Our Community

WestEd takes pride in the accomplishments and interests of our staff, recognizes WestEd Scholarship recipients, and remembers those who have passed away or retired from the agency.

Celebrating Excellence in 2012: WestEd Staff Awards

The Staff Awards program at WestEd recognizes the accomplishments and excellence of our employees, both as individuals and as teams based in single offices or spanning locations nationwide.

Congratulations to the following staff for their successes in 2012!

Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field

The Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field recognizes excellence and impact, and honors staff for their outstanding work in research, development, and service. Award winners are widely acknowledged as leaders in their professional fields.

The award was created in honor of our colleague, Paul Hood, whose work for 46 years at WestEd has done so much to enhance our agency's reputation.




The Understanding Science for Teaching team is recognized for the quality of its teacher professional development, rigorous research & development, and signature Making Sense of SCIENCE courses for teacher learning. Throughout the project's 14-year history, staff have improved the science achievement and STEM college/career preparation of K-8 studentsóespecially English learners and those with poor literacy skillsóby strengthening teachers' content knowledge, pedagogical reasoning, and instructional skills.

Ed Myers Award for Exceptional Contribution to the WestEd Community

The Ed Myers Award for Exceptional Contribution to the WestEd Community celebrates the many ways staff have a positive effect on our collaborative agency work. Our institutional operations, performance, and productivity all benefit from the work of these award recipients.



Jorie McCarthy
Purchasing Manager
Accounting and Finance, Purchasing

Jorie McCarthy has worked effortlessly across WestEd programs and departments to help consolidate and streamline various processes. She collaborated with WestEd colleagues to identify and share best practices, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity across the agency. As McCarthy's nominator stated: "I am honored to call her a coworker, and am a direct witness to the beneficial changes she's been able to make."

WestEd Honors Contributions of Jerry Bailey
WestEd — November 2012

A member of WestEd's staff since 1969, Jerry Bailey retired in November 2012.

Jerry, or "Bailey" as he is widely known, served as Senior Statistician to various WestEd projects and clients. He was responsible for data management and analysis on the Healthy Kids Survey, the largest, most comprehensive effort in the nation providing schools with useful data on school climate and student well-being, as well as the Attorney General's Biennial California Student Survey.

Previously at WestEd, Bailey served major roles in data analysis for the Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Education and California New Teacher Program projects. He also provided analytic support to the Los Angeles Unified School District Charter Schools evaluation.

"It is hard to put into just a few words how indebted so many of us are to Bailey," said Gregory Austin, Director of the Health and Human Development Program at WestEd. "For 44 years, he has been a model of dedication and collaboration.

"Bailey has guided our research and made it his mission to ensure it met the highest standards of integrity and quality. And if it didn't, watch out! As Bailey would say, 'I don't suffer fools gladly.' He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will remain in all the staff that he mentored."

In 2005, Bailey received the agency's Annual Award for Exceptional Contribution to the WestEd Community for his steadfast commitment to high-quality research methods, statistical analysis, and mentoring of fellow staff.

In 2000, Bailey, as part of the California Healthy Kids Survey team, was awarded the agency's Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field.

Bailey received a BA and an MA in sociology from California State University, Los Angeles.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
WestEd — November 2012

This year, close to 160 walkers across all WestEd offices took part in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks held nationwide. These fundraisers, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, support cancer research and early detection programs that save lives.

This is WestEd's 15th year of walking for a cure for breast cancer. WestEd's pledges have contributed to the millions of dollars raised specifically for research and treatment of breast cancer.

"WestEd continues to honor our colleagues and their family and friends in the hope of finding a cure for this disease." says Brian Williams, WestEd Human Resources Manager.

Adds WestEd CEO Glen Harvey: "This organizational tradition is in honor of colleagues and their family and friends who have fought and are fighting breast cancer. I am proud that we have such a tradition shared by colleagues nationwide."

WestEd Honors Contributions of Gary Estes

A WestEd staff member since 1989, Gary D. Estes, Chief Program Officer and Director of our agency's Regional Educational Laboratory West (REL West), retired in July 2012.

Gary led REL West to national prominence for the quality of its work. His leadership and overall management of program operations, above and beyond REL West, led to hundreds of high-quality products and services that have benefited school, district, and state administrators, teachers, students, and youth.

