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Introducing our 2023 Aspire2Alder Award Winners!

We are so thrilled to announce our 2023 Aspire2Alder winners!

For the first time org-wide, we are celebrating two amazing employees from each of our three regions who have chosen to grow their career at Aspire Public Schools by entering into the Alder GSE teacher residency program, through which they will earn a master’s in education and teaching credentials.

These folx have been selected based on a recommendation from their school leaders and demonstrating Aspire’s core value of Bienestar by promoting well-being in their campuses and bringing their full selves to educating. Learn more about our amazing winners and their plans to grow as culturally responsive teachers for social change below!

Vivian Grant (Aspire Berkley Maynard Academy)
Vivian felt prompted by a higher calling to join the Alder residency program. She has been an educator in previous professional and volunteer roles, and found that the classroom setting provides ways to fortify youth in truly enduring ways. In five years, she hopes to be at an Aspire school in her hometown of Oakland, teaching History, Ethnic Studies, or any other Social Science in a culturally sustaining manner. 

To Vivian as an educator, Bienestar and “bringing your full self” to work means: Acknowledging, often openly, that various elements of me – spirit, thoughts, emotions, experiences, biases, and physical state –  exist, and have different needs on any given day. My transparency shown by appropriately modeling to my students how I address all elements of myself should make students more likely to acknowledge their own state, emotional and otherwise. More importantly, my transparency will empower students by encouraging them to address their own feelings, etc.

Vivian plans to be an effective educator and force for positive social change by: Continuing to color my teaching with my overall desire to (quietly and loudly) fight the powers and obtain social justice for all. Engaging in Culturally Sustaining and Responsive pedagogy. Students, too, can be activated as a part of many lessons by simply encouraging them to look at the facts that inform our truths, even in academic learning. As an educator, I can combat some elements of social injustice by simply valuing my students’ cultural wealth as I teach them their subject matter. I don’t see that changing any time soon.

Eric Jaimes (Aspire Titan Academy)
Eric is excited to pursue the Alder residency through Aspire as it aligns with their values and goals. In five years, they hope to grow as an educator, engage in inclusive pedagogy, and lead community events that foster an inclusive environment for their community.

To Eric as an educator, Bienestar and “bringing your full self” to work means: Creating a safe environment where students are able to express themselves freely, and where their identity is respected and seen… bringing both my personal struggles and privilege to give my students both an academic and socially rich experience.

Eric plans to be an effective educator and force for positive social change by: Fostering an inclusive environment that encourages pride in students’ abilities, identities, and communities. Positive social change in my classroom looks like this – a multilingual word wall so that learners from different linguistic backgrounds feel a sense of pride and belonging in the culture and languages they speak at home. Change also looks like this – every student’s identity is respected and honored, especially those that do not fall within the dominant cultures of gender and other societal norms. Positive social change also looks like this – when students of color are not at the same reading or writing level as their peers, I will create rigorous academic standards that build on the students’ existing cultural capital while preparing them to succeed in a world that is not designed for them. The world is a hectic place, and I firmly believe that change will happen one student at a time.

Kacie Lor (Aspire Rosa Parks Academy)
Kacie has always wanted to be a teacher, and was excited to find the Alder GSE program to grow as an educator by partnering with underserved, high-need schools. Growing up Hmong American in a school of predominately white and Latinx classmates, she often felt left out or othered, and as a result is passionate about inclusion as an educator. In five years, she looks forward to being a strengths-based teacher who creates a classroom filled with love, respect, and diversity. 

To Kacie as an educator, Bienestar and “bringing your full self” to work means: That I am more than just a teacher to my students but a guardian that will not only teach but respect and be there empathetically for them. I hope by being my full authentic self, students can also be comfortable by being their full authentic selves and eventually care about wanting to learn and grow to their fullest potential. I believe the values of compassion, collaboration, kindness, and respect must be laid down and understood before academic learning.

