Board of Directors
Managing Director, Wheelhouse: The Center for Community College Leadership and Research and Senior Fellow, Stuart Foundation. Formerly senior education policy advisor to Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg. Previously a visiting journalism fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California and writer, editor and editorial board member at the Sacramento Bee.
Vice President & General Manager, KQED Public Radio. Former director of administration and planning in the National Public Radio News division. Former program manager of WGBH-FM in Boston, general manager of KPFA-FM in Berkeley, and station manager of WYSO-FM in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Served as a member of the NPR Board of Directors from 1998 to 2004, and its vice chair in 2002. Currently on the board of directors of the Station Resource Group focusing on station-based strategic issues.
Chief Executive Officer, Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team. With 38 years of service in public sector institutions in a variety of roles, Montero’s experience includes being superintendent of a medium-sized unified school district; assistant superintendencies in curriculum and instruction, business, and personnel; school principal, assistant principal, and classroom teacher.
Dr. Ramona E. Bishop is the President of The California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA). Prior to her Superintendent position in Vallejo, she served as Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Academic Achievement with the Twin Rivers Unified School District. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Pacific, Stockton; a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership from California State University, Hayward, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Bishop served as Superintendent of the Del Paso Heights School District, Sacramento, Director III Multilingual/Multicultural Equity, Access and Achievements in Sacramento City Unified School District, Principal and in a dual role as Associate Superintendent of Curriculum/Instruction and Principal of Anna Yates Elementary School, Emery Unified School District.
Darin Brawley earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California. He has a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Redlands. Prior to his appointment as superintendent in Compton, Mr. Brawley served as a superintendent for three years. In addition to this, he served as deputy superintendent of student learning for three years and Director of Human Resources for three years. Prior to his role in executive leadership, he served as a principal of middle school and elementary school and as a high school teacher. He is currently in his fifth year as the superintendent for the Compton Unified School District.
Founder and principal of Cross Strategy. Formerly senior vice president for The Associated Press for business development and partnerships; vice president of The Associated Press for the Western U.S. and Los Angeles bureau chief, where she established one of AP’s first multimedia desks. Served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa and The California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships at the University of Southern California.
President, School Services of California, Sacramento. Former director of fiscal services for the Fresno Unified School District, Audit Supervisor for the Ticor Title Insurance Company and Auditing Officer for Union Bank in Los Angeles. Also former consultant for the Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team (FCMAT). Member of the California Association of School Business Officials, and the Institute of Internal Auditors.
President of the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund. She has been the Government Director and then as the Second Vice President for Advocacy and Program in 2008. While serving the state League, she has been active in strategic planning, initiative and referendum reform, human resources, training, legislation, ballot measures, and redistricting. She has been a member of the League of Women Voters since 1969.
Terri Jackson brought years of experience both in teaching and association involvement to her first term as CTA Board member for District C. She was re-elected and her second term of office representing Alameda and Contra Costa counties will end June 25, 2016. Jackson has taught for 30 years and is currently a sixth-grade history and math teacher at Stewart Elementary School in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. She is an active member of United Teachers of Richmond, where she has served as faculty representative, elementary director, vice president and president. As a CTA State Council representative, Jackson served on the Political Involvement Committee as a member and later, vice chair. She was also chair of CTA’s Educational Change Workgroup. Like some of her colleagues, Jackson was inspired to become a teacher after having “very strong high school teachers” as a student in Great Britain. Jackson is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton, and Pepperdine University.
Celia Jaffe has been a PTA leader for 20 years, most recently as statewide vice president for education. She is a past president of Fourth District PTA, which serves the PTAs in Orange County. Celia has served on the Legislation Action Committee, the Resolutions Committee and many others. As a trustee of the Huntington Beach City School District 2004-2014, Celia served on the Delegate Assembly of the California School Boards Association. Celia holds a master’s degree in education and taught high school English for five years.
Former Dean, School of Education, UC Davis. Formerly Department Chair, Department of Education, UCLA, and Associate Provost of Education Initiatives, University of California Office of the President.
Superintendent/CEO, Gateway Community Charters. Has worked in charter schools in a variety of roles, including teacher, principal and program director. Past-president Region 3, and State Board Director, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).