Golestan Education2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6 Annual Report

Letter from the Executive DirectorTen years ago, a group of Iranian-American parents decided to come together to start

an informal coop preschool program for their children. This program would embody all

the values these parents shared (positive parenting, experiential learning, loving/tender

guidance, conscious/conscientious living) while fully immersing the children in the Persian

language. The goal was to raise native speakers in an idyllic setting.

Yes, ten years ago.

A little less than two years later, in September 2008, this little informal parent-run coop that

now had a handful of students and a waitlist (and not much else), moved into a spectacular

renovated historic building. It established itself as a non-profit with the mission to help other

communities start similar programs (what today we call the Colab), I quit my day job of

consulting (other) non-profits and became the Executive Director of our collective baby.

Golestan as it is in its current form was born.

Within months, we had visitors of all backgrounds coming to us for help, or simply to collabo-

rate. In the early days, none of them were Persian language programs. I met with Armenian,

Russian, German, Italian, Hindi, Spanish, even English speaking educators wanting to replicate

our model. Later, new and established Persian language programs would come into the mix,

either as collaborators or people wanting help to start new programs.

While there were many well established weekend programs in all metropolitan cities in the US,

until three years ago, we were the only daily language immersion program in Persian. Today,

there are three other daily Persian language immersion programs in North America (including

Toronto), and many more in development. This was not an accident - it was always our goal to

help inspire and support others wanting the same for their Iranian-American children.

What surprised us, however, was the number of non-Persian-

speaking people who came to us for support and collaboration.

Are they attracted to the beauty of our facilities and class-

rooms? Is it the fact that our children speak Persian with each

other, even in play? Are they inspired by the kindness and love

that radiates from all those who spend their days at Golestan?

I think it’s all of the above - and then some - that make this

place so special. And I know I’m not alone. Even the Ashoka

Foundation recognized it when they selected us to be the first

preschool in their international network of Changemaker

schools.

It is inevitable that an environment so uniquely special at its

core will help raise uniquely special children. I’ve been told

time and time again that one feels “it” the minute one steps

across the threshold of Golestan - there’s no mistaking that

feeling.

This is why we must expand to serve a larger group. Not

just for the dozens of children that don’t get a space in the

preschool each year, but so that we may reach others beyond

our current population. We don’t want Golestan to be a privi-

lege limited to the Persian speaking community in the Bay

Area. While the Colab helps others emulate our model, our own

school is constrained by its physical space.

While not to be undervalued, just think of the impact we can

have on children if they were to stay in such an enviroment

all through their primary years! And now, imagine if this

“ T h e t e a c h e r s

radiate kindness and

affection towards

the children and the

children adopt these

attitudes towards

each other. They

learn how to resolve

their own conflicts.

They are amazingly

empathetic towards

others. The children

are taught to be

comfortable with

the heritage without

necessarily thinking

t h e m s e l ve s a s

different or special.

The children are

appreciated for

t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l

uniqueness but not

over-valued in a way

that encourages

narcissism.”

-Golestan Parent

primary school were to have more than just Persian speaking students – if this school were to

bring together other heritages that perceive themselves to be different from each other, while

in reality they are so similar. Their rituals, cultural sensitivities and values, their foods ... even

their languages!

Kindergarten through fifth grade. Golestan’s next chapter will bring together Arabic, Hebrew

AND Persian, and other heritage language speaking children in a beautiful and completely

secular primary school. Regardless of their backgrounds or religious beliefs, they will be one

integrated community. The primary language at the school will be English, but all the children

will spend at least one hour per day immersed in their language track of choice.

These children will celebrate their similarities. They will come together as one collective

community that values compassion, integrity, and humanity above all else. This community

will serve as a model for the world to see the power of kindness and acceptance. Much like

our current students, these children will grow up to become the type of people that spread

joy and change in the world. The type of people that inspire others to try to be better people.

It’s been an amazing ten years. May we look back on the next ten years with as much awe and

wonder as I am feeling today.

Thank you for being a part of our story.

Yalda Modabber

Executive Director

Our MissionWe know that our children are our future, and as such we must help them become

well-informed, compassionate, and multilingual citizens with integrity and a deep

moral compass. Education, be it linguistic, intellectual, or cultural, is the vehicle

which enables children to become this type of citizen.

We began this program in 2006 because the community had a great need and

nothing like it existed anywhere in the United States.

Organization Overview

The mission of our organization is multifold:

Golestan EducationGolestan Center for Language Immersion and Cultural Education (Golestan

Education) supports the development of curious, innovative, and

compassionate children through experiential and reflective learning, with

a focus on heritage language immersion and cultural education. Golestan

Education carries out its mission through Golestan Kids (the school) and the

Golestan Colab.

