
With a celebrated career spanning three decades in the San Francisco Bay area, Lauran Hawker stands as a shining example of educational excellence. Her journey began in the classroom, where for 13 years she honed her craft as a teacher before scaling the ladder of administration. Over the next 17 years, Lauran’s leadership flourished across three distinctly different districts, a testament to her adaptability and vision.
A pivotal moment came in 2004, when Lauran embraced The Breakthrough Coach Program, a decision that would redefine her administrative ethos. As a district coordinator, she championed the program with such enthusiasm that she dedicated two full days every week to personally visiting each of her twenty-four schools. This hands-on approach catalyzed significant enhancements to the district’s K-12 English Learner and Secondary Literacy Programs, culminating in a district-wide surge in literacy test scores within a mere two years.
Lauran made another profound impact when she moved from the central district office to her first elementary school principalship and implemented The Breakthrough Coach Program. By integrating TBC’s Fundamental Practices™ into her school management style, she reinvigorated her school’s culture, increased staff satisfaction and retention, and oversaw huge gains in student achievement. Under her stewardship, this school and subsequent other elementary schools garnered several accolades including: National Model PLC School, California Golden Ribbon School, Distinguished 2015 California Honor Roll School, and a national award for significant student performance improvements from 2013-2015.
A U.C. Berkeley alumna, Lauran earned her teaching and administrative credentials from Sonoma State University and Chapman College, and an M.S. from the University of Michigan. Her professional ethos is rooted in a deep belief in the transformative power of education, a conviction that has propelled her through the challenges of both teaching and administration.
Lauran’s expertise is not merely academic. It is forged in the real-world crucible of educational leadership. Her skill set, enriched by the mentorship of Breakthrough Coach Co-Founder Malachi Pancoast, has empowered her to guide both children and adults with equal efficacy. In her various roles, Lauran has seamlessly integrated The Breakthrough Coach Program into her workplace, fostering a collaborative leadership dynamic and a culture of hands-on professional learning.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Lauran is an avid hiker and a dedicated mentor. Her comprehensive approach to professional development involves the implementation of national professional learning models, all aimed at elevating school leaders and nurturing individual potential within the educational landscape.