Kyla Coates has been a lifelong student and teacher. After earning her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Statistics from UCLA, she began teaching English, literacy, and math in Tanzania with the nonprofit organization One Heart Source. As the Educational Programs Director, Kyla helped the program expand to South Africa and Jamaica. In 2014, Kyla decided to return to her California roots to get her Masters in the Art of Teaching from USC Rossier School of Education and then taught 5th grade in her hometown of Altadena while returning to South Africa every summer. Kyla’s love of teaching and dedication to her students motivated her to pursue a Masters of Public Policy so that she can enact change on a larger level and ensure that all children have equal access to education.

Kyla has returned to USC to get her second Master’s degree and is currently at the Sol Price School of Public Policy. She is this year’s recipient of the USC Bohnett Fellowship and is working in the office of LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Board Chair, assisting with adult and juvenile justice and mental health issues; vital issues that affect the educational system but are often ill-addressed. Kyla hopes to use the skills she acquires at Price and through the Bohnett Fellowship to continue working on local policy change that impacts the lives of the most vulnerable.