Together We….T.H.I.N.K.

After joining Think Together as a program leader 13 years ago, Linda Ramirez went on to serve in the roles of site assistant, site coordinator, and program coordinator and now as the quality assurance coach in the Riverside County region. Linda is known in her region for going above and beyond to support her team of site coordinators so that they can better lead their programs. She is passionate about having quality programs that support the students she serves and puts her heart and soul into what she does. We are excited to give you the opportunity to get to know more about Linda. 
What is your Think Together “why”? 

I work for Think Together to make a difference in the lives of our students by adhering to our mission: to partner with our schools to change the odds for kids. What inspired me to become a program leader was the meaning of the acronym “THINK” in “Think Together”. Ever since my first position with Think Together, it is my passion to Teach, Help, Inspire and Nurture Kids in my community and the local neighborhoods that I serve. 

What is one of your proudest moments that connect to your “why?”  

I have many proud moments and success stories that have connected me to my core passion at Think Together. One example is the collaboration we have with our wonderful Moreno Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) partners. The leaders and educators of MVUSD share the same goals of supporting students’ academic success as individual growth. MVUSD has been a shining partner with us as we provide various academic and social-emotional lessons as well as fun activities, academic growth, a safe environment, and a space to be with their peers through winter, spring, and summer Think Together programs. 

What is one thing you are proud of your team accomplishing this school year?  

I am proud of my team’s leadership skills and teamwork. They are quick to lend a helping hand to each other and other teams at Think Together. Everyone collaborates to make decisions and act together. This year, I am especially proud of my team for taking initiative in new projects and taking hold of opportunities to keep growing as professionals. I love watching them grow and reach their individual goals. Watching my staff grow and move into new professional roles, whether that is through promotions within Think Together or beyond, keeps me content and motivated. 

What is the best piece of advice you have received that you like to share with others? 

The best piece of professional advice that I have received was to always persevere and to take each day as a learning opportunity. Additionally, I have learned to set my own goals to keep me motivated and enhance my leadership skills.  

As we wrap up 2022, what is your New Year’s Resolution for your work at Think Together in 2023? 

In 2023, I want to welcome the new year by embracing a fresh new start. I aim to learn a new skill and manage my workload more efficiently to achieve a better balance between work and personal time. I feel that engaging in self-care is important and necessary to be focused and excited for new projects coming my way.  

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

I enjoy visiting the local wineries, binge-watching documentaries on Netflix, going to the nail salon, and of course, spending time with my family.  

As part of Think Together’s afterschool program, students participate in the Invention Adventures curriculum created by our partners at Lemelson MIT. Invention Adventures is a global K-12 invention education program that teaches students problem-identification, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and creativity skills which culminate with progressive conventions that begin at the site level and progress to statewide, national & global competitions.

“We were really looking for solutions that address the K-12 out-of-school space that was very rigorous and could offer a new opportunity for Think Together and give us new launching pads for our students to be successful in the world beyond school,” shared Mark Bayaua, Think Together Director of STEM Innovation Programs.

Think Together students are challenged to find a problem in their own lives, family, or community. Then, students invent a solution using the curriculum over the next ten weeks. Through this process, Think Together staff encourage students to think outside of the box and create something that can benefit their world.

Think Together had 200 students participate in this program during the 2021-22 school year and become inventors. 10 Think Together inventions, from six individuals and four team pairs, qualified for the state competition! One of those students, Neilah, went on to represent California at the national level. 

Neilah has been a part of the Think Together afterschool program since kindergarten. “I like Think Together because we always do fun activities,” Neilah shared.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Invention Convention and Neilah.

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The next round of the Invention Convention curriculum begins later this month with our internal Invention Convention scheduled for February 21, 2023. Stay tuned to see our Think Together students’ newest round of inventions.

What happens when private foundations and leading corporations invest in students? Kids play team sports after school. High schoolers participate in internships designed to help them build a solid career pathway. Elementary students do hands-on STEM learning activities that cultivate their curiosity and problem-solving skills. And Think Together staff optimize systems designed to serve students efficiently and broadly. 

