURRENT ALUMNI & THAN JOIN MORE 2, 500

Association, whereAssociation, heisafellow. Psychologicalof Division10theAmerican he stillteaches.Steven isalsopastpresident specialization at Saybrook University, where the creativity master’s studies and doctoral in May 2020. director Hefoundedandwas of Encyclopedia ofCreativity, publishedby Elsevier co-editor-in-chief ofthethird editionofThe STEVEN PRITZKER MS ’82, Ph 1980s 12th grade. She worked withchildren from third through andlearning-handicappedof hearing students. Unified SchoolDistrict andhard teaching deaf career, withtheNewport-Mesa was MaryAnn ’80 MARY ANNLILLYWHITE MS DUMBECK’79, Trustees at Westmont College. is grateful to nowbeservingontheBoard of with enjoying the benefits of retirement, Teri branch Along of the Channel Islands YMCA. director oftheYouth andFamily Services Network Pregnancy Care Center andexecutive at Westmont College, executive director ofLife also served astheassociate ofstudents dean community. During her41-year career, Teri andthelocal nonprofitin highereducation Barbara, Calif., after along, fulfillingcareer parent relations at Westmont College inSanta recent post as senior director of alumni and retiredTERI BRADFORD MS’78 from hermost more than20years. as executive director oftheorganization for inSeptember servedof Dentists 2019. He earlier the officeofpresident oftheAmerican College STEPHEN RALLSD 1970s (Waveland Press, 2021). Palonskywith Stuart and Mary Rose McCarthy Issues in Education (ninth edition), JACK NELSON E 1960s retired inJune2018. Thelast20years ofher ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI d D ’61published S ’74, E d assumedD ’79 co-authored was D ’97 was Critical U SC ROSSIER MAGAZINE ROSSIER SC tional effectiveness at Cornerstone In OnDemand. learning officer and vice president of organiza JEFF MILLERPh 2000s dena UnifiedSchoolDistrict. and serves coach asaninstructional inPasa degree from ineducation inJune2020 UCLA JENNIFER PRINGLEMS’99 amaster’s earned Charlotte. Leadership at University ofNorthCarolina at professor ofEducational intheDepartment Littlefield Publishers. Rebecca isanassociate School Leaders Convert , through Rowman & book, REBECCA SHOREE 1990s acts ofenvironmental andsocialviolence. struggles between human ofand connections Ecopedagogy is centered onunderstanding the Development withBloomsbury Press (2020). for Planetary andGlobal Justice Sustainable Ecopedagogy: Critical Environmental Teaching GREG MISIASZEK ’96, ME ’05 Street USC Performing MagnetSchool. Arts munity. John is a first-grade teacher at 32nd excellence intheirschoolandtheschool’s com stowed upon educators whohave established 2020 Teacher oftheYear Award, anhonorbe- ed with the Los Angeles Unified School District JOHN PURCELL ME’03, E azon HQ2location. inAlexandria,Campus Va., tiedto thenewAm The program willbemoving to theInnovation career pivots oradvancement intheircareers. ally to workingprofessionals looking to make academic offerings nationally andinternation developing andexpanding theprogram and programnology asdirector. Ginaistasked with Virginia Tech onlinemaster ofinformation tech GINA MOSESME’02 joinedtheNo. 3-ranked Calif. ica, company and is headquartered in Santa Mon leading human capital management software ployee experience. Cornerstone istheworld’s management; andem mance andsuccession and inclusion; internal communications; perfor for learning anddevelopment; diversity, equity this role, hegenerates anddrives global strategy Changing to Charters: How andWhy D ’01 promoted was to chief d D ’96 publishedherfifth d D ’06 present was published ------

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMANDA HOLDSWORTH Hashemzadeh Kianoosh Story: share their stories Helping schools schools. to support communications provides she as work to studies her putting is Holdsworth TALK THE TALKING

