Welcome to
THE Whole Child Institute
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.
Help Tom and The Whole Child Institute make a difference!
Exciting Middle School Students About
hands-on learning and Careers in the Building Trades
To fully realize a skilled and diverse building trades workforce in the years to come, successful outreach to middle schoolers will make a valuable impact in attracting new workers to the building industry. Additionally, for students to whom a four-year college education may not be the most appropriate or attainable option, the benefits of apprentice programs and subsequent union careers can be life-changing for themselves, their families and communities.
Whole Child Institute partnership
with The Toolbox Project
The TWCI and The Toolbox Project Middle school pilot program partnership is exploring the power of a dedicated in-depth Human Development Course with lessons delivered several times per week in an “elective” or designated “advisory” period. This Human Development Course represents a paradigm shift —addressing the missing piece in middle schools — to help close ongoing cultural/societal equal opportunity and achievement gaps.
This partnership is an important opportunity to advance the Whole Child Institute’s mission to identify, develop, and serve as a catalyst to successfully scale innovative/proven, whole-child and whole-community solutions to key challenges facing public school students in California and beyond.
Whole Child Institute Founding Partner
Commentary By
TOM TORLAKSON AND JACQUELYN OLLISON
Labor and management must work together
to improve teacher wellness in California
Mental Health Awareness Month is celebrated in May, but in terms of solving California’s teacher shortage and retention challenges, it should be celebrated every month.
Tom’s Team
Advisory and Board Members
Founder, Greater Good Science Center
Professor of Psychology, UC Berkeley
Professor of Psychology and
co-director of UC Relationship and Social Cognition Laboratory, UC Berkeley
CEO of the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE)
Former School Principal
Arron Jiron
Social entrepreneur and strategic advisor to foundations, unions,
and the nonprofit sector
Associate Professor, Chicano/Latino Studies and
Ph.D., Social-Personality Psychology / UC Irvine
Dean of USC Rossier School of Education
Previous Director of UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools
Jason Spencer
Green Light Get Outside – Director, Education Strategist and Trainer;
Principal Advisor to Tom at CDE (2010-2018) *
Michael Marcus
Sports Marketing Professional & Television Producer, including 15 years with Shriver/Kennedy non-profit; pro bono advisor to Tom at CDE *
Dr. Magaly Lavadenz
Director, Center for Equity for English Learners (CEEL) and Distinguished Professor of English Learner Policy, Research and Practice / Loyola Marymount University
*(TWCI Board Director)
Dr. Jacquelyn Ollison
Director, Center For Research on Expanding
Educational Opportunity – UC Berkeley*
Founder of the Glen Price Group, supporting public and nonprofit organizations in the education field; Tom’s Chief Deputy Superintendent (2015-2018) *
Equity and Inclusion Professional; Family Involvement & CommunityEngagement Programs Coordinator Alameda Unified School District
Whole Child Partners
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 342
UA Local 342
Boilermakers Local #549
Pittsburg, CA
Ironworkers #378
Benicia, CA
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
IBEW 302
Whole Child Gold Sponsors
We would also like to thank
DONATE
The Whole Child Institute enthusiastically welcomes like-minded individuals and organizations to join us in our critical work to create positive change benefitting California students, their families, and communities.
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