These are just a few of the opportunities unlocked by private philanthropy. In October, we gathered to celebrate our corporate and foundation partners in Los Angeles. These champions of education are leading efforts to make sure every kid has access to expanded learning opportunities, especially in light of the setbacks caused by the pandemic. 

As innovators in that space, funders heard from a panel of educational leaders including Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite, Superintendent of Lynwood Unified School District; Lindsey Rojas, Director of Expanded Learning at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy; Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle, Founder & CEO of Orenda Education; and, Tommy Brewer II, Deputy Chief of Innovations and Partnerships at Think Together. The panel was moderated by Dr. Dorothy Fleisher, Sr. Program Director for the W. M. Keck Foundation, headquartered in Los Angeles and investing in communities throughout Southern California.

“Whereas 2 million students were below grade level before the pandemic, we estimate now that between 2.5 and 3 million students are on the wrong side of the achievement gap,” explained Dr. Avelar La Salle. “The need is very great, but the opportunity is great as well.” The other panelists echoed that focus on what CAN be done and what we have collectively learned about meeting those needs.

Both Dr. Crosthwaite and Ms. Rojas expressed a shared spirit of innovation as they shared stories from their communities. “Think Together has never said no to any of my ideas,” Dr. Crosthwaite joked. “They’ll think about it and process it and we’ll work on it together. One of the things I look for is people who really believe in what we’re trying to do. People whose vision aligns with the vision we have as a district and are committed to doing the heavy lifting to do the right thing by kids.” 

“There’s no way we are going to meet the needs of students without expanded learning,” Ms. Rojas emphasized. Heads around the room nodded in agreement. 

Dr. Fleisher concluded the session with a wonderful reflection: “There’s a lot of opportunity to think differently and work together to make things happen for our communities. We leave here with hope.”

Thank you to all our visionary funders for the impact you have on kids’ lives!

Emily Espinoza began her journey with Think Together as a program leader in the Bay Area region after hearing about the impact her sister was making on the Think Together team. To continue her professional growth, Emily took on the role of site coordinator at one of Think Together’s new programs in the Newark Unified School District. Emily is known in the Bay Area region for her passion and embodiment of Think Together’s mission. You can find Emily supporting the success of her site or reinforcing her neighboring sites when needed. We look forward to seeing Emily continue to change the odds and are excited to give you the opportunity to find out more about her! 
What is your Think Together “why?” 

What inspired me to work for Think Together was my sister. When she started working with Think Together, she would tell me stories every day about how she was helping students prepare for their future. Her experience made me want to help, inspire, and motivate students so they can be the best they can be for their future. Doing this for the kids is my “why” and keeps me motivated to continue coming to work. 

Is there a specific story that always connects you to your “why?” 

When I was in high school, I always knew that I wanted to work with kids to help them grow and prepare for their future. A story that always connects me to my “why” is from when I used to volunteer at a homeless shelter. These two boys would always be at the shelter trying to get help with their homework. Every Tuesday, I would sit with the boys for an hour doing homework help. A couple of months later the boys let me know they were going to move to another state, and told me that because of the time I spent with them doing homework they were going to keep trying their best.  

What are you most thankful for this school year?  

I am thankful for the opportunity to be at a new school as a site coordinator, meet new students, and share my knowledge with them. I am also very thankful to my quality assurance coach and fellow site coordinators for sharing their knowledge with me to help my site grow and succeed.  

What one word would you use to sum up your experience working for Think Together? 

If I had to choose one word to sum up my experience working for Think Together it would be “inspiring.” I come to work every day with a purpose which is to impact and change the odds for the students.  

What is one area you hope to professionally grow in this year? 

This year, I hope I gain more skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s never a bad thing to gain new skills because it only helps you grow as a professional and individual.   

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

Outside of work, I love to go on hikes with my two dogs. My favorite place to go hiking is Coyote Hills because there are so many different trails to explore. 