Republic enrolling before at USC. Czech the in abroad studying world, the see to continued and studied communications also management. Holdsworth Itennis Division played she where Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, in University Morris Robert at landed She universities. U.S. several by recruited soccer, was and tennis in athlete plished Centre. Pursuits Outdoor Hillary Edmund Sir at enrolling Zealand, New on settled Holdsworth time, that at upheaval political and economic country’s the However, given list. her topped Russia school, high of year final her for programs abroad study into looking began she when so Europe, ern world. the see to wanted she knew also she And communications. in something do to wanted she knew already Holdsworth education. ary - postsecond for included a 13 grade that students prepared analyze. to class the for pictures draw to asked and course psychology achild during hall lecture the of front the to brought once instruction, for a tool occasion, on even, was She “magical.” as describes she experience an times, afew mother her with class attended Holdsworth so to class. kindergartner the bring to but choice no had around, came day snow first Holdsworth’s when options care child of a lack with faced and degree apsychology mother, Her pursuing old. years 5 just was she when Ontario, Windsor, in campus college E HOLDSWORTH AMANDA SPRING 2021 /SUMMER When it came time for college, Holdsworth, an accom an Holdsworth, college, for time came it When East in roots had Canadian, father, a first-generation Her high attended schools school, Ontario When Holdsworth ayear, snowfall of 50inches than more averages Windsor d onto a onto STEPPED FIRST D ’17

ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI - - students, nomatter orcircumstances. the means this,” butnonetheless continuing inherpledge was to educate moved her to tears. who“did It showedaneducator notchoose on thecomputer, withallofthekidsonscreen.” The image showed “a teacher sitting in the middle of her dark classroom, teachers andstaffwhoare keeping thewheelsturning. external audiences by sharing“behind the scenes” stories of Forsaging. example, schoolscanboostmorale andengage sworth encourages schoolsto first considerinternal mes schools incommunicatingwithstudentsandparents. Hold- selection andcreating marketing materials. munications aspectsoftheschool’s opening, including name Holdsworth’swill openthisfall. agency is managingallcom- and mechanics—is especially to dear herheart. schools—to prepare thenext generation ofelectricians, chefs father andbrother are skilled tradesmen, themissionofthese schools.Forand technical Holdsworth, education whose of clients,butHoldsworth hasaspecialinterest incareer her contract isover. they cansimply andaffordably share theirstories even after central goals isto equipschoolswitheasy-to-use tools so ber 2016. Thefirmprovides ahostofservices,butoneher tions, soshecreated Holdsworth CommunicationsinDecem without understanding the“insandouts”ofeducation. She soon began to see a trend: PR firms were serving schools munications. Holdsworth underwhelmedby was itsefforts. previously usedalarge publicrelations firm to handle itscom tricts and210,000 studentsintheDetroit area. Thedistricthad consolidated administrative support and servicesfor28dis land Schools,anintermediate school districtthatprovides her network. USC: high-quality instructionandtheopportunityto expand boxes, andHoldsworth knewwhatshewould begetting at EdD inOrganizational Change andLeadership checked allthe children, Holdsworth needed flexibility. USC Rossier’s online she would thetalk.” beequippedto “talk credentials. With a doctorate Holdsworth in education, felt search projects withinschoolsanddistricts,sheneededthe world—Holdsworth felt thepullofclassroom. awards24 industry atconferences andspeaking around the versities. Buteven asshereached great heights—earning ing aclassthattravels to London,Paris, Prague andGeneva. the International CommunicationsStudiesprogram, oversee and Journalism,where sheserved assistantfor asagraduate public relations from the Annenberg School for Communication Holdsworth recalls aphotograph sherecently that saw The pandemichascreated enormouschallenges for AmTechOne client, Career Academy inAmarillo, Texas, Holdsworth Communications has worked with a variety andsheknewcommunica Holdsworth knew education, While attending USC Rossier, Holdsworth worked atOak Already balancing a full-time job with raising two small She knewthatinorder to take onlarger-scale market re- Her 20-year career has spanned K–12 schools and uni Holdsworth’s first degree at was amaster’sUSC instrategic 4 7 —

