Equitable Outcomes for Underserved Students
At WestEd, promoting excellence and achieving equity have been part of our mission for more than 50 years. Today that means expanding our commitment to underserved students and communities, eliminating opportunity gaps, and fostering equitable opportunities and outcomes through all we do.
Catherine Goins
Division Director
Building early learning and care systems
Through her deep well of expertise and experience, Catherine supports learners, educators, and communities with a laser-focus on impact. She brings a longstanding commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and anti-bias education to her role in shaping high-quality early learning, whole-child, and family programs that ensure all early learners have the right foundation for success in school.
Featured News
Leslie Hamburger
Senior Managing Director
Serving English Learners and Migratory Students with rigor and excellence
Leslie develops and implements rigorous educational programs for English Learners and Migratory Students and leads large-scale professional development, technical assistance, research, and evaluation projects. Her expertise includes pedagogy, mathematics curriculum and instruction, and professional learning for teachers of English Learners, Dual Language Learners, and Migratory Students.
Featured Webinar
Improving English Learner Achievement by Building Systems of Support
Michele Rovins
Director of Special Education Policy and Practice
Leading inclusive systems for students with learning differences
Michele leads the Special Education Policy and Practice team at WestEd and serves as the Deputy Director of the National Center for Systemic Improvement, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. With over 25 years of experience, mostly focused on the education of children and youth with disabilities, she directs large-scale projects designed to build equitable systems that support successful learning conditions and outcomes for students receiving special education services.
Randal Tillery
Director, Post-secondary Pathways and Career Mobility
Improving access, outcomes, and equity in higher education and increasing economic mobility
Developing extensive networks for student success, Randal provides technical assistance, develops resources, and ensures that educators and practitioners have tools that can help K–12, adult education, postsecondary, and employer partners work together. The guiding vision for Randal’s work is that all students obtain postsecondary training, certificates, and degrees that translate to careers with income stability and meaningful growth.
Featured Project
Saroja Warner
Director, Talent Development & Diversity
Championing education equity
Saroja is committed to ensuring each child experiences teaching and learning in classrooms and schools that are led by culturally responsive educators who also represent the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our nation. She is a leading national expert on the research and evidence base related to Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education (CRSE), educator diversity and effectiveness, educator preparation and professional learning, and school and district improvement.