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Cathy Padilla

Cathy Padilla has served as an elementary education teacher, assistant principal, and principal at the intermediate and elementary levels. She specializes in developing and supporting leaders in professional learning communities, family engagement, categorical programs, migrant education, and English language development.

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Cathy Padilla

Cathy Padilla has 37 years of experience in education. She has served as an elementary education teacher, assistant principal, and principal at the intermediate and elementary levels. Cathy most recently served as a program development coordinator for Sanger Unified School District in California. Cathy specializes in developing and supporting leaders at all levels in various areas, including family engagement, categorical programs and services, migrant education, English language development, the Local Control and Accountability Plan, and the California Community Schools Partnership Program.

In Sanger Unified School District, she was one of the first principals to initiate professional learning communities (PLCs) in her school. She led and helped support fellow principals in establishing the PLC process at their schools and worked with the district to implement PLC as a district-wide practice.

Cathy has a passion for involving and supporting families through the education process. She started Parent University at her school site and later initiated Parent University districtwide. Through research and the support of the Gardner Center at Stanford University, Cathy created a team of school and community partners to plan and implement a tiered support system for families in Sanger and a new family resource center.

In addition, Cathy established English language development practices at Jefferson Elementary School that were the focus of a study by West Ed. and the S.H Cowell Foundation.

Cathy earned a bachelor’s degree and multiple subject teaching credentials from California State University Fresno and a master’s degree in education administration credential as well as a pupil services credential in school counseling from Fresno Pacific University.


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