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CAMILLE FILARDO-KRAFT EdD ’03 was named EdCal newsletter in August. Edward is the prin- JAME’L HODGES EdD ’11 was appointed vice JONATHAN MATHIS PhD ’12 and CARLOS commissioner of the Women’s National Football cipal at Legacy Visual and Performing Arts High president for student success and engagement GALAN ME ’18 are among the authors cele- SARAH PEYRE MS ’05, Three USC Rossier Conference. School (VAPA) in South Gate, Calif., and an at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Fla. brating the forthcoming release of Cultivating EdD ’08 NAMED alumni appointed adjunct professor with USC Rossier. VAPA has Key Capabilities Through Volunteer Service: DEAN OF UNIVERSITY JENNIFER GERSON ME ’06, EdD ’20 began improved in leaps and bounds in the four-plus WENLI JEN EdD ’11 was named one of 13 facul- Preparing Youth for the Future of Work. This OF ROCHESTER’S California a new role as the director of graduate affairs in years he has been principal, including major ty advising fellows at California State University, publication celebrates the 25th anniversary and the School of Social Sciences at the University improvements in academics, arts and athletics. Dominguez Hills. She will represent the Health legacy of the Prudential Spirit of Community WARNER SCHOOL school district of California, Irvine. After working at USC for 16 Sciences Department in the College of Health, Awards Program, while gaining critical insights OF EDUCATION superintendents years and earning her doctorate in educational Human Services and Nursing. The Faculty Ad- on the outcomes of volunteer service among AND HUMAN leadership, Jennifer is excited for her new role. vising Fellows Program is designed to improve program alumni. 2010s advising on campus and student retention by DEVELOPMENT ANDREW GREEN ’07, MAT ’08 and Elizabeth increasing university faculty involvement in DANIEL DIAZ EdD ’13 wrote an op-ed, “Tips GUS FRIAS EdD ’10 received the InfraGard Na- Kuhn ’07 welcomed son Anthony Paul Nagem the advisement of freshmen, sophomores and on Remote Learning for Panicked Parents,” that tional Members Alliance’s (INMA) 2020 National Kuhn-Green on Jan. 30, 2020. transfer students. was published in the Los Angeles Times on Aug. Award for Public/Private Partnerships, acknowl- 11, 2020. MATT HORVATH EdD ’07 was named assistant edging his leadership in helping to ensure the KRISTINA RIGDEN MAT ’11, EdD ’17 was selected superintendent, personnel services, in the Bev- health, safety and success of students and staff as one of 24 fellows in the second cohort of the JANNETTE FLORES EdD ’13 was elected vice erly Hills Unified School District. in K–12 schools. INMA is a partnership between IAspire Leadership Academy, a program aimed at chair of Association of American Colleges & the FBI and the public and private sectors. helping STEM faculty and administrators from un- Universities Liberal Education and America’s KRISTY MCCRAY ME ’07 earned tenure and derrepresented backgrounds ascend to leadership Promise Texas. promotion to associate professor of sport man- TRAMMELL JONES ME ’10 created Guided Fre- roles at colleges and universities. The academy is agement in the Department of Health and Sport quency LLC, with the mission to bring awareness one pillar of the diversity and inclusion work un- ASHLEY MITCHELL MAT ’13 earned her EdD CHERYL HILDRETH EdD ’19 Sciences at Otterbein University in Westerville, to the long-term physical and mental health derway through the Aspire Alliance. The National in K–12 educational leadership and policy from Superintendent, Washington Ohio. Additionally, a journal article that she benefits of incorporating consistent yoga, med- Science Foundation-backed alliance is working Vanderbilt University in May 2019. Unified School District co-authored was named a finalist for Best Paper itation and other holistic wellness practices into across postsecondary institutions to develop of 2019 in the Sport Management Education a person’s lifestyle. Guided Frequency facilitates MARCO NAVA EdD ’13 published a book chap- more inclusive institutional cultures supporting Journal. Kristy was also interviewed and quoted conversations and fosters meaningful experi- ter co-authored with Imelda Nava, “Partnerships the access and success of all undergraduate STEM by USA Today on sexual violence precautions by ences, online and offline, that create access in Practice: Developing a Positive School Culture students, especially those from underrepresented the NCAA. Her research area is sexual violence and inspire elevated interactions with the self Toward Title 1 School Success.” The chapter is groups. prevention in college athletics. and the surrounding community. part of Creating School Partnerships that Work MARUTH FIGUEROA EdD ’12 was appointed (Kochan & Griggs, 2020). The chapter demon- SARAH PEYRE MS ’05, EdD ’08, PAT PEFLEY EdD ’08 was promoted to deputy JASON PAPPAS EdD ’10 received the 2019– assistant