Golestan Kids (School)The mission of Golestan Kids is to give children a deep understanding

and respect for the world they live in through hands-on activities that

are guided by a rich and comprehensive curriculum. The program in its

current form is a full Persian language immersion school. As Golestan

expands, it will continue to support the development of changemakers in an

English language environment, with daily immersion in their heritage language

of choice.

Golestan Colab The Golestan Colab empowers and supports educators, parents, and communities

to create their ideal learning environment for children by offering consultancy and

resources in the following areas: 1) the integration and application of hands-on and

experiential learning practices and approaches 2) language immersion and cultural

education.

Program InvestmentGolestan creates an idyllic learning environment for children on a lean and thoughtful

budget, while valuing human capital - specifically teachers - above all else.

Program Investment Per Year (Costs)

For a school,

the most

important

investment

is human

capital.September

2008 - August 2009

September 2009 -

August 2010

September 2010 -

August 2011

September 2011 -

August 2012

September 2012 -

August 2013

September 2013 -

August 2014

September 2014 -

August 2015

September 2015 -

August 2016

$0

$100,000

$200,000

$300,000

$400,000

$500,000

$600,000

$700,000

$800,000

$900,000

Program Investment Per Year

Other Operating Costs Human Capital (<10% is administrative) Total Operating Costs Per Year

Financial Overview

Organization GrowthGolestan has experienced massive growth since we incorporated as a non-profit. Our

average annual growth rate is 21%.

$- $100,000 $200,000 $300,000 $400,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000

$1,000,000

September 2008 -

August 2009

September 2009 -

August 2010

September 2010 -

August 2011

September 2011 -

August 2012

September 2012 -

August 2013

September 2013 -

August 2014

September 2014 -

August 2015

September 2015-

August 2016

Organiza(on  Growth  By  Year  (Income)    Organization Growth By Year (Income)

The Colab has been very busy lately!

What is the Colab?

The Golestan Colab is a consultancy and resource center that empowers and supports

educators, parents, and community leaders to create their ideal learning environment for

children by offering resources and consulting in the following areas:

1) The integration and application of hands-on and experiential learning practices and

approaches.

2) Language immersion and cultural education.

The Colab offers a range of services to educational programs that are starting up or already

established.

Sunsar Maya Kathmandu, Nepal

The Colab

Things you may not know about the Golestan

Colab:

• To date, we have offered all our services

free of charge to the educators and commu-

nities we've worked with.

• The Colab has never marketed its services.

All the people/educators that have worked

with the Colab have come to us by word of

mouth or referrals. (We only go where we

are invited.)

• Originally, most of the people that came to

the Colab wanted support for their language

immersion program. In the past few years,

most educators have come to us because

“We came to the Colab for advice

on opening an after-school program

for orphans in Nepal. What we

received was far beyond anything

we could have hoped for: guidance,

support, curriculum development,

and personalized training of our

teachers in Nepal. What the Colab

has done for us would have taken

us years to create on our own.

Most importantly, our children

are growing and thriving thanks

to the Golestan Colab.”

– Jehan Seirafi, Founder, Sunsar Maya

Program, Nepal

The Range of Colab Services

Introducing and promoting

school to the Colab's network

Ongoing support:Sharing

Colab’s resources as they are developed

Nonprofit vs.

for-profit

Financial analysis & revenue/cost

projections

Branding:Defining

Vision & Mission, Identity

Locationconsultation

Curriculum development

support / curriculum

customization

Teacher Training and training

materials

Ongoing support:Consultations (one-on-one

meetings, bi-weekly group

meetings, site visits)

of our unique pedagogy, curriculum and methodologies.

In the past two years, the Colab has expanded its boundaries - our innovative

and progressive approach to education at Golestan has been embraced by many

communities in North America and across the globe, with Colab members in Kenya,

Nepal and more recently Australia!

Colab Across the Globe

Golestan Kids (School)

The Golestan Kids (School)Golestan Kids is now ten years old!

Our current program includes a year-round preschool, afterschool program and summer

camp program. Golestan applies a heuristic approach to teaching and a holistic approach

to living. From the rich lesson plans, to the wholesome foods the children eat, every

detail has been thought through and is practiced with the utmost authenticity. With the

encouragement of altruism and empathy, we nurture a community of confident, caring,

and compassionate children who value their heritage while being responsible and inspiring

citizens of our ever-changing, multi-cultural world.