Native American Heritage Month celebrates the diversity and rich indigenous cultures represented in the United States today. California, on its own, is home to over 100 indigenous communities. Think Together programs are represented in over 450 schools across California spanning from the Bay Area to Palm Springs, located in the traditional land of six of these indigenous groups; the Ohlone, Tongva, Acjachemen, Tataviam, Serrano, and Cahuilla communities.  

Colonizers of California from Spain, Europe and early America facilitated a dark history of enslaving, homogenizing, and even falsely declaring some groups of the first residents of this state extinct. Think Together recognizes the historical suppression of indigenous people and their diverse cultures as a loss to all communities. Without the resistance and hard work of generations of these native groups, we would not have the honor of talking about their different cultures and ideas with our youth, a key part of their social and emotional development.  

November is not only a great opportunity to learn about the local diversity of Indigenous histories and cultures, but to also be a small part of the cultural preservation and visibility efforts by members of these indigenous nations. 

Ohlone (Oh·loh·nee) The Ohlone, also known as Costanoans, are traditionally from the area stretching east from the San Francisco Bay over San Joaquin County and south to Santa Clara County, where Think Together’s Bay Area region is located.
What did a traditional Ohlone neighborhood look like?

Ohlone families lived in round shelters made of willow pole frames thatched with grass or tule over willow pole frames. These homes were all arranged around large buildings for community gatherings and ceremonies, which were usually built with hardwood center posts for structural support and covered with more thatching and earth to seal the walls.

To find out more about the Ohlone, check out the website of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe or the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe.

Tongva (Tong·va) The Tongva people, also called Gabrieliño, traditionally reside in the land stretching over Los Angeles basin and north Orange County. Think Together’s Los Angeles Metro, Southeast Los Angeles, Santa Fe Springs, and Orange County regions are all located within Tongva aboriginal land.
What are some of the Tongva historical landmarks? 

The Tongva’s history in the Los Angeles basin stretches back thousands of years, documented in archeological sites of villages, as well as state and federal records. Many of the Tongva’s historically recognized landmarks are not only significant to the first residents of the Los Angeles basin and their descendants but also to newer Los Angeles residents. Right behind L.A.’s world-famous Hollywood sign lies Cahuenga (or Kawenga) Peak, the Tongva’s “place in the mountains.” 

To find out more about the Tongva, check out the website of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians. 

Tataviam (Ta·ta·vee·um) The Tataviam, also called Fernandeño, are the historic residents of northern Los Angeles County including the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, eastern Simi and Antelope Valleys. Think Together’s charter partners in the Los Angeles metro region are in these areas.
What language do the Tataviam people speak? 

Hamiinat! (Hah-mee-nat) means “Hello!” in the Tataviam language.  

The Tataviam greetings are the first to be spoken in this area of California! Historically, the indigenous groups of southern California interacted often to strengthen economic and social relationships with each other. As a result, the language spoken by the Tataviam people shares many pieces of vocabulary with neighboring groups like the Serrano.  

Paiko tan hiiv! (Pie-ee-ko than hee-v) or See you later!  

To find out more about the Tataviam, check out the website of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. 

Acjachemen (A-ha-she-men) The Acjachemen, also known as Juaneño, are the original inhabitants of the territory that eventually became the County of Orange, as well as parts of San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties, where Think Together’s Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles regions are located.
What kind of art do the Acjachemen people make? 

The Acjachemen nation traditionally wove intricate designs into coiled baskets using juncus textilis or sumac, pine needles, yucca, and deer grass. Gathering sites for these materials can be found all over the coast of California for Acjachemen basketweaves. Baskets were traditionally used for gathering, cooking and even worn as headpieces. The Acjachemen baskets are an example of fine art that combines beautiful form and practical function. 

To find out more about the Acjachemen, check out the website of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation. 

Serrano (Sr·aa·now) The Serrano ancestral territory covers present-day Antelope Valley on the north-west down to parts of the Inland Empire in the south, covering the same area as Think Together’s San Bernardino region and parts of the Los Angeles Metro and San Gabriel Valley regions.
What kind of music do Serrano people play? 

