20150 2016 Golestan Annual Report

Golestan Education 2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 Annual Report

Letter from the Executive Director Ten years ago, a group of Iranian-American parents decided to come together to start an informal coop preschool program for their children. This program would embody all the values these parents shared (positive parenting, experiential learning, loving/tender guidance, conscious/conscientious living) while fully immersing the children in the Persian language. The goal was to raise native speakers in an idyllic setting.

Yes, ten years ago.

A little less than two years later, in September 2008, this little informal parent-run coop that now had a handful of students and a waitlist (and not much else), moved into a spectacular renovated historic building. It established itself as a non-profit with the mission to help other communities start similar programs (what today we call the Colab), I quit my day job of consulting (other) non-profits and became the Executive Director of our collective baby.

Golestan as it is in its current form was born.

Within months, we had visitors of all backgrounds coming to us for help, or simply to collaborate. In the early days, none of them were Persian language programs. I met with Armenian, Russian, German, Italian, Hindi, Spanish, even English speaking educators wanting to replicate our model. Later, new and established Persian language programs would come into the mix, either as collaborators or people wanting help to start new programs.

While there were many well established weekend programs in all metropolitan cities in the US, until three years ago, we were the only daily language immersion program in Persian. Today, there are three other daily Persian language immersion programs in North America (including Toronto), and many more in development. This was not an accident - it was always our goal to help inspire and support others wanting the same for their Iranian-American children.

What surprised us, however, was the number of non-Persian-

“The teachers radiate kindness and affection towards the children and the children adopt these attitudes towards each other. They learn how to resolve their own conflicts.

They are amazingly empathetic towards

speaking people who came to us for support and collaboration.

Are they attracted to the beauty of our facilities and classrooms? Is it the fact that our children speak Persian with each other, even in play? Are they inspired by the kindness and love that radiates from all those who spend their days at Golestan?

I think it’s all of the above - and then some - that make this place so special. And I know I’m not alone. Even the Ashoka Foundation recognized it when they selected us to be the first preschool in their international network of Changemaker schools.

others. The children

It is inevitable that an environment so uniquely special at its

are taught to be

core will help raise uniquely special children. I’ve been told

comfortable with

time and time again that one feels “it” the minute one steps

the heritage without

across the threshold of Golestan - there’s no mistaking that

necessarily thinking

feeling.

themselves as different or special.

The children are appreciated for their individual uniqueness but not over-valued in a way that encourages

This is why we must expand to serve a larger group. Not just for the dozens of children that don’t get a space in the preschool each year, but so that we may reach others beyond our current population. We don’t want Golestan to be a privilege limited to the Persian speaking community in the Bay Area. While the Colab helps others emulate our model, our own school is constrained by its physical space.

narcissism.”

While not to be undervalued, just think of the impact we can

-Golestan Parent

have on children if they were to stay in such an enviroment all through their primary years! And now, imagine if this

primary school were to have more than just Persian speaking students – if this school were to bring together other heritages that perceive themselves to be different from each other, while in reality they are so similar. Their rituals, cultural sensitivities and values, their foods ... even their languages!

Kindergarten through fifth grade. Golestan’s next chapter will bring together Arabic, Hebrew AND Persian, and other heritage language speaking children in a beautiful and completely secular primary school. Regardless of their backgrounds or religious beliefs, they will be one integrated community. The primary language at the school will be English, but all the children will spend at least one hour per day immersed in their language track of choice.

These children will celebrate their similarities. They will come together as one collective community that values compassion, integrity, and humanity above all else. This community will serve as a model for the world to see the power of kindness and acceptance. Much like our current students, these children will grow up to become the type of people that spread joy and change in the world. The type of people that inspire others to try to be better people.

It’s been an amazing ten years. May we look back on the next ten years with as much awe and wonder as I am feeling today.

Thank you for being a part of our story.

Yalda Modabber Executive Director

Organization Overview Our Mission We know that our children are our future, and as such we must help them become well-informed, compassionate, and multilingual citizens with integrity and a deep moral compass. Education, be it linguistic, intellectual, or cultural, is the vehicle which enables children to become this type of citizen.

We began this program in 2006 because the community had a great need and nothing like it existed anywhere in the United States.

The mission of our organization is multifold:

Golestan Education Golestan Center for Language Immersion and Cultural Education (Golestan Education) supports the development of curious, innovative, and compassionate children through experiential and reflective learning, with a focus on heritage language immersion and cultural education. Golestan Education carries out its mission through Golestan Kids (the school) and the Golestan Colab.

