Narrator:
As WestEd commemorates 60 years of supporting thriving learners and empowered communities, we asked our staff and board members to reflect on our history and look ahead to our future.
What was it that first drew you to WestEd and what has made you stay?
Elizabeth Magruder, Vice President, Early Childhood Learning and Development Systems, WestEd:
When I think about what drew me to WestEd and really why I’ve stayed, it comes down to two things, the work itself and the people with whom I work.
So early on I was introduced to WestEd’s impactful tools for early childhood providers. It genuinely changed how I saw my own practice. It wasn’t just that it was a tool, it was a way of understanding children more deeply and being very intentional. And I found myself learning constantly and that hasn’t stopped since being at WestEd. That sense of discovery, of trying to get better at what we do for young children, families, and communities is a huge part of what keeps me here.
And of course the people. I get to work alongside colleagues who are not only incredibly brilliant, they’re deeply committed. We have a very shared purpose of why we’re here, because we believe in what we give to young children and their families and communities. They deserve the very best start in life’s learning journey.