At the Cotsen Foundation, Jerry’s belief in people shaped both the culture of the organization and the spirit of its work. He championed the mission of helping good teachers become great and remained a steadfast advocate for teacher growth and professionalism. He created meaningful spaces for learning, reflection, and celebration, always honoring the art of teaching and the people who practice it.

We are profoundly grateful for Jerry’s many contributions to the Cotsen Foundation for almost two decades and for the example he set each day. During the challenges of COVID, his unwavering guidance and calm presence sustained the work and uplifted teachers through a tumultuous time. He broadened the ART of ������Ƶ program’s vision by elevating social emotional learning and deepening attention to the art of cultivating strong classroom communities. He also created new pathways for educator growth, including designing the Post Fellowship Year to extend Cotsen Fellows’ learning and impact, and establishing communities of practice that brought together specialized groups of teachers—such as those in dual-language classrooms and those with special education credentials—to learn from and support one another. Over time, his leadership strengthened the broader Cotsen network, building an Alumni community with local and national reach, expanding the Annual ART of ������Ƶ Conference to feature leading educational voices, and launching the Empowered Learning Conference as a space for teachers to present their instructional practices.

Jerry’s legacy is one of integrity, generosity, and strong belief in the power of education to uplift society. As he begins this new adventure, we are glad he will have more time with his wife, son, daughter-in law, and two cherished grandchildren. We are deeply grateful that he will continue as a senior consultant to guide a smooth transition for this next chapter of the Cotsen Foundation.

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Recently, the California Association of Bilingual Education (CABE) named Rorimer Elementary a 2026 Seal of Excellence School. It is a rare and prestigious distinction; Rorimer is one of only four schools in the entire state to receive this honor this year. This award isn’t just about high test scores—it’s a recognition of the school’s deep-rooted vision for biliteracy, multicultural competency, and true educational equity.

What makes Rorimer so special to those of us in the Cotsen community is the way they marry this high-level achievement with a genuine, welcoming warmth. We saw this firsthand when Principal Heidi West and her team, including dedicated Cotsen Alumni teachers Gabrielle Cervantes and Monica Hernandez, opened their doors for a Community of Practice Dual Language CGI Lab Day. Watching them work alongside their students, it’s clear that their success rests on a foundation of research-based practice and a belief in the incredible value of bilingualism.

“At Rorimer, we believe bilingualism is a gift and an asset,” says Cotsen Alumna Principal Heidi West. “We are proud to be a community where language, culture, and academic excellence are celebrated.” At Rorimer, that gift is nurtured through the tireless work of staff and the strong bonds they build with their families. The CABE Seal of Excellence award celebrates a community’s collective investment in driving students towards bilingualism and biliteracy.

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Each message resonated differently, yet every one honored the fellowship’s deep commitment to growth. Executive Director Jerry Harris next recognized the collective accomplishments of educators representing 16 schools across 7 districts, emphasizing the ripple effect their work creates in classrooms and communities. Barry Munitz concluded the program with a special tribute in honor of Jerry Harris and his 19 years of steadfast leadership as Executive Director. A warm luncheon and lively conversations carried the event forward, reinforcing a sentiment felt by all: the Cotsen connection doesn’t end at graduation — it continues to shape who they are as educators because “once a Cotsen, always a Cotsen.”

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The conference is the living embodiment of a question Mrs. Margit Cotsen asked a decade ago: “What is our current Cotsen Alumni community doing now and how are they paying it forward?” As Senior Program Officer and ELC Coordinator Carlen Le-Hessinger notes, the event continues to demonstrate that vision by encouraging Alumni to share their evolving “ART of ������Ƶ” with the broader community. For many, like Alumnus Fellow Mike Miller, the reason he keeps attending ELC is the immediate relevance of each session, which offers him “tangible tools that you can take and use tomorrow.” This commitment to growth is a constant thread: Alumna Mentor Melissa Ramirez returns year after year because “there is always something new to learn.” At the same time, Alumnus Mentor Raul Almada has watched the conference evolve into a deeply student-centered forum, enabling teachers to lead learning through their shared Cotsen experience.