"Gary has done a superb job managing program operations, but what I will remember him for most fondly is the spot-on, candid advice he has given me and countless others," says CEO Glen Harvey. "Gary has been the kind of substantive, compassionate, insightful advisor that all agency leaders need. He will be missed enormously."

Gary has over 35 years experience in education. Before joining Far West Laboratory in the late 1980s, Gary was Director of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory's Evaluation and Assessment program. He also directed that agency's Title I/Chapter 1 Technical Assistance Centers — and, in doing so, he became a national leader in the field of client-based technical assistance.

"Gary's emphasis on impact — on really making a difference for educators in our region — has anchored our vision for REL West, and promoted the development of research-based professional development services and products that will continue to have impact in the years to come," says Nikola Filby, Director of Innovation Studies at WestEd and who is now transitioning to Director of REL West. "He has been a strong contributor to the national network of laboratories as well as REL West."

WestEd Honors Contributions of Walter Blount

Walter Blount, Director of Human Resources at WestEd, retired from WestEd in May 2012.

Walter oversaw the agency's employment practices, employee relations, compensation, and benefits.

"Walter's contributions to WestEd were significant," says Glen Harvey, WestEd CEO. "He strived to ensure each staff member was provided opportunities and challenged to reach his or her highest potential, resulting in maximum productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction."

Adds Leah Springer, Human Resources Project Consultant:

"Walter has helped make WestEd a great place to work during his time here. His humor, patience, and kindness have helped to create a culture that allows staff to thrive at WestEd, making a difference in the lives of children and families. Walter's contributions to WestEd are greatly appreciated, and his impact will be felt for years to come."

WestEd's efforts in employee satisfaction resulted in the agency being named One of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area for several years by the San Francisco Business Times, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, and Deloitte. This award recognizes that the agency attracts, retains, and engages high-quality employees through positive working conditions, benefits, and corporate culture.

During Blount's tenure, WestEd successfully underwent three formal on-site compliance reviews conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contracts Compliance Programs. Compliance reviews determine whether a prime contractor maintains nondiscriminatory hiring and employment practices.

Compliance reviews also ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are placed, trained, upgraded, promoted, and otherwise treated during employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Reviewers were sufficiently impressed with WestEd, given government criteria, that they urged the agency to formally apply for the Secretary of Labor Exemplary Voluntary Efforts Award after each of the three reviews.

Prior to joining WestEd, Blount served as Department Head for Human Resources at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and as Vice President of Human Resources for the MetroHealth System.

He received a BS in health and physical education from Virginia State University and an MS in organization development from Case Western Reserve University.

Celebrating Excellence in 2011: WestEd Staff Awards

The Staff Awards program at WestEd recognizes the accomplishments and excellence of our employees, both as individuals and as teams based in single offices or spanning locations nationwide.

Congratulations to the following staff for their successes in 2011!

Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field

The Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field recognizes excellence and impact, and honors staff for their outstanding work in research, development, and service. Award winners are widely acknowledged as leaders in their professional fields.

The award was created in honor of our colleague, Paul Hood, whose work over 45 years at WestEd has done so much to enhance our agency's reputation.

Ed Myers Award for Exceptional Contribution to the WestEd Community

The Ed Myers Award for Exceptional Contribution to the WestEd Community celebrates the many ways staff have a positive effect on our collaborative agency work. Our institutional operations, performance, and productivity all benefit from the work of these award recipients.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
WestEd — December 2011

This year, close to 200 walkers across all WestEd offices took part in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks held nationwide. These fundraisers, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, support cancer research and early detection programs that save lives.

This is WestEd's 14th year of walking for a cure for breast cancer. WestEd's pledges have contributed to the millions of dollars raised specifically for research and treatment of breast cancer.

"WestEd staff, family members, and friends joined in walks nationwide that bring hope to the lives of many," says Brian Williams, WestEd Human Resources Manager.

Adds WestEd CEO Glen Harvey: "This organizational tradition is in honor of colleagues and their family and friends who have fought and are fighting breast cancer. I am proud that we have such a tradition shared by colleagues nationwide."

Congratulations to Felina Walker, WestEd Scholarship Recipient

Felina Walker, recent Far West High School graduate, is the recipient of this year's WestEd Scholarship.

