About

Our Story

Innovative Education Partners was founded with the mission of supporting and guiding students toward pursuing their personal and educational goals. Our work is informed by developmental psychology and an understanding of how students can thrive when we consider and integrate all aspects and influences from their social, cultural, educational, and larger community environments. We strive to develop collaborative and impactful relationships with our clients by partnering with parents, teachers, coaches, counselors, and others significant to students' lives to obtain the best educational and personal outcomes. We help students learn about themselves and teach them to reflect on their interests, ideas, and experiences. Our students are empowered to become their own best advocates while creating a unique, individualized pathway to their future. Engaging fully in educational and service endeavors that are personally meaningful, enjoyable, and impactful for the larger community are core principles of our work.

Committed to community impact, we are proud to be a Presidential Volunteer Service Award Certifying Organization. The Presidential Volunteer Service Award is sponsored by AmeriCorps, the federal agency that supports volunteering efforts throughout the United States, and honors outstanding volunteers and their meaningful involvement in their communities.

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

PhD (abd), Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine
MA, Child Development and Family Relationships, University of Texas, Austin
BA/BS, English and Psychology, Texas Christian University
Certification in College Advising and Career Planning, University of California, Berkeley
Certifications in College Advising for the Student-Athlete, Student Athlete Advisors & National Association for College Admission Counseling

MORE ABOUT ME

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 high school and 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, helping 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 the 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.

I received a Graduate Certificate in College Advising and Career Planning from the University of California, Berkeley, including a practicum in college counseling at Notre Dame Academy High School in Los Angeles. Specific to guiding student athletes, I 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.

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. 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.

Since moving to Manhattan Beach 16 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, 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.

Most importantly, I am a parent of two developing young people whose interests and curiosities continue to fascinate and amaze me every day. My younger son is a freshman in high school, aspiring sports and lifestyle photographer, basketball player, and avid recreational golfer. My oldest is living his dream of playing football, while attending Bucknell University, being an active member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and pursuing his own educational goals.

Giving Back

We volunteer to provide pro bono college counseling services to underserved students in the greater Los Angeles community on a case-by-case basis. A founding principal is to support students who would appreciate and could benefit from working with a college counselor.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Innovative.Education.Partners@gmail.com
310.428.1292