Out of the Classroom and Into the World
Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. She is the author of seven highly acclaimed books: The Art of Coaching, (2013) The Art of Coaching Teams (2016), Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators (2018), The Onward Workbook (2018), Coaching for Equity (2020), The Art of Coaching Workbook (2020) and The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development (2022). She has also been a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD’s Educational Leadership, and EdWeek Teacher.
Elena is the founder and president of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed to helping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on the Bright Morning Podcast.
Elena is also the co-founder of Kenya Big Picture Learning, she’s on the advisory board of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and she is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher. She lives in Oakland, CA, with her husband, son, and two cats. When she’s not coaching or writing she enjoys traveling abroad, photographing birds, hiking, drinking coffee and reading fiction.
Kelvin works as a Finance and Human Resource Officer at Big Picture Learning Kenya. He is majorly involved in financial accounting, administration support, human resource management, and day to day operations.
Before joining Big Picture Learning Kenya, he worked with Bio-vision Africa Trust in Embu County Government, and as a certified Tax Ambassador with the Kenya Revenue Authority. Kelvin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance Option) degree from the University of Embu. His core values are honesty, authenticity, benevolence, and service.
Kelvin is passionate about leaving a print in the world, and he is keen to ensure that he has a positive impact on all the people he interacts with.
Lorraine is the Program Officer at Big Picture Learning Kenya. She is responsible for leading student support programs, teacher engagement, and school improvement initiatives. Her role covers diverse responsibilities that support general operations and communications for Big Picture Learning’s internal and external partners.
Previously, she worked as a Field Research Analyst at Digital Divide Data Kenya where she was responsible for quality checks. Lorraine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (In Sociology and Psychology) from Kenyatta University. She is a lifelong social justice advocate, and her work matches her social interests.
Lorraine is passionate about supporting marginalized communities and empowering them to create social enterprises that will in turn make communities better, and solve their challenges.
Crispin Oyola is the Student Support and Communications Associate at Big Picture Learning Kenya. He coordinates student engagement initiatives, teacher support, and school improvement projects. His role also covers responsibilities that support general operations and communications with program partners.
He previously worked at Globetree, a Swedish Based Organization in the logistics department. He is a multi-talented individual with over nine years of experience working with NGOs, and he also majors in visual arts and digital imaging. Crispin believes in building a peaceful existence on earth, and he is led by the Ikigai Model that is grounded on wellbeing, better health, and seeking greater happiness in the things you care about.
