Christa Koppuzha
Berkeley,California
Summary
Education policy and research professional with experience across school districts, advocacy organizations, county offices of education, and research centers. Former classroom educator with strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, specializing in translating complex data into actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers. Proven track record of leading educator-centered initiatives, advancing equity-focused policy solutions, and engaging diverse stakeholders to improve access to prepared, supported teachers.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Educator Engagement Associate
Education Trust-West
Oakland, CA
05.2024 - Current
- Directed Educator Advisory Council of eight active educators and twelve alumni, overseeing recruitment, scope development, and meeting facilitation to enhance professional development in policy advocacy. Integrated educator input into broader policy and research initiatives, connecting educators to legislators and advocacy opportunities.
- Led Community of Practice across two community colleges to improve data collection and policy support for parenting students. Expanded second cohort to six public colleges and over 60 college faculty, developing and facilitating six sessions that guided participants in identifying educational challenges, analyzing root causes, and crafting actionable policy alternatives.
- Managed Teacher Effectiveness workstream to elevate transparency and understanding of teacher preparedness data. Designed and facilitated four webinars with partners, illustrating key findings on disparities in access to prepared teachers.
Research and Data Analyst
Education Trust-West
Oakland, CA
06.2022 - 05.2024
- Co-led the Diverse and Effective Educators Policy Area; researched, presented, and submitted potential legislation; facilitate monthly meetings; serve as a representative for several coalitions, co-planned summit of 150 educators, policymakers, and researchers to create a statewide vision for diversifying the teacher workforce.
- Researched and authored three fact sheets for the 'Teachers We Need' campaign, a public initiative that highlighted the critical demand for bilingual, well-prepared, and diverse educators.
- Created an interactive data tool analyzing the distribution of teaching assignments and student demographics across the state.
- Conduct quantitative analysis in R for a variety of issue areas and develop interactive data tools, including engagements with partner school districts, teacher assignment data, and teacher demographic data.
- Serve as the Research Team Lead in a school district engagement; facilitate focus groups with students, teachers, administrators, and parents, pair qualitative and quantitative data to illuminate key findings and generate recommendations.
- Promoted transparency of teacher demographic data during meetings with state partners.
- Participated in an intensive, six-month long course hosted by the School Finance Equity Training Center of Bellwether Education Partners; modeled the LCFF in an interactive dashboard to explore policy alternatives and further resource equity.
- Support in the creation of fundamental research team processes and documents.
Graduate Student Researcher
UC Berkeley Center for Cities and Schools
Berkeley, CA
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Used R to assist with data analysis and wrote policy briefs to inform State of California legislative discussions on school facility construction finance reforms.
- Compiled a literature review on the effect of school facilities on education outcomes, student health, sustainable schools, district budgets, and community impact.
Graduate Student Instructor
UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy
Berkeley, CA
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Facilitated two weekly sections on fundamental concepts of public policy analysis, employing diverse instructional strategies to enhance student understanding.
Fellow at Office of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and The Oakland REACH
Urban Leaders Fellowship
Oakland, CA
06.2021 - 08.2021
- Joined Teachers Rooted in Oakland Project under Office of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf to create affordable housing options for teachers; conducted focus groups, synthesized housing application process, and researched incentives for landlords and developers to enhance accessibility.
- Developed performance management system for The Oakland REACH and facilitated summer professional development, improving staff engagement and instructional quality.
Policy Consultant, Team of Three
Alameda County Early Care and Education Program
Alameda, CA
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Conducted best practices and landscape analysis of programs and policies impacting dual language learners, informing future initiatives.
- Developed a comprehensive report synthesizing findings and outlining actionable policy recommendations for diverse stakeholders to enhance support for dual language learners in Alameda County.
Fellow
Education Trust-West
Oakland, CA
06.2020 - 08.2020
- Analyzed 22 past Equity Audits with districts and conducted interviews with Superintendents and past partners to identify key findings, bright spots, and policy recommendations across districts to create a final report. Developed a process to revisit past district partnerships and assess their growth.
