Chamberlin Education Foundation

“He’s tried and true. He’s proven year after year after year that he’ll grow kids exponentially. No matter where they start, we know they will grow in his room. He’s truly changing the trajectory of his students’ lives as a result,” Principal Parham said. Lincoln Elementary School Principal Taylor Parham shares her thoughts on Rob Kirker, 2025 recipient of the Julie Wright Changemaker Award. - About Rob: Rob Kirker has been an educator for 25 years, the most recent 15 of those at Lincoln Elementary School in West Contra Costa Unified School District. He teaches 6th grade and he’s also a member of the school’s Instructional Leadership Team. He’s been leading the school’s math instructional program for nearly a decade. Rob is known for his unwavering focus on making decisions guided by student learning and equity. He sets a high bar for excellence and integrity in his classroom, which has led to significant improvements in student success. Read more about Rob’s story: https://lnkd.in/gfhht5p6 Photo credit: Cheryl L. Guerrero

“The stuff we talk about in education often are these lofty, idealistic things, but it really starts with being here, being present and being prepared.” —?Rob Kirker, 2025 recipient of the Julie Wright Changemaker Award —? About Rob: Rob Kirker has been an educator for 25 years, the most recent 15 of those at Lincoln Elementary School in West Contra Costa Unified School District . He teaches 6th grade and he’s also a member of the school’s Instructional Leadership Team. He’s been leading the school’s math instructional program for nearly a decade. Rob is known for his unwavering focus on making decisions guided by student learning and equity. He sets a high bar for excellence and integrity in his classroom, which has led to significant improvements in student success. Read more about Rob’s story: https://lnkd.in/gfhht5p6 Photo credit: Cheryl L. Guerrero

“I want everyone to take breaths without being polluted, to live full lives past 16, to walk down the street without racial profiling, to buy the homes they wish, to have children safely with mothers who don’t die in the delivery room, and for everyone to live full and joyous lives. There’s a specific plight that Black people live in this community, and a world we all envision … I continue to dream of a world that is equitable and righteous, integral and joyous.” — Armond Corshawn Lee, 2025 recipient of the Julie Wright Changemaker Award. - - - About Armond: Armond Corshawn Lee is the Senior Director of Restoring Neighborhoods at RCF Connects (formerly Richmond Community Foundation) , where he spends his full time job leading initiatives including securing housing for the unhoused, empowering young people in the community, overseeing an electric vehicle car sharing program to help people access reliable transportation and fixing up homes to provide more options for first-time home buyers. In his free time, he teaches swim lessons, particularly to those in the Black and Brown communities, where drowning rates are much higher. He also spends time substitute teaching, spending time with the elderly, and mentoring students in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. His tireless commitment to knocking down barriers to opportunity embodies the spirit of courageous action at the heart of the Julie Wright Changemaker Award. Read more about Armond’s story: https://lnkd.in/giBTrfAJ Photo credit: Cheryl L. Guerrero

“If I see something isn’t right, I am going to fix it. When my community hurts, I hurt. When my community needs something, I need it. I always try to find that connection to make sure my community is taken care of.” — Armond Corshawn Lee, 2025 recipient of the Julie Wright Changemaker Award. - - - About Armond: Armond Corshawn Lee is the Senior Director of Restoring Neighborhoods at RCF Connects (formerly Richmond Community Foundation) , where he spends his full time job leading initiatives including securing housing for the unhoused, empowering young people in the community, overseeing an electric vehicle car sharing program to help people access reliable transportation and fixing up homes to provide more options for first-time home buyers. In his free time, he teaches swim lessons, particularly to those in the Black and Brown communities, where drowning rates are much higher. He also spends time substitute teaching, spending time with the elderly, and mentoring students in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. His tireless commitment to knocking down barriers to opportunity embodies the spirit of courageous action at the heart of the Julie Wright Changemaker Award. Read more about Armond’s story: https://lnkd.in/giBTrfAJ Photo credit: Cheryl L. Guerrero

?? We’re searching for a new superintendent! ?? We want YOU to be part of the process! Join our Town Hall Meeting to share your thoughts, ask questions, & help us choose a new leader. Help shape the future of education for our students. Let’s make a positive impact. ?? For location & meeting times visit: https://ow.ly/R54q50V0tay #SuperintendentSearch #GetInvolved #YourVoiceMatters

