Today, EdTrust-West named me as its next executive director. I’ve been touched and humbled by the congratulations and support I’ve gotten so far, but nothing compares […]
When Beatriz Espinoza enrolled in her California Community College (CCC), she was placed in remedial English courses, which pushed back her timeline for transferring to a […]
U.S. schools primarily define English learners (ELs) by their emerging bilingualism. This is understandable, given that federal law requires that schools identify these students based upon […]
When the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered school buildings and campuses across the state and nation in March 2020, The EdTrust–West (ETW) turned to our educator community to hear their perspectives. We held […]
Editor’s note: This is the third of a three-part series in which our experts delve into the details of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s January budget proposal. […]
Editor’s note: This is the second of a three-part series, in which our experts delve into the details of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s January budget proposal. […]
Karla Fernandez (she/her/hers) joins Ed Trust–West as a Communications Manager with over 11 years of experience advancing social impact initiatives.
Karla started her career as a teacher at Chicago Public Schools and UIC College Prep. After teaching, Karla joined United Friends of the Children to support LA County’s youth in foster care as a college counselor. Through Leadership for Educational Equity, Karla also served as a Policy Advisor Fellow for the office of a Los Angeles Unified School Board Member. She solidified her interests in policy analysis and quantitative research during her time with the Price Center for Social Innovation, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability. Before joining The Education Trust–West, Karla was the Associate Director for the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative, a network of nonprofits advocating for communities in SELA.
Karla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, a Master of Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy, and a Graduate Certificate in Policy Advocacy from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Karla is based out of southern California and is passionate about using data analysis, communications, and digital strategies for policy advocacy and social justice efforts.