This video is available as a NAESPA membership benefit or for a limited time as a conference attendee.
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What We Heard, Where We’re Going: Unpacking Strengths, Opportunities, and Priorities of the Western Region
The Western Educational Equity Assistance Center (WEEAC) at WestEd supports local and state educational agencies (LEAs and SEAs) in building and sustaining the system conditions that promote safe and supportive learning environments and academic excellence for every student.
Needs sensing is an ongoing effort that ensures the WEEAC’s technical assistance (TA) is relevant, timely, and has impact. It also allows us to stay abreast of the successes, challenges, and priorities of SEA and LEA leaders who are our clients.
Through collaborative table discussions, we’ll unpack eight key themes that emerged from our initial needs sensing—highlighting strengths, identifying pressing needs, and examining new opportunities for improvement and innovation. This interactive session is designed to foster shared understanding and spark actionable ideas, empowering participants to support every child and shape the future of education in their communities.
This talk was presented at:
2026 National ESEA Conference
February 2026
in
Denver, CO
Speakers
Rebeca Cerna
Rebeca Cerna is WEEAC’s Deputy Director and leads TA for the Far West Subregion. She has extensive experience in helping educational agencies at the local, regional, and state levels, especially with creating safe and supportive learning environments, improving school climate, developing community schools, and reducing chronic absenteeism. Previously, she directed the California Center for School Climate, where she led the development of numerous resources and support services that helped over 600 districts. Cerna holds a BS in health science with a focus on school health education from California State University, Long Beach, and an MPH in community health from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Natalie Walrond
As Director, Natalie Walrond leads WEEAC’s overall vision, strategic direction, and outreach efforts. Previously, Walrond was Director of the national Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety and Associate Director for the Region 15 Comprehensive Center. Walrond helps state and local educational agencies with strategic planning, participatory needs assessments, product development, and program design and implementation. She speaks and writes about effective board leadership, systems alignment and coherence, social and emotional learning, academic excellence, and equity. She earned a BA in international studies and international business from Trinity University and an MBA from the University of Chicago, specializing in analytic finance and policy. She has served on the advisory and governance boards of several nonprofit organizations.
ESEA Network
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
Connect With Us
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Contact Us
admin@eseanetwork.org | 800-256-6452
532 North Franklin Street | Fort Bragg, CA 95437
About Us
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (formerly the National Title I Association) is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
Connect with Us
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