(L-R) Top row: Laura Mickens and Lawton Gray. Bottom row: Niki Elliott, Dominick Correy, and Annie Oelschlager (Photos – PEF)
Five new members have joined Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) Board of Directors: Dominick Correy, Niki Elliott, Lawton Gray, Laura Mickens, and Annie Oelschlager.
By News Desk
The election was held at the April 21, 2020 Board of Directors meeting via Zoom and new board members officially began their tenure at the June 24, 2020 Annual Board Meeting.
PEF Board President Felita Kealing, said:
The Pasadena Educational Foundation is excited to add five outstanding individuals with diverse skills and backgrounds to our Board of Directors. Their expertise, energy, strength, and professional experiences will be great assets to our leadership in these complicated times in supporting public education. We are honored Dominick, Niki, Lawton, Laura, and Annie have selected to serve on the PEF Board and we look forward to their contributions.
Bios
Dominick Correy is a true product of Pasadena. He was born and raised in Pasadena with his younger brother by their single mother. He attended Hamilton Elementary, Wilson Middle School, and Pasadena High School.
After a brief stint of being incarcerated, and homeless, Dominick decided to change his life. He started to work at Learning Works Charter School as a chaser. He literally chased kids back to school. While working at Learning Works, Dominick went back to school. He received his Associates degree at Pasadena City College and transferred to Cal Poly Pomona where he received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Ethnic and Women’s Studies. For ten years Dominick has helped hundreds of students obtain their high school diploma and stay out of the trouble. He has a deep passion for transforming the lives of youth.
Since January 2017, Dominick has served State Senator Anthony Portantino as his District Representative. Dominick has a 13-year-old daughter who attends PUSD.
Niki Elliott, PhD is a clinical professor of education at the University of La Verne’s La Fetra College of Education. She currently serves as Co-Director of the Center for Neurodiversity, Learning and Wellness, and is an author, speaker, and trainer in the fields of mindfulness, holistic education and healing-centered engagement. An experienced educator, Dr. Niki has taught students of all ages, from elementary school through university level over the past 25 years. She presently teaches educational neurobiology, neurodiversity and mindfulness for graduate students earning a master’s degree in Special Education. She is a staunch advocate for students with special needs and learning differences.
Dr. Elliot earned a bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley, a master’s degree and teaching credential at Teachers College, Columbia University and a PhD in Education from UCLA. In addition, she has studied holistic wellness techniques for almost twenty years, and is certified to teach yoga, breath work, mindfulness meditation, and mind/body energy healing.
Lawton Gray, EdD began his educational career 23 years ago teaching mathematics at Pasadena High School. Dr. Gray later joined the Temple City Unified School District and became Dean of Students then Assistant Principal. The next stop in his career was as principal of Oak Avenue Intermediate School in Temple City. While there Dr. Gray expanded the science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) offerings for students.
In May of 2017, Dr. Gray was selected to lead his alma mater, John Muir High School. Dr. Gray later in the year completed his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California. He has a Master’s degree in Education Leadership from Point Loma Nazarene University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Morehouse College. In June 2005, Dr. Gray was appointed to the California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) Advisory Committee, and currently serves as the chair.
Laura Mickens is the Director of Technical Marketing Communications in the Optical Solutions Group at Synopsys Inc. in Pasadena. She has over 25 years of experience developing documentation and marketing materials for software products and currently oversees her group’s strategic marketing, social media and public relations. Laura is a graduate of Oberlin College and she and her husband Michael have one son, Myles, who attended PUSD schools K-12 from Don Benito through Marshall Fundamental. Myles graduated with honors from Marshall and is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota. They were active supporters of the Marshall music department.
Annie Oelschlager and her husband, Jonathan Hennessey, have lived in Sierra Madre for twelve years. Their two daughters attend Sierra Madre Elementary School. Annie served as president of the board at the Sierra Madre Community Nursery School, where she also led the search committee for the school’s new director and chaired the school’s major fundraiser – the auction – three times. She also hosted various other school fundraisers in her home.
At Sierra Madre Elementary, she volunteers weekly in both of her children’s classrooms and has served as a Girl Scout leader and troop cookie chair. She and her husband also host the annual thank you party for donors to the school’s annual fund.
Prior to becoming a parent, Annie worked in LA as a producer and director of independent film and theater. Locally, she directed a feature documentary chronicling a year in the life of the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association and its team of volunteers. Annie is a graduate of Pomona College.
Source: PEF
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