Singing is a major feature of traditional Serrano music. Historical Serrano songs are used to describe social customs, creation stories, and history. Unlike many other Native American communities, traditional Serrano music does not include drums for rhythm. To accompany the singing, Serrano musicians play rattles created from gourds with palm tree seeds inside. 

To find out more about the Serrano, check out the websites of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians or the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. 

Cahuilla (Kuh·wee·uh) The traditional Cahuilla land covers the expansive area from the Borrego Desert up to the San Bernadino Mountains. The Cahuilla who live in the Coachella valley and surrounding areas are located in the same area as Think Together’s Riverside County and Palm Springs regions.
What do the Cahuilla traditionally keep in their kitchens? 

One of the common ingredients of Cahuilla meals is honey mesquite beans. The mesquite plant can be ground into a meal to make a small cake, the juice could be mixed into water for a sugary drink, and many Cahuilla children would often suck on the bean like candy. The Washingtonia filifera, the only palm tree native to California, grows a sweet fruit often enjoyed by the Cahuilla as well as strong fronds that could be shaped into utensils for eating and bows for hunting. 

To find out more about the Cahuilla, check out the website of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. 

Explore California’s Native American heritage and history with resources from the California Native American Heritage Commission.

Shining a light on the future for students means exposing them to careers and giving them the opportunities to explore and develop new skills. As Think Together participates in the national celebration of expanded learning, Lights on Afterschool, on October 20th we also want to shine a spotlight on Edison International, one of our long-standing partners in making a difference in the lives of youth.  

Since 2004, Edison International has supported Think Together in our mission to partner with schools to change the odds for kids. Most notably in the last 11 years, Edison International has awarded Think Together a grant of $25,000 to $30,000 every year. With this grant, Think Together implemented the Coding and Robotics program, where trained staff deliver STEM program curriculum at 10 middle schools each year. Overall, the STEM program has impacted over 25,000 students. 

Think Together’s Coding and Robotics Program utilized the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 curriculum to teach students the fundamentals of coding and robotic design. The first unit of the program was focused on renewable energy. Students engaged in lessons about energy transfer, wind energy, solar energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicles. Not only did this unit introduce students to new concepts, but it also gave students the opportunity to explore a pathway to helping others through STEM.  

“I like making new things from Legos. It’s challenging and I learn about science in a fun way. Robotics will help me in the future by making new things and helping others.”  
– Kamari, 6th grade
“I have been in Robotics for three years and I have enjoyed building new things. I think it will prepare me for college and for becoming an engineer. In the future I want to build things that will help people.”  
– Jasmine, 8th grade student 

In a culminating project, students built, programmed, and tested their own windmills to demonstrate their knowledge of wind turbines. Students were most excited about the renewable energy component and enjoyed seeing their windmill move when tested outside. Staff and parents can’t help but share the students’ excitement when their project succeeds! 

“I love running the Edison STEM Robotics Club, seeing the smiles and excitement from the students when they build the robots is priceless. Some kids have never built a robot when they come to robotics and by the end, they feel like they have achieved so much and are excited to continue the component and can’t wait until next year.” 
– Ron, program leader 
“My daughter comes home daily talking about what she was able to do in Robotics and was super excited to show me her progress.”  
– Tamika, parent 

Another success of the program was teaching the value of patience. Some students became frustrated if the code did not move the robot as expected. The process of trial and error made the results even more satisfying for students when everything worked correctly.  

“The primary success this year is student engagement. Students are excited for robotics and are on their best behavior when the lesson is going on. Students are here longer and even asking their parents to wait until finished.” 
– Jennifer, site coordinator 

Students, staff and parents in the Rialto, Lake Elsinore, and Val Verde School districts look forward to the coding and robotics program every year. Edison International’s support has been instrumental in the launch and expansion of these programs. We are grateful for their support in making the path to college and career that much brighter! 

