Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1491904
" I T ' S E X C I T I N G and inv igoratin g to do thi s w ork," say s Elizabeth Kocharian, a Bell Gardens High School teacher on partial-release time working as a community schools coor- dinator for Montebello Teachers Association. " We all know the challenges our families are facing but now we have the opportunity to help them." e movement to build transformative community schools continues to grow in districts throughout California, thanks to resources from the state's landmark $4.1 billion investment and the efforts of educators and their local associations. With the first round of planning and implementation grants awarded in May 2022, school districts are developing and enacting plans to By Julian Peeples Illustrations by Audrey Chan Building a Movement in School Communities 16 cta.org Feature C O M M U N I T Y S C H O O L S