The California Black Educator Initiative (CBEI)

Toya Anderson serves as an elementary educator with more than 20 years experience. Toya currently teaches fifth grade with an emphasis in STEM education. In addition to her work with students, Toya mentors new teachers and supports educators district-wide with technology integration. Toya is National Board Certified, a Cotsen Foundation Alumni, and holds a dual Master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction: Elementary Math and Computer Technology Educational Leadership from California State University, Los Angeles.

Dietrich Brown is a National Board-Certified Teacher. She has been teaching for 27 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District. She has taught Kindergarten through 5th grade and is currently an ELA Interventionist at South Park Elementary School where she teaches foundational phonics and reading skills to first and second graders. She is a proud graduate of UCLA where she majored in Sociology. She received her teaching credential from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and her Administrative Credential in Education. She is a mother of one son and a grandmother of three. Her hobbies include traveling abroad, roller skating, reading and of course teaching.

Barry Thomas has been teaching English for over ten years at Young Oak Kim Academy Middle school in Los Angeles, California. He received his bachelor’s degree in English Education at California State University Long Beach and his master’s degree in Teaching Pedagogy, along with his teaching credential at USC. He obtained National Board Certification in December of 2021. He has served as English Department Chair for seven years at his school and is currently mentoring new teachers through LAUSD’s Teacher Growth Induction Program (TGI).

Courtney Magala has taught secondary English in South Los Angeles for 10 years. She earned a BA in English literature from La Sierra University and a M.Ed from UCLA. In addition to taking on teacher-leadership roles during her teaching career, she became a National Board candidate in 2024 and is eagerly awaiting the results of her submissions. Courtney is passionate about building classroom relationships and encouraging students to be advocates for their education and their communities.

Gregory just entered his tenth year of teaching secondary English. He currently teaches Honors 9th grade and AP Language and Composition at King Drew Medical Magnet High School. He provides teachers with professional development under the Black Student Achievement umbrella. He is Kagan certified, has served as an Academic English and Mastery Standard English Learner (SEL) Coach, and has helped many English Learners reclassify. In the spring of 2023, he taught a methods class for novice English teachers at Cal State Dominguez Hills. At the moment, he is avidly awaiting his NBC results. He completed his undergraduate degree in Rhetorical Studies and Music Industry Business from Syracuse University. He obtained his teaching credential and master’s in Education Administration from Cal State Dominguez Hills. Furthermore, he is a proud product of LAUSD, graduating from Washington Preparatory Math/Science Magnet in 2001 under the tutelage of the late Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte. Lastly, he enjoys karaoke, amusement parks, music festivals, travel, and intimate time with family and friends.

Myesha Cheatham has taught elementary education for 10 years. She is a proud graduate of UCLA where she earned a BA in Sociology and Afro-American Studies. She also received her teaching credential and a M.Ed from UCLA. In addition to teaching, she has worked with the UCLA Mathematics project where she was a Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) Math coach. She also has served as the Mainstream English Language Development Coordinator. She became a National Board Candidate in 2023 and is eagerly awaiting the results of her submissions. Additionally, she is a mom and her hobbies include watching sports, traveling, and teaching her 2nd graders. 😀