WestEd annually provides a scholarship to a graduating senior at Far West High School in Oakland, California.

In 1971, Far West Laboratory (which merged with Southwest Regional Laboratory in 1995 to create WestEd) worked with four other Regional Educational Laboratories to develop a high school program of career exploration, based on experiential learning. Far West partnered with Oakland Unified School District to implement the program by establishing Far West High School in 1974.

In 1990, WestEd began sponsoring a student scholarship through the Marcus Foster Educational Institute. Each year, the Institute works with Far West High School to identify a graduating senior, selected for exemplary leadership, scholarship, and community service.

Rose Owens-West, Senior Project Director with the Comprehensive School Assistance Program at WestEd, presented the scholarship to Felina during the Marcus Foster ceremony and celebration.

"There are so many students whose goal is to attend college and who have worked hard to be eligible, only to be denied access because they cannot afford the cost," says WestEd CEO Glen Harvey. "WestEd is proud to be able to play a small part in ensuring that a graduate of Far West High School has an opportunity to continue his or her education. We wish Felina the best in her studies and career."

Felina plans to attend Humboldt State University.

WestEd's Los Alamitos Office Showcases Student Artwork

What do a glass-wearing dog, a dinosaur looking over a student desk, a tree growing out of a book, and an owl who gives a hoot about education have in common?

They're all adorned on the walls of WestEd's Los Alamitos, CA, office in the form of student artwork — many of which reflect an education theme.

George S. Patton Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA, recently partnered with WestEd to host a student art contest. The response was overwhelming with many students eager to showcase their creative talents.

"Our students enthusiastically participated in the WestEd Art Contest," says Principal Linda Chrystal. "Their artwork clearly reflected education. I really appreciate how WestEd made our students feel so special."

To congratulate students for their contributions, and Patton Elementary for its commitment to the importance of art in every child's education, WestEd hosted an event attended by Chrystal, Patton students, parents, teachers, and WestEd staff.

"The contest was a good idea," says fifth-grader and contest winner Ethan Wurtz. "It shows how hard everyone works to promote education."

"We are deeply impressed by the artistic talents of these students," says Walter Blount, Director of Human Resources at WestEd. "Their works have significantly enhanced the ambience of our work environment and we look forward to building on this relationship between George S. Patton Elementary School and WestEd."

Celebrating Excellence in 2010: WestEd Staff Awards

The Staff Awards program at WestEd recognizes the effort and excellence of our employees, both as individuals and as teams based in single offices or spanning locations nationwide. These awards applaud the accomplishments of our programs, projects, and people, and offer additional opportunities for staff to learn about their colleagues' work and supplement connections among their peers.

Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field

The Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field recognizes excellence and impact, and honors staff for their outstanding work in research, development, and service. Award winners are widely acknowledged as leaders in their professional fields. The award was created in honor of our colleague, Paul Hood, whose work over 40 years at WestEd has done so much to enhance our agency's reputation.

Ed Myers Award for Exceptional Contribution to the WestEd Community

The Award for Exceptional Contribution to the WestEd Community, renamed this year in honor of Ed Myers, WestEd's late Chief Administrative Officer, celebrates staff who have had a positive impact on our work together as an organization. Our institutional operations, performance, and productivity have benefited from the work of these award recipients.

WestEd Remembers Matthew Sullivan, 1942-2011

Matthew Sullivan, Director of Property and Facility Management at WestEd, passed away January 17 after a brief illness. He was 68 years old.

Matt took the lead in ensuring that WestEd staff in all 17 agency offices have a safe and healthy working environment, and that the buildings the agency owns and occupies are responsibly managed. He was a member of WestEd's staff for 30 years.

"Matt was a dear and cherished colleague," says WestEd CEO Glen Harvey. "He touched the lives of so many of us at WestEd. He leaves a void that cannot be filled."

Adds Assistant Property Manager Flora Montgomery: "Matt was a great coach, and an even better mentor. I am grateful for all the growth opportunities that Matt gave me and the doors that he opened to a vast network of knowledge. He created ground-breaking projects that are now standard for WestEd. Both the facilities team and I will miss him very much."

Matt was instrumental in overseeing the purchase and renovation of the WestEd headquarters building in San Francisco. More recently, Matt and his Property and Facility Management team, along with WestEd colleagues, made dramatic space alteration and improvements to the San Francisco offices.

