Unlocking Student Potential: New CZI Report Looks Back on Eight Years

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CZI | How We Support Education

We stand with a growing community of partners working to equip teachers with the research, tools and partners they need to center students’ well-being in support of academic achievement and success. At our core we are builders.

Six students pose together outside Thurgood Marshall Academy in Washington, D.C. (Whole Child, Education, CZI).
2/2/2021 | Students pose outside Thurgood Marshall Academy in Washington, D.C. | Photograph by Ann-Marie VanTassell
2/2/2021 | Students pose outside Thurgood Marshall Academy in Washington, D.C. | Photograph by Ann-Marie VanTassell

Our Approach

Building Research

We build up research on student learning and human development, and its translation into classroom practice.

  • We seek to identify, build and support teaching practices and school cultures that are grounded in whole child principles i.e. they center a student’s well-being in support of academic development and success.
  • We seek to measure student well-being and the school environments that support it, so schools can track progress. That is, we’re trying to help educators understand what’s working in schools where students are thriving.

Building Technology

We build tools that help teachers center students’ well-being in support of academic achievement and success. 

  • We use research on the science of student learning and human development to design tools that help teachers connect with students and tailor learning experiences to individual student needs.
  • In partnership with educators at Gradient Learning, we support Summit Learning and Along, which are available to educators in the U.S.

Building Partnerships

We build partnerships to create momentum for systems change.

  • We bring together students, teachers, researchers and communities who are reimagining education and advancing a whole child approach to education.
  • We are focused on supporting innovation within school systems, student support and advocacy programs and community organizations.

An Equitable Whole Child Approach to Education

We define equity in the context of education to mean the availability of meaningful learning experiences for all children, regardless of race, identity, zip code, or access to wealth. We believe in an education system that gives every student exactly what they need to thrive inside the classroom and beyond.

To transform K-12 education, educators, community leaders, and families must work together to develop learning experiences where all students feel seen, heard, and valued. We must expand the definition of student success to include students’ overall well-being and center the voices of all educators and students — particularly students who have been historically underserved — whenever decisions are being made. If we and our partners are successful, we will manifest a future in education that unlocks the full potential of every child, no matter who they are or where they live.

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Education unlocks opportunity and agency that can change the trajectory of a family for generations.

SANDRA LIU HUANG

Meet Our Team

Raymonde Charles, Communications, presenting a grant announcement plan, with Jared Joiner, Education, listening in at CZI. Photograph by Carla Dano-Arango
October 10, 2023 | Raymonde Charles, Communications, presenting a grant announcement plan, with Jared Joiner, Education, listening in at CZI. Photograph by Carla Dano-Arango
October 10, 2023 | Raymonde Charles, Communications, presenting a grant announcement plan, with Jared Joiner, Education, listening in at CZI. Photograph by Carla Dano-Arango

Meet Our Team

Prateek Kotak, Education Technology, Kristin Vincent, Product Design, Alex Gibbons, Engineering, and Sandra Liu Huang, Head of Education at CZI.
October 17, 2022 | Prateek Kotak, Education Technology, Kristin Vincent, Product Design, Alex Gibbons, Engineering, and Sandra Liu Huang, Head of Education at CZI.
October 17, 2022 | Prateek Kotak, Education Technology, Kristin Vincent, Product Design, Alex Gibbons, Engineering, and Sandra Liu Huang, Head of Education at CZI.

We believe that we need to take a whole child approach to education. One that honors the humanity of every teacher and student, and takes an equitable approach to each student reaching their full potential.

Priscilla Chan, CZI Co-Founder and Co-CEO.
Priscilla Chan
Lesley Kao and Jessamy Almquist, Education Tech, collaborating during a co-design workshop at CZI. Photograph by Carla Dano-Arango
October 10, 2023 | Lesley Kao and Jessamy Almquist, Education Tech, collaborating during a co-design workshop at CZI. Photograph by Carla Dano-Arango
October 10, 2023 | Lesley Kao and Jessamy Almquist, Education Tech, collaborating during a co-design workshop at CZI. Photograph by Carla Dano-Arango

Leadership

Sandra Liu Huang Head of Education & Vice President, Product
Raymonde Charles Vice President of Communications, Education & Ventures
Jared Joiner Director, Practice to Product
Prateek Kotak VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION
Gabriela López Director, Research To Practice
Kristin Vincent DIRECTOR, DESIGN, EDUCATION
Cynthia Wong DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, EDUCATION

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