ERIN GORDON GRADY, M.A, PhD (abd)

A lifelong learner, researcher and advocate for children and families, I have worked in program development and evaluation; trained and mentored educators; served as an advocate, advisor and consultant; been a college faculty member; and authored educational curricula, grants, academic publications, and presentations. As a college advisor and counselor, I guide students toward identifying their sense of purpose and direction and help them to create their own opportunities to meet personal educational goals and aspirations. I am passionate about sharing information and resources to ensure that students have access to whatever is needed to explore, secure, and pursue their educational dreams.  

As an undergraduate at Texas Christian University, I was an involved community member in many clubs on campus, president of my sorority and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a double major in Psychology and English. Interested in developmental psychology and research, I continued my education and work experience in educational settings, earning a MA in Child Development and Family Relationships from the University of Texas at Austin, the graduate student research award and excellence in teaching distinction. After working in a community based non-profit educational setting, I attended University of California, Irvine in the doctoral program in Psychology and Social Behavior with an emphasis in Developmental Psychology and minors in Criminology and Child Psychopathology. My path into educational consulting stemmed from my own authentic exploration of my interests, skills, and future professional goals. This self exploration has enabled me to work throughout my career with passionate and dedicated professionals serving children and their families.

Since moving to Manhattan Beach 15 years ago, I have been involved extensively in the local educational community serving as an elementary school PTA President, middle and high school PTA VP of Programs, legislative representative, active board member of two Mira Costa athletics booster clubs, as well as a member of the District Advisory Council, Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, and the Social-Emotional Wellness Committee and school site council yearly program evaluation for the high school. I also was involved in the Challenge Success program, a partnership with Stanford University Graduate School of Education aimed to decrease stress and create healthier school environments, and the development and launch of the district-wide Makerspace. 

As an educational consultant, I have worked in a wide variety of organizational settings, including: WestEd, California Department of Education, UCLA Department of Education, First5LA, Los Angeles Universal Preschool, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Culver City Unified School District, El Camino Community College Child Development Department, and various private and public childcare and school age educational programs. My passion for supporting students and families, being a community resource in the field of education, and my personal experience as a parent inspired me to assist other students and families through their own educational journeys into higher education.  I received a Graduate Certificate in College Advising and Career Planning from University of California, Berkeley, completing a practicum in college counseling at Notre Dame Academy. Specific to guiding student athletes, I also completed the Advising the College-Bound Student Athlete certificate program, as well as the National Association for College Admission Counseling program in the Student-Athlete Advising Process. As a researcher and writer of numerous academic papers, presentations, and publications, I bring this expertise to assist my students in developing and writing college essays. 

Most importantly, I am a parent of two student athletes, one in middle school and one living his dream of playing football, while attending Bucknell University and pursuing his own educational goals.

Contact
Innovative.Education.Partners@gmail.com
310.428.1292