vice chancellor, student retention strates how two Title 1 urban elementary schools associate dean for innovative director, strategic engagement for the Machine- 2020 undergraduate teaching award at Florida and success, at the University of California, with decreased funding and high numbers of education at the University of assisted Analytic Rapid-repository System (MARS) State University. He is an associate teaching San Diego. Maruth provides leadership to the English learners developed academic success in Rochester Medical Center and Program at the Defense Intelligence Agency in professor with Florida State University’s College Chancellor’s Associates Scholars Program, the multiple school performance indicators through executive director of its Institute Washington, D.C. She is accountable for project of Education in the Department of Sport Man- Office of Academic Support and Instructional implementing a multifaceted approach. for Innovative Education, has management and operational effectiveness to fa- agement. Jason also serves as director of the JULIE OLESNIEWICZ EdD ’12 Services, Undocumented Student Services, the been appointed dean of the cilitate stakeholder engagement in executing the sport management internship program. MIRIAM OTERO MAT ’13 joined the faculty as Interim Superintendent, Claremont Student Success Coaching Program, the Student Warner School of Education MARS Program. Pat develops a strategic engage- a middle school history teacher at Kent Place Unified School District Veterans Resource Center, Academic Enrich- and Human Development at the ment and communications plan; oversees a techni- ELISABETH SUMMERS (LANGE) MAT ’10 School in Summit, N.J. ment Programs, and Transfer Student Success. University of Rochester. cally diverse team of military, civilian and contract earned her EdD from Concordia University in December 2018. L.G. MICHAEL BROWN MAT ’14, EdD ’17 The Warner School dean is personnel; and champions MARS capabilities and MATTHEW JELLICK MAT ’12 was promoted to was hired in August as the director, institution- a senior academic leader at the capacity across the intelligence community. assistant director of the Center for Language CHRISTINE GERCHOW MAT ’11 was named al advancement engagement services, at the university who shapes the vision Education at Southern University of Science PATRICIA DICKENSON EdD ’09 created a director of UC Berkeley’s Academic Talent De- University of Maryland Global Campus. He is and objectives for the school, and Technology in Shenzhen, China, where he book, The Virtual Classroom: Creating Distance velopment Program (ATDP). For almost four de- responsible for the overall strategy, implemen- generates resources in support has worked for the past four years. In addition, Learning Experience, for teachers to develop cades, ATDP has invited excelling students from tation, administration, reporting and delivery of those priorities, and effectively he won the university’s Administrative Service remote teaching practices in mathematics in- the Bay Area and around the world into a unique of all institutional advancement programming manages its operations. The Award, for which he was asked to give a speech struction in response to educators worldwide academic community to pursue their academic and activities that engage students and gradu- dean develops the school’s to university governance on Teacher’s Day, high- working remotely this school year. passions through rigorous summer coursework. ates for career advancement and advocacy, as strategic plan, ensuring its lighting the importance of “Education Outside the As director, Christine will create and supervise well as developing and sustaining collaborative financial sustainability, building Classroom.” In his spare time, Matthew enjoys SUE KAISER EdD ’09 is happy to announce the programs; devise budgets; supervise, hire and relationships and partnerships with internal and community both within and seeking out Mexican restaurants in China, none JULIE SYNYARD EdD ’10 birth of grandson Calihan Dax Kaiser (a future train staff; monitor the effectiveness and results external stakeholders. beyond the school, fostering of which compares to that guy selling tacos from Superintendent, Martinez Unified Trojan) on May 20, 2020. of programs and plan adjustments; ensure com- interdisciplinary collaborations, the back of his van outside the Staples Center. School District pliance with accrediting bodies; and maintain MICHAEL GOTTO EdD ’14 was promoted to and maximizing its impact on the EDWARD TRIMIS EdD ’09 was featured in the strong relationships with university officials. assistant superintendent, human resources, in fields of education and human Association of California School Administrators the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District. development. — R

