Dr. Kai Mathews is our Interim Executive Director and former Urban Ed Board Member, as well as a Research Director at UCLA’s Center for the Transformation of Schools. In this position, she leads a statewide project aimed at diversifying the educator pipeline.
Dr. Kai (as her students call her) has dedicated her life to creating innovative and equitable learning environments for all students. She is an educator, researcher, and creative strategist who is passionate about liberatory pedagogies and structures in K-12 education. With over 12 years of practice work and research experience with students, teachers, families, and administrators around the country, her areas of expertise and passions include educational equity & justice; culturally sustaining pedagogy; social justice education, Project-Based Learning (PBL); Universal Design for Learning (UDL); Blended Learning(BL); and Design Thinking.
As a former 8th grade humanities teacher at High Tech Middle, Chula Vista, Dr. Kai prides herself in creating immersive, interdisciplinary, project-based learning environments that push, uplift, and teach the whole child and allows students to engage in critical inquiry, social advocacy, and divergent dialogue. She is the founder of The Liberatory Classroom, a space that provides on-demand, online learning opportunities for educators who want to see their students thrive in and outside the classroom.
Dr. Kai has a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with a specialization in K-12 education from the University of San Diego, an M.A. in Communication from Ellis University, and a B.A. in English with a minor in Creative Writing from Spelman College.
Darius Fequiere is the Senior Director of Impact & Learning at Urban Ed Academy. In this role, he leads efforts to measure and enhance the organization’s educational impact. Darius brings extensive experience in education and program evaluation, ensuring that Urban Ed Academy’s initiatives positively influence students’ lives. His commitment to equity and innovation drives his work, as he collaborates with educators, families, and communities to create meaningful learning experiences. Darius holds a master’s degree in education policy and has worked in various educational settings, advocating for student success and educational justice.
Darius Fequiere’s role as Senior Director of Impact & Learning at Urban Ed Academy involves measuring and enhancing educational impact. His commitment to equity and innovation drives his work, collaborating with educators, families, and communities to create meaningful learning experiences. Darius holds a master’s degree in education policy and has extensive experience in program evaluation and advocating for student success and educational justice. In his spare time Darius enjoys anything on two-wheels, a good dj set, and quality time spent with family.
Jacqueline (she/her) is a development and marketing professional, dynamic and empathetic leader, and community-centric fundraiser who leverages her commitment to social justice and educational equity in her fundraising. As an avid learner – constantly implementing a growth mindset – she has explored several fundraising specialties throughout her career, including individual giving, special events, foundation and corporate giving, volunteer and board management, communications and marketing, donor database implementation and optimization, and staff and team management.
Jacqueline is most inspired when fostering relationships and building connections between people and the incredible organizations moving the work and society forward. She leverages her love of community building, strategic thinking, attention to detail, and data- and process-driven skillset to scale an organization’s impact and reach. Before joining Urban Ed Academy, she was proud to contribute to the education and workforce development space with organizations like TEAM Inc., Community Schools Learning Exchange, RepresentEd, SEO Scholars, SIT World Learning, and others. Beyond her career, Jacqueline loves traveling to try new foods and learn languages, starting DIY household projects, and exploring the outdoors with her Boston Terrier, Pipoca. She is a proud Santa Fe New Mexican, received her Bachelor’s at the University of Denver, and has called San Francisco home since 2014.
Office
1485 Bayshore Blvd.
Suite 317, MB 187
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 330–1015
Overview
Resources
