Board of Directors and Advisory Council
Learner-centered change impacts all aspects of a community and requires diversity of perspective and voice. Our Board of Directors and Advisory Council, comprised of trusted partners, friends, and leaders, bring guidance and first-hand knowledge of what it takes to realize a learner-centered paradigm where all learners can thrive.
Board of Directors
Dr. Frankie Escobedo Executive Director
National Center for Urban School Transformation
Dr. Escobedo is currently the Executive Director of the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST); he also serves as a member of the State Board of Education (SBE) and as part of the Board of Directors for WestEd. Dr. Francisco Escobedo has been an educator for the better part of 30 years. From November 2010 until August 2021, he was the Superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Located in southern San Diego County, the District’s 46 schools serve over 29,400 students. In 2019, the Learning Policy Institute identified CVESD as one of seven “California Positive Outlier” districts for its superior academic scores. Under Dr. Escobedo’s leadership, CVESD received the distinguished California Association for Bilingual Education’s Multiple Pathways to Biliteracy District Award for its implementation of 22 Dual Immersion Schools and California Department of Education’s Exemplary District of the Year Award 2018. He received the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce’s Rindone Educator of the Year Award in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019; and California State Assembly’s 80th District Latino Leader Award in 2016. Recently, he earned NCUST’s 2020 Ronald Edmund Award for leadership in Urban Education. Since 2001, Dr. Escobedo has served as adjunct professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University (SDSU) and is currently a member of the doctoral faculty. He earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University; M.A. degree from SDSU; and Ed.D. from the University of California, San Diego, and SDSU. He is fluent in Spanish and serves as a co-chair on the State Superintendent’s Literacy Task Force. Why Frankie serves on LCC’s Board of Directors: Learner-Centered Collaborative’s work aligns with Frankie’s commitment to empowering educators to create personalized learning environments that cater to each student’s unique needs and strengths. It provides access to cutting-edge resources and a supportive community, fostering continuous professional development and innovation in teaching practices. By focusing on learner-centered design, educators can significantly enhance student engagement, achievement, and overall educational outcomes.
Virgel Hammonds
CEO
Aurora Institute
Aurora Institute CEO Virgel Hammonds is a nationally recognized leader in education innovation, bringing over two decades of experience working alongside young people, educators, communities, districts, and policymakers to the LCC Board. Prior to joining the Aurora Institute as CEO, Virgel served as Chief Learning Officer at KnowledgeWorks, where he forged partnerships with national policymakers and local learning communities across the country to redesign learning systems to become more learner-centered. Before his time at KnowledgeWorks, Virgel served as Superintendent of the RSU 2 School District in Maine, where he collaborated with five communities to develop and implement a curriculum designed to ensure mastery of standards by all students. Before serving as Superintendent, Virgel was a high school principal at Lindsay Unified School District in California. There, Virgel helped implement a personalized learning model where learners didn’t earn letter grades but rather were awarded mastery for subjects they had proven to be proficient. Currently, Virgel serves on multiple boards and leadership councils in addition to the LCC Board: PBLWorks Board; and Jobs for Maine Graduates Executive Board. Additionally, Virgel is Board Chair Emeritus of the Aurora Institute and a former member of the CompetencyWorks Advisory Board. Virgel holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Master of Education from Fresno Pacific University. Why Virgel serves on LCC’s Board of Directors Virgel is inspired by Learner-Centered Collaborative’s work aimed at ensuring all learners have the opportunity to engage in equitable learning opportunities that allow them to thrive.
Laura McBain
Managing Director; Co-Director
Stanford d.school; K12 Lab
Laura McBain (she/her) (@laura_mcbain) is a designer, adjunct professor, and serves as Managing Director of the Stanford d.school and the Co-Director of the K12 Lab. At the d.school, she oversees the professional education portfolio, developing strategic partnerships with companies, nonprofits, and philanthropic institutions and leading their organizational design strategy.
She is the author of My Favorite Failure: How Setbacks Can Lead to Learning and Growth, which provides insights and narratives into how you can create the conditions to take risks and experience failure together. She teaches classes on the intersection of equity, K12 education, and design. She also produces articles, podcasts, and keynotes on the future of learning, futures thinking, and emerging technologies.
Prior to the d.school, Laura worked for 15 years at High Tech High as the Director of External Relations, Principal of two school sites, and as a Founding Teacher. She has taught middle and high school students in both charter and comprehensive schools. Laura has a Bachelors from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) and a Master’s from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Why Laura serves on LCC’s Board of Directors
I choose to serve on Learner-Centered Collaborative’s Board of Directors because I am passionate about creating learning experiences and ecosystems that prioritize the brilliance and talents of young people. I look forward to providing strategic guidance and infusing a design ethos to support the dedicated team, contributing to the long-term mission and vision of LCC.
