The mission of the Torlakson Whole Child Institute is to identify, develop, and serve as a catalyst to successfully scale innovative, whole-child and whole-community solutions to key challenges facing California public school students.  Presently, the Institute’s main emphasis centers on supporting students, their families and educators at the middle school level.

The Institute was founded by Tom Torlakson, Former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (2011 to 2019). Tom has been an educator and elected official for over 40 years and has always kept the benefit of California’s children at the forefront of his priorities and public service. This depth of experience began for Tom as a high school teacher and track coach,  as well as a community college instructor.

Among his many educational accomplishments, Tom created middle and high school initiatives which led to greatly expanded career technical education, hands-on learning and biliteracy programs.  He also established very successful after-school and summer learning initiatives, both national leaders today. In the budgetary arena, Tom fought to restore cuts to childcare, early learning and mental health funding. Tom’s leadership role — championing the whole child approach to teaching and learning —  resulted in significantly higher graduation rates as Tom led the way in designing and implementing new reforms.

A hallmark of Tom’s career and approach has always been teamwork. The Whole Child Institute will continue this emphasis on collaboration to transform challenges into opportunities through innovative solutions.