About Family Engagement Lab
Family Engagement Lab's vision is for every student to have access to meaningful at-home learning opportunities that promote their social, emotional, and academic skill development.
At-home learning supported by families is critical to student success. Parent involvement at home has more than twice the effect on student test scores than parents' education level or socio-economic status (Melhuish, et al., 2008).
Family Engagement Lab is committed to supporting high-need families and communities. 82% of students served qualify for free or reduced-price lunch compared to 51.3% national average. FASTalk helps families learn strategies to support learning, including: Building critical academic skills, cultivating learning mindsets and habits, and practicing social and emotional skills.
At-home learning supported by families is critical to student success. Parent involvement at home has more than twice the effect on student test scores than parents' education level or socio-economic status (Melhuish, et al., 2008).
Family Engagement Lab is committed to supporting high-need families and communities. 82% of students served qualify for free or reduced-price lunch compared to 51.3% national average. FASTalk helps families learn strategies to support learning, including: Building critical academic skills, cultivating learning mindsets and habits, and practicing social and emotional skills.
Leadership team
Vidya Sundaram, co-founder and CEO
Vidya has an extensive background in business leadership and program strategy, and most recently led GreatSchools' market research and social impact assessments. Joining GreatSchools in 2005, she has also been responsible for new product development and fund development activities. Prior to GreatSchools, she drove new investment opportunities in Internet media and also founded a teen media web site. Vidya has led software development at both consumer and enterprise Internet start-ups. She holds a degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University, a Masters in Public Policy from UCLA and her MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. Vidya is mom to two kids and proud to be part of a lively multigenerational household.
Vidya has an extensive background in business leadership and program strategy, and most recently led GreatSchools' market research and social impact assessments. Joining GreatSchools in 2005, she has also been responsible for new product development and fund development activities. Prior to GreatSchools, she drove new investment opportunities in Internet media and also founded a teen media web site. Vidya has led software development at both consumer and enterprise Internet start-ups. She holds a degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University, a Masters in Public Policy from UCLA and her MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. Vidya is mom to two kids and proud to be part of a lively multigenerational household.
Elisabeth O'Bryon, co-founder and Head of Research
Elisabeth was previously the Director of Research and Evaluation at GreatSchools where she worked to design and implement evaluation projects, with a particular focus on rapid-cycle research approaches. Before GreatSchools, Elisabeth was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence where she contributed to the development and evaluation of school-based social and emotional learning programming for children, teachers, and families. Elisabeth has a doctorate in psychology and experience providing school psychological services to preschool through high school-age students in both English and Spanish. Elisabeth recently co-authored 45 Strategies that Support Young Dual Language Learners, a resource that provides practical, developmentally appropriate strategies for supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds and creating inclusive early childhood classrooms that foster the success of young DLLs. Elisabeth is enjoying the many adventures of parenthood with her husband and sons.
Elisabeth was previously the Director of Research and Evaluation at GreatSchools where she worked to design and implement evaluation projects, with a particular focus on rapid-cycle research approaches. Before GreatSchools, Elisabeth was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence where she contributed to the development and evaluation of school-based social and emotional learning programming for children, teachers, and families. Elisabeth has a doctorate in psychology and experience providing school psychological services to preschool through high school-age students in both English and Spanish. Elisabeth recently co-authored 45 Strategies that Support Young Dual Language Learners, a resource that provides practical, developmentally appropriate strategies for supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds and creating inclusive early childhood classrooms that foster the success of young DLLs. Elisabeth is enjoying the many adventures of parenthood with her husband and sons.
Board
Bill Jackson, co-founder and Board Chair
Bill is the founder and CEO of Learning Works, LLC, which helps families establish home cultures that support their children acquiring the character, competencies, and purpose they will need to thrive as adults. Previously, Bill founded and served as CEO of GreatSchools, the nation’s leading guide to K-12 schools and education. Prior to founding GreatSchools in 1998, Bill spent time teaching in the US and China and helped start two networking hardware companies in Silicon Valley. The father of two daughters in high-school, Bill holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Yale University. He is a member of the board of directors at GreatSchools and Coro Northern California.
Icela Pelayo, Director
We are pleased to welcome Icela Pelayo to our Board of Directors. Bio forthcoming.
Bill is the founder and CEO of Learning Works, LLC, which helps families establish home cultures that support their children acquiring the character, competencies, and purpose they will need to thrive as adults. Previously, Bill founded and served as CEO of GreatSchools, the nation’s leading guide to K-12 schools and education. Prior to founding GreatSchools in 1998, Bill spent time teaching in the US and China and helped start two networking hardware companies in Silicon Valley. The father of two daughters in high-school, Bill holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Yale University. He is a member of the board of directors at GreatSchools and Coro Northern California.
Icela Pelayo, Director
We are pleased to welcome Icela Pelayo to our Board of Directors. Bio forthcoming.