Dr. Julie Mitchell
(former) Superintendent of Schools
Rowland Unified School District
Dr. Julie Mitchell is the recently retired Superintendent of Schools for the Rowland Unified School District, located in Los Angeles County, California. With over 35 years of experience in public education, Julie is committed to providing all students with an exceptional educational experience that will assist them in becoming thriving members of an ever-changing global society. Julie has dedicated her entire career to ensuring each and every child is given every opportunity to succeed and achieve. She considers herself a teacher at heart, and public education is her passion. Julie has been recognized at the local, regional, state, and national levels for her leadership. As a leader and advocate for all students, her goal is to create, foster, and support positive learning environments for students and staff, while building upon excellence with students at the center of all decisions. While serving as Superintendent, her leadership brought a laser focus and unwavering vision and commitment to “Innovative Learning for All” that supports the individual needs of students, families, and staff. Additionally, Julie supports new and aspiring leaders both locally and nationally by providing mentoring, including coaching aspiring female superintendents from across the nation. She has a bachelor’s degree in social science from San Diego State University, a master’s degree in education from the University of La Verne, and received her doctorate in administration/management from Pepperdine University. Julie is married with three children. Why Julie serves on LCC’s Board of Directors The mission and purpose of Learner-Centered Collaborative attracted Julie to serve as a Board member. LCC is uniquely aligned with her learner-centered philosophy. Julie is an advocate of student voice and expanding opportunities, experiences, and support for all students to have the future of their choice. In the daily work and through each interaction of the dedicated Learner-Centered Collaborative team, the collective goal is to create and redesign learning environments where all learners, students, and adults alike, are supported and able to be their best selves. As a member of the Board, Julie seeks to keep the LCC vision and mission at the forefront of the work with partners and team members, while always staying true to our values.
Joseph South
Chief Innovation Officer
ISTE/ASCD
Joseph South, ISTE/ASCD Chief Innovation Officer, is an internationally-recognized educational technology leader focused on evidence-based learning transformation. His current work includes equipping educators worldwide to prepare the next generation of AI designers, championing quality indicators for ed tech solutions that lead to better buying decisions, and certifying educators in the ISTE Standards. Independent of his ISTE/ASCD role, he works with schools to help hundreds of young people put their purpose into action through a process called Purpose Driven Expertise development.
Joseph formerly served as Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. In this role, he advised the Secretary of Education, developed national educational technology policy, formed public-private partnerships to assist state and local education leaders in transitioning to digital learning, and collaborated to nurture a robust ecosystem of edtech entrepreneurs and innovators.
Why Joseph serves on LCC’s Board of Directors
LCC is leading ground-breaking work across the country to transform schools in ways that center student agency. They engage the entire community within and around a school to create a compelling collective vision and actionable plan for how to best prepare students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Because of this, their work is impactful, systemic, and sustainable.
Dr. Devin Vodicka
CEO
Learner-Centered Collaborative
Dr. Devin Vodicka is the CEO of Learner-Centered Collaborative and the author of Learner-Centered Leadership. During his tenure as Superintendent of Vista Unified School District, he was recognized three times as California Superintendent of the Year—in 2016 by AASA and in 2015 by ACSA and Pepperdine. He was named Innovative Superintendent of the Year in 2014 by the Classroom of the Future Foundation. And he was a nine-time White House invitee, both in recognition for district-wide achievement, and to advise and partner with the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Educational Technology and Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools. A longtime advocate for a more learner-centered model of education, Devin leads Learner-Centered Collaborative in the pursuit of its vision for education ecosystems that empower all learners to:
- know who they are,
- thrive in community,
- and actively engage in the world as their best selves.
Advisory Council
Melissa Agudelo
Principal
Lincoln High School (San Diego Unified)
Melissa Agudelo is the principal of Lincoln High School in San Diego Unified where she brings her passion for social justice, grassroots work, hands-on learning, supporting work-based initiatives, and building rock-solid relationships that support every student on any path. She has served in a variety of school settings from Teach for America to project-based charter schools to large comprehensive schools.
