Erin Whalen

About Erin Whalen

I am an equity-driven educator, systems-level leader, and co-founder of Da Vinci RISE High School, a nationally recognized model designed with and for youth navigating foster care, housing instability, and the juvenile justice system. I currently serve as Assistant Superintendent of Student Services at Da Vinci Schools, where I lead efforts to build trauma-informed, liberatory, and student-centered ecosystems that bridge education, wellness, and opportunity.Born and raised in Santa Monica, California, I found myself drawn to the transformative power of education from a young age, an avenue through which I could see people reimagining who they were and what was possible. I graduated from New Roads School as a Santa Monica Gem and Posse Scholar, and went on to study Anthropology at Grinnell College and the University of Cape Town, where my passion for culture, identity, and liberation deepened.My teaching career began in North Miami through Teach for America, where I taught English to grades 6–8 and was nominated for Teacher of the Year. I also served as a TFA Corps Member Advisor in Los Angeles and Phoenix. After returning to L.A, I taught in East LA at KIPP Sol, where I was part of the founding faculty and was selected for the KIPP Teacher-Leader Program.Throughout the years, I’ve remained committed to co-creating spaces where young people are not just taught, but seen, heard, and uplifted. RISE High was born from that vision. Alongside our team, I helped design a high school that offers radical flexibility, integrated wraparound services, and personalized learning for young people whose brilliance and resilience often go unrecognized in traditional systems.Whether in the classroom, at the systems level, or in community, my mission is simple: to build healing-centered, love-fueled educational spaces where all young people can rise.

Experience

1. Assistant Superintendent

   Da Vinci Schools

   Jul 2024 — Present · El Segundo, CA, US

   As Assistant Superintedent, Dr. Whalen oversees services, funding and supports for all unduplicated student populations (foster, military, probation, English language learners). He also oversees DEI and Restorative Justice programming for the network. Given his unique experience and talents, he leads the performing arts department as well as the counseling department. Dr. Whalen works in tandem with the executive leadership team to deploy and maintain all initiatives, processes and protocols to ensure an empowering, safe and mission-aligned school network.

Education

• University of Cape Town

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Anthropology

  2010 — 2011

• Grinnell College

  Doctor's Degree, Social Sciences

• Loyola Marymount University

  Master's degree and Administrative Credential, Educational Leadership and Administration, General

  2018 — 2020

• Grinnell College

  Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology

  2008 — 2012

Skills

• Professional Development Seminars
• Public Speaking
• Curriculum Development
• Educational Leadership
• Dance Education
• Data Analysis
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Teacher Training