March 2022 Program

Perspectives on K-12 Education
In the COVID Recovering San Ramon Valley 

Click Here to watch the entire Program

(March 30, 2022)  This program features a conversation with four educators from the San Ramon Valley Unified School District representing teachers, administrators, parents and volunteers.  A guided discussion with these leaders and DAW-AAUW addresses:

    • what the district has learned through the pandemic,
    • how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are integral,
    • efforts to prepare all students for 21st century careers,
    • how we can assist educators to enhance mental health

The Participants

Vanessa Berastain – Executive Director, San Ramon Valley Education Foundation
vanessa@srvef.org

Ms. Berastain moved to San Ramon in 1992 from her native Peru. A longtime local volunteer and education advocate, Vanessa has served as president of the SRV Council of PTAs  — the largest PTA in Northern California, and on the council’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee. She is now Executive Director of the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation, which is the primary fundraising organization for the SRV’s public school district.

 Chavonta Edington – Teacher and Curriculum Leader for SRVUSD Music Department
cedington@srvusd.net

Chavonta Edington teaches band, orchestra, and jazz band at Diablo Vista Middle School in Danville, CA.  A veteran teacher of 23 years, she also serves as the Curriculum Lead teacher for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District music department and works with new teachers in the district’s teacher induction program.  Currently, Chavonta serves as a representative on both the California Orchestra Directors Association and the California Band Directors Association boards and was just named secondary teacher of the year for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District.

Dr. John Malloy – Superintendent, San Ramon Valley Unified School District

Dr. Malloy came to the SRV Unified School District after having served as the Director of Education (Superintendent) at the Toronto District School Board in Toronto, Canada. He has an extensive background in education at all levels and is a fierce advocate for an equitable, accessible, quality public education. During his career, he has been a principal, vice principal, English teacher and guidance counselor. He is the author of an extensive array of education related articles and papers, as well as a frequent presenter at educational conferences and symposiums.

Mimi Quan – Principal, Quail Run Elementary School
mquan@srvusd.net

Mimi Quan has been an educator for 22 years with experience ranging from elementary school to the university level.  She is currently in her 9th year as principal of Quail Run Elementary School , leading with a student-centered mindset, a philosophy of shared leadership, and a lens of equity and inclusion. Mimi immigrated to the United States as a young child, and her experience as a BIPOC growing up in the Bay Area has shaped who she is as an educational leader.