Executive Director
Children's Initiative
Sandra McBrayer is executive director of Children's Initiative, an organization dedicated to strengthening children and families by working for integrated services that promote collaboration, prevention, and measurable outcomes in education, health, safety, and economic security. She advocates and testifies locally, statewide, and nationally on public policy issues that affect children, youth, and families. President Clinton named McBrayer, who teaches in the College of Education at San Diego State University, the 1994 National Teacher of the Year. In 1987, McBrayer founded the first successful school in the United States for homeless and unattended youth. She served as head teacher for the Homeless Outreach School from 1988 to 1996. She began her career teaching at-risk youth at Juvenile Hall and Hillcrest Receiving Home and has taught at various group homes and alternative education programs. McBrayer serves as co-chair of the California State Safe Schools Task Force. She also serves as vice-chair of the County of San Diego Proposition 10 Children and Families First Commission. She serves on the National Education Association Emergency Commission on Urban Children, National Citizen Scholarship Foundation, National Agency for Instructional Technology, San Diego City College Foundation, and the Commission on Children, Youth and Families. She speaks nationally and internationally on education, equity, and individual involvement in bettering the lives of children and youth. McBrayer earned a B.A. and an M.A. from San Diego State University.