On October 29, The Big Lift welcomed educators, partners, and community members to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Community Space in Redwood City for the Fall Knowledge Network Convening. The day reflected The Big Lift’s ongoing commitment to early literacy.
The convening brought together those who nurture San Mateo County’s youngest learners, reminding everyone that reading is not just a skill but a bridge to belonging, confidence, and lifelong opportunity. Participants from across the County attended, creating a rich space for shared learning and collaboration.
Workshop Highlights
Throughout the day, participants engaged in workshops that offered practical tools and strategies to support children’s learning and well-being.
Andrea Burnett of the San Mateo County Office of Education led a session on “Supporting Boys of Color”. The session explored how these biased perceptions can hinder long-term academic and personal experiences. Participants left with a deeper awareness of these challenges and a renewed sense of responsibility to apply compassion, intentionality, and daily supportive practices to encourage young learners.
In a companion morning workshop, Susan Andrien, founder of Hope Reimagined, introduced participants to the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their powerful impact on learning, behavior, and long-term health. Educators explored how trauma can influence student development and what it means to create classrooms grounded in safety, stability, and care. Andrien brought her extensive experience in trauma-informed, healing-centered practices to help educators understand how they can buffer toxic stress and foster resilience.
Afternoon sessions built on these themes of connection and well-being. Andrien returned to lead “Somatic Regulation for Educators”, offering tools such as movement, breathwork, and grounding practices to support both students and teachers. Meanwhile, Gretchen Livesey from the Center for Whole-Child Education led a powerful session on literacy as a critical equity issue. Participants examined the national landscape, where only one-third of students currently read at proficient levels and explored why literacy efforts must go beyond foundational skills to address the needs of the whole learner. Livesey shared practical tools and frameworks to help educators design literacy experiences that honor students’ identities, interests, and social-emotional development.
Strengthening the Early Learning Community
The convening reflected The Big Lift’s ongoing commitment to supporting educators with practical tools, shared learning, and collaboration. As one attendee shared, “Thank you so much for this. It touched me professionally and personally. It was very impactful!” By focusing on both literacy and social-emotional development, the event reinforced a collective goal: help every child in San Mateo County learn, grow, and flourish.