Two boys work on a STEM project using LEGO robotics kits and a laptop at a classroom table.

Shining a light on the future for students means exposing them to careers and giving them the opportunities to explore and develop new skills. As Think Together participates in the national celebration of expanded learning, Lights on Afterschool, on October 20th we also want to shine a spotlight on Edison International, one of our long-standing partners in making a difference in the lives of youth.  

Since 2004, Edison International has supported Think Together in our mission to partner with schools to change the odds for kids. Most notably in the last 11 years, Edison International has awarded Think Together a grant of $25,000 to $30,000 every year. With this grant, Think Together implemented the Coding and Robotics program, where trained staff deliver STEM program curriculum at 10 middle schools each year. Overall, the STEM program has impacted over 25,000 students. 

Think Together’s Coding and Robotics Program utilized the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 curriculum to teach students the fundamentals of coding and robotic design. The first unit of the program was focused on renewable energy. Students engaged in lessons about energy transfer, wind energy, solar energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicles. Not only did this unit introduce students to new concepts, but it also gave students the opportunity to explore a pathway to helping others through STEM.  

“I like making new things from Legos. It’s challenging and I learn about science in a fun way. Robotics will help me in the future by making new things and helping others.”  
– Kamari, 6th grade
“I have been in Robotics for three years and I have enjoyed building new things. I think it will prepare me for college and for becoming an engineer. In the future I want to build things that will help people.”  
– Jasmine, 8th grade student 

In a culminating project, students built, programmed, and tested their own windmills to demonstrate their knowledge of wind turbines. Students were most excited about the renewable energy component and enjoyed seeing their windmill move when tested outside. Staff and parents can’t help but share the students’ excitement when their project succeeds! 

“I love running the Edison STEM Robotics Club, seeing the smiles and excitement from the students when they build the robots is priceless. Some kids have never built a robot when they come to robotics and by the end, they feel like they have achieved so much and are excited to continue the component and can’t wait until next year.” 
– Ron, program leader 
“My daughter comes home daily talking about what she was able to do in Robotics and was super excited to show me her progress.”  
– Tamika, parent 
Two students collaborate on a robotics project using LEGO kits and a laptop in a classroom.

Another success of the program was teaching the value of patience. Some students became frustrated if the code did not move the robot as expected. The process of trial and error made the results even more satisfying for students when everything worked correctly.  

“The primary success this year is student engagement. Students are excited for robotics and are on their best behavior when the lesson is going on. Students are here longer and even asking their parents to wait until finished.” 
– Jennifer, site coordinator 

Students, staff and parents in the Rialto, Lake Elsinore, and Val Verde School districts look forward to the coding and robotics program every year. Edison International’s support has been instrumental in the launch and expansion of these programs. We are grateful for their support in making the path to college and career that much brighter! 

Since joining the Palm Springs team, Site Coordinator Anais Bucio has hit the ground running with the vision and mission of Think Together in mind for her site, students, and community. Anais has built the foundation of a high-quality program and has maintained relationships with parents and stakeholders. Her drive to change the odds for students and commitment to service above self has flourished in creating a safe and engaging space for students to meet new friends, grow, and learn. We are thrilled to share more about Anais with you! 
What is your “why?” for working at Think Together?  

My “why” for working at Think Together is simply the kids. I take my responsibility to provide an enriching program to students very seriously. I love the quote, “be the person you needed when you were younger.” It influences every decision I make for our kids in Think Together. Whether it’s helping students with their homework or checking in with a student who may not be having a good day…every action impacts our students. 

How do you feel you are changing the odds for kids? 

I feel that I am changing the odds for kids by showing up and working to improve the quality of our program. The students at our school are predominantly Hispanic, and many of our students have Spanish-speaking only parents who may not be able to help them academically when they go home. Growing up having immigrant parents, I often see myself and my family in these families. Offering support, especially to this community, makes my work much more important to me. 

How do you see Think Together benefiting your community? 