Kacie plans to be an effective educator and force for positive social change by: Promoting an imaginative, hands-on, nurturing classroom experience. I believe kindness matters more in a classroom than authority. Teachers change the world, they are caregivers at school, counselors in the classroom, and guardians of all things when their students walk into their class. I want to be a teacher as well, one that inspires children and helps them realize in times of need that the world is a much better place if you believe and have hope in yourselves and others. I want to support children in underserved communities and let them know that it’s okay when life throws snowballs every now and then. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on, a friend to talk to, and an inclusive environment where open dialogue is allowed.

Bethany Alana McBurney (Aspire Langston Hughes Academy)
Bethany has always felt connected and called to teach. As a K-12 Aspire alumna, she felt moved to come back after college to teach at her alma mater, Langston Hughes Academy. She took the first step towards her teaching goal by taking a position as an After School Program educator at Aspire Port City Academy, and is thrilled to now be a resident at LHA. In five years, she looks forward to creating a safe and inclusive space for her students to foster a love of learning, while being able to learn about untold histories of different cultures. 

To Bethany as an educator, Bienestar and “bringing your full self” to work means: Showing up as my most real, authentic self. This can look like having transparency with colleagues and students and opening up about my lived experiences. Bringing my full self also means creating a classroom environment where I feel safe and secure, this would hopefully extend to my students as well. 

Bethany plans to be an effective educator and force for positive social change by: Teaching one of the first Ethnic Studies classes at my school site. Ethnic Studies is the subject that impacted me the most, it empowered me and served as a stepping stone into other opportunities. I want to be an educator that helps to empower students and teach them how to be advocates in their own learning. To be an effective educator you need to know the students you are working with and the community you are coming into. I plan to try my best to really get to know my students to establish healthy relationships, and continue learning about my school site community. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to do my residency at my alma mater with one of the teachers who also taught me during high school. I feel very connected to Aspire, and I’m looking forward to starting my teaching journey in the community that influenced my K-12 educational journey. 

Valerie Moreno (Aspire Gateway Academy)
Valerie is pursuing the Alder residency program through Aspire because it aligns with her beliefs in creating an equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist education for students of color that have been historically marginalized. She looks forward to dismantling oppressive systems, providing quality education, and building successful students. She grew up in the same communities as her students, so she knows the community and cultural capital her students bring to the classroom and offer society. In five years, Valerie sees herself as an Education Specialist continuing to advocate for students at Aspire Public Schools and eventually growing into a leadership role.

To Valerie as an educator, Bienestar and “bringing your full self” to work means: Being aware of my intersecting identities such as my ethnicity, race, and gender because they impact my teaching and interaction with students. It also means, as an educator, having the courage to be vulnerable and be my authentic self. Doing so will allow me to lead with humility and build rapport with my students to create a safe learning environment. Bringing my unique background and personality to my classroom can create memorable experiences and connections with my students by having a person of color teach them. It is important that students see themselves reflected in their educators and provide them with someone who values their funds of knowledge that they bring from home. 

Valerie plans to be an effective educator and force for positive social change by: Helping dismantle the oppressive systems found in educational institutions that have marginalized many students of color, and creating a learning environment that celebrates identity, culture, and community. This will require me to build rapport with students and offer lessons that present materials that include students’ identities and assets. I will create an asset-based environment that focuses on strengths in the classroom, accommodating how I teach lessons to make it more fun and engaging so that everyone understands the materials. As a teacher, I plan on giving my students tools to find the freedom to transform their reality. I plan on being a force for positive social change by preparing students with a quality and equitable education that acknowledges the historical oppression of students of color to motivate them to break barriers and fight oppression with resistance.

Erica Yamane (Aspire Richmond Technology Academy)
Erica was inspired by fellow teachers and the leadership team at RTA to join the Alder residency program. She wanted to work with students with disabilities, and realized she could still apply her skills in a general education setting, noting that all students can benefit from differentiated instruction and teaching from a trauma-informed lens. In 5 years, she sees herself continuing as a transformative educator within the Aspire community.

