Pepperdine News and Events

ELAP Alumna Jacqueline Sanderlin Featured on Ellen Degeneres Show

ELAP alumna and elementary school principal Jacqueline Sanderlin was recently featured on The Ellen Degeneres Show for her efforts in the transformation of Foster Elementary School in Compton. Also featured was Tom Shadyac, adjunct professor of communication at Seaver College and director of the films Liar, Liar and Bruce Almighty. 

Sanderlin has helped to transform Foster Elementary School into a supportive environment in which students can reach their potential. Her mission is to help her students to believe in themselves and their ability to achieve academically. Instead of simply calling the children “kids,” she and all of the teachers at Foster refer to them as “scholars.”  This change in language empowers the students to view themselves and their academic abilities in a more favorable light. She has substantially increased student academic achievement on the California State Standards.

Shadyac and his students were inspired to donate a bicycle to each of the children who attend Foster. Degeneres recruited the National Lacrosse League to provide school supplies and a $50,000 donation to the elementary school. A speechless Sanderlin received the donation with tears in her eyes. She and the children were visibly overjoyed at the thoughtful gifts from Shadyac and Degeneres. 

View the clip here: http://bit.ly/Sanderlin