This month, Eréndira Flores steps into her new role as Chamberlin Education Foundation’s first Vice President of Programs. Born in Mexico, a first-generation college graduate, Eréndira has translated her early experience as a Los Angeles classroom educator into an inspiring career, from starting and leading KIPP Vida Prep Elementary School in South Central to building a consulting and leadership coaching practice. Since moving to the Bay Area in 2018, Eréndira has partnered with a wide range of school districts, charter networks, and nonprofits across the Bay Area and beyond, focusing on leadership development, instructional improvement, and creating equitable systems. We are thrilled that Eréndira will bring her immense talents and deep instructional expertise to design Chamberlin’s programming and grant strategy in this next chapter and support educators across the West Contra Costa community.
Driven by her unwavering belief that every student deserves access to high-quality, inclusive education, Eréndira expanded her impact as a leadership coach, driving meaningful change in educational leadership practices to benefit all students. As Chamberlin embarks on a new chapter filled with opportunity and innovation, the foundation is excited to welcome Eréndira’s dynamic leadership. We had the chance to hear her thoughts regarding her journey to this role, and her vision for the future of education in West Contra Costa. Here’s what she had to say.
What drives your passion for a career in education? How has your personal background shaped your professional journey?
Eréndira: My passion is deeply rooted in my personal journey as an immigrant from Mexico and a first-generation college graduate. Entering school as a young English learner, I experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating a system not designed for students like me, and that profoundly shaped my understanding of equity in education.
Throughout my career—from classroom teacher to school administrator and consultant—I have been guided by an unwavering dedication to creating a future where every child, in every community, has the support and opportunities they deserve.
You had the opportunity to found a school. How has that experience influenced your approach to leadership and education?
Eréndira: Founding KIPP Vida Prep in South Central Los Angeles was one of the most transformative experiences of my career. That experience molded my leadership philosophy, which aims to disrupt systemic inequities and keep students at the center of my decision-making. South Central is a vibrant and richly diverse community, and the opportunity to design and lead a school was both a tremendous challenge and an honor. I named the school “Vida” to reflect the belief that education has the power to unlock every student’s potential and positively shape the trajectory of their lives.
As the founding principal, I had the agency to cultivate the school’s culture and instructional practices, with a focus on high expectations and inclusivity. Our founding team made sure every decision—from curriculum design to student support systems—was rooted in equity and aimed at ensuring all students, regardless of their background, had the opportunity to thrive. One of the most rewarding aspects of founding KIPP Vida Prep is that many of the founding staff, including the school’s leadership team, remain at the school today and it has grown to become one of the top schools in LA County.
What drew you to West Contra Costa? What excites you most about the work you are doing at the Foundation?
Eréndira: I began working with the Chamberlin Foundation in 2018 as a leadership coach, supporting school leaders in Richmond. What initially drew me to Chamberlin—and continues to inspire me—is the Foundation’s steadfast commitment to equity and intentional community partnership. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with several Richmond schools, deepening my connection to the community and passion for supporting its educators and students.
I’ve had the privilege of working closely with school leaders at Richmond College Prep, supporting them in implementing new curriculum, providing instructional coaching, and building systems for data-driven instruction. I’m incredibly proud of their tremendous growth on the SBAC this past spring – gains of 13% in Math and 10% in ELA – establishing Richmond College Prep as a top-performing public school in Richmond. Additionally, I’ve partnered with the WCCUSD math department as a coach to secondary teachers, supporting them in the implementation of Desmos, a curriculum that fosters critical thinking and engages students in meaningful problem-solving.
What excites me most about this opportunity is the chance to collaborate with a community I care deeply about and to help realize what’s possible for student outcomes when high-quality curriculum and strong instructional practices come together.
As the new VP of Programs, what is your vision for improving learning and creating opportunities for students in West Contra Costa?
Eréndira: My vision is to work alongside school leaders, teachers, and communities to create conditions where every student in West Contra Costa has access to high-quality, engaging, and inclusive educational experiences. This means investing in innovative teaching practices, ensuring equity is at the center of every decision, and supporting educators in closing opportunity gaps. I’m especially passionate about cultivating leadership, empowering leaders and teachers, and changing systems to support educators and students.
What gives you the most hope?
Eréndira: The resilience and brilliance of the students and educators I’ve had the privilege to work with. I’ve witnessed students overcome incredible challenges when supported by educators who believe in them and create the conditions for their success. I’m equally inspired by the unwavering commitment of school leaders and teachers who strive to disrupt inequities and push for better outcomes for their students, even in the face of systemic obstacles. Their dedication, innovation, and relentless advocacy fuel my optimism for the future of education.