School District Engagement Research Intern
Education Trust-West
Oakland, CA
11.2019 - 05.2020
- Contributed to Educator Engagement Team; supported two Systemic Equity Reviews with school districts, analyzing opportunity gaps, evaluating teaching quality, and assessing family and community engagement.
- Facilitated Blueprint Planning Process using root cause analysis in collaboration with teachers, counselors, administrators, and key stakeholders.
- Analyzed data from school districts across Bay Area, identified key findings related to equity, and assisted in creating presentations for school districts.
English Language Development Department Chair
West Contra Costa School District
Richmond, CA
08.2018 - 06.2019
- Collaborated in bi-weekly instructional leadership meetings with administration and department chairs to develop and implement a cohesive schoolwide vision.
- Facilitated bi-weekly department meetings and professional development, creating policy to enhance college eligibility rates for English Language Learners.
West Contra Costa English Language Development Teacher Leader
West Contra Costa School District
Richmond, CA
08.2018 - 06.2019
- Represented Kennedy High School, attended monthly professional development, and led sessions on strategies for English learners, enhancing instructional practices at the school site.
High School Teacher
West Contra Costa School District
Richmond, CA
08.2017 - 06.2019
- Delivered instruction in English 3, English 4, English Language Development 4, and Read180, fostering student engagement and academic growth.
- Participated in professional development on English Language Development and created a culturally relevant curriculum for English 3 teachers, integrating trauma-informed practices.
Corps Member
Teach For America
Richmond, CA
06.2017 - 06.2019
- Collaborated monthly with team of 10 corps members to develop programs, provide feedback, and enhance community engagement in Richmond region.
- Designed and led two hour-long sessions on diversity and inclusion for Institute school site, promoting awareness and understanding among participants.
Fellow
GO Public Schools West Contra Costa
Richmond, CA
06.2018 - 08.2018
- Developed research file on college eligibility and access for seven California districts, informing editorial pieces and guiding policy suggestions.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to identify key concerns within the district.
Member of College Readiness Study Team
GO Public Schools West Contra Costa
Richmond, CA
02.2018 - 03.2018
- Analyzed data during seven weekly meetings with educators, parents, and community members to develop policy suggestion for increasing student college eligibility, presented to school board.
Education
Master of Arts - Public Policy
University of California, Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy
Berkeley, CABachelor of Arts - English
University of Florida
Gainesville, FLSkills
- Policy analysis
- Data analysis and visualization
- Quantitative and qualitative research
- Program development
- Equity-centered facilitation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Project management
- R programming
- Program evaluation
Timeline
Senior Educator Engagement Associate
Education Trust-West
05.2024 - Current
Research and Data Analyst
Education Trust-West
06.2022 - 05.2024
Graduate Student Researcher
UC Berkeley Center for Cities and Schools
09.2021 - 05.2022
Graduate Student Instructor
UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy
08.2021 - 05.2022
Fellow at Office of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and The Oakland REACH
Urban Leaders Fellowship
06.2021 - 08.2021
Policy Consultant, Team of Three
Alameda County Early Care and Education Program
01.2021 - 05.2021
Fellow
Education Trust-West
06.2020 - 08.2020
School District Engagement Research Intern
Education Trust-West
11.2019 - 05.2020
English Language Development Department Chair
West Contra Costa School District
08.2018 - 06.2019
West Contra Costa English Language Development Teacher Leader
West Contra Costa School District
08.2018 - 06.2019
Fellow
GO Public Schools West Contra Costa
06.2018 - 08.2018
Member of College Readiness Study Team
GO Public Schools West Contra Costa
02.2018 - 03.2018
High School Teacher
West Contra Costa School District
08.2017 - 06.2019
Corps Member
Teach For America
06.2017 - 06.2019
Master of Arts - Public Policy
University of California, Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Florida