Golestan Kids (School) The mission of Golestan Kids is to give children a deep understanding and respect for the world they live in through hands-on activities that are guided by a rich and comprehensive curriculum. The program in its current form is a full Persian language immersion school. As Golestan expands, it will continue to support the development of changemakers in an English language environment, with daily immersion in their heritage language of choice.

Golestan Colab The Golestan Colab empowers and supports educators, parents, and communities to create their ideal learning environment for children by offering consultancy and resources in the following areas: 1) the integration and application of hands-on and experiential learning practices and approaches 2) language immersion and cultural education.

Financial Overview Program Investment Golestan creates an idyllic learning environment for children on a lean and thoughtful budget, while valuing human capital - specifically teachers - above all else.

Program Investment Per Year (Costs) Program Investment Per Year $900,000 $800,000 $700,000

For a school,

$600,000

the most

$500,000

important

$400,000 $300,000

investment

$200,000

is human

$100,000 $0

capital.

September September September September September September September September 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 August 2009 August 2010 August 2011 August 2012 August 2013 August 2014 August 2015 August 2016

Other Operating Costs

Human Capital (<10% is administrative)

Total Operating Costs Per Year

Organization Growth Golestan has experienced massive growth since we incorporated as a non-profit. Our average annual growth rate is 21%.

Organization Growth By Year (Income) Organiza(on Growth By Year (Income) $1,000,000 $900,000 $800,000 $700,000 $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $September September September September September September September September 20152014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 August August August August August August August August 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Sunsar Maya Kathmandu, Nepal

The Colab The Colab has been very busy lately!

What is the Colab?

The Golestan Colab is a consultancy and resource center that empowers and supports educators, parents, and community leaders to create their ideal learning environment for children by offering resources and consulting in the following areas: 1) The integration and application of hands-on and experiential learning practices and approaches.

2) Language immersion and cultural education.

The Colab offers a range of services to educational programs that are starting up or already established.

The Range of Colab Services Nonprofit vs. for-profit

Financial analysis & revenue/cost projections

Teacher Training and training materials

Branding: Defining Vision & Mission, Identity

Introducing and promoting school to the Colab's network

Things you may not know about the Golestan Colab:

Location consultation

Ongoing support: Consultations (one-on-one meetings, bi-weekly group meetings, site visits)

Curriculum development support / curriculum customization

Ongoing support: Sharing Colab’s resources as they are developed

“We came to the Colab for advice on opening an after-school program

• To date, we have offered all our services

for orphans in Nepal. What we

free of charge to the educators and commu-

received was far beyond anything

nities we've worked with.

we could have hoped for: guidance,

• The Colab has never marketed its services.

All the people/educators that have worked with the Colab have come to us by word of mouth or referrals. (We only go where we are invited.)

support, curriculum development, and personalized training of our teachers in Nepal. What the Colab has done for us would have taken us years to create on our own.

Most importantly, our children

• Originally, most of the people that came to

are growing and thriving thanks

the Colab wanted support for their language

to the Golestan Colab.”

immersion program. In the past few years,

– Jehan Seirafi, Founder, Sunsar Maya

most educators have come to us because

Program, Nepal

of our unique pedagogy, curriculum and methodologies.

In the past two years, the Colab has expanded its boundaries - our innovative and progressive approach to education at Golestan has been embraced by many communities in North America and across the globe, with Colab members in Kenya, Nepal and more recently Australia!

Colab Across the Globe

Golestan Kids (School) The Golestan Kids (School) Golestan Kids is now ten years old!

Our current program includes a year-round preschool, afterschool program and summer camp program. Golestan applies a heuristic approach to teaching and a holistic approach to living. From the rich lesson plans, to the wholesome foods the children eat, every detail has been thought through and is practiced with the utmost authenticity. With the encouragement of altruism and empathy, we nurture a community of confident, caring, and compassionate children who value their heritage while being responsible and inspiring citizens of our ever-changing, multi-cultural world.

Golestan as an Ashoka Changemaker School In Februrary of 2016, Golestan was selected as a pioneering changemaker school by the Ashoka Foundation. Ashoka works with leaders in all sorts of different fields to change patterns across society with innovative solutions to social problems. Ashoka has recognized our school for

the work we do to empower children with the skills they need to be changemakers in our rapidly changing world. Specifically, Golestan was selected for serving as a model for cultivating empathy, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. Our preschool program was the first and only preschool in the world to be selected as an Ashoka Changemaker School. For more information on Ashoka, please click here.

