On September 20, the County of San Mateo announced the appointment of Katharine Sullivan as the new director of an innovative initiative called The Big Lift. With more than two decades of experience in elevating educational opportunities, Sullivan's knowledge and background offer a fresh perspective on empowering young learners in the community.
As reported by the County of San Mateo, The Big Lift focuses its services on improving literacy for nearly 3,000 children per year in seven of the most underserved school districts. This collective impact initiative seeks to create a brighter future for these students through collaboration among the County's Human Services Agency, the San Mateo County Office of Education, participating school districts and preschools, First 5, and an assortment of nonprofit organizations and private donors.
Sullivan's mission extends beyond simply improving reading proficiency by third grade – a key indicator of future academic success. Under her direction, The Big Lift will revolve around four fundamental pillars: high-quality preschool, summer learning, school attendance, and family engagement. Throughout her career, she has embodied the importance of these principles, striving to reinforce the social safety net during her time in Berkeley and holding leadership positions at the San Francisco Unified and West Contra Costa Unified school districts.
By forging relationships with families and educators, Sullivan aims to advance educational equity through evidence-based early literacy and language development strategies. Utilizing a continuous cycle of quality improvement, leveraging new and existing resources, and engaging stakeholders, she plans to amplify the initiative's impact as the executive director of The Big Lift.
For the 2023-24 fiscal year, the County has allocated $8.9 million to The Big Lift, funneling the majority of these funds to the San Mateo County Office of Education and local districts for enhancing literacy efforts. These resources are a combination of local taxes, state and federal grants, and private donations, with a significant portion coming from the voter-approved, countywide Measure K half-cent sales tax.
Children participating in Big Lift programs have shown marked improvements in kindergarten readiness, summer academic skill gains, reading frequency, and attendance compared to those not involved in the programs. By investing in these children's futures, the County of San Mateo endeavors to positively impact the trajectory of their academic journeys and overall well-being.
As a native of the Bay Area and resident of Oakland, Sullivan's passion transcends her professional commitments, carrying over into her personal life. As a family-oriented individual, she cherishes spending time with her two young granddaughters and partakes in outdoor activities. She also continues her own educational growth by studying the Spanish language and the game of tennis.
Katharine Sullivan is slated to begin her role as director on October 2, lending her expertise and passion to create an even brighter chapter for The Big Lift, and ultimately, for the children it serves.