To Erica as an educator, Bienestar and “bringing your full self” to work means: Teaching with heart. It means fostering a sense of community, safety, and trust in the classroom, and showing up for the students we serve. When we build community in our classrooms, students are able to thrive, learn from their mistakes, and embody a growth mindset. Educators who bring their full self are those who encourage their students to bring their full selves into the classroom as well. It means affirming and sustaining their culture and home heritage and allowing students to feel seen, heard, and have their identities reflected and validated inside the classroom. 

Erica plans to be an effective educator and force for positive social change by: Being a voice for students that are pushed to the margins. I think about my experience as an Instructional Aide for Special Education, and what it felt like to grow up undiagnosed with ADHD without any additional academic or behavioral support. I empathize with students who have disabilities, because I understand how difficult it can be to grow up in an environment that was not designed for their success. I have hope that I will be an educator who will advocate for their students to ensure that they do not feel “othered” and who will meet students where they’re at and provide them with support, encouragement, and the skills they need to meet their goals. 

Executive Director Javier Cabra honored as a ‘Impact Warrior’ by Golden State Warriors

February 28, 2023

We are thrilled that the Golden State Warriors recently presented Javier Cabra, Executive Director, Aspire Bay Area, with a 2023 Impact Warrior Award. Javier has served the Bay Area community as a teacher and principal and is now Executive Director of Aspire Bay Area schools.

He invited educator, Carlene Ervin, to share this moment at the February 28th game because she was an Aspire student, graduate, and now current teacher! Carlene is also an Aspire Teacher Residency alumna who now supports scholars at her alma mater, Aspire Richmond California College Preparatory Academy.

Those honored as Impact Warriors are members of the community who “have gone above and beyond for the community and are doing good for those around them.” 

Javier shared that all Aspire Bay Area teammates should be honored for their hard work in supporting, coaching, and encouraging students in their educational development.Thank you to our teammates for all they do for the community and scholars!” he added.

To learn more about our nine Bay Area schools, visit here

Breaking barriers, building learning communities with Lena Anthony

By Marilu Aguilar-Moreno
from Aspire’s Talent Team

A new academic year is in full swing and teammate spotlights are back with stories about the amazing people that bring our core values to life. To kick us off, Lena Anthony, Director of the Aspire Teacher Residency Program (ATR) for the Bay Area at  Alder GSE

Although she grew up in a family with many educators, Ms. Anthony didn’t immediately choose to be one herself. Her sights were set on becoming a lawyer, but the meaningful moments as a classroom volunteer led her to a dual master’s program at UCLA, where she studied African American Studies and earned her teaching credential. 

After a series of calculated risks, Ms. Anthony found herself in the Bay Area (Oakland, CA), where she joined the leadership team at Aspire College Academy in 2016 as a principal resident. She later became an assistant principal, and in that role, Ms. Anthony led the vision to develop a comprehensive behavioral health program along with a team of school leaders and mental health counselors. The program flourished shortly after its implementation due to finely tuned data protocols that captured root causes of behavior, as well as professional development that equipped teachers and staff with trauma-informed tools to meet students where they were. She credited her team at ACA for the success of the behavioral health program. She said, “We did a great job. Our teachers were amazing. There were hard days, and it took a lot of team collaboration to overcome those.”

Ms. Anthony graciously reflected on her career journey, her learnings along the way, and what keeps her grounded as a leader and mentor. 

Lena Anthony - headshot

Can you walk me through your career trajectory? How did you become an educator?
I actually majored in pre-law and was on track to be a lawyer. I was working at a law office and had applied to law school, but at the same time, I was still volunteering at school sites. Many people in my family are educators, so growing up, I was working in their classrooms and I just felt safe. I had fun and enjoyed it so much that I started volunteering at The Accelerated School in Los Angeles, teaching an Ethnic Studies class after school and I loved being with kids as they understood their culture and identity. Realizing this was something I wanted to do, I waived my law school options to attend a dual master’s program at UCLA. I then worked at LA Unified as a teacher to start out and then moved to San Fernando Valley, where I worked as a  literacy coach, supporting teachers with instructional delivery. 

