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MAY 2025

From the directors

Dear friends and colleagues,

It has been a year of learning and flexibility while leading through complexity. As we approach the end of the academic year, we invite you to reflect on what you have learned. The work of public education is complicated and cannot be solved by simple solutions. Through our shared commitment to lead for equity through continuous improvement, we can continue to adapt and shape our work of improving schools, especially the most underserved. This month’s newsletter highlights our Spring Collective Retreat, webinars, professional learning opportunities, and resources to help you reflect and grow in the coming months. We hope you will take a moment to explore. 

Warmly,

Dr. Rebecca Cheung Director, 21CSLA State Center
Dr. Jabari Mahiri Chair, 21CSLA Leadership Board
Dr. Kim Wallace Associate Director, 21CSLA State Center  

Photo by Keegan Houser
News and Events

21CSLA Spring Retreat encourages listening, joy, and embracing dissonance

On March 4 and 5, the 21CSLA State Center hosted its sixth biannual Spring Collective Retreat at UCLA, bringing together 76 participants to explore the theme Transformative Leadership in Action: Cultivating Joyful Learning in Tumultuous Times. Participants shared that the retreat helped deepen their leadership by connecting to local histories through art and activism. Many embraced learning how to sit with discomfort as a powerful practice for transformation. Praise was given for the retreats’ evolution into an ongoing community of practice—“one that welcomes and benefits from its newest members and is strengthened by their contributions.” Stay tuned for details of our Fall Collective Retreat at UC Berkeley.
 

Watch now: Webinar on equitable rural school leadership

Our latest Research-Practice Webinar explored how rural school leaders can transform challenges into opportunities for equity through community engagement with local elders, place-based education approaches, and redesigned support systems for diverse students. Watch the recording and read the highlights for actionable strategies to enhance your leadership journey.
 

New podcast episode: Jose Eos Trinidad on how local organizations shape US education

The latest Equity Leadership Now! episode features Dr. Jose Eos Trinidad (Assistant Professor of Education Policy, UC Berkeley) discussing his new book, Subtle Webs: How Local Organizations Shape US Education. His comparative study of Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York offers valuable insights for anyone interested in how organizational partnerships drive sustainable educational improvement. Listen now.
 
Resources

Superintendent salary and benefits study AASA
Stitching together the threads: A cross-disciplinary literature review on youth arts and well-being Wallace Foundation
Defending public education in California UC Berkeley African American Studies
Contribute to WestEd's Proposition 28 Arts and Music Funding Research Study WestEd
Professional Learning Opportunities

Equity-centered UTK leadership courses and certificate for new and future leaders

The 21CSLA UTK Leadership Certificate offers free, online, synchronous courses through UC Berkeley Extension. Candidates should be currently enrolled in a Preliminary or Clear ASC program, or hold a Certificate of Eligibility. Receive 4 units of credit along with a certificate upon completion of the two-course series. Apply now to join our spring courses. To learn more, visit our website and sign up for our next info session on Wednesday, May 14.
 

Equity-centered UTK training for site, teacher, and central office leaders

Join us for our upcoming UTK leadership professional learning opportunities throughout the state and online. Learn more about the 21CSLA UTK professional learning modules.
Connect 

More on 21CSLA and leading for equity 

The 21st Century California School Leadership Academy provides professional learning opportunities and support to help California’s educational leaders create equitable learning environments to improve instruction and achievement outcomes for underserved students. Headquartered at the UC Berkeley School of Education, 21CSLA is led in partnership with the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies, California Subject Matter Project, and seven Regional Academies throughout the state.

Find us at 21cslacenter.berkeley.edu. Connect with us on Instagram @21CSLA and on LinkedIn. Not a subscriber to 21CSLA News? Join us.

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21CSLA State Center · 2121 Berkeley Way · Berkeley School of Education · Berkeley, CA 94720-1670 · USA