LEA Fellows

Dr. E’leva Hughes Gibson is an education leader committed to strengthening partnerships that support children and families, building systems that serve “each and every” child, providing access and equitable supports, and developing innovative solutions.  She has worked in public education for over 23 years, from PK-12 to higher education.  

Dr. Gibson has served as a teacher, a school administrator, an adjunct professor, a department supervisor, director, an executive director, and assistant superintendent.  

Working collaboratively with schools, colleges, local government agencies, and community-based organizations, Dr. Gibson has created programs, developed strategic plans, implemented initiatives, addressed systemic issues, and has developed an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) template that has been adopted, revised, and scaled out. She is dedicated to closing the opportunity/achievement gap, providing educational opportunities for 21st century learning, and promoting teaching the “whole child.”

Crystal Hawkins worked as a highly recognized clinician, supporting parents and guardians with children who were at-risk for out-of-home placement. Her career in social work and public education has included program development, facilitating training, child and adolescent mental health, social and emotional learning (SEL), parenting young children with special needs, and trauma-informed practices. She currently works as a dedicated educator with San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) where she develops and administers all aspects of the highly successful and state-recognized Shoestrings Children’s Center, an Early Childhood Program in Bayview Hunters Point, San Francisco.

Shamar Edwards has over 20 years experience leading and transforming schools as an educator, administrator, principal, and coach. She currently serves as a Senior Director of Equity for Alameda Unified School District. She holds 3 masters degrees in the following areas: Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, USC, Masters in Education Administration with an emphasis in Social Justice, UC Berkeley, Masters in Negotiation Conflict Resolution and Peace building, CSU Dominguez Hills. Shamar Edwards has extensive training in Restorative Justice Practices, Trauma Informed Pedagogy, Culturally Responsive and Anti-Racist Pedagogy. Her consultancy work focuses on Restorative School Leadership and she specializes in training school leaders to build their core competencies in emotional intelligence, communication, and conflict management skills.

With a career that spans over twenty years, Michelle taught various primary grade levels in elementary school. Spending the last fourteen years serving as an administrator in varying roles, she was able to explore and discover dynamic methods to enrich and improve literacy attainment. With a nearly lifelong passion for early literacy, Michelle pursued her teaching credential with a focus on Early Child Education. She has a Master’s Degree in Reading and Language from Fresno Pacific University. She is a Clear Administrative Service Credential (CASC) coach with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools.  Michelle is the Supervisor of Preschool & PreK-3 Literacy. She has two children in college and recently celebrated her 23rd year of marriage.

Lydia Lower is the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the Mariposa County Unified School District, which also serves as the Mariposa County Office of Education. With experience as an administrator in both urban and rural settings, Lydia offers a unique perspective on California’s educational landscape. She has served as an administrator in elementary, secondary, district, and county office settings.  

Lydia is dedicated to student achievement and teacher support, focusing extensively on adult learning theory. She has developed innovative professional learning systems tailored to meet the individual needs of educators, particularly in rural environments.

Ms. Lower has served on the First 5 Commission and the board of Mariposa Safe Families. She is passionate about creating sustainable systems that build organizational capacity through strengths-based leadership, ultimately aiming to enhance overall student achievement.

As a dedicated Coordinator of Early Childhood Education with over 20 years of experience, I am committed to providing young learners with an exceptional foundation for their educational journey. My attainment of a master’s degree in early education has equipped me with a thorough understanding of childhood development theories and effective teaching methodologies, enabling the creation of inclusive and nurturing environments where children can flourish.

I have effectively managed various contracts, including California State Preschool Programs (CSPP) and the General Child Care and Development Program (CCTR). These experiences have provided me with significant insights into program management and compliance with regulatory standards, specifically Title 5 and Title 22.

I prioritize collaboration with teachers, parents, and community stakeholders, recognizing that strong partnerships with families are crucial to children’s educational success. I approach challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset and strive to support my colleagues in enhancing educational practices.

Furthermore, I am deeply committed to professional development for myself and my team. I actively engage in workshops and training sessions to remain informed about the latest research and trends in early childhood education. My objective is to cultivate a culture of continuous learning that empowers colleagues to adopt innovative approaches, thereby enriching the educational experience for all learners.

With 21 years of teaching experience in a public school, I am currently teaching kindergarten in Pittsburg Unified School District. The last 16 years have been spent teaching kindergarten, with the first 5 spent in first grade. I am a proud member of the Pittsburg Unified School District Aspiring Admin Cohort. I obtained a Multiple Subject BCLAD in 2005, with a B.A. in Chicano/Latino Studies in 2004. As a teacher, I enjoy teaching because it’s rewarding to see the students grow throughout the year, and what they’ve accomplished. I believe that education is not just about passing on knowledge, but also about inspiring curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love for learning. I’m a strong believer that education extends beyond the classroom and needs to be a partnership with families. I enjoy helping families explore the many resources available for them through education. Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with my family, hiking, and cycling.

Laticia Erving is a native daughter of San Francisco, born and raised in the city’s Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. Reared in relative foster care, Laticia learned at an early age about the value of a caring adult in a young person’s life. She has committed her professional and personal life to the success and achievement of students and families in San Francisco. Beginning her service at just 19 years old, Laticia holds 23 years of experience in SFUSD working to ensure the voices of SFUSD families are elevated and recognized as essential assets to the forward movement of San Francisco’s educational institutions.

Laticia is currently the Director of the African American Achievement and Leadership Initiative, a department that sits in the Superintendent’s office. Prior to her current role she served as the Program Manager for the African American Parent Advisory Council following 16 years as a Family Liaison serving two of San Francisco’s most underserved Black communities.

Laticia is an active advocate in the community, currently serving on the Board of Directors for The SMART Program and holds a seat on the African American Reparations Advisory Committee for San Francisco. Of the many titles Laticia holds, her most important and cherished is parent and caregiver to two amazing young women, Denaysia and De’Yani. Denaysia, a medical technician and De’Yani, a sophomore at a Historically Black College and University.

Laticia’s life guiding quote comes from one her sheroes, Shirley Chisholm, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”

Since Natalie (she/her/hers) joined EdTrust-West in 2014, she has supported the organization’s policy research, analysis, and position development, primarily in K-12 equitable funding and accountability. Natalie’s work is grounded in understanding the experiences of those stakeholders directly impacted by education policy decisions: parents, students, and community advocates. Before her current position, Natalie was an Education Pioneers Graduate Fellow with EdTrust. Before working in education policy, Natalie practiced law, gaining experience in various civil rights issues, including LGBTQ equal rights, fair housing, and immigration. While in law school, Natalie worked as a student attorney in Howard University’s Civil Rights Clinic, representing clients in employment, housing, and education discrimination cases. A proud product of two of California’s higher education systems, Natalie earned an A.A. in Transfer Studies from San Diego Mesa College and a B.A. with honors in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, San Diego. Natalie earned her J.D. from Howard University’s School of Law.

“I started public school in California in a diverse, working-class neighborhood. After transferring districts in 8th grade, I graduated from a predominately white, upper-middle-class public high school. In this new setting, I experienced the privilege of increased resources while encountering the disadvantage of low expectations for students of color. At a young age, this experience opened my eyes to the injustices inherent in California’s public school system. I have been passionate about ending these inequities ever since.”