Golestan as an Ashoka Changemaker SchoolIn Februrary of 2016, Golestan was selected as a pioneering changemaker school by the Ashoka

Foundation. Ashoka works with leaders in all sorts of different fields to change patterns across

society with innovative solutions to social problems. Ashoka has recognized our school for

the work we do to empower children with the skills they need to be changemakers in our

rapidly changing world. Specifically, Golestan was selected for serving as a model for

cultivating empathy, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. Our preschool program

was the first and only preschool in the world to be selected as an Ashoka Changemaker

School. For more information on Ashoka, please click here.

What is the cultural heritage of a Golestan Kid?

In 2015-2016, we had 27 preschoolers, 42 after schoolers (aged six to thirteen), and

42 summer campers (also aged six to thirteen). People often ask about the language

background of our families. Below are charts that show what percentage of our children

come from Persian speaking households. Only 28% of our students come from homes

where both parents are native Persian speakers. Approximately 10% of our students

come from homes where there are no native Persian speakers. This reflects the Golestan

culture of inclusion, diversity, and nurturing multi-cultural citizens of the world.

11%

74%

15%

Preschool

No Native Persian Speakers at home

One Native Persian Speaker at home

Both parents Native Persian Speakers

Preschoolers

Afterschoolers

Preschoolers and Afterschoolers

9%

55%

36%

Afterschool

No Native Persian Speakers at home

One Native Persian Speaker at home

Both parents Native Persian Speakers

10%

62%

28%

Preschool and Afterschool

No Native Persian Speakers at home

One Native Persian Speaker at home

Both parents Native Persian Speakers

Golestan Primary School: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian Language Immersion

Golestan is expanding into primary school!

Golestan's current program is so successful that the majority of parents submit

applications for their children when they're pregnant - and still, each year, dozens of

children never make it off the waitlist. While the impact of the preschool and after

school programs are profound (socio-emotional, creative, executive functioning,

breadth of knowledge...), parents often lament the thought of leaving Golestan

for Kindergarten. Some parents opt to skip Kindergarten altogether in order to

have an extra year at Golestan.

The objective of Golestan's expansion is to increase our ability to serve more

families, provide the opportunity for children to grow with the program beyond

The Primary School

preschool, and to open up this very special place for people of greater cultural

and socio-economic diversity.

The primary school will be a secular International Baccalaureate accredited

program in English, with three secondary language immersion tracks in Arabic,

Hebrew, and Persian.

This idyllic school will continue to support the development of altruistic and

compassionate children, while providing the perfect environment for each child

to excel academically. These children will become community-minded, inspiring

adults who celebrate humanity and embrace diversity. In this school, each student

will be a part of one larger culturally integrated community, while enjoying daily

enrichment programs immersed in their heritage language track of choice. This

is an environment where cross-pollination of languages and cultures will be

encouraged and valued... a place where similarities and differences are both

celebrated.

Thank you for being a part of the birth of the next generation of Golestan - the

first of its kind, this school brings together languages and people that have

traditionally been segregated. Coupled with Golestan's unique pedagogy, this

school will support the creation of exceptional human beings who will play a major

role in making the world a better place for all.

"I'm American, my husband is American. We self-identify as American, but [our

daughter]... she is a child of the world." Long-time Golestan parent

Meet Our People

Parinaz (Joojeh)

Elham (Bolbol)

Michka (Bolbol)

Tannaz D (Joojeh)

Saeideh (Parvaaneh)

Mahsa (Parvaneh)

Mamak (Afterschool)

Azam (Afterschool)

Yasaman (Afterschool)

Shaghayegh (Afterschool, Administrative)

Golnaz (Substitute)

Hanif (Substitute)

Afra (Volunteer)

Mojgan (Volunteer)

Hasti (Volunteer)

Raha (Volunteer)

Garineh (Social Media Coordinator)

Nastaran (Rangin Kaman)

Juliet (Chef )

Maryam A. (Colab)

Sandra (Manager of Facilities)

Maria (Facilities)

Collin (Office Manager)

Yalda (Executive Director)

Golestan Staff and Volunteers:

“This beautiful place has given me so much. I’ve learned so much, not only

about teaching, mentoring, and leading, but about life. This place taught

me to live mindfully, to really look at the world. My whole experience in this

world has changed. My confidence has just blossomed too. I know the

list goes on, but this has been the most valuable thing for me because

it is something I have always struggled with. I’ve learned to love myself

in an entirely new way. I hope that some day in the future I can give back

in some way to this beautiful place. So I want to thank you for organizing

such a loving, structured and playful environment."