Nicole Allard
Founder
Leading for Transformation
Nicole Allard is the founder of Leading for Transformation, dedicated to change agent and transformational leadership development. She was formerly the Executive Director of Educational Excellence and Innovation for the Vista Unified School District. In this role, she supported educators across VUSD in their work to create the conditions necessary for learning environments and pathways that prepare students to be confident and make positive contributions in our increasingly complex world. Prior to this, Nicole served as the principal of Mission Vista High School, a nationally recognized demonstration magnet school. She has 25 years of experience in education, with 17 in site and district administration. She sees the role of the principal as a change agent, transforming traditional school environments and empowering teachers to reimagine instruction. Nicole believes that personalizing learning engages students in discovering their strengths, interests, and values that will better prepare them for an increasingly complex world of work. She is a regional and national leader in the transformation of learning, school design, and district strategy and operations.
Jerry Almendarez
Superintendent
Santa Ana Unified School District
Jerry Almendarez’s career in education spans 28 years and includes experience as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Mr. Almendarez also served as Director of Human Resources for Colton Joint Unified from 2003 to 2007, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources from 2007 to 2010 and Superintendent from 2010-2020. As the Superintendent of Schools for the Santa Ana Unified School District, Jerry Almendarez is responsible for leading the 11th largest school district in the State, with 56 schools and programs, approximately 5,000 employees, and an expense budget of $890.6 million.
Mr. Almendarez has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Redlands, and a bachelor’s degree in business/finance from Cal State San Bernardino. Mr. Almendarez has also taught as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University and the University of Redlands, and was named a 2019 Ted-Ed Innovative Educator. In 2020 Jerry Almendarez was named CALSA Region 6 Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Leighangela Brady
Superintendent
National School District
Dr. Leighangela Brady, is the Superintendent of National School District and an author of Transforming Ice Age Schools and Test Less, Assess More. She is well known for engaging and motivating others to shift practice to meet the needs of today’s students while preparing them for a better tomorrow.
Erik Burmeister
Founder & Principal, Solutionary Advisors
Former Superintendent, Menlo Park City School District (CA)
Erik Burmeister is passionate about innovating education and ensuring all students are engaged in meaningful learning in spaces where curiosity flourishes and students’ and educators’ voices are valued. An award-winning teacher, principal, and superintendent, Erik has been recognized as a transformative leader, applying design principles to solve a variety of challenges.
Dr. Eric Chagala
Founding Principal
Vista Innovation & Design Academy
Dr. Eric Chagala is the founding principal of Vista Innovation & Design Academy (VIDA) in Vista Unified School District. He believes that all kids need a place to matter, that our actions say what we believe about children and that schools have souls that need to be nurtured. Core to his work is his research-backed knowledge that schools have the power to either defeat or perpetuate the status quo of a neighborhood.
David Cook
CEO
Learning Ecosystems Design
David Cook is CEO of Learning Ecosystems Design, a consulting firm focused on creating community-driven, learner-centered ecosystems. He has over 25 years in public education and also currently serves as Director of Innovative Learning for the Kentucky Department of Education.
George Couros
Educator, Author, Speaker
GSE at University of Pennsylvania
George Couros is a worldwide leader in the area of innovative teaching, learning, and leading, and has a focus on innovation as a human endeavor. Most importantly, he is a proud father and husband. His belief that meaningful change happens when you first connect to people’s hearts, is modeled in his writing and speaking. In his 20-plus years in the field of education, he has worked at all levels of school, from K-12 as a teacher, technology facilitator, and school and district administrator, and is currently an Adjunct Instructor with the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. George is also the author of the books The Innovator’s Mindset; Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity, Innovate Inside the Box, and his latest releases, Because of a Teacher and Because of a Teacher 2.”
Denise Espania
School Director
Mālama Honua Charter School
Denise Espania’s teaching career has spanned Pre K through 12th grade, general and special education, from Washington to Hawaiʻi. In 2004, Denise left the classroom and moved into post secondary education. After enjoying her time as an educational researcher and teacher educator, she returned to K-12 as a school administrator at an elementary and then a middle school. Denise received her undergraduate from Gonzaga University and her masters degree in Special Education from the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa. She continued her education receiving her administrator credential and doctorate from the University of Washington. Denise is humbled and honored to serve the students and ʻohana of Waimānalo.
Her work is grounded in looking to the future while being rooted in the culture of our past and her belief that all children learn how to care for the earth, for each other, and to become successful contributing members of society by working with peers and mentors through a process of observing, doing, and perfecting. She views the “kuleana” (responsibility) of educators to ensure that all “keiki” (children) have the confidence and courage to dream and set high goals, navigating through the challenges and successes of life to reach their desired destinations.
