School leadership matters: principals and their leadership teams play a critical role in student outcomes, teacher satisfaction, and retention. That’s why the Chamberlin Education Foundation is committed to supporting and developing a strong leadership pipeline within our community.
The Wallace Foundation published a systematic summary of two decades of research, investigating the impact of school principals on student learning. The publication summarizes 219 research studies of K-12 school leadership in the past 25 years, reaffirming a literature review published in 2004 that notes “principals are second only to classroom instruction among school-related factors affecting student achievement.” According to the report, great principals “yield benefits for outcomes beyond achievement, such as student attendance, exclusionary discipline (i.e., suspension), teacher satisfaction and teacher retention.”
At CEF, we know strong school leadership is essential to student success, which is why we’re committed to building the capacity of educators, and particularly educators of color, to lead. As the Wallace report notes, “principals of color appear especially likely to have positive impacts on students and teachers of color … yet the racial and ethnic gaps between school leaders and the students they serve are stark. Nearly 80 percent of principals today are white while the student body is only 53 percent white.”
Our Foundation works closely with the Diversity In Leadership Institute and New Leaders to address this gap, and to grow and retain excellent leaders that match the diverse identities of West Contra within WCCUSD and West Contra Costa County. CEF has supported 36 leaders through both programs in the past four years, including Dorcas Sims, who is currently the Assistant Principal at Nystrom Elementary.
“I learned so much about building relationships, which was the most important thing. If you’re not doing that, it’s extremely hard to delegate and to create teacher buy-in, for folks to trust your judgment, to make sure you’re getting all different perspectives from staff, stakeholders, students — that’s something I feel that has sustained me,” Sims said. “New Leaders was the best choice I had ever made in my life around education. It made me feel like I belong.”
Sims graduated from the New Leaders Program in May 2024, and was promoted to Assistant Principal at Nystrom Elementary School in November.
“New Leaders really prepared me for this particular position. Usually I get thrown into situations, and people say, oh, Sims will handle it. But I actually need tools. Situations happen and I might not have all the answers,” Sims said. “The program really gave us the tools to handle different situations. I left with confidence, with knowing how to advocate, not only for my kids, but for myself. I owe a lot to the program.”
CEF’s tuition assistance for both programs removes barriers, and in turn, helps West Contra Costa educators focus on leadership advancement. It empowers educators to step into administrative roles and to drive meaningful change in schools. That’s benefited educators like Marcia Courchaine, an Assistant Principal at Aspire Richmond Technology Academy, who is part of the Diversity In Leadership Institute’s current 16-month program.
“I am a first generation Mexican American, and this program really stood out to me because it cultivates leaders of color, and improves outcomes for Black and Latinx students,” Courchaine said. “We’re currently learning about transformational leadership – how to inspire and motivate staff and stakeholders, develop a strong vision, and build trusted relationships. It has made me think about my school and how to strengthen all of those things.”
Diana Ramirez, the Director of the Upper School at Richmond College Prep, is in the current DLI cohort with Courchaine. The two will graduate with a California Administrative Credential in December. Ramirez believes the program has helped her think about her approach, and her staff’s approach, to tap into resources in her school community, including parents, guardians, community members and families.
“DLI is really helping me see that we have to put in the time and energy to engage with all of our families. The biggest thing is, how do I get my teachers to embrace and utilize their families as allies? We want to make sure this school is open and celebrates and acknowledges everyone,” Ramirez said. “Once families are feeling welcome, once they know they can trust RCP, we’re going to see our families and our students do so much better, in terms of their scores but also their well-being.”
CEF’s efforts to provide high-quality training and a supportive cohort model are aimed at retaining talented leaders within the community, while ensuring long-term stability for schools.
CEF plans to continue the important work supporting the leadership pipeline in West Contra Costa public schools. Valuing leadership capacity and talent retention benefits both students and educators.
“Richmond is so important to me. My kids grew up here, I became an adult here, it’s a beautiful place. I love that my kiddos are thriving here,” Ramirez said. “ I see everyone, all my students and families on the weekends, because I am a mom. I see them when I go to soccer games, baseball games. This is home and I want to continue supporting kids and families and making sure we’re meeting their needs.”
The Chamberlin Education Foundation remains deeply committed to supporting educators in their efforts to make a meaningful impact in West Contra Costa. For more information about opportunities with the Diversity In Leadership Institute, visit this web page. The next New Leaders cohort will begin in August. More information can be found here.