What is the cultural heritage of a Golestan Kid? In 2015-2016, we had 27 preschoolers, 42 after schoolers (aged six to thirteen), and 42 summer campers (also aged six to thirteen). People often ask about the language background of our families. Below are charts that show what percentage of our children come from Persian speaking households. Only 28% of our students come from homes where both parents are native Persian speakers. Approximately 10% of our students come from homes where there are no native Persian speakers. This reflects the Golestan culture of inclusion, diversity, and nurturing multi-cultural citizens of the world.

Preschool

Preschoolers 15%

11%

No Native Persian Speakers at home One Native Persian Speaker at home

74%

Both parents Native Persian Speakers

Afterschool Afterschoolers 9%

No Native Persian Speakers at home

36%

One Native Persian Speaker at home 55%

Both parents Native Persian Speakers

Preschool and Afterschool Preschoolers and Afterschoolers 10% 28%

No Native Persian Speakers at home One Native Persian Speaker at home

62%

Both parents Native Persian Speakers

The Primary School Golestan Primary School:

Arabic, Hebrew, Persian Language Immersion Golestan is expanding into primary school!

Golestan's current program is so successful that the majority of parents submit applications for their children when they're pregnant - and still, each year, dozens of children never make it off the waitlist. While the impact of the preschool and after school programs are profound (socio-emotional, creative, executive functioning, breadth of knowledge...), parents often lament the thought of leaving Golestan for Kindergarten. Some parents opt to skip Kindergarten altogether in order to have an extra year at Golestan.

The objective of Golestan's expansion is to increase our ability to serve more families, provide the opportunity for children to grow with the program beyond

preschool, and to open up this very special place for people of greater cultural and socio-economic diversity.

The primary school will be a secular International Baccalaureate accredited program in English, with three secondary language immersion tracks in Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian.

This idyllic school will continue to support the development of altruistic and compassionate children, while providing the perfect environment for each child to excel academically. These children will become community-minded, inspiring adults who celebrate humanity and embrace diversity. In this school, each student will be a part of one larger culturally integrated community, while enjoying daily enrichment programs immersed in their heritage language track of choice. This is an environment where cross-pollination of languages and cultures will be encouraged and valued... a place where similarities and differences are both celebrated.

Thank you for being a part of the birth of the next generation of Golestan - the first of its kind, this school brings together languages and people that have traditionally been segregated. Coupled with Golestan's unique pedagogy, this school will support the creation of exceptional human beings who will play a major role in making the world a better place for all.

"I'm American, my husband is American. We self-identify as American, but [our daughter]... she is a child of the world." Long-time Golestan parent

Meet Our People Golestan Staff and Volunteers: Parinaz (Joojeh)

Afra (Volunteer)

Elham (Bolbol)

Mojgan (Volunteer)

Michka (Bolbol)

Hasti (Volunteer)

Tannaz D (Joojeh)

Raha (Volunteer)

Saeideh (Parvaaneh)

Garineh (Social Media Coordinator)

Mahsa (Parvaneh)

Nastaran (Rangin Kaman)

Mamak (Afterschool)

Juliet (Chef )

Azam (Afterschool)

Maryam A. (Colab)

Yasaman (Afterschool)

Sandra (Manager of Facilities)

Shaghayegh (Afterschool, Administrative)

Maria (Facilities)

Golnaz (Substitute)

Collin (Office Manager)

Hanif (Substitute)

Yalda (Executive Director)

Golestan Community Association:

Golestan Board of Directors:

Alexandra Singer

Tom Attar - Board Member

Aliah Najmabadi

Elham (Ellie) Han - Board Member

Azi Rad

Amir Kia - Board Member

Erinn Nahid

Firuzeh Mahmoudi - Board President

Ellie Han

Yalda Modabber - Executive Director

Lina Nazar

Neda Nobari - Board Member

Minoo Akbarian

Josh Oliver- Board Member

Naseem Badiey

Hadi Taheri - Chief Financial Officer

Pegah Afkary

Katherine Whitney - Secretary

Shiva Niazi Yasi Nouri Massih Zahra Mahloudji

“This beautiful place has given me so much. I’ve learned so much, not only about teaching, mentoring, and leading, but about life. This place taught me to live mindfully, to really look at the world. My whole experience in this world has changed. My confidence has just blossomed too. I know the list goes on, but this has been the most valuable thing for me because it is something I have always struggled with. I’ve learned to love myself in an entirely new way. I hope that some day in the future I can give back in some way to this beautiful place. So I want to thank you for organizing such a loving, structured and playful environment."

