Our Approach

Informed by educators and community partners, Chamberlin Education Foundation co-develops and funds initiatives that promote academic achievement and education equity for students in West Contra Costa public schools.

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Focus Area
leadership illustration
Leadership
Leadership

Effective, equity-focused leadership

Why it matters

Research shows that effective site-level and systems leaders are a key to helping schools and districts sustainably improve student achievement. We believe that when administrators and school leaders apply an equity lens to key decisions, our highest-need students can flourish.

Our current focus​

Our current effort to support equity-focused leadership includes direct support for WCCUSD principals, collaboration support for local charter leaders, and growing partnerships with district leaders who are committed to helping education leaders at all levels set and achieve ambitious goals.
Focus Area
curriculum-and-instruction
Instruction
Instruction

High-quality, culturally responsive curriculum and instruction

Why it matters

Every young person deserves the opportunity to engage in classrooms that are academically vibrant, rigorous, and culturally inclusive. We believe that educators must be provided the coaching, materials, and top-tier professional learning they need to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive instruction.

Our current focus​

Our foundation provides direct funding to teacher and principal preparation programs, as well as support to school leaders to develop their own instructional leadership skills, pilot high-quality instructional materials, and lead other initiatives to transform teaching and learning.
Focus Area
restorative-student-interventions
Interventions
Interventions

Restorative student interventions

Why it matters

Unlike punitive disciplinary practices that isolate students and interfere with learning, restorative interventions support students to strengthen classroom connections, engage constructively, maintain or regain academic ground, and continue their personal growth in the classroom alongside their peers.

Our current focus

As an emerging area of philanthropic interest for our foundation, we are currently seeking partners who are well-positioned to study, build, and pilot restorative student interventions in schools and classrooms that can serve as a model for these methods across West Contra Costa public schools.

Focus Area
student-centered-education-ecosystem
Ecosystem
Ecosystem

Student-centered public education ecosystem

Why it matters

We believe a thriving public education ecosystem prioritizes student academic needs and wellbeing. Our foundation works to support a collaborative ecosystem in which teachers and leaders at traditional district schools and charter schools can collectively advance student-centered solutions.

Our current focus​

Through our direct support for educators, our collaboration support for charter leaders and families, and our continued engagement with district leaders, our team works to ensure that student success remains our educator community’s top priority.