Despite the sacrifice of a Saturday for tired educators, the atmosphere remained one of pure inspiration. Cotsen Mentor Liza Bernard described the joy of seeing strategies “come alive” through collective teamwork, calling it a rare pleasure to see such dedication in action. As Alumna Gia Meade aptly summarized, the Cotsen Foundation provides the guidance and opportunity that allows educators to “make magic happen” in their work every day. The 2026 Empowered Learning Conference proves that the Cotsen magic isn’t just in the teaching; it’s in the community that keeps coming back to share it.

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February 12 at UCLA Lab School

Learning & The Brain Conference

February 13-15 in San Francisco

Curricular and Improvement Support Committee Leadership Symposium (CISC)

February 18- 20 in Monterey

Computer Using Educators (CUE) and California Association for Leading Innovation in Education (CALIE) Conference

March 18- 21 in Palm Springs

National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conference

April 15- 18 in Anaheim

UCLA Lab School Educator Day – CGI Math

April 12 at UCLA Lab School

Association of Two-Way & Dual Language Education (ATDLE) Conference

June 17- 19 in San Diego

Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) National Conference

June 28- 30 in Phoenix

NCTE-NCTM Joint Conference for Literacy and Mathematics

August 3- 5 in Charlotte

21^st Annual ART of ������Ƶ Conference

October 3 in Long Beach

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Annual Meeting

October 28- 31 in Denver

National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Convention

November 19- 22 in Philadelphia

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La Cosecha, November 11 -15 , 2025, reignited bilingual brilliance and collective hope for dual language education. It uplifted educators as instructional leaders and advocates, centering comunidad, cultura, translanguaging, and the powerful promise of biliteracy for every child. Cotsen educators left with ready-to-use strategies, joyful ideas for elevating Spanish in content areas, and renewed orgullo in their dual language practice. They returned to their classrooms reenergized, connected to a wider comunidad, and inspired to keep opening doors for emerging bilinguals.

Cotsen Alumni Present at the National Council of Teachers of English 2025

This year’s National Council of Teachers of English Conference (NCTE) held in Denver from November 20 – 23 , 2025, brought together many Cotsen alumni who used their conference grant stipends to join in the learning and celebration. Highlights included presentations by Erin Montoya, copresenting with Literacy Partners in Whittier City, and Lourdes Aguilar from Atwater, who shared her food stories work inspired by Nawal Qarooni. Edison Language Academy alumni Maribel Cachu-Rios, Rocio Naranjo, and Ruben Marquez continued to shine, as they extended their Cotsen fellowship goals and Writing Project work from their classrooms.

California Mathematics Council South Conference 2025

Cotsen Fellows and Mentors joined hundreds of educators at the 66th Annual California Mathematics Council South Conference in Palm Springs from November 6 – 8 . Guided by the theme “Celebrating Curiosity and Creativity in Mathematics,” attendees learned from leading voices in math education, including Jo Boaler, Pam Harris, Rachel Lambert, and Peter Liljedahl. The conference also featured Cotsen Alumna Suzanne Huerta, whose session, “Building Engagement Through Personalized Math,” highlighted inclusive, student-centered strategies that make math learning more meaningful.

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On July 30 and 31 , 2025, Cotsen Mentors and Fellows came together at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles for a two-day professional��development seminar that turned history into a hands-on adventure. The workshop kicked off at the James R. Parks Library and Archives, where Cheryl Miller and Alejandra “Ale” Gaeta walked us through the meaning of primary and secondary sources, reminding us that every piece of history carries its own story and perspective. Educators had the rare chance to see artifacts like woven baskets and moccasins from Native American tribes, connecting directly with the stories behind them.

Day two brought practical strategies from Cotsen alum Raul Almada (Whittier School District), who showed how historical documents and photos can spark curiosity and critical thinking in TK–6 classrooms.

The experience continued with an interactive museum tour led by Sara Wilson, Director f Education and Museum Learning, who used open-ended questions to draw out deeper insights from paintings, photographs, and historical objects.

The result? Our new and returning Cotsen Mentors and Fellows left inspired, energized, and ready to help their students become history detectives.

��We’re excited to keep the momentum going this fall, when Raul will return to lead a Primary Sources Observation—another chance to bring the past to life in powerful new ways.

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