Zimmerman in as new Sonoma Valley Ed Foundation executive director

Laura Zimmerman has been named Executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation.

Zimmerman, a previous SVEF board member, most recently served as the development director for the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance. She has been involved in the Sonoma Valley schools since she moved to Sonoma in 2000. Zimmerman served on the Music Arts advisory council and was deeply involved with Sonoma Jazz + bringing music to the schools. Prior to moving to Sonoma, Zimmerman worked in broadcasting and was a volunteer for the local schools of Lafayette.

“Sonoma Valley schools are poised for a very positive new chapter,” says Zimmerman. “I am humbled at the opportunity to help in this process of working with the community and the school district to provide a high quality education and supportive learning environment for all students.”

Over the past 17 years, the SVEF has provided crucial support for the schools of Sonoma. Today the SVEF focuses on improving learning through innovative programs such as the Exploratorium Science Program, and the Sonoma Valley School Garden Project. The foundation also provides key funding for the Visual Thinking Strategies Program, which enhances language arts and critical thinking skills at the elementary level. At Sonoma Valley High School, SVEF sustains a dynamic partnership between community volunteers and the teaching staff through the Teacher Support Network, an ongoing program that places volunteers in the classroom. Historically, SVEF has rallied community support for the schools and helped to fund music, teacher technology training, small classroom grants and numerous other programs.

For more information on SVEF, please visit www.sveducationfoundation.org.