Contact Information

Executive Director: Robert Walsh, S.J.

Phone: 310.338.7303

Location: University Hall 1760

Introduction

Catholic schools are an integral part of the educational systems of urban centers across the United States, serving as pillars for many communities, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. In Los Angeles, more than 80,000 children and their families rely on these schools to provide the moral, spiritual and intellectual underpinnings that have enabled so many Catholic school graduates to become productive, socially conscious adults.

But these schools are facing significant challenges. Enrollment in Catholic schools has declined 12 percent nationally in the last decade. Many schools are struggling financially. Catholic school systems are in need of professional development for teachers and administrators, along with research into the most effective approaches to running the schools and educating increasingly diverse student bodies.

With the Center for Catholic Education, the LMU School of Education will be better positioned to assist the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as well as Catholic school systems across the country, in ensuring that the rich tradition of Catholic education endures and grows. The CCE brings together a broad range of successful programs at SOE to advance PK-12 Catholic education by training school leaders and teachers, increasing awareness of Catholic schools’ impact on communities, and developing innovative ways to support Catholic schools. The Center for Catholic Education will serve as an anchor for Catholic schools in Los Angeles and nationally so that the rich tradition of Catholic education continues to shape morally and socially conscious men and women.

The Center for Catholic Education is committed to leadership development, teacher preparation, and research and outreach.

Programs

The Center for Catholic Education offers programs in specialized cohorts:

• LMU|LA CAST: For teachers employed by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
• PLACE Corps: Teachers who are part of a teaching service corps in partnership with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

CMAST - Center for Math and Science Teaching

Contact Information

Director: Kathy Clemmer

Location: University Hall 1300

Introduction

CMAST is dedicated to strengthening science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and STEM-related fields by transforming the teaching and learning of mathematics and science.

Loyola Marymount University’s Center for Math and Science Teaching (CMAST) provides a national model for middle schools, high schools, and universities to transform math and science education using measurable, data-driven results connected to student engagement and achievement. CMAST is currently implementing the Los Angeles Math and Science Residency (LAMS), a teacher residency program focused on training math and science teachers in urban schools. CMAST also partners with organizations and districts across the spectrum of public, charter, and Catholic schools.

CMAST’s goals are:

• Creating a professional learning community comprised of faculty, teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community members dedicated to increasing student engagement and achievement in mathematics and science
• Finding and sharing solutions that increase the number of students who pursue science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and science and mathematics teaching as careers
• Building teacher retention by providing opportunities for shared leadership between transformational teacher leaders, administrators, and parents
• Designing, strengthening, and sharing best practices in teaching and learning to improve teacher quality and college-readiness

MAST Teacher Leader (TL) Certificate

Introduction

In the CMAST TL Certificate, TLs learn how to demonstrate effective teaching practices, coach their colleagues, and teach their colleagues in Professional Learning Seminars centered around teaching the CCSS through MAST at their respective sites and within their organizations. Throughout each course of the certificate, TLs take on more responsibility in leading their colleagues, through a gradual release of responsibility from CMAST faculty to the TL.

CMAST institutionalizes a combination of university classes, professional development seminars, in-class demonstrations, and virtual learning components to train TLs how to analyze student and teacher data, teach students and adults, share leadership with administrators, design STEM curriculum, and collaborate with faculty and community members to create and sustain the MAST System.

Center for Equity for English Learners

Contact Information

Director: Magaly Lavadenz

Phone: 310.338.2924

Associate Director: Elvira G. Armas

Location: University Hall 2600

Introduction

The Center for Equity for English Learners (CEEL) was established in 2006, with support from Bank of America, for the purpose of improving educational outcomes of English Learners (ELs). The Center’s research and professional development agendas will inform leadership and instructional practices for the state’s 1.5 million English Learners and the nation’s 3.5 million English Learners. CEEL’s mission is to pursue equity and excellence in the education of English Learners by transforming schools and educational systems through the Center’s research and professional development agendas. An integral component of this work is the development of advocacy-oriented leadership. Educators who utilize students’ cultural and language resources while developing students’ academic competencies have the potential to significantly transform schools and educational systems.