Dr. Yvonne Chan is principal of the Vaughn Next Century Learning Center in San Fernando. Formerly known as Vaughn Street Elementary School, the school underwent a transformation under Dr. Chan's leadership, becoming the first charter school in Los Angeles under California law. While principal of Vaughn Street Elementary, Dr. Chan dramatically increased academic achievement among the school's mostly low-income, predominantly minority student body. Fluent in both Chinese and Spanish, she enlisted parents in a capital improvement project, implemented nutrition and health programs, and created a family center. Dr. Chan also created a social services center that offers vaccinations, child care, job training, legal aid and other services. In response to neighborhood drug problems, she mobilized the community to develop an action plan to improve drug awareness and prevention. "Every one has power…as much as you wish to give yourself," she has said. In 2004, Dr. Chan was one of 10 national recipients of the Gleitsman Foundation Citizen Activist Award. She is a commissioner of the Los Angeles City Commission for Children Youth and Families and serves on the California State Board of Education.
1968 University of California - Los Angeles, B.A.
