Staff

The Education Trust—West
1814 Franklin St, Suite 220,
Oakland, CA, 94612

Tel: (510) 465-6444
Fax: (510) 465-0859

For general inquiries about The Education Trust—West, contact Melanie Forter at ext. 300
For information on job opportunities or internships, visit our career opportunities page.
For media inquiries, contact Eric Wagner at ext. 318.
For information about policy and research, including data inquiries contact Carrie Hahnel at ext. 312.
For government affairs, please contact Melissa San Miguel at ext. 324.
For information about our practice work with schools and districts, contact Jeannette LaFors at ext. 320.

Executive Director

Arun Ramanathan Executive Director, The Education Trust—West Dr. Arun Ramanathan began his career in education as a Volunteer in Service to America in rural Appalachia. As a child advocate, he has worked in both public and non-public school settings serving children with severe disabilities, emotional disturbance, as well as victims of physical and sexual abuse. Arun has been a teacher and paraprofessional in New England and California and has also worked in large urban school districts as a Research Director, Executive Director of Government Relations, and Special Assistant to the Superintendent. He most recently served as a Chief Student Services Officer in San Diego Unified with responsibility for ten departments and a budget of $350 million. His family immigrated to the U.S. in 1976 and he began his schooling as an English Learner. He received his doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Administration, Policy and Social Planning. He is married to Ms. Indelisa Carrillo, a teacher and reading specialist and they have two daughters, one in preschool and one in a Spanish immersion elementary school in Oakland Unified.
Linda Murray Superintendent-in-Residence, The Education Trust—West Email or call: (510) 465-6444 x316 Dr. Linda Murray is currently serving as Superintendent-in-Residence for the Education Trust-West (ETW) and is responsible for helping lead the practice work of the organization in California. The work is centered around high school reform to ensure that all California graduates are college and work ready. Prior to joining ETW, Linda served as Superintendent of Schools for the San Jose Unified School District for eleven years from 1993–2004. In 1998, under her leadership, the district raised its graduation requirements to meet the UC/CSU entrance requirements, and since then the district has demonstrated major successes, particularly for poor students and students of color. In addition, in 2002, the district adopted, as part of its mission, creating a college going culture in all schools K-12. Not only are San Jose students academically prepared, students and families are involved in programs and activities throughout elementary, middle and high schools that are designed to help them prepare for a college future.

Arun Ramanathan

Executive Director, The Education Trust—West

Dr. Arun Ramanathan began his career in education as a Volunteer in Service to America in rural Appalachia. As a child advocate, he has worked in both public and non-public school settings serving children with severe disabilities, emotional disturbance, as well as victims of physical and sexual abuse. Arun has been a teacher and paraprofessional in New England and California and has also worked in large urban school districts as a Research Director, Executive Director of Government Relations, and Special Assistant to the Superintendent. He most recently served as a Chief Student Services Officer in San Diego Unified with responsibility for ten departments and a budget of $350 million. His family immigrated to the U.S. in 1976 and he began his schooling as an English Learner. He received his doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Administration, Policy and Social Planning. He is married to Ms. Indelisa Carrillo, a teacher and reading specialist and they have two daughters, one in preschool and one in a Spanish immersion elementary school in Oakland Unified.

Linda Murray

Superintendent-in-Residence, The Education Trust—West
Email or call: (510) 465-6444 x316

Dr. Linda Murray is currently serving as Superintendent-in-Residence for the Education Trust-West (ETW) and is responsible for helping lead the practice work of the organization in California. The work is centered around high school reform to ensure that all California graduates are college and work ready. Prior to joining ETW, Linda served as Superintendent of Schools for the San Jose Unified School District for eleven years from 1993–2004. In 1998, under her leadership, the district raised its graduation requirements to meet the UC/CSU entrance requirements, and since then the district has demonstrated major successes, particularly for poor students and students of color. In addition, in 2002, the district adopted, as part of its mission, creating a college going culture in all schools K-12. Not only are San Jose students academically prepared, students and families are involved in programs and activities throughout elementary, middle and high schools that are designed to help them prepare for a college future.

