Meet the Nelsons
As Eric and Elyssa Nelson, Pacific Oaks alumni and the founders of the Child Educational Center, begin their next chapter, we revisit their history and legacy.
The invaluable lessons of service
For more than seven decades, Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School has fostered a culture of social justice through volunteerism and community service—extending its core values from the Pasadena community to as far as villages in South Africa.
On the Shoulders of Giants
Since the founding of Pacific Oaks Children's School, visionaries have passed the torch from one generation to the next. Their legacy endures.
My American identity
Diversity is what makes America great. At a time when the country is increasingly divided, we embrace our differences in perspective.
Lessons for life
For nearly 75 years, young minds have been nurtured beneath the trees of Shady Lane. Those experiences—ripe with discovery—can stay with them for years to come. We asked four generations of alumni to share their favorite memories and lasting lessons from their time at the Children’s School.
How Pacific Oaks Prepares Early Childhood Educators to Support the Whole Child
Explore how Pacific Oaks equips future educators with trauma-informed strategies, emergent curriculum, and culturally responsive teaching to support every child.
Roundtable Q&A: Big problems, little minds
Wide-eyed childhood innocence, once lost, is difficult to recover.
Broken Bootstraps
Along with financial hardship, people living in poverty face physical, mental, and emotional trauma. Social workers are uniquely positioned to help overcome it.
Follow the (modern) leader
As practices and priorities evolve to meet the demands of the modern business landscape, a new leadership model must also emerge. Leaders with the skills to bring together the bottom line with the common good will be increasingly important.
A is for access
More than half of low-income children enter kindergarten unprepared. When early childhood education is missing, how can teachers fill in the gaps?
How Pacific Oaks changed the life of Pasadena’s Stark Spirits owner
Stark Spirits distillery co-owner Karen Robinson-Stark reflects on how Pacific Oaks influenced her career path—from childhood development expert to entrepreneur. Discover the "spirit" she found through her work.