“RYSE Youth Center gave me a perspective on how to expand my knowledge of being a community organizer.?RYSE helps people, including myself, to be your authentic selves, and to be seen. We make sure we’re providing different opportunities that will help young people flourish into the people they want to be.” —?Ann Guiam, 2025 recipient of the Julie Wright Changemaker Award (pictured here with her mentee Clover, who is also a staff member at RYSE) - - - About Ann: Ann first learned about youth organizing as a student in the West Contra Costa district schools. She started as an intern at RYSE Youth Center in Richmond? RYSE Youth Center and now she’s a full-time staff member there, serving as a Youth Power Building Coordinator. She also currently serves as a staff representative on the YO! Cali Steering Committee, where she works to build connections with youth leaders, organizers and funders at both regional and state levels, while working to center BIPOC youth in grantmaking and decision making. Her commitment to student advocacy and empowerment has made her the youngest-ever winner of the Julie Wright Changemaker Award. Read more about Ann’s story: https://lnkd.in/gfeUSrSq Photo credit: Cheryl L. Guerrero

“Every day, these young people continue to remind me of why I do this … They embody hope and they’re so resilient and strong in their approach. A lot of the youth I work with have unstoppable mindsets, and that is what continues to give me hope and to motivate me to do the work that I do. I learn so much from them.” —?Ann Guiam, 2025 recipient of the Julie Wright Changemaker Award. - - - About Ann: Ann first learned about youth organizing as a student in the West Contra Costa district schools. She started as an intern at RYSE Youth Center in Richmond, and now she’s a full-time staff member there, serving as a Youth Power Building Coordinator. She also currently serves as a staff representative on the YO! Cali Steering Committee, where she works to build connections with youth leaders, organizers and funders at both regional and state levels, while working to center BIPOC youth in grantmaking and decision making. Her commitment to student advocacy and empowerment has made her the youngest-ever winner of the Julie Wright Changemaker Award. Read more about Ann’s story: https://lnkd.in/gfeUSrSq Photo credit: Cheryl L. Guerrero

Each year, we have the honor of awarding the Julie Wright Changemaker Award to courageous, equity-focused education advocates in West Contra Costa. This year, for the first time, we have selected three award recipients — because right now, it’s more important than ever to invest in local changemakers: ? Ann Guiam (Youth Power Building Coordinator at RYSE Youth Center and youngest-ever JWCA recipient) ? Armond Corshawn Lee (Senior Director of Restoring Neighborhoods at RCF Connects (formerly Richmond Community Foundation)) ? Rob Kirker (6th Grade Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School & Instructional Leadership Team Member) Head to our blog to get to know this year’s awardees: https://lnkd.in/g7PcvGjg Photo credit: Cheryl L. Guerrero

This #Blackhistorymonth, we’re celebrating some of the amazing Black-led organizations in West Contra Costa that we’re proud to support through our Community Giving Initiative. D.R.E.A.M. Financial Academy currently offers free workshops and summer camps for youth in the Richmond area focusing on career exploration, personal money management, and financial literacy. Their mission: “Our mission is to educate youth ages 6-19 within San Francisco Bay Area counties on financial literacy, with a focus on targeting low-income communities. We seek to create positive change and equip the youth with the knowledge and skills to manage money effectively, make sound financial decisions, and establish a solid foundation for success.” Learn more, follow them, and support D.R.E.A.M. Financial Academy’s work: D.R.E.A.M. Financial Academy.

This #Blackhistorymonth, we’re celebrating some of the amazing Black-led organizations in West Contra Costa that we’re proud to support through our Community Giving Initiative. PACT (PLAN OF ACTION FOR CHALLENGING TIMES INC) supports underserved students and students of color in the Bay area. Their mission: “Plan of Action for Challenging Times (PACT), Inc. promotes community empowerment by increasing access to higher education for low-income youth and young adults by positively impacting graduation, drop-out, and college-going rates.” Learn more, follow them, and support PACT’s work: https://www.pactinc.org/