Welcome to the CREEO Blog

The Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity (CREEO) at UC Berkeley School of Education uses research to shape policy and practice in service of creating opportunities for students and adults historically at the margins to move closer to the center in the United States and internationally.

This summer, we had the privilege of hosting four exceptional visiting scholars whose diverse research interests offered CREEO and the broader field a valuable opportunity to learn from their unique perspectives on our programs and offerings.

We are excited to share their insights with you through a four-part blog series, featuring an original post from each visiting scholar. First up this month are two blogs.

We begin with "The Family Connection: The Missing Piece in Black Studies Success" by Dr. Stephany Cuevas, which illuminates a critical yet often overlooked component of Black Studies implementation in K-12 schools: families. Readers will come away with "concrete practices that educators, leaders, advocates, and policymakers can use to meaningfully engage families as partners in implementation efforts."

Following that, in two weeks, "From Certification to Capacity: What Principals Should Know About National Board Certification" by Dr. Lizette Navarrete-Burks argues that school leaders should leverage National Board Certification as a strategic tool for systemic school improvement and distributed leadership, rather than viewing it merely as an individual teacher credential.

We invite you to read the piece. If you are ready to connect with like-minded practitioners, we encourage you to apply for our next cohort of Visiting Scholars here


At the Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity (CREEO) at UC Berkeley, we believe in the power of educators, communities, and care to shape more just and equitable schools. This blog is a space for reflection, storytelling, and connection—where we amplify voices from the field, spotlight transformative practices, and explore the research and relationships that drive educational opportunity.

Here, you will find insights from teachers, leaders, scholars, and students—stories that begin with care and lead to real change. Whether you are a classroom educator, a school leader, or an advocate for equity in education, we invite you to read, reflect, and join the conversation.