INQUIRE
DONATE

Announcing the Inaugural School Climate Catalyst Award

  • National School Climate Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National School Climate Center to Present the Inaugural School Climate Catalyst Award to the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at The Harvard Club of New York City

The National School Climate Center (NSCC) is proud to recognize the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) in Hartford, CT with the inaugural School Climate Catalyst Award for exemplary work in school climate improvement. This award honors school districts that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments.

“Receiving the School Climate Catalyst Award is a tremendous honor for CREC. It highlights our team’s ongoing commitment to fostering a positive school climate and empowering every student’s voice,” shares Sasha Douglas, Ed.D, Superintendent, CREC Schools.

CREC has implemented a range of initiatives to strengthen school communities, including student-led anti-bullying campaigns, annual school climate surveys, and yearly professional development. These efforts have enhanced student engagement, promoted social-emotional learning, and fostered meaningful connections among students, staff, and families.

“CREC’s recognition celebrates its leadership in developing a districtwide approach that links school climate, equity, and continuous learning. Through policies that emphasize restorative practice, collaboration, and professional growth, CREC has built a sustainable framework for improvement across its magnet schools. This intentional focus on measurement, relationships, reflection, and inclusive practice embodies the values at the heart of the School Climate Catalyst Award,” said Christian Villenas, Ph.D, Co-Executive Director, National School Climate Center.

CREC’s commitment to continuous improvement and evidence-based strategies has made a measurable difference in creating inclusive, welcoming school environments, reflecting the NSCC’s mission to promote school climates where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The School Climate Catalyst Award will be presented to CREC at the National School Climate Center’s 29th Anniversary Celebration Cocktail Party held on Thursday, November 20 at 6 PM EST at the Harvard Club of New York City, 35 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036, USA. For more details, visit schoolclimate.org/2025benefit

About the National School Climate Center (NSCC)

The National School Climate Center is a nonprofit organization that promotes safe, supportive learning environments that nurture social and emotional, civic, and academic growth for all students. NSCC was founded in 1996, and has been a leading voice in school improvement, research, and advocacy.  

About the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) 

Since 1966, CREC, working with and for its member districts, has developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. These include high-quality educational programs for grades Pre K-12 through 16 interdistrict magnet schools, ongoing professional development workshops for educators, and customized educational programming in the public school districts it serves. CREC regularly serves 33 member districts (34 towns) in Greater Hartford, CT.


Contact:
Adam Jacobs
Co-Executive Director, NSCC
ajacobs@schoolclimate.org
212-707-8799

Take Your School Climate Improvement to the Next Level

Explore NSCC tools and guidance to help your school build safe, supportive, and thriving learning environments.

Solutions Hub
E Tsang, Director of Operations, National School Climate Center

E Tsang

Director of Operations

As the Director of Operations for NSCC, E Tsang helps make the finances, HR, and organizational functions of NSCC run smoothly.
Adam St. Bernard Jacobs(he/him), Co-Executive Director, National School Climate Center

Adam St. Bernard Jacobs (he/him)

Co-Executive Director

Adam is a peace educator and nonprofit leader. Adam was previously the organization’s Director of Development. Prior to joining NSCC, Adam was the co-founder and Executive Director of Kids Creative, an arts education organization in NYC. He was also a member of the team that founded a community elementary school in The Bronx. He has worked on issues of equity, anti-racism, arts education, and conflict resolution. He has written articles and led workshops in conflict resolution and the arts, giving talks and workshops at Columbia University, The Peace and Justice Studies Conference, Gettysburg College, and The University of Istanbul, among others. Adam has an undergraduate degree in International Politics, a Masters degree in Peace Education, and a Certificate in Senior Nonprofit Leadership, all from Columbia University, as well as an undergraduate degree in Rabbinic Law from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He was also Mr. Clown, a lead performer in the internationally acclaimed rock group for kids, The Dirty Sock Funtime Band, and was a regular on Nick Jr. and Chuck E Cheese TV. He is raising 2 fantastic children with his life partner, Tabitha.
Kori Hamilton Biagas, Director of Education, National School Climate Center

Kori Hamilton Biagas

Director of Education

Kori is an educator, connector, truth seeker, master facilitator, and the founder of Just Educators. Kori has nearly 20 years of experience in strategic planning, policy analysis and development, instruction, coaching, and technical assistance. As an Equity Specialist for the Region IV and Region IX equity assistance centers, Kori managed large-scale, racial equity driven school district transformation efforts, led district and state leaders through policy analysis, coached state leaders through school climate transformation initiatives, and provided equity-focused professional learning opportunities at all levels of education. Kori specializes in addressing and resolving inequitable policies, practices, and processes in organizations related to racial equity and social justice.
Christian Villenas, Ph.D, Co-Executive Director, National School Climate Center

Christian Villenas, Ph.D

Co-Executive Director

A sociologist by training and an applied education researcher by practice, Christian’s work examines how educational institutions shape opportunity, belonging, exclusion, and student experience. At NSCC, he helps guide the organization’s research, measurement, evaluation, partnerships, and strategic growth, with a focus on making evidence usable for schools, districts, and education partners. Before joining NSCC, Dr. Villenas held research and policy roles at GLSEN, Advocates for Children of New York, the New York City Charter School Center, the NAEP Education Statistics Services Institute, and the American Institutes for Research. Across more than two decades, his work has focused on school climate, social disparities in education, disability studies, LGBTQ student experiences, college access, education policy, program evaluation, and statistical analysis. He holds a BS from New York University, an MS from The New School, and a PhD in Sociology from Johns Hopkins University.
Amanda Weitzel, Director of School Partnerships, National School Climate Center

Amanda Weitzel

Director of School Partnerships

For over a decade at NSCC, Amanda has partnered with schools and districts across the country to support the implementation of school climate surveys and the strategic use of data to drive meaningful improvement. With a background in data analysis, customer success, and partner support, Amanda specializes in helping educators move beyond data collection to uncover actionable insights that strengthen school communities. Her work sits at the intersection of research, data, and practice, guiding school and district leaders in translating survey results into informed decisions that support student success, staff well-being, and positive learning environments. Amanda is passionate about empowering educators with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to create safe, supportive, and engaging schools where all students can thrive.
Samantha Elleman, Associate Director of Research, National School Climate Center

Samantha Elleman

Associate Director of Research

Samantha’s primary research topics span school climate, social inclusion, and school climate improvement. Prior to joining the National School Climate Center, Samantha worked as Assistant Teacher and Research Assistant at the Barnard Toddler Center. Her research interests include early childhood education, childhood trauma and protective factors, social-emotional education, and mental wellness in schools. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Barnard College and a Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University.