Grace Arnold’s career as an educator spans over 45 years and includes many honors and achievements, and a myriad of successful experiences in every facet of public education, from classroom teacher to Bilingual Coordinator, Instructional Advisor, Principal, and Director of Charter Schools, which served to authorize and supervise the development of start-up and affiliated charter schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. As Principal for over 13 years, Grace served in several schools including two prominent magnets for racial integration – the Balboa Gifted Magnet and the Open Magnet Charter School, which was the recipient of the California Distinguished School Award during her tenure. In 1996, Grace founded The Open Charter School Institute: Constructivism in Action, which took place annually for over 10 years during her tenure and after her retirement.

Grace received her PhD in Comparative and International Education from UCLA, and was selected by the School of Education to deliver the keynote address at the graduation ceremony. Her dissertation received the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the National Association for Bilingual Education. Her publications include articles in the Journal for Staff Development and the book Bilingualism and Literacy, which she co-authored with James Williams.

As co-founder of Arnold Educational Consulting, Grace continues to provide support and professional development in leadership to schools. She has served on several school Boards and continues to be actively involved in Design Based Learning. Currently, she is an adjunct professor in the MA and Teacher Education Program at Antioch University, Los Angeles, and has served in this capacity for nearly 15 years.