As I mentioned, I had many of the same experiences as our students at Agua Caliente Elementary growing up. Because of this, I feel that I am much more connected to the kids and understand the challenges that they and their families often face. Despite those challenges, I can see that our students and families are very resilient and feed off the positive environment that Think Together provides.  

Is there a student story that has stuck with you? 

I have so many happy memories and stories! I remember one of our students told us that before she joined Think Together, she was sad most of the time. But, once she was in Think Together, it brought her happiness, and she was glad she was with us.  

What do you and your team hope to accomplish this year at Agua Caliente Elementary? 

I hope my team and I can practice empathy and positive reinforcement. I want to make sure we continue to provide a compassionate environment for our students.  

What is one area professionally that you want to grow this year? 

I want to grow professionally in coaching my program leaders this year. I would also like to see our students exercise leadership and have an even more inclusive environment for our students. 

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

I am passionate about fashion. I love going to thrift stores, seeing what I find, and styling outfits with what I pick out. I could spend hours on fashion! I also love going to concerts with my partner and friends. 

Thank you, Anais, for changing the odds for kids!

Think Together not only helps change the odds for students but also for their families. For Cristian, enrolling her daughter in Think Together provided her with the extra hours she needed to go back to school and finish her manicuring license program. She knew that Think Together would support her daughter’s educational needs, so that Cristian could pursue her own goals. Cristian recently completed the 400-hour nail care course at Savvy Beauty Academy and is currently studying to take the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology license examination before the end of the year.

“I’m looking towards the future for my girls and that’s the reason I’m thankful for the afterschool program because I’m actually able to do it. Before Think Together, I didn’t have the time to go back to school, so it helps me a lot that she’s [Mayra] in the afterschool program.”

Cristian’s oldest daughter, Mayra, is 13 years old living with a disability. During the school day, Mayra works with a 1:1 aid to learn, interact and maneuver throughout her classes. When Mayra checks into Think Together, she’s learning how to navigate and stay on track with her tasks on her own. At the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, Mayra was mostly non-speaking.

Between the school day and her extra hours of learning at Think Together, that’s starting to change. Cristian, Think Together Site Coordinator Elizabeth De La Cruz, and the special education staff at the school have worked closely together to create a strong foundation for Mayra to thrive. Mayra is becoming more social, more independent, is reaching her goals and is an expert at reminding other students of the four Think Together agreements.

Think Together is committed to building inclusive programs where all students have the support and structures to grow. We partner with schools and parents like Cristian to come up with a plan of communication to ensure that Mayra is experiencing success and mastering new skills. At Think Together Mayra builds relationships with caring program leaders who help her set and achieve learning goals.

Cristian shared how it is challenging to have a child with a disability. Not every program accepts students like Mayra, which has been an obstacle for Cristian and her goal to secure her license for manicuring. To have a school that is willing to work and figure out the best ways for Mayra to learn and feel comfortable gives Cristian peace of mind while she is pursuing her education.

“[Mayra] loves people, she loves being around people. She likes to participate in things, and she comes home happy most days. The program is stretching her out of her comfort zone, and I can see she is having fun.”

During the summer, Mayra was enrolled in her school’s Think Summer program. The program ran from 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. which has allowed Cristian to enroll in more classes and finish the program. Her site’s Summer program was a 90’s theme and had student dance-offs, catching up on school curriculum, and learning new things during enrichment activities. The biggest benefit of Think Summer for Mayra was the ability to stay in an academic routine ahead of the new 2022-23 school year.

The skills Mayra is gaining in her time at school and at Think Together will allow her to be more independent at home, able to communicate better, and not be as reliant on her phone or tablet. All of which will help her in her future.

This year, Mayra is starting 8th grade. On top of her own goals, Cristian shares what she hopes Mayra will accomplish this year.

“This year, I hope she’ll know her ABCs by heart without doubting herself. I would love for her to not doubt herself. When she grows her self-confidence, I hope to see her grow into writing words. I would love to see that.”