In 2003, Matt and his Property and Facility Management team colleagues received the Annual Award for Exceptional Contribution to the WestEd Community, specifically "for anticipating facility problems, paying attention to staff needs, and making staff relocations seamless and professional experiences."

"I enjoyed working with Matt and learned much from him," says Mark Shegich, Building and Grounds Supervisor. "I was always impressed by his knowledge and his professionalism. He was also one of the nicest persons whom I've ever met. I will miss him dearly."

Matthew Daniel Sullivan was born September 3, 1942 in San Francisco. He attended City College of San Francisco.

Before joining Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and Development — a parent agency of WestEd — Matt, a Certified Property Manager, began his career in property management working for the then Rockefeller-owned Embarcadero Center in downtown San Francisco.

Matt is survived by his wife, Veronica McCarthy, his son Sean, daughters Kellie and Megan, and several grandchildren.

A wake will be held from 5-7 p.m., Friday, January 21, at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Sausalito, CA. A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 22, at the same location, with a reception to follow.

For anyone wishing to remember Matt, memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor's choice.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
WestEd — November 2010

WestEd Honors Contributions of Jane Braunger

Jane Braunger, Senior Research Associate with the Strategic Literacy Initiative (SLI), retired from WestEd in August 2010.

Jane helped establish, conceptualize, and manage many of the program's most important networks and initiatives, including the Teacher Educators' Network, the Leadership Institute for Reading Apprenticeship, the Consultant in Training program, and the Community College Reading Apprenticeship Initiative.

She also conducted research on professional development in literacy among middle and high school teachers, and collaborated in the ongoing development of theory and practice in Reading Apprenticeship®.

"Jane's delight in all kinds of literature, from children's literature to specialized texts like descriptions of advances in carburetor design to essays on ethics and wealth in American history, fueled her passion for building access to literacy for all kinds of readers," says Ruth Schoenbach, SLI Co-Director. "Jane had a wonderful way of working with teachers, administrators, college faculty that we will miss immensely."

Prior to joining WestEd in 1999, Jane served as a Senior Associate at Education Northwest. She also served as a high school and college teacher, K-12 language arts curriculum specialist, teacher educator, researcher, and writer.

Throughout her 40-year career in education, Jane presented frequently at local, regional, and national conferences. She cowrote a nationally recognized synthesis of the research on learning to read, Building a Knowledge Base in Reading, now in its second edition, and a companion volume, Using the Knowledge Base in Reading: Teachers at Work.

Jane also co-edited and co-authored several chapters of a book that grew out of her work with teacher educators, Rethinking Preparation for Content Area Teaching: The Reading Apprenticeship Approach. For her leadership in the field, Jane received WestEd's prestigious Paul D. Hood award in 2005.

Jane has served on the National Council of Teachers of English Commission on Reading and is past President of the Oregon Reading Association. She is a member of both the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English.

She received a BA in English from St. Louis University, an MAT in English from Northwestern University, and an EdD from Portland State University.

WestEd Celebrates the Accomplishments of Senta A. Raizen

Senta A. Raizen, Director of the National Center for Improving Science Education at WestEd, retired from our agency in August 2010. Senta has been a life-long advocate for effective and equitable science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

A member of WestEd's staff since 1997, Senta has led or participated in many projects aimed at science education reform and evaluation.

"Senta's keen insights, kindness, pursuit of excellence, and mentoring of staff, as well as the many times she challenged us to learn and make improvements in how we operate organizationally have made a lasting impact," says Steve Schneider, Director of WestEd's Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics program. "She has inspired us to do our best work always and for that we are immensely grateful."

Senta was an early champion for K-12th grade pre-engineering/technology education in the United States, authoring a book on this subject in the 1990s. She has authored and edited many policy documents, books, and articles in science and technology education.

She served in an advisory capacity to several national and international education studies. She also was a member of the International Steering Committee of Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).

Senta co-chaired the committee that developed a new Framework and Assessment Specification to guide the science assessment that is being administered by NAEP, thus shaping the very nature of science education in this country. In addition:

"Senta's work this year on the WestEd contract to develop the first-ever NAEP framework for technology/engineering literacy is a tribute and a capstone to her vision that all students should have a quality science and technology education in their K-12 education," says Schneider. "Through NAEP and her many other seminal works, her impact will be evident for years to come."