After that, I took a leap of faith and left the school district to travel all over the country as a consultant and instructional coach – I did that for about six years and I loved it. The goals were to ensure that students were engaged and to support teachers in designing lessons anchored in core standards. Six years of traveling began to take a toll, so I took another leap of faith and moved to Oakland for a principal residency at Aspire. While it wasn’t my dream to become a principal, it was important to me to understand what it meant to run a school. Because I always wanted to support new teachers within a teacher preparation program, I needed to understand the systems and structures from a school leader’s perspective. Once I felt prepared, I stepped into my current director role at Alder, but the weird thing is that I started in the midst of the pandemic. 

Of course! What systems/structures have helped you manage or adapt to the “new normal”?
I think my background in administration has enabled me to be a strong director. As an assistant principal, I understood the power of relationships and defining clear expectations to support new teachers. With the ongoing pandemic, it’s not just about checking boxes, it’s about taking the time to cultivate relationships, getting to know our new teachers, and identifying what barriers and challenges might contribute to turnover. Reflecting on my previous experience has helped me frame how I am setting up support systems for my residents to succeed. This is the first class that did pretty much all of their teachings online, and operating from an asset-based perspective helped knock down a lot of the barriers brought about by the pandemic. For example, where the residents might feel uncomfortable with building out a balanced student community in the classroom, they may have stronger expertise in planning and implementing engaging instruction online. 

I want to pivot a bit. What change do you want to see in education and how is Aspire addressing those needs?
I definitely feel like Aspire is on the right track with the equity focus. As schools transitioned to distance learning, a lot of systemic inequities revealed themselves. Access is a big focus for me. I hope that the education system shifts to a better understanding of what students have or don’t have access to be successful – it’s about race and it’s also about socioeconomic status. It’s important to consider intersectional experiences when building structures to support students’ needs. I’ve been in education for 21 years and I believe Aspire is the closest thing I’ve seen to where they’re putting action to the word and I want to see us maintain conversations, continue building out resources, and remaining transparent with families, especially when the intensity of the work sets in.

Decorative quote pulled from blog post.

Speaking of intense work, how do you stay grounded and make sure that you’re well?
I’m working on that. I’ve been trying to get out of perfectionism because I’ve held myself to that, and at times I’ve held my team to that, which contributed to burnout. I’ve heard of this term, connected care, which defines the impact we have on others when we take care of ourselves, and that got me to think about self-care more intentionally. Being an administrator at ACA, I had to adjust to being okay with not having all the answers and to seek my own support systems because I was good at encouraging my staff and teammates to take care of themselves, but I wasn’t doing the same.

For example, if you’re in an airplane and need your oxygen mask, how can you help others, if you don’t have your mask on first? So, having therapy supports, setting reasonable boundaries, and finding the time to rest have helped me navigate. You still have to think about impact, however. Your boundary can’t be to shut down at 3 pm if everyone else is still operating until 5 o’clock. You really have to set a tone of clear expectations, while keeping impact top of mind and follow through. 

Lena Anthony said that she looks forward to upholding the legacy of the Aspire Teacher Residency program and ensuring that Aspire schools are able to cultivate effective educators who want to serve our schools and communities and who are prepared and supported to implement high expectations, equitable practices, and culturally responsive pedagogy. She elaborated, “I want ATR to flourish as a pipeline for teachers, especially teachers of color that represent our communities, so that they can remain in our schools long-term. I know that it takes consistency in wrapping around the whole adult and that will remain my priority every year in this role as a Director.” 

View opportunities to learn more about Aspire and career pathways available by visiting our Join page.