– Former Golestan Teacher

Golestan Board of Directors:Tom Attar - Board Member

Elham (Ellie) Han - Board Member

Amir Kia - Board Member

Firuzeh Mahmoudi - Board President

Yalda Modabber - Executive Director

Neda Nobari - Board Member

Josh Oliver- Board Member

Hadi Taheri - Chief Financial Officer

Katherine Whitney - Secretary

Golestan Community Association:Alexandra Singer

Aliah Najmabadi

Azi Rad

Erinn Nahid

Ellie Han

Lina Nazar

Minoo Akbarian

Naseem Badiey

Pegah Afkary

Shiva Niazi

Yasi Nouri Massih

Zahra Mahloudji

None of what we do and endeavor to do is possible without the generosity and support of our amazing community members.

“And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.” - Khalil Gibran

(Names within each category are in alphabetical order)

Thank you!

$150,000 and above: Bita Daryabari, Debra & Reza Abbaszadeh, Neda Nobari Foundation $50,000 to 149,999: Weinmann Chari-

table Lead Trust, Anonymous (in honor of the Massih family) $10,000 to $49,999: 5th Street Machine Arts, Azar Zavvar & Josh

Oliver, Fardad Forouzan, Frances Hellman & Warren Breslau, Ghazaleh Afshar & Tom Attar , Laurie Capitelli, Malou Babilonia,

Parsa Community Foundation, Ramin & Monica Modabber, Shirin & Javad Rahimian, The Westphal Family Foundation $5,000

to $9,999: Annenberg Foundation (Azi Rad & Jonathan Silvio), Ellie & Eddie Han, Farrokh Modabber & Marlies Haegglund, Minoo

Taheri & Robert Becker, Parissa Sayar & Hadi Taheri, Richard & Debbie Bradish, Salomeh Keyhani, Soraya Rofagha & Phiroz

Tarapore, Yasi & Amir Massih $1,000 to $4,999: Abbas Milani, Afsaneh Michaels, Aida Izadpanah, Alex Tehrani, Alexandra Singer &

Ali Niknejad, Ali Mahloudji, Ali Rahimian, Aliah Najmabadi & Maruf Noyoft, Altabella Italian Properties (Oliver family), Amir Azimi,

Ann & Ahmad Moghaddas, Apple Company, Arsalan Najmabadi, Azadeh & Frank Hariri, Bruce A. Westphal, Charlotte Griswold-

Tergis, Darioush Winery, Erin & Kiarash Namdaran, Erinn & Payam Nahid, Firuzeh Mahmoudi & Andre Carothers, Gillian & Ross

Stromberg, Golijeh Golarai & Anders Greenwood, Jen Kerns & Caesar Djavaherian , Judy & Kava Massih, Katherine Whitney &

Farhad Farzaneh, Lamia Ettefagh & Amir Gheissari, Maryam & Majid Rahimian, Maryam Majidy & Kayvan, Alikhani, Maz Jobrani

& Pretha Mani, Mehry & Ali Rahimian, Microsoft Company, Minou Modabber, Monireh Sobhani, Morad Movassaghi, Namdar

Saleh, Nariman Teymourian, Nazli Sadeghilar, Negar Baharlou (Shadi Kids), Niloofar Nouri, Nooshan Mirhadi & Jahan Jowharchi,

Nooshin Razani & Saam Morshed, Nushin Haghighi, Pooneh Koohyar & Tom LeClair, Puneh Sohrabpour, Reed Westphal, Sales-

Force Company, Sara Khademi & Arash Komeili, Sara Rahimian & Chris Harrelson, Sassan Sahami, Sedigheh Keyhani-Rofagha,

SFE Jewelers, Shahrzad (Shari) Rezai, Shirin Tabatabai, Shokooh Miry & Steve Mohebi , Sormeh D Vafaei, Soudabeh Salek,

Stacey & Ben Zarrin, Nancy & Steven Oliver, The Persian Center, Trish & Zia Modabber, Walnut Creek Lighting (Behrang Pakzad)

, Yalda Modabber & Matthew Stromberg, Zahra Mahloudji & Michael Goldbach $250 to $999: Alex Ghessemieh, Anonymous,

Arezoo Fakouri & Douglas Yokoyama, Arezoo Zand & Byron Loughridge, Asma Mohseni & Kaiser Shahid , Avid Modjtabai, Avissa

Tehrani & Mohammad Azadpour, Ayako Nagano, Bahareh Hedayat, Boostan Kids, Caroline Nasseri, Catherine Arnold, Ciara Cox &