48 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 49 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS

ARNOLD LAANUI EdD ’14 is the director of VICHAYA VANNASIN MAT ’15 returned to Thai- THEO FOWLES EdD ’18 founded Stay Motivated was selected after an extensive candidate CECILIA JEREZ MAT ’20 is a bilingual teach- extensions at Waipahu High School in Hawai‘i land after graduation and worked as an English and Rise Together Enterprises in February 2020. search due to his deep diversity and inclusion er at EDS My Classroom in Venice, Calif. She and leads initiatives to bridge campus schol- language instructor, curriculum developer, U.N. The firm builds community and offers profes- background, his team-orientation, collaborative prepares lesson plans in core subject areas arship with the needs of an evolving economy Language Proficiency Examination facilitator sional development via podcasts, workshops partnerships and his strategic acumen across (English, math and science) and the Spanish and workforce. After 25 years in federal law en- and coordinator at the U.N. Economic and Social and consulting services. The first initiative to many dimensions of the business. Diontrey was curriculum. forcement, Arnold left a career with the FBI to Commission for Asia and the Pacific Learning launch is The Black Social Capital podcast, one of two recipients of the USC Rossier Second answer a new call to service. Today, he works Centre for four years. She was entrusted to a biweekly show focused on successful Black Century Award in August 2019. MICHELLE JUAREZ EdD ’20 is the founding at a progressive high school where he designs develop and facilitate training that enhances professionals discussing issues affecting Black director of academic support and advising at curricula, coaches teachers, connects industry language proficiency of U.N. staff members to students, staff and faculty on college campuses CARLY COOPER EdD ’19 was appointed an the new Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson to scholarship and inspires a new generation of further their career development and multi- and in other professional arenas. adjunct professor at USC Bovard College. School of Medicine in Pasadena, Calif. She is civic-minded leaders. lingualism. In February 2020, she joined the responsible for leading the academic skills, CAMILLE EDWARDS ME ’19 is an apprentice U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime, overseeing the TERRI HORTON EdD ’18 was selected to be a support and academic advising programs for at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in New OSCAR MACIAS EdD ’14 was published in the training academies and core curricula for the strategic consultant for the University of Chica- all medical students. York City. Association of California School Administrators’ border management program staff. go Harris School of Public Policy, Obama Foun- Leadership Magazine. His article is titled “Social dation Scholars Program. MCKENNA KLEINMAIER MAT ’20, a biology AERIAL ELLIS EdD ’19 was named to the 2020 Emotional Competence, Emotional Intelligence ELIZABETH BECKER ME ’16 is a first-year teacher at Alexander Hamilton High School in Board of Directors for the Public Relations and the Prosocial School Leader: How the Pan- student at Loyola University Chicago School ALBERTO PIMENTEL EdD ’18 completed his Los Angeles, was chosen by the Knowles Teach- Society of America (PRSA), the nation’s demic, School Closures and Distance Learning of Law pursuing her passion in higher edu- first year as a full-time, tenure-track sociolo- er Initiative as a member of its 2020 Cohort of leading professional organization serving the Can Guide Leaders.” cation law. gy professor at Los Angeles Harbor College. Teaching Fellows (p. 16). Alberto also serves on the academic senate, the communications community. She has also been VERONICA OBREGON MSW ’01, EdD ’14 pub- MARCO QUEVEDO MAT ’16 earned his master’s curriculum committee and several scholarship appointed as a board representative to the PRSA MEGAN ROBBINS MAT ’20 is a special educa- lished the book The Telemental Health Work- degree in educational psychology and