Dr. Cassandra Villa is the Equity District Coordinator TOSA (teacher on special assignment) for Downey Unified Public Schools. She has also served as the district cultural proficiency coordinator and facilitator, adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, and high school teacher at Warren High School in Downey, CA. She received her PhD from Claremont Graduate University in 2017 with a focus on Education Urban Leadership. Dr. Villa has also worked in large charter management organizations in South Los Angeles and Watts as an English department chair, instructional lead, and a common core implementation coach.

In Downey Unified public schools, she is working with fellow educators to build collective efficacy and support systems in and outside of the classroom. She serves as a member of the human relations steering committee council committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion working closely with the superintendent and fellow colleagues throughout the district to develop and create a district equity plan. She has also served on the union executive board as the former high school director for the Downey Education Association to support CTA members at her school site. Her current focus is on developing and facilitating professional development for educators committed to culturally responsive teaching through a culturally proficient lens.

Recently, she has joined Pepperdine’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology as adjunct professor in the Master of Arts Teaching program. Through Scholar System, she has been a speaker and presenter at various professional development trainings and continues to connect and collaborate with other critical educators and non-profit leaders across the nation. Her ultimate passion is to continue her lifelong career and commitment to serve students, create more equitable spaces for all, and provide the youth with the tools with which to navigate and impact society and the world. As a Pacoima, California native and first-generation college student from humble beginnings and a hard-working family, she is committed to creating opportunities for all students and leading with love.