Margaret Wu, David Taheri, Elan Shapiro, Elham Aboutalebi Anaraki, Frog Hollow Farms, Ghazaleh Ebrahimi & Ali Hariri, Gretchen

Stromberg, Hoosh Hoosh Bahoosh, Jeffrey Gehring, Jenny Fosket, Jill & Carson Holmes, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Kristin

Anne Stromberg, Ladan & Todd Gehring, Ladan Sobhani & Mark Kipfer, Laila Shamszad & Gabriel Berent, Laura Stokes & Amy

Schliftman, Leila Hobooty Fard & Ata Ebtekar, Leili Baghaei Rad & Ian Downes, Lillian & Ted Roth, Lina & Ali Nazar, Lynda & Darrell

Wilson, Margaret Stromberg, Margret Wu, Marjaneh Moghimi, Marsh and McLennan Shared Services Corporation, Maryam &

Damon Longrus, Mina Ghafghaichi, Mina Rafiei, Mina Sagheb, Mojgan Deldari, Molly Rad, Monier Attar, Monika & Reza Jalili, Moti

Bagherian, Nazy Kaviani, Negean Mahmoudi & Aubrey Ingraham, Nilou Mostoufi & Chris Hood, Nina Ansary, Nonprofit›s Insur-

ance Alliance, Oracle Company, Parinaz Golshaeian & Jeff Assadi, Parvin Azimi & Reza Tehrani, Polly and Michael Wong, Roham

Bavand, Salmeh Moghimi, Scout Collection llc, Setareh Siavash & Ehsan Ettehadieh, Shahin Bahmanian, Shervin Farhadi, Shiva

& Jim Wilson, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Somayeh Honarmand & Mohammad Shahnazari, Sonbol Banava & Josh

Pugh, Sonia Ghaemi, Tamara Nakhjavani & Homayoun Bagherinia, Tea Collection, The Benevity Community Impact Fund, The

Hand Foundation (Noosheen Hashemi), The St. Regis SF, Vangard Charitable, Yaser Honarmand $1 to $249: Abdi Mohammadian,

Grace Kong & Abdi Soltani, Adam Dawson, Afra Pourdad, Afsaneh Rohani, Afsoon Vaziri, Ali Gazerani, Ali Kazemi, Ali Mehdizadeh,

Ali Tabibian, Alireza Bagherian, Alison Norberry, Amir Razani, Amirali Aliabadi & Samira Naraghi, Anahita Bakhtiary, Andrea &

Bill Foley, Anita Amirrezvani, Anita Medal, Ann Miller, Anonymous, Arash Azarkhish & Yismari Ramos Tellez, Armin Farajzadeh

Deroee, Atissa Banuazizi, Azadeh Honarmand, Azardokht Iranfar, Azita & Karim Pakravan, Baha Hariri, Bahram Fotouhi, Bahram

Kermani, Baleen & Babak Shemirani, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Betty A. Ingraham, Bobak Morshed, Brenna Randolph, Brian

Lutz, Cal Flowers, Carmen & Paco Furlan, Casimir Carothers, Cathy French Dario, Cristina Bardia Farahmand, Daniel Bruno, Dara

Goosby, David Jaberi, Mariam Zarrabi & David Widemann , Deborah Girma, Diane Lee Henderson & Sid Stokes, Dorsa Barzin, Eli

Leichter-Wilson, Emil Adolphs, Emily & Jason Moghaddas, Erin Potts & Jon Voss, EZ Consulting, Fariba Rezvani, Farideh Behrozi,

Farzad Khabiri, Farzad Namdaran, Feri Modaressi, Feye Ara ,Fiona Wong, Garineh Nazarian, Globe Scientific Inc., Goli Hashemi,

Gretchen & Richard Grant, Hannah Naseem Badiey & Christian Helmers, Hassan Amin, Heather & Pete Stokes, Hedieh Bahar,

Hestan Vineyards, Homa Fard, Houman Azarm, Ida & Royal Dunham, Iraniacan Inc., Jafar Tay & Pantea Naeimi, Jaleh Ebrahimi,

Jan Marsh, Janice Spuller, Janice Stokes, Jasmin & Jordan Gudebski, Jasmine B. Brennan, Javad Razani,, Jayron Finan, Jehan

Seirafi, Jennifer Wong & Mark Schlosberg, Jimena Mosquera, Jo Ann Doyle, Joel Clark, John Lenser , John P Katz, Kaara Kallen,

Karen Carson, Karim & Sanaz Malek, Karim Malek, Karim Pakravