Erika Gold Kestenberg
Curriculum Vitae
Erika Gold Kestenberg
5112 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
230 South Bouquet Street
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-961-1994
FORMAL EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Social Justice Focus, 2004
School of Education, Administration and Policy Studies Department, University of Pittsburgh
Social and Comparative Analysis in Education Program
Dissertation: Research on Racial Bias in U.S. History Textbooks, 1950-2000
Chair: Dr. William Bickel
Master of Education, Secondary Education Social Studies, 1994
School of Education, University of Pittsburgh
Thesis: Reducing Prejudice in the Classroom
Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate, Secondary Education Social Studies, 1994
School of Education, University of Pittsburgh
Bachelor of Arts, Dual Major - Political Science and History, Minor-Psychology, 1993
College of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
RESEARCH
Researcher, Environmental Scan of Race and Early Childhood Education, Caplan Fund, Collaboration with University of Pittsburgh Center for Urban Education, Office of Child Development and SEED Lab, 2015-Present
Researcher and Technical Writer, Yad Hanadiv (Rothschild Foundation), Literacy and
Teacher Training, Israel, 2008-2009
Pre-Doctoral Fellow, Center on Race Social Problems, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Academic Achievement Gap Between Black and White Students in Pittsburgh Public Schools, 2003-2004
Graduate Student Assistant, Learning Research and Development Center, University of
Pittsburgh, NetLearn, (Testing and developing an on-line learning tool) 2001-2002
Graduate Researcher, Learning Research and Development Center, University of
Pittsburgh, Academics and Social Services – Competitive or Compatible, High Performance Learning Communities Project, New York City Public Schools, 1999-2001
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION
Associate Director of Community Partnerships and Practice/Visiting Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Urban Education, 2014-Present
Program Coordinator, Certificate in Urban Education
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Instruction and Learning/Center for Urban Education, 2016-Present
Program Coordinator, Urban Scholars Program
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Instruction and Learning, 2014-Present
Intergroup Dialogue Training and Course Development
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Urban Education, Diversity Health Sciences, Study Abroad, 2015-Present
Interim Associate Director/Visiting Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Urban Education, 2013-2014
Director of Pitt Milliones UPrep Partnership/Visiting Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Urban Education, 2011-2014
Senior Application Consultant, International Graduate Programs
Aringo, Israel, 2009-2011
Curriculum Coordinator/Teacher, Culture and English
Israeli Prime Minister Office /Berlitz, Israel, 2009-2010
Educational Advisor
Israel Around You, Israel, 2007-2008
Division Director, Multi-site Early Childhood Development Center
Jewish Community Center, 2004-2008
Division Director, Family Services -Children’s, After-school, Youth/Teen, Special Needs, and Family Departments
Jewish Community Center, 2004-2006
Allegheny County Assistant Field Director
Good Schools Pennsylvania, 2002-2003
Program Coordinator, Oliver High School Alternative Education Program/Manchester
Craftsmen’s Guild Arts Collaborative
Communities in Schools, 1998-1999
Consultant, Furthering Our Community Involvement and Service/Senior In-Home Safety
Program with Habitat for Humanity/Kosher Food Pantry
Jewish Healthcare Foundation, 1997
Director, Youth Services
Jewish Community Center, 1996-1997
Director, Mitzvah Corps Service Learning Program
Jewish Community Center, 1994-1997
TEACHING/ADVISING
Visiting Assistant Professor:
Urban Scholars Seminar Series – Masters Courses – Every Fall/Spring
Contexts of Education – Doctoral Course – Spring, 2016
Disciplined Inquiry – Masters Course – Spring, 2015
Attentional Teaching Practices – Masters Course, 2013-2014
School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, 2013-Present
Advisor: Certificate in Urban Education Program
School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, 2016- Present
Advisor: Urban Scholars Cohort – MAT Program
University of Pittsburgh, 2013-Present
Teacher: GED and SAT Preparation Courses-Science, Social Studies and English
GMAX, Israel, 2009-2011
Teacher: English as a Second language
Consultant, Israel, 2009-2011
Teacher: English as a Second Language, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Curriculum Development
Berlitz, Israel, 2008-2010
Teaching Fellow: Social Foundations of Education
School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, 2001-2004
Adjunct Faculty: Education and Society, Graduate course
School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, 2003
Substitute Teacher: Elementary and Middle Schools
Pittsburgh Public Schools, 2002
Teacher: Understanding and Impacting Social Issues through Service Learning Course
Tree of Life Congregation, 1997-1999
Student Teacher: Sociology and World Cultures
Woodland Hills High School, 1994
Student Teacher: Social Studies, Youth Apprenticeship Program
Pittsburgh Peabody High School, 1993
Intern: Psychology
Pittsburgh Taylor Allderdice High School, 1992
TRAINING/FACILITATING EXPERIENCE
Trainer: “Developing Powerful Relationships with Parents as Partners”
University of Pittsburgh, School of Education, Master of Arts in Teaching Students, 2003-2008, 2013-2015
Facilitator: Post-Russell Skiba Lecture Discussion “You Can’t Fix What You Don’t Look At: Acknowledging Race in Addressing Disproportionality”
University of Pittsburgh, Future Educators of America, 2015
Trainer: “Developing Powerful Relationships with Parents as Partners”
University of Pittsburgh, School of Education, MOSAIC Students, 2015
Trainer: “Understanding Race, Place, and History as the Foundation for Relationship Based Tutoring and Mentoring”
University of Pittsburgh, Collegiate YMCA College Positive Volunteers, 2015
Trainer: “Developing Powerful Relationships with Parents as Partners”
University of Pittsburgh, School of Education, Reading Specialist MEd Students, 2015
Facilitator: Reflection Into Action Event - Post- Shaun Harper Lecture Discussion “Succeeding In This City? Reframing Deficit Discourses About Black Youth and the Pittsburgh Schools that Educate Them”
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Urban Education, 2015
Facilitator: “How to Transform the Vulnerable Client’s Experience in Your Organization” Hebrew Free Loan Association, 2015
Facilitator: Reflection Into Action Event – Post-Geneva Gay Lecture Discussion on “Culture, Teaching and Learning”
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Urban Education, 2014
Moderator: “Pittsburgh Public Schools Parent Panel” University of Pittsburgh, 2013
Facilitator: Reflection Into Action Event – Post-Gloria Ladsing-Billings Lecture Discussion on “Stakes Is High: Educating New Century Students”
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Urban Education, 2013
Facilitator: Reflection Into Action Event – Post-Pedro Noguera Lecture Discussion on “Creating the Opportunity to Learn: Moving from Research to Practice to Close the Achievement Gap”
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Urban Education, 2013
Trainer: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, University Preparatory School at Margaret Milliones
School of Education, Center for Urban Education, 2012
Trainer: Safe and Respectful Schools in collaboration with the Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Education
Network (GLSEN)
School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, 2003-2008
Facilitator: Sister to Sister Conference, YWCA Center for Race Relations, 2004
Facilitator: National Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution, Phoenix,
Arizona, 1999
Trainer: Volunteer Administration
United Way, 1996
INVITED SPEAKER/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
“Urban Education and the Future of Community Development”
Community Development Summit, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group, 2016
“To Be a Fierce Woman” (for an audience of high school girls)
Fierce Women Project, 2016
“The Intersection of the Education and Criminal Justice Systems: Being a
Change Agent to Dismantle the School to Prison Pipeline”
Youth Undoing Institutionalized Racism, 2015
“Racism: The Silent Partner in High School Dropout and Health Disparities”, University of Pittsburgh, 2015
“So You Want to Be a Teacher”, University of Pittsburgh, 2013, 2015
“Developing Powerful Relationships with Parents as Partners”, Pittsburgh Milliones University Preparatory School at Margaret Milliones, 2014
“Public Education - Inequity and the Re-Integration of Schools”, English Literature Class of Dr. Marah Gubar, 2012
“Taking Care of Student and Staff Members Mental Health Needs at UPrep Milliones,” University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work’s Center on Race and Social Problems joint Education and Mental Health RAP groups, 2012
Panel Member, “50-Year Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education”, Urban League of Pittsburgh, Education Summit, 2004
Council of Graduate Students in Education Research Conference, University of Pittsburgh, 2001, 2003 2004
School of Education Board of Visitors, University of Pittsburgh, 2001 2004
“Building Community” Black and White Reunion, Summit Against Racism, 2003
“High Quality, Adequate and Equitably Funded Education for All Students”, Diversity Day, University of Pittsburgh, 2003
“High Quality, Adequate and Equitably Funded Education for All Students”, Rock
Against Racism, 2003
American Educational Research Association Conference, Seattle, WA, 2001
“Building Community through Service Learning”, Fourth Annual Community
Grantmakers Luncheon, Pittsburgh, 1995
FUNDED GRANTS/HONORS
“Positive Racial Identity Development in Early (PRIDE) Years” Race and Early Childhood Initiative, Caplan Fund Grant, University of Pittsburgh, Office of Child Development, 2015
Provost Diversity Grant, University of Pittsburgh, 2015
“An Ethical Start” (Educational Program) Grant, United Jewish Federation, 2007
Volunteer of the Year, Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN), 2004
Professor/Student Research Collaboration Grant, University of Pittsburgh, School of
Education, 2000
“Academic Achievement and Social Services: Collaborative or Competitive Grant” part of the High Performance Learning Communities project, Learning Research and Development Center, 2000
Kosher Food Pantry Grant, Jewish Healthcare Foundation, 1997
Jewish Volunteer Resource Center Grant, Jewish Healthcare Foundation, 1997
Pittsburgh City Council Resolution for the Mitzvah Corps’ impact on the City of
Pittsburgh, 1996
Pittsburgh City Council Resolution for the Mitzvah Corps’ role in “Be a Sport”, 1996
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
· Intergroup Dialogues Training, 2016
· Poverty Simulation, 2016
· LGBTQIA Allies Network Training, 2016
· Race Matters Training, 2015-2016
· AERA, Washington D.C., 2016
· Provost Diversity Training, University of Pittsburgh, 2015
· Courageous Conversations Training, 2013, 2015
· AERA, Chicago, Illinois, 2015
· Sizemore Conference, 2012, 2014
· AERA, The Power of Education Research for Innovation in Practice and Policy, Philadelphia, PA, 2014
· School Attendance Matters Conference, 2013
· What Educators Need to Know About Youth Language and Identities, 2013
· Toured Yes! Schools in Houston, TX with Pittsburgh Public School District Superintendent, and other District, Community and School Leadership, 2012
· CARE Mindfulness Training for Teachers, 2012
· Propel Training Institute, 2012
· Toured Success Schools Clayton Academy with UPrep Milliones Leadership, 2012
· An Ethical Start Training, 2006, 2007
· Nitzamin, Agency for Jewish Learning, 2005-6 2006-7
· Yom Limud, Agency for Jewish Learning, 2005 2006 2007
· Israel Mission Collaboration Trip, Social and Teen Workers, 2004
· School Board Leadership Training, Education and Policy Leadership Center, 2003
· Sister to Sister Conference, YWCA Center for Race Relations, 2003
· Jewish Council for Public Affairs Plenum, 2002
· AERA Conference, What We Know and How We Know It, Seattle, WA, 2001
· Jewish Council for Public Affairs Plenum, Washington DC, 2002
· Cultural Diversity in Education Program, United Jewish Federation, 2001
· AERA Conference, Creating New Knowledge in the 21st Century: Insights from Multiple
Perspectives, New Orleans, LA, 2000
· Conflict Mediation Training, Conflict Mediation Center, 2000
· Seminar in Urban Education, Woodland Hills Multicultural Field Experience, 1994
COMMUNITY/ACADEMIC INVOLVEMENT
· Urban Education Journal Advisory Board
· Teacher Education Committee Member, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh
· Race and Early Childhood Initiative
· Intergroup Dialogue Collaborative and Executive Committee
· Early Childhood Collaborative
· Masters in Social Work/Professional Year Collaborative School of Education/School of Social Work Program Committee Member
· Secondary Education Working Group, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh
· Hill District Education Council, Executive Education Committee Member
· Prospective MAT Student Interviewer, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh
· Center for Urban Education Committee Member, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh
· Search Committee Member, Child and Youth Works position in the School of Education
· Education RAP Group Member, Center on Race and Social Problems
· Parent, School, Community Council, University Preparatory School at Margaret Milliones
· Urban Youth Journal Club, Member
· Sustainable Development Pittsburgh, Education Committee Member
· American Education Research Association Member
· YWCA Diversity Advisory Committee Member
· Council of Graduate Students in Education Multicultural Events Chairperson
· Early Childhood Development Center Directors Committee Member
· United Jewish Federation - Public Education Task Force Member
· NAACP/Black Political Empowerment Project Volunteer
· National Association for Multicultural Education Member
· United Jewish Federation - Community Relations Committee Member
· Jewish Volunteer Connection - Chairperson of the Education, Outreach, and
Constituency Committees
· School for Advanced Jewish Studies Policy and Planning Committee Member
· American Jewish Committee - Black/Jewish Dialogue Member
· Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, Education Committee Member
· Christian/Jewish Dialogue Member
· African American/Jewish American Women Committee Member
· Southern Poverty Law Center Member
· Gvahim – Israel
REFERENCES
Dr. H. Richard Milner IV, Director, Center for Urban Education, School of Education, University
of Pittsburgh,
Dr. Alan Lesgold, Dean, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh,
Dr. Ralph Bangs, Former Assistant Director, Center on Race and Social Problems, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh,
Anthony Esoldo, Director, Pittsburgh CAPA,
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