Dear Cotsen Colleagues,

Welcome to a series of  videos recorded by fellows and mentors representing the graduating class of 2021. Although we cannot gather in person this year for the culmination of the fellowships, we are nonetheless excited to celebrate and salute our fellows and mentors on the journey that they have just completed.

The 2020-2021 school year was a momentous one. We grew in ways we didn’t know we could, we firmly held onto hope, and we tried every single day. As this year came to a close, a few of your colleagues took time to reflect and capture their thoughts about being a part of the fellowship. We hope you enjoy listening to and connecting with their experiences. Speaking on behalf of the 2021 graduating class are the following representatives: (Click the link to watch on YouTube).

First, our Founding Director, Mrs. Margit Sperling Cotsen, and I would like to share a few to thank the graduates for their dedication and commitment to teaching excellence.

, fellow, Villacorta Elementary, Rowland
, fellow, Hancock Park Elementary, Los Angeles
, fellow, Phelan Language Academy, Whittier City
, fellow, Whitaker School, Buena Park
, mentor, Beatty School, Buena Park
, mentor, Cabrillo Elementary, Wiseburn

To the graduating class, you inspire us, and we can hardly wait to witness all the magic that you will bring to your students.

Sincerely,

Jerry Harris
Executive Director

Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew.
That even as we hurt, we hoped.
That even as we tired, we tried.
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.
               From “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman

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The Cotsen Foundation hosted an end-of-year celebration for its graduating ART of TEACHING mentors and fellows at the Skirball Cultural Center on May 20th.

The afternoon was a celebratory luncheon in honor of the graduating Cotsen Class of 2018. Kicking off the luncheon, , founding director and board chair, and , president and director, came to the lectern to welcome to fellows, mentors, alumni and administrators.

“This is truly my most favorite event,” Mrs. Cotsen remarked. “We’re here to celebrate your graduation from the �����app of TEACHING program. A graduation usually signifies an ending, but today is really the beginning of your journey with us.”

Called to the speakers’ table, six fellows and a mentor took their places and prepared to speak about their journey in the �����app of TEACHING.

Speaking on behalf of the 2018 graduating class were the following representatives: (Click the link to watch on YouTube)

, fellow, Old River Elementary, Downey

, fellow, Woodcrest Elementary, Fullerton

, fellow, Robinson Academy, Long Beach

, fellow, Wild Rose Elementary, Monrovia

, fellow, Escalona Elementary, Norwalk-LaMirada

, fellow, Nelson Elementary, Tustin

, mentor, Burnett Elementary, Wiseburn

Concluding the program, Executive Director, came to the lectern to thank his staff, and the graduates for their dedication to excellent teaching. “To our 2018 graduating fellows and mentors, you understand and embrace the gravity of your work. You continue to press for personal and professional excellence and you commit your time and your energy to prefect your craft and become the magicians that Mr. Cotsen so lovingly spoke about. So, I want to congratulate you and thank you for being extraordinary educators.”

With his closing remarks the newly minted alumni received their graduation certificates. Cotsen also announced their brand-new alumni pins, which were distributed to all alumni present at the event. The class of 2018 marks the 15th consecutive end-of-year graduation ceremony since the founding of the �����app of TEACHING program in 2001. The Cotsen alumni network has since grown to 1245 educators.

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Teacher Heidi Gallegos reflects on her experience as a �����app fellow during the foundation’s year-end luncheon at the Skirball in May of 2011.

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Noting that this is the �����app of TEACHING’s tenth year, Executive Director Judy Johnson greeted the 2011 graduating cohort of mentors and fellows, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Cotsen, members of the board and guests in the Cotsen Auditorium of the Skirball Cultural Center on Saturday, May 21. Before the awarding of certificates of completion, she introduced Program Officer Jerry Harris who thanked the administrators of participating districts for their support and encouraged them to continue with the work begun in the �����app of TEACHING.

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Teacher Aileen Salmaggi talks about her experience as a  Cotsen Foundation for the Art of Teaching  fellow.

Topic(s): Perspective, Teachers Talk, Thoughts on Achieving Excellence

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