Equity Initiatives

Jeannette LaFors Director of Equity Initiatives, The Education Trust—West Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x320 Jeannette has nearly twenty years of experience in the education sector. She obtained a B.A. from Stanford University in American Studies and went on to get her M.A. in Education, also from Stanford. She taught high school for six years in Belmont, CA and held multiple leadership positions during this time. She then returned to Stanford to get her Ph.D. in Education Administration & Policy Analysis. While at Stanford she conducted extensive research in teaching quality policies and instructional leadership. Over the course of her career she served as a program coordinator for Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), mentored student teachers, reviewed national history standards, led various school and district professional development efforts, and advised numerous student groups. In 2004 she became Vice-President of Instruction for Envision Schools where she oversaw curriculum and instruction, knowledge management, school accountability, teacher and leader professional development, and program evaluation and research. Her most recent position was Senior Director of Professional Services at Teachscape, Inc. a privately held instructional improvement company.
Tameka L. McGlawn Senior Practice Associate, Linked Learning, The Education Trust—West Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x341 Dr. Tameka McGlawn, considered a seasoned collaborator and consensus builder, previously served as Dean of Students at Construction Technology Academy where she was instrumental in the development of their data-driven instructional leadership team. She has provided service and leadership to urban learning communities for nearly twenty years. Having served at every academic level (K-20), in a myriad of settings and professional roles, Dr. McGlawn offers a unique perspective on student-centered achievement and equity-based outcomes. Over the course of her career she has served as a Mentor Counselor for San Diego USD, Adjunct Faculty at San Diego State University (SDSU), and designed one of the first comprehensive counseling models at Harriet Tubman Village Charter School. Her actionable research interests where she has facilitated professional development include strategic reform planning, systemic accountability, culturally responsive pedagogy and leadership, and building alliances through innovative community conversations. Tameka is a proud graduate of SDSU’s Community Based Block Master’s Program, and holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California.

Jeannette LaFors

Director of Equity Initiatives, The Education Trust—West
Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x320

Jeannette has nearly twenty years of experience in the education sector. She obtained a B.A. from Stanford University in American Studies and went on to get her M.A. in Education, also from Stanford. She taught high school for six years in Belmont, CA and held multiple leadership positions during this time. She then returned to Stanford to get her Ph.D. in Education Administration & Policy Analysis. While at Stanford she conducted extensive research in teaching quality policies and instructional leadership. Over the course of her career she served as a program coordinator for Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), mentored student teachers, reviewed national history standards, led various school and district professional development efforts, and advised numerous student groups. In 2004 she became Vice-President of Instruction for Envision Schools where she oversaw curriculum and instruction, knowledge management, school accountability, teacher and leader professional development, and program evaluation and research. Her most recent position was Senior Director of Professional Services at Teachscape, Inc. a privately held instructional improvement company.

Tameka L. McGlawn

Senior Practice Associate, Linked Learning, The Education Trust—West
Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x341

Dr. Tameka McGlawn, considered a seasoned collaborator and consensus builder, previously served as Dean of Students at Construction Technology Academy where she was instrumental in the development of their data-driven instructional leadership team. She has provided service and leadership to urban learning communities for nearly twenty years. Having served at every academic level (K-20), in a myriad of settings and professional roles, Dr. McGlawn offers a unique perspective on student-centered achievement and equity-based outcomes. Over the course of her career she has served as a Mentor Counselor for San Diego USD, Adjunct Faculty at San Diego State University (SDSU), and designed one of the first comprehensive counseling models at Harriet Tubman Village Charter School. Her actionable research interests where she has facilitated professional development include strategic reform planning, systemic accountability, culturally responsive pedagogy and leadership, and building alliances through innovative community conversations. Tameka is a proud graduate of SDSU’s Community Based Block Master’s Program, and holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California.

Policy and Research
Carrie Hahnel Director of Research and Policy, The Education Trust—West Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x312 Prior to joining ETW, Carrie worked for the KIPP Foundation, most recently as Director of Research and Evaluation. Over the course of her five years at KIPP she was instrumental in promoting the use of data for strategic decision-making in KIPP’s 82 schools, launching a large-scale longitudinal study with Mathematica Policy Research, developing key school performance metrics, and managing all internal research and assessment efforts. She previously worked in research and evaluation for Citizen Schools, a national afterschool provider headquartered in Boston, MA, and in program coordination and policy analysis for Americans for the Arts, an arts advocacy organization in Washington, DC. She also participated in AmeriCorps VISTA, supporting afterschool, tutoring, and arts education programs in schools in Riverside, CA. Carrie holds a B.A. from Carleton College and an Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Heather Barondess Senior K-12 Policy Analyst, The Education Trust—West Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x302 Heather has a master's in public policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. Previously, she was with EdSource for the last two years focusing on data systems, assessment, and charter schools. She has completed projects for Mass Insight, Children Now, and the Bay Area Partnership. Prior to graduate school, Heather worked for the Early Education for All Campaign in Massachusetts. Heather has a bachelor's in child development from Tufts University and was a Fulbright Scholar, teaching English and conducting research in France.
Orville Jackson Senior Research Analyst, The Education Trust—West Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x339 Orville received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Harvard University. During that time he worked for a year as a Teaching Assistant at Alliance for Collaborative Change in Berkeley. In 2007 Orville joined Envision Schools in San Francisco as Knowledge Manager where he supported the CMO’s data-driven instruction, using SPSS, Excel, VBA and R. His most recent position was as a consultant for The Bridgespan Group, conducting research on nonprofit measurement and evaluation for clients. Orville currently serves on the Board of Directors for Partners in School Innovation.
Lindsey Stuart Data and Policy Analyst, The Education Trust—West Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x310 Lindsey came to The Ed Trust—West from Austin, Texas, where she graduated from the University of Texas, LBJ School of Public Affairs. While a student, Lindsey interned at the Child Support Division of the Attorney General’s Office as well as the Texas Youth Commission, where she authored a report calling for the institutionalization of student councils in juvenile facilities throughout the state. Prior to attending graduate school, she was a Teach for America high school Spanish teacher in Washington, D.C. After her two year TFA commitment, she continued teaching Spanish at a Gates-funded small school in lower Manhattan. Lindsey holds a BA from Wellesley College, and a Masters of Teaching degree from American University.