– Former Golestan Teacher

Thank you!

None of what we do and endeavor to do is possible without the generosity and support of our amazing community members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.â&#x20AC;? - Khalil Gibran (Names within each category are in alphabetical order) $150,000 and above: Bita Daryabari, Debra & Reza Abbaszadeh, Neda Nobari Foundation $50,000 to 149,999: Weinmann Charitable Lead Trust, Anonymous (in honor of the Massih family) $10,000 to $49,999: 5th Street Machine Arts, Azar Zavvar & Josh Oliver, Fardad Forouzan, Frances Hellman & Warren Breslau, Ghazaleh Afshar & Tom Attar , Laurie Capitelli, Malou Babilonia, Parsa Community Foundation, Ramin & Monica Modabber, Shirin & Javad Rahimian, The Westphal Family Foundation $5,000 to $9,999: Annenberg Foundation (Azi Rad & Jonathan Silvio), Ellie & Eddie Han, Farrokh Modabber & Marlies Haegglund, Minoo Taheri & Robert Becker, Parissa Sayar & Hadi Taheri, Richard & Debbie Bradish, Salomeh Keyhani, Soraya Rofagha & Phiroz Tarapore, Yasi & Amir Massih $1,000 to $4,999: Abbas Milani, Afsaneh Michaels, Aida Izadpanah, Alex Tehrani, Alexandra Singer & Ali Niknejad, Ali Mahloudji, Ali Rahimian, Aliah Najmabadi & Maruf Noyoft, Altabella Italian Properties (Oliver family), Amir Azimi,

Ann & Ahmad Moghaddas, Apple Company, Arsalan Najmabadi, Azadeh & Frank Hariri, Bruce A. Westphal, Charlotte GriswoldTergis, Darioush Winery, Erin & Kiarash Namdaran, Erinn & Payam Nahid, Firuzeh Mahmoudi & Andre Carothers, Gillian & Ross Stromberg, Golijeh Golarai & Anders Greenwood, Jen Kerns & Caesar Djavaherian , Judy & Kava Massih, Katherine Whitney & Farhad Farzaneh, Lamia Ettefagh & Amir Gheissari, Maryam & Majid Rahimian, Maryam Majidy & Kayvan, Alikhani, Maz Jobrani & Pretha Mani, Mehry & Ali Rahimian, Microsoft Company, Minou Modabber, Monireh Sobhani, Morad Movassaghi, Namdar Saleh, Nariman Teymourian, Nazli Sadeghilar, Negar Baharlou (Shadi Kids), Niloofar Nouri, Nooshan Mirhadi & Jahan Jowharchi, Nooshin Razani & Saam Morshed, Nushin Haghighi, Pooneh Koohyar & Tom LeClair, Puneh Sohrabpour, Reed Westphal, SalesForce Company, Sara Khademi & Arash Komeili, Sara Rahimian & Chris Harrelson, Sassan Sahami, Sedigheh Keyhani-Rofagha, SFE Jewelers, Shahrzad (Shari) Rezai, Shirin Tabatabai, Shokooh Miry & Steve Mohebi , Sormeh D Vafaei, Soudabeh Salek, Stacey & Ben Zarrin, Nancy & Steven Oliver, The Persian Center, Trish & Zia Modabber, Walnut Creek Lighting (Behrang Pakzad) , Yalda Modabber & Matthew Stromberg, Zahra Mahloudji & Michael Goldbach $250 to $999: Alex Ghessemieh, Anonymous, Arezoo Fakouri & Douglas Yokoyama, Arezoo Zand & Byron Loughridge, Asma Mohseni & Kaiser Shahid , Avid Modjtabai, Avissa Tehrani & Mohammad Azadpour, Ayako Nagano, Bahareh Hedayat, Boostan Kids, Caroline Nasseri, Catherine Arnold, Ciara Cox & Margaret Wu, David Taheri, Elan Shapiro, Elham Aboutalebi Anaraki, Frog Hollow Farms, Ghazaleh Ebrahimi & Ali Hariri, Gretchen Stromberg, Hoosh Hoosh Bahoosh, Jeffrey Gehring, Jenny Fosket, Jill & Carson Holmes, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Kristin Anne Stromberg, Ladan & Todd Gehring, Ladan Sobhani & Mark Kipfer, Laila Shamszad & Gabriel Berent, Laura Stokes & Amy Schliftman, Leila Hobooty Fard & Ata Ebtekar, Leili Baghaei Rad & Ian Downes, Lillian & Ted Roth, Lina & Ali Nazar, Lynda & Darrell Wilson, Margaret Stromberg, Margret Wu, Marjaneh Moghimi, Marsh and McLennan Shared Services Corporation, Maryam & Damon Longrus, Mina Ghafghaichi, Mina Rafiei, Mina Sagheb, Mojgan Deldari, Molly Rad, Monier Attar, Monika & Reza Jalili, Moti Bagherian, Nazy Kaviani, Negean Mahmoudi & Aubrey Ingraham, Nilou Mostoufi & Chris Hood, Nina Ansary, Nonprofitâ&#x20AC;şs Insurance Alliance, Oracle Company, Parinaz Golshaeian & Jeff Assadi, Parvin Azimi & Reza Tehrani, Polly and Michael Wong, Roham Bavand, Salmeh Moghimi, Scout Collection llc, Setareh Siavash & Ehsan Ettehadieh, Shahin Bahmanian, Shervin Farhadi, Shiva & Jim Wilson, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Somayeh Honarmand & Mohammad Shahnazari, Sonbol Banava & Josh Pugh, Sonia Ghaemi, Tamara Nakhjavani & Homayoun Bagherinia, Tea Collection, The Benevity Community Impact Fund, The Hand Foundation (Noosheen Hashemi), The St. Regis SF, Vangard Charitable, Yaser Honarmand $1 to $249: Abdi Mohammadian, Grace Kong & Abdi Soltani, Adam Dawson, Afra Pourdad, Afsaneh Rohani, Afsoon Vaziri, Ali Gazerani, Ali Kazemi, Ali Mehdizadeh, Ali Tabibian, Alireza Bagherian, Alison Norberry, Amir Razani, Amirali Aliabadi & Samira Naraghi, Anahita Bakhtiary, Andrea & Bill Foley, Anita Amirrezvani, Anita Medal, Ann Miller, Anonymous, Arash Azarkhish & Yismari Ramos Tellez, Armin Farajzadeh