Think Together is thrilled to watch Mayra grow and be a part of her and Cristian’s journey.

As Think Together celebrates 25 years in operation, the nonprofit looks to hire more talent than ever amid transformational growth in expanded learning and afterschool

Santa Ana, Calif. (October 3, 2022) – Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of school improvement, expanded learning and afterschool programs, today announced it has hired four new leaders to its program and field operations teams: Susan Metcalf, Executive General Manager of Program Operations; Jacqueline Licardie as Executive General Manager of Field Operations; Jesse Durkin as General Manager of Santa Fe Springs region; and Christopher Miree as General Manager of Riverside County region.

Each of these leaders have extensive experience within the K-12 education and expanded learning spaces and come to Think Together amid ongoing expansion due to new and renewed investments from state, federal and private channels.

“As Think Together continues to experience tremendous growth in the expanded learning space, we are excited to welcome these new leaders to the organization,” said Think Together Founder and CEO Randy Barth. “This kind of infusion of external talent will help Think Together usher in another 25 years of serving more than 2 million students in need of academic and enrichment support.”

Executive General Manager Susan Metcalf will oversee data and evaluation, family and community engagement as well as purchasing and production. Metcalf began her two-decade career in public education as an English and English Language Development teacher for eight years. After teaching, Susan became a site administrator for the next 12 years, including serving as an elementary and middle school principal.  

Executive General Manager Jacqueline Licardie joins Think Together leading field operations of the organization’s San Bernardino, San Gabriel Valley, and Southeast Los Angeles and Orange County regions. Jacqueline comes to Think Together from After-School All-Stars where she most recently served as the Interim Chief Executive Officer. Prior to her role at After-School All-Stars, she held various program roles including Traveling Supervisor and Program Coach for LA’s BEST.

General Manager Jesse Durkin will lead the Santa Fe Springs region, which currently serves students enrolled in Think Together afterschool and expanded learning programs in Bassett Unified, El Rancho Unified, Little Lake City School District and Mountain View School District in El Monte. Durkin comes to Think Together from City Year, where as the Senior Program Director he oversaw City Year’s in-class and expanded learning programs at 25 LAUSD schools, managing six directors, 25 managers, and more than 400 full-time AmeriCorps members over 4 years.

General Manager Christopher Miree will serve as one of two general managers leading the organization’s Riverside County region. Miree has spent his entire career serving students within the afterschool and youth program sector holding a variety of roles including Program Counselor, Assistant Director, and Program Director. Prior to joining Think Together, he served as an Executive Director at the San Bernardino Family YMCA, where he led branch operations, including 39 afterschool sites in the San Bernardino City Unified School District

“We’re so happy to have these educators leading our program and field and operations teams to take Think Together to the next level of evolution for our organization,” said Deputy Chief of Programs and Operations Natalia Flores. “We’re hiring for new roles across the board and I’m confident their vast experience in expanded learning will sustain our best-in-class programs throughout our organization.”

Think Together currently partners with school districts and charter management organizations to provide more than 900 academic and enrichment programs outside of the school day. After two years of pandemic-related school disruptions, students are experiencing a great need for rich afterschool and expanded learning programs like the ones Think Together operates at more than 450 school sites across California.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Education reported a dramatic decline in scores from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) underscoring the need for academic support for youth. Two decades of growth in reading and math were sent into a downward spiral, with declines much steeper for students already at lower performance levels, widening learning disparities between the country’s high- and low-achievers. 

Think Together aims to reverse this trend and recently acquired Orenda Education, a top school improvement consultancy firm, to provide both direct-to-student support as well as data-driven professional development services for school district leaders and educators.

With this sustained growth, Think Together continues to recruit purpose-driven talent and has since scaled its workforce to more than 4,000 full- and part-time staff members serving in school site and administrative roles.

Learn more about Think Together at thinktogether.org.

About Think Together

For over 25 years Think Together has partnered with schools and communities to pursue educational equity and excellence for all kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements, and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students. Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org. 

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