In 2006, Senta received WestEd's Paul D. Hood Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Profession for a lifetime of national and international leadership in science education. Senta and her NAEP Framework Team colleagues at WestEd also received this distinguished award for their work developing the framework for science assessment for "the Nation's Report Card."

She received college and advanced degrees in chemistry, began her career as an industrial chemist, and is certified as a chemistry high school teacher.

WestEd Remembers Jim Rosenbaum, 1969–2010

Jim Rosenbaum, IT Architect at WestEd, passed away June 20, 2010.

Jim died unexpectedly at his father's cabin in the Colorado mountains. Jim's passing is a great loss to WestEd and the agency's Information Services (IS) department.

"Jim was a generous and thoughtful collaborator who gave his whole heart to his work and his friends," says Richard Wenn, WestEd IS Director. "We will miss his presence and intellect even as the legacy of his work continues to help keep everyone at WestEd connected."

Jim Rosenbaum was born September 26, 1969 in Austin, TX, the son of Robert Johnson and Sharon Glasscock Rosenbaum. Jim became a lifelong computer buff after receiving his first computer for Christmas when he was about 10 years old.

He entered the computer profession at MacWorld in Austin, TX, where he single-handedly changed all the computers at SEDL to a Mac platform. In 1993, he joined SEDL, a nonprofit education research, development, and dissemination corporation, as a Network Manager. Jim joined WestEd's IS Department in 2000.

"Jim was an unsung hero of WestEd," says WestEd Senior Systems Engineer David Mendenhall. "His tireless, dedicated work behind the scenes to create and grow our infrastructure has been invaluable and immeasurable. We owe him a great debt of gratitude. He will be sorely missed."

Jim had a subtle and imaginative sense of humor, wrote fiction and poetry, read science fiction, and loved traveling with friends and family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his father, Bob Rosenbaum; sister, Laura Kelley; her husband, Joe Kelley; and their children, a niece and nephew.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at the Arrowhead Volunteer Fire Department picnic grounds, 2069 Spruce Road, Cimarron, CO 81220.

For anyone wishing to remember Jim, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Arrow Volunteer Fire Department at the same address above.

WestEd Celebrates the Accomplishments of Naida C. Tushnet

Naida C. Tushnet, Senior Scientist and former Director of WestEd's Evaluation Research Program, retired from our agency in May 2010.

A member of WestEd's staff since 1989, Naida directed numerous evaluations of mathematics and science programs at the elementary, secondary, collegiate, and graduate levels; studies of school reform; and evaluations of community- and school-based projects for children who were placed at risk. She also served as an organizational advisor on evaluation and was responsible for internal evaluation and quality assurance.

"Naida's contributions to WestEd were significant," says Gary Estes, Chief Program Officer at WestEd. "She expanded WestEd's work and national reputation in evaluation. In addition, her long-term work with the National Science Foundation was highly valued as she brought extensive knowledge and expertise that combined evaluation methodology and knowledge use."

"Naida has been a strong role model and trusted advisor to me and many other WestEd staff," says Sri Ananda, WestEd's Chief Development Officer. "She epitomizes what we all strive to be — a true scholar who keeps up with developments in the field and a practical implementer who seeks ways to apply established and new knowledge. Naida's work with Institutional Development over the last few years has helped to strengthen the caliber and focus the level of service we provide."

Naida's tenure at WestEd included leading numerous agency-critical proposals, providing training to staff on various resource development issues, and writing papers that reflect well on the agency's capacity to do cutting-edge work.

She has more than 35 years experience in education. She taught high school and worked in two other Regional Educational Laboratories, a state education agency, and the federal government. Throughout her career, Naida directed national evaluations and a number of projects, including the R&D Interpretation Service, which synthesized research in ways that were useful to teachers.

"We wish Naida the best as she moves into the next phase of her life: continuing teaching others, learning through the courses she takes and experiences she continues," says Estes.

Naida received a BA in history from Grinnell College, an MA in history from Columbia University, and a PhD in educational policymaking and administration from Washington University.

WestEd Remembers Ed Myers, 1942–2010

Ed Myers, a respected WestEd leader for many years, died March 30, after a long illness. He was 68 years old.

