LARCHMONT LEARNING LAB
Join us as we take a deep dive into the mission and model
of award-winning Larchmont Charter School.
Visit our campuses
Tour, Experience, Engage
Tour our award winning campuses and experience Larchmont Charter School’s model in real-time. Experience the power of our model, which is grounded in strong, positive and inclusive classroom communities where every student is seen, known, carries a sense of belonging and fosters agency.
Learn first-hand about Larchmont’s mission and model for building community and positive classroom culture. This strand is particularly impactful for educators seeking to strengthen student engagement and a sense of belonging, improve attendance, reduce chronic truancy, and increase student achievement.
After visiting their classes, participate in a panel with the Larchmont lead teachers for an opportunity to engage in an open discussion that includes time to debrief, ask questions, and reflect on what you've learned. Leave inspired and empowered with resources and new ideas to try in any classroom setting. A continental breakfast and hearty Edible School Yard lunch will be provided.
All educators and school leaders who attend any of the campus Learning Labs are invited to return on March 5, 2025 to attend our all-staff Professional Development Day that includes in-depth workshops led by our own Larchmont Charter teachers
Join the Professional Learning Community
Connect Monthly With Fellow Educators
Join our monthly online Professional Learning Community (PLC). All who attend the Larchmont Learning Lab session at our Wilshire campus have the opportunity to reconnect with fellow Learning Lab participants along with LCS school leaders and lead teachers from the Wilshire campus session. These PLCs equip participants with a toolkit of best practices and an action plan to strengthen community and positive classroom culture at their school. This is a PLC that is truly meant to support and build community among its participants.
PLC - Professional Learning Community
MEET OUR PLC FACILITATORS
Cindy Flores
First Grade Teacher
Cindy was born and raised in Los Angeles. She received her Bachelors from UC Riverside. She later attended Cal State Los Angeles to acquire her Masters in Sociology. Additionally, she attended Pacific Oaks College where she earned her multi-subject teaching credential and her Masters in Education. She has been part of the Larchmont community since 2021, when she began her student teaching. Since then she's had many roles including instructional aide, associate teacher, and long-term substitute. This year will be her third year as a lead teacher, and is teaching 1st grade.
When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her two dogs Wrigley and Honey. She loves a good cup of coffee, traveling, running, baking, and going to Disneyland. She loves watching all sports, but especially football.
Sara Lev
TOSA
(Teacher On Special Assignment)
For nearly two decades, Sara has been committed to cultivating learning environments that foster joy and independence for all, especially our youngest learners. As a long-time early childhood educator, she has worked as a classroom teacher, teacher-leader and instructional coach in a variety of school settings (TK-12). Sara currently works at Larchmont as a Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) where her role includes instructional coaching TK-12, developing and facilitating PD, and supporting Universal PreK (UPK) at both elementary campuses. She launched Larchmont’s first stand-alone TK classroom in 2018 and taught TK for 4 years at the Hollygrove (now Wilshire) campus.
Sara is also a member of the National Faculty of PBLWorks where she facilitates workshops on Project Based Learning (PBL). She is the co-author of Implementing Project Based Learning in Early Childhood: Overcoming Misconceptions and Reaching Success (Routledge, 2020) and is a contributing author to Making Mathematics Come Alive in the Elementary Classroom with Project-Based Learning (NCTM, 2021). Sara is passionate about the integration of Project Based Learning and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), often facilitates workshops and trainings on the topics of Yoga, mindfulness, restorative practices, culturally responsive education, and SEL.
Sarah Minaise
COTSEN Mentor Teacher
(Teacher On Special Assignment)
Sarah Minaise was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She attended UC San Diego, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Education Studies. She then received her master's degree in Education at UCLA. Since 2011, Sarah has been passionately involved in the Larchmont community, serving in various roles including instructional aide, substitute, and Kindergarten lead teacher. Now in her 13th year at Larchmont Charter School, she is in her second year as the Teacher Mentor with the Cotsen Foundation, coaching the Larchmont Cotsen Fellows at the Wilshire and H@S campuses.
Outside of being an educator, Sarah enjoys hiking, camping, baking, practicing yoga, reading, and exploring new restaurants.
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2024-25 Larchmont Learning Lab sessions
Early Elementary Lab, grades TK-3 at Wilshire campus
Upper Elementary / Middle School Lab, grades 4-8 at Selma campus
Elementary Lab, grades TK-4 at Fairfax campus
High School Lab, grades 9-12 at Lafayette Park campus
Professional Development Lab, grades TK-12 at Selma campus