An educator to her core, Lauran Cherry has served children and fellow educators for decades. Her work has been recognized as outstanding — as her many awards attest — including being a Milken Educator Award Recipient and Behring Scholar.

In her day jobs, Lauran serves as the Program Manager for Attendance and Discipline Support Service in the Oakland Unified School District. She also supports others as an Educational Leadership Coach in the Alameda County Office of Education.

Formerly an early childhood education Administrator,  a school principal and assistant principal, Lauran knows what it takes to set up an environment for children to succeed. As a kindergarten through sixth grade teacher, Ms. Cherry was responsible for general education of students – curriculum includes, language arts, reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music and physical education.

Ms. Cherry serves as President of the United Administrators of Oakland Schools.

Lauran is committed to student achievement and services that provide equity, social health and wellness for students.

Lauran holds a Master of Education/Administrative Credential from University of CA Berkeley; a Master of Public Administration from The American University in Washington, DC and is a proud alumna of Hampton University.