Ed had a long and distinguished career at all levels of education and educational research and development. As WestEd's Chief Administrative Officer, he played key roles on the agency's Executive Team and oversaw the work of several administrative departments and programs.

Prior to that, as the Executive Director of the former Southwest Regional Educational Laboratory (SWRL), Ed — with his counterparts at Far West Laboratory (FWL) and the respective agencies' boards of directors — was a founder of WestEd. He retired from WestEd in January 2010.

"We will all miss Ed greatly," says WestEd CEO Glen Harvey. "Everyone at WestEd is in Ed's debt for his contributions to this agency. He was a trusted colleague and someone from whom I learned much over the years. We all valued his deep insights and benefited from his knowledge and experience."

Edwin Charles Myers, born in Lancaster, PA, received a BS in psychology from Ursinus College and a PhD in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota. Ed began his career as a high school teacher and founded the Walden School for early childhood education in Minneapolis in 1969. He later directed several research divisions at Central Midwestern Regional Educational Laboratory (CEMREL), where he also served as Director of Planning and Assistant to the President.

Ed joined the staff of SWRL in 1983 as a Program Director and was appointed Executive Director in 1986. He led a rebuilding of the agency in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when SWRL regained its fine reputation for work in education research, development, policy, and technical assistance.

Ed is survived by his wife, Carol Thomas, the CEO of Education Northwest; two daughters — Jennifer Christensen and Victoria Myers, and six grandchildren.

For anyone wishing to remember Ed, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Ursinus College, P. O. Box 1000, Collegeville, PA 19426-9989 or at www.ursinus.edu/makegift. Please note that it is "In Memory of Edwin C. Myers, Class of 1964." >

WestEd Celebrates the Accomplishments of Sheila Signer

Sheila Signer, a core developer of WestEd's nationally renowned Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) project, retired from WestEd in February 2010.

A Senior Program Associate for WestEd's Center for Child & Family Studies (CCFS), Sheila specialized in infant/toddler learning, development, and care. She supported the creation of videos, materials, and trainings since the inception of PITC, the most widely used training system for infant and toddler caregivers in the United States.

"Sheila has been part of our creative team since the first days of PITC," says J. Ronald Lally, CCFS Co-Director. "She has had a hand in everything we have developed and her contribution has been enormous."

Sheila cowrote WestEd's Infant/Toddler Caregiving: A Guide to Creating Partnerships With Families, and edited four PITC Trainer's Manuals. She also co-created three child care nutrition videos and contributed to all PITC video development, as well as to New Insights, Program Guidelines, and Infant/Toddler Foundations DVDs. Sheila also helped launch the widely successful PITC demonstration programs.

Prior to joining WestEd in 1985, Signer taught preschool for several years. She also served as an infant caregiver and was teacher and parent coordinator at Hastings Law School Child Care Center. She earned an MA in education from San Francisco State University.

In 2006, Signer received a PITC Distinguished Service Award for her contributions to infants and toddlers.

"Sheila has been a leading voice for infants and toddlers, and the people who care for them," says Peter Mangione, CCFS Co-Director. "She has made lasting contributions to our field."

WestEd Remembers Jackie Howell, 1944–2010

Jackie Howell, who served as the Receptionist for WestEd's Oakland office, passed away February 8, 2010, after a confounding struggle with breast cancer.

A member of WestEd's staff since 2003, Jackie enjoyed and enacted her self-titled role as "Director of First Impressions." She interfaced constantly and positively with staff and visitors at the Oakland office, and provided support for a variety of WestEd programs.

"Jackie's contributions to the Oakland office will be remembered fondly," says Walter Blount, WestEd's Director of Human Resources. "She valued the educational services and expertise that we provide to our clients, and she was proud to be a part of WestEd."

Prior to joining WestEd, Jackie, who had earned a BA in sociology, served as a social worker in New York City, where she conducted foster care supervision, adoption/foster care studies, and protective casework. She enjoyed traveling, hiking, and camping, and would return from her trips with anecdotes and pictures that were shared with and enjoyed by the entire Oakland office community.

"Jackie was a strong and willful person, never afraid to follow her heart," says Brian Williams, WestEd's Human Resources Manager.

WestEd's Gregory Austin and California State Schools Chief Present Resource to Help Close the Achievement Gap