Adrian Lizardo '17, M.Ed. '18

Adrian Lizardo '17, M.Ed. '18, was chosen by the Knowles Teacher Initiative as a member of its 2019 Cohort of Teaching Fellows. This year, 37 promising high school mathematics and science teachers who are just beginning their careers were awarded Knowles Teaching Fellowships.

Lizardo began teaching at South East High School in South Gate, Calif., during the 2018–2019 school year. He is committed to teaching biology to high school students in the U.S. During graduate school, while earning his M.Ed., Adrian taught at the UCLA Community School and it was there that he saw restorative justice in action. Throughout the year, he held community circles with students and worked on building classroom community and rapport.

The Knowles Teacher Initiative supports a national network of mathematics and science teachers who are collaborative, innovative leaders improving education for all students in the United States. The Knowles Teaching Fellowship is an intensive and cohesive, five-year program that supports early-career, high school mathematics and science teachers in their efforts to develop teaching expertise and lead from the classroom. Through the program, Knowles Fellows have access to grants for expenses associated with purchasing classroom materials, engaging in professional development and spearheading leadership activities that have an impact beyond their own classrooms. Fellows also benefit from access to stipends, mentoring and coaching from experienced teachers and teacher educators and membership in a nationwide community of more than 400 teachers who are committed to improving education.

Lizardo earned his bachelor's degree in ecology, behavior and evolution.