Joe Erpelding
Sr. VP of Education, Thrively
Former Principal, Design39
Joe Erpelding is the Sr. VP of Education at Thrively, a whole-child learning ecosystem, where he supports schools and districts across the country in discovering that the future is a place WE create by moving systems from what is wrong to what is strong. Previously he led one of the nation’s most innovative and visited K-8 schools, Design39Campus.
Zandra Jo Galvan
Superintendent
Greenfield Union School District (CA)
Zandra Jo Galvan, Superintendent of Greenfield Union School District (GUSD) since 2017 and Immediate Past-President of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, is a seasoned educator who began in 1993 as a GUSD elementary teacher. She has implemented strategic initiatives in GUSD, focusing on student-centered learning, technology, and career readiness. Galvan leads a Digital Promise district, emphasizing equity and inclusivity, and was selected for the 2023 Google National Fellowship. Holding degrees from Fresno State, CSU Monterey Bay, and San Jose State, she is currently pursuing a Doctorate at USC. A recognized leader, Galvan has received numerous awards, including the ALAS National Superintendent of the Year 2023-2024. Committed to student success, Galvan is devoted to breaking students free from the cycle of poverty through education, championing the “ALL Means ALL” philosophy in GUSD.
LinkedIN: Zandra Jo Galvan
X: @zjgalvan
Instagram: @zangalvan and @greenfieldusd
Lori Gonzalez
Superintendent
Lamont Elementary School District
Lori Gonzalez is the Superintendent of the Lamont Elementary School District where she brings a wealth of experience from past work as a vice principal, associate superintendent, superintendent/principal, and a teacher for Kindergarten and 3rd-grade students. She is committed to ensuring all learners have access to a diverse range of educational opportunities and experiences, with a focus on equity, student achievement, district-wide improvement, and community engagement.
With Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from California State University Fresno, Lori is currently pursuing her Doctorate in K-12 Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California (USC). She has been recognized with prestigious awards, including Administrator of the Year by ACSA Merced Region and ACSA Region 9, as well as CALSA Region 3 Superintendent of the Year in 2021. Notably, she received the 2023 University of Southern California Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group (DSAG) Scholarship.
Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D.
Founding Director
UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE)
Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Colorado Denver. The Founding Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE), he is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on school leadership, deeper learning, technology, and innovation. Scott is a Senior Fellow for Getting Smart, a Fellow for the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership, and an ISTE Community Leader.
Dr. Pamela Moran
Executive Director
Virginia School Consortium for Learning
Dr. Pamela Moran is Executive Director of the Virginia School Consortium for Learning. She co-chairs the Virginia is for Learners Innovation Network, a collaborative of district innovation teams. Pam was selected by peers as Virginia’s 2016 Superintendent of the Year and was one of four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year. She co-authored Timeless Learning and advocates for student-centered, contemporary education.
Contessa Orr
Superintendent
Muhlenberg County Schools
Contessa Orr began her career as a special education teacher in 1998 and quickly moved into administrative roles as counselor, principal, chief academic officer, and her current role as superintendent of Muhlenberg County Schools in Greenville, KY. In this role, she has led the work of building learner-centered environments for Muhlenberg County students. She is passionate about implementing instructional practices that will prepare students to be productive, successful citizens.
Dr. Cory Steiner
Superintendent
Northern Cass School District (ND)
Dr. Cory Steiner is the Superintendent of the Northern Cass School District in North Dakota where he works with a dedicated and passionate group of educators to shift their entire system to personalized competency-based learning. A longtime advocate for learner-centered education and systemic education reform, he has also served on several boards and community organizations, including the Governor’s Task Force on Innovation.
Kristen Watkins
Executive Director of Personalized Learning & Innovation Sustainability
Dallas ISD
Kristen Watkins leads Dallas ISD’s efforts to move towards scale, sustainability, and fidelity of implementation of personalized learning districtwide. She also directs opportunities to spark and sustain innovation districtwide through programming and fellowships. Prior to this role she was a middle school teacher nationally recognized for her success in the classroom.
Learn with Our Team
We’re collaborative, which means we love sharing! Browse our blog, tools, and books to access learner-centered resources and insights.
Webinar Recording: Personalized Professional Development with Lamont Elementary School District
Learner-Centered Collaborative2024-07-17T14:34:01+00:00Categories: Blog, Events|Tags: Capacity Building, District Transformation, Professional Learning|
Facilitate Empathy Interviews and Focus Groups Tool
Learner-Centered Collaborative2024-07-17T13:50:32+00:00Categories: Tools|Tags: Authentic Learning, District Transformation, Nurture a Meaningful and Engaging Learning Community|
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