Deroee, Atissa Banuazizi, Azadeh Honarmand, Azardokht Iranfar, Azita & Karim Pakravan, Baha Hariri, Bahram Fotouhi, Bahram Kermani, Baleen & Babak Shemirani, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Betty A. Ingraham, Bobak Morshed, Brenna Randolph, Brian Lutz, Cal Flowers, Carmen & Paco Furlan, Casimir Carothers, Cathy French Dario, Cristina Bardia Farahmand, Daniel Bruno, Dara Goosby, David Jaberi, Mariam Zarrabi & David Widemann , Deborah Girma, Diane Lee Henderson & Sid Stokes, Dorsa Barzin, Eli Leichter-Wilson, Emil Adolphs, Emily & Jason Moghaddas, Erin Potts & Jon Voss, EZ Consulting, Fariba Rezvani, Farideh Behrozi, Farzad Khabiri, Farzad Namdaran, Feri Modaressi, Feye Ara ,Fiona Wong, Garineh Nazarian, Globe Scientific Inc., Goli Hashemi, Gretchen & Richard Grant, Hannah Naseem Badiey & Christian Helmers, Hassan Amin, Heather & Pete Stokes, Hedieh Bahar, Hestan Vineyards, Homa Fard, Houman Azarm, Ida & Royal Dunham, Iraniacan Inc., Jafar Tay & Pantea Naeimi, Jaleh Ebrahimi, Jan Marsh, Janice Spuller, Janice Stokes, Jasmin & Jordan Gudebski, Jasmine B. Brennan, Javad Razani,, Jayron Finan, Jehan Seirafi, Jennifer Wong & Mark Schlosberg, Jimena Mosquera, Jo Ann Doyle, Joel Clark, John Lenser , John P Katz, Kaara Kallen, Karen Carson, Karim & Sanaz Malek, Karim Malek, Karim Pakravan, Katayoon Fattahi, Kate & Benjamin Hewitt, Kate& Lindsey Connor, Kathleen & Paul Atkins.

What use is a tray of flowers? Flowers last but five days or six - Saadi

The joy of this Golestan (garden of flowers) will last a lifetime

Donations can be sent to Golestan Kids, 1808 5th Street, Berkeley 94710, or online with a credit card here.

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510.704.8541