educa- committees. In mid-June, he was appointed Foundation Board of Directors, and as a co-chair tion teacher at Willamette Connections Acad- MICHÈLE TURNER ’81, book: 30+ Youth Friendly Activities for Mental tional specialist degree in school psychology co-coordinator of distance education for the for the Champions for PRSSA, the organization’s emy in Scio, Ore. EdD ’14 TO LEAD Health Professionals. Veronica partnered with from Azusa Pacific University in May 2019. college. student section. JENNIFER QUEZADA EdD ’20 was elected co-author Flor Chaidez, a fellow Latina social NEW USC EFFORT to the Fontana Unified School District Board worker working in urban areas of Los Angeles. TIMOTHY FRETWELL MS ’17, EdD ’20 was MIGUEL SOLIS EdD ’18 is head of school at TO STRENGTHEN TIES of Education. Their goal was to create tools that support men- selected for promotion to lieutenant colonel in Maui Preparatory Academy in Lahaina, Hawai‘i. 2020s TO LOCAL DIVERSE tal health providers working in BIPOC communi- the Marine Corps and moved to Okinawa, Japan, DIONTREY THOMPSON EdD ’18 is head of PAUL BRUNO PhD ’20 is an assistant professor MALYSSA VIZCARRA MAT ’20 is a special ed- BUSINESS ties. The workbook provides research, activities where he will serve as a deputy assistant chief diversity and inclusion business partners at Ge- of education policy, organization and leadership ucation science and history teacher in the Los and tools that support the use of online mental of staff for logistics. nentech in South San Francisco, Calif. Diontrey at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Angeles Unified School District. USC’S NEW OFFICE OF BUSINESS health services. CHRISTOPHER RIDDICK EdD ’17 is an associ- Diversity and Economic Opportunity ate, organizational transformation at Booz Allen will be led by Michèle Turner ’81, ANACANY TORRES ME ’14 co-founded Project Hamilton in Washington, D.C. Christopher and EdD ’14, who was named associate vice RISE on her community college campus in 2018 to IN MEMORIAM his wife, Lauren, are also happy to announce the president of the effort. The office will serve formerly incarcerated students. She recently birth of daughter Zoe Kellan on July 21, 2020. be tasked with building partnerships earned her EdD from California State University, BRANDON KIYOSHI ABO MAT ’20 passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 19, 2020 while surfing in Huntington Beach, Calif., at the age of 46. Long Beach, conducted research on support Brandon received his MAT from USC Rossier and taught at Los Angeles Academy of Arts and Enterprise. Brandon was born on July 11, 1974, with area businesses owned by minor DALILA TAHIROVIC ME ’17 founded Acade- services for formerly incarcerated community in Los Angeles to Luke and Margaret Abo. An educator and fitness enthusiast, Brandon loved teaching, surfing, CrossFit, volunteering, and ities, women and veterans. Part of my of Excellence, a learning center based in college students and contributed as a co-author spending time with family and friends. Brandon is survived by his son, Solomon Walton; sister, Janna (Alan) George; niece and nephew, the university’s civic engagement and La Jolla, Calif., that supports students’ prepa- to academic briefs with pending publications. Kamala and Luke George; grandmother, Hatsumi Morita; and countless loving uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. He was preceded in economic partnerships team, the effort ration for life beyond high school. Dalila also aims to further USC’s broader strategy death by his parents; paternal grandparents, George and Miyo Abo; and maternal grandfather, Tom Morita. Condolences may be sent to MICHELLE WOODY EdD ’14 was granted tenure founded the Institute for Teacher Excellence, for equity, diversity and inclusion. P.O. Box 7232, Huntington Beach, CA 92615. and promoted to associate professor in the Coun- a mentorship program for teachers who are al- Turner is a graduate of USC seling Department at Dallas Theological Semi- ready credentialed but looking to improve their LESLIE EUGENE WILBUR PhD ’62, professor emeritus of higher education, died in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, on Feb. 9, 2020 at the age of 97. Rossier’s Global EdD program and was nary’s Washington, D.C., campus in July 2020. educational philosophy with methods from both He earned his PhD in higher education at USC Rossier and became the founding president of Barstow College. He joined the USC Rossier previously the executive director of the Waldorf and Montessori philosophy. faculty in 1965 as a professor of higher and postsecondary education. Born in Modesto, Calif., in 1924, Leslie grew up in a working-class USC Black Alumni Association. Turner MARCO SANCHEZ EdD ’15 was promoted to family. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army and attended the University of Illinois on the GI Bill, graduating in 1948. He completed a cites both education and business JOSEPH CORTEZ EdD ’18 was named to lead the director of secondary education, research and master’s degree in English at UC Berkeley in 1951 and began his teaching career at Bakersfield College as an English instructor, later as- as essential tools for social equity. International Association of Chiefs of Police Re- evaluation with the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified suming the role of associate dean. Leslie was a force of living kindness who enjoyed a beautiful, impactful life and was admired by many. “Business ownership is a way to generate search Advisory Committee (RAC). The mission School District (NLMUSD). He has been with Together with his wife, Norma June Lash Wilbur, and close friends, Wilbur leaves behind a lasting legacy at USC. In 1978, he co-founded wealth for diverse families,” Turner says. of RAC is to provide input, advice and direction to NLMUSD for two years and previously served the the annual Pullias Lecture, dedicated to the memory of his friend and mentor, Earl V. Pullias. In addition, with Evelyn Kieffer, Leslie es- “That’s a primary goal, and it’s tied to the association, law enforcement practitioners, Pomona Unified School District for 15 years as tablished the Wilbur-Kieffer Professorship of Higher Education and Postsecondary Education, currently held by Adrianna Kezar. He is social justice. To get there, you’ve got law enforcement researchers, Department of a high school math teacher, assistant principal predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Norma Wilbur, and survived by his daughter, Lesley (BA ’73), son, Stuart (BA ’86), grandchildren to take down institutional barriers that Justice leaders and the entire criminal justice and principal. Sydney Wilbur Fernandez (BA ’03) and Scott Wilbur (PhD ’17), three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Donations to can keep those small businesses from system on all aspects of law enforcement policy the Pullias Lecture are appreciated. competing.” — R research and evaluation.

50 USC ROSSIER MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 51 seniors. of high school addresses a group District, School Beach Unified in Long School High Lakewood adviser at Valdez,Karina THE WAY GUIDING with a college counselor. counselor. acollege with ayear minutes 20 just with students many 482-to-1, leaving around hover better—student-to-counselor ratios much faring aren’t schools Nationally, high. are stakes of the 620-to-1, ratio student-to-counselor a with nation the behind lagging already schools California with and stress, of financial times in cut get that counselors school like positions it the is Oftentimes, pandemic. COVID-19 the of effects the with dealt they’ve as budgets their on strain incredible faced have nation ACROSS the DISTRICTS SCHOOL schools are left withdifficultchoices enrollmentAs drops inunderserved districts, Un Ad College De 52 The USC College Advising Corps Corps Advising College USC The

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PHOTO BY JENNY LYNN / STEADY JENNY PHOTOGRAPHY TO SUPPORT THEUSCCOLLEGE ADVISING CORPS Steady Jenny Photography Photo by Jenny Lynn / District.School Unified in the Alhambra School High Alhambra serves Martinez Guadalupe adviserCollege PLEASE VISITRSOE.IN/CAC. and 6% more likely to accepted be to college Students whoStudents with meet aUSC CAC adviser 20% more likely to apply ascholarship, for 19% more likely to apply financial for aid, are 18% more likely to apply to college, Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID University of Southern California University of Southern 3470 Trousdale Parkway California Waite Phillips Hall — WPH 1100 Los Angeles, CA 90089-0031

OUTDOOR LEARNING

Plants are started in the raised beds of the garden at Oak Hills Elementary School in Oak Park, California. Read more in “The Pandemic Forced Us Outside, and Oak Park Unified Shows How Schools Can Benefit,” p. 20. Photo by April Wong / aprilwongphotography.com / @aprilwong

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