Watch this video that honors Mr. Lappin.
Howard Lappin, Alliance’s Founding Principal, and a nationally recognized educator has spent over 40 years in public education as a teacher, leader, and advisor. In 1989, he took on the role of principal at James A. Foshay Learning Center––one of the worst-performing schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District––and turned it into one of the top ten schools in the district and top 100 schools in the country before retiring in 2001.
“Public education is my life’s work,” shared Mr. Lappin. “I believe in the potential of every child. I believe that education and social justice are two sides of the same coin.”
Mr. Lappin joined Alliance College-Ready Public Schools as the founding principal of our first school, Alliance Gertz-Ressler High School, in 2004, then moved to help establish Alliance Leichtman-Levine Family Foundation Environmental Science and Technology High School in 2009. Mr. Lappin continued to support the organization as a senior advisor to Alliance’s CEO until June 12, 2020 when he will move to emeritus status.
Mr. Lappin noted that his time at Alliance has “been a wonderful journey and will always be a part of me. I know that Alliance has had a profound and positive impact on scholars, their families, and the Los Angeles communities we proudly serve.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lappin. On behalf of the entire Alliance community, we are forever grateful for your vision, service, and dedication to educational equity for all,” said Alliance CEO Dan Katzir.