External Relations

Valerie Cuevas

Director of External Relations, The Education Trust—West
Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x328

Valerie came to The Ed Trust—West with a deep background in government affairs, non-profit management, and education administration at the national, state and local levels. With an expertise in education equity, state legislative policy and K-12 governance, she is a former director with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)-- where she worked with hundreds of elected officials across the country. In addition to her work nationally, Valerie has a wide-range of experience at both the state and local levels in California. She previously served as an aide to the chair of the California Assembly Committee on Higher Education, and as chief of staff to a member of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. As an education practitioner, Valerie also held student affairs positions at various 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and a master's degree from California State University, Long Beach.

Melissa San Miguel

External Relations Associate, The Education Trust—West
Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x324

Melissa San Miguel came to The Education Trust-West from California Forward, a state governance policy organization where she promoted fiscal reforms and local government empowerment. She also worked for the California Department of Education on issues such as early childhood education and foster youth services. Additionally, Melissa coordinated public affairs events for The Commonwealth Club and served as a consultant for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF). A native of the Bay area, she has previous experience as a freelance writer and reporter for online newspaper Mission Loc@l. Melissa earned a bachelor's degree in political science from UC Berkeley, where she graduated with high distinction as class valedictorian.

Eric Wagner

External Relations Associate, The Education Trust—West
Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x318

Eric came to The Ed Trust—West with extensive experience in public affairs and communications. As Manager of Media Relations for NALEO, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, Eric handled all communications activities for the organization. He played an integral role in helping to implement communications strategies for the ¡ya es hora! campaign, the most comprehensive Latino civic engagement effort in history during the 2008 presidential election cycle. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Director of Constituency Services at NALEO where he developed governance training programs to assist Latino elected officials with closing the achievement gap for Latino students. Additionally, Eric spent time in Washington, D.C. He worked as a Public Policy Fellow in the offices of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Representative Charles Gonzalez. Originally from the Chicagoland area, Eric holds master's degrees from the University of Chicago and the University of Miami. He holds a bachelor's degree from North Central College.

Grants and Operations
Tracy Solomon Director of Planning, Grants and Administration, The Education Trust—West Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x322 Tracy has been an independent education consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area for such clients as the Oakland Unified School District and the Marin Education Fund. For nine years, Tracy was general manager and vice president of special projects for a graphic arts publisher. She previously worked in operations, marketing, and strategic planning for a fast-growing specialty retailer. Tracy holds an MBA from the University of California–Berkeley and a bachelor’s from Wesleyan University.
Melanie Forter Operations Associate, The Education Trust—West Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x300 Before joining The Education Trust West Melanie served as the Administrative Assistant to three partners at a Venture Capital firm in San Francisco. She joined ETW as an Administrative Assistant in 2007 and has been supporting Director level staff and organization operations since that time. Melanie studied Applied Communications at Gonzaga University.
Romy Harness Operations Manager, The Education Trust—West Email or Call: (510) 465-6444 x342 Romy comes to The Education Trust–West with over a dozen years of experience as an office manager and executive assistant at both start-ups and global software companies around the Bay Area. In addition to her professional experience, Romy is an accomplished photographer and holds a bachelor’s degree from California College of the Arts.

EdVocate West Blog

In the News

About Ed Trust West

Staff

Executive Director

Arun Ramanathan

Linda Murray

Equity Initiatives

Jeannette LaFors

Tameka L. McGlawn

Carrie Hahnel

Heather Barondess

Orville Jackson

Lindsey Stuart

Valerie Cuevas

Melissa San Miguel

Eric Wagner

Tracy Solomon

Melanie Forter

Romy Harness