04/19/2024

Equity in Action Community LCAP Guide

Equity in ActionCommunity Guide for Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Updates Introduction Engage & Influence LCAP Updates Get Involved Welcome to “Equity in Action: Community […]
04/03/2024

California Educator Diversity Road Map Briefs: A Comprehensive Approach to Recruiting and Retaining the #TeachersWeNeed

Introducing Our New Briefs We are proud to unveil a suite of three new policy briefs, as part of the California Educator Diversity Road Map project, […]
12/19/2023

Empowering Bright Futures: The Alliance’s Policy Agenda for California’s Leaders to Support Student Parents and Their Families

Unlocking the potential of 3.9 million parenting Californians without a college degree is key to empowering bright futures and fortifying the state’s economy. However, in both […]
12/14/2023

Enacting Equity: Implementing an Equity Blueprint with a Focus on Black Student Success

“Enacting Equity: Implementing an Equity Blueprint with a Focus on Black Student Success” is a case study that shares insights from Eastside Union Elementary School District’s […]
11/28/2023

Defining High-Quality Instructional Materials for Mathematics: Centering the Assets and Needs of Multilingual Learner and English Learner Students by The High Quality Instructional Materials Learning Partners Coalition (HQIM-LPC)

The “Defining High-Quality Instructional Materials for Mathematics: Centering the Assets and Needs of Multilingual Learner and English Learner Students” resource, developed by the High Quality Instructional […]
11/07/2023

Empowering Bright Futures: A First Look at The California Alliance for Student Parent Success’ Policy Agenda

The Education Trust–West and California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy are building The California Alliance for Student Parent Success (“The Alliance”) to support and […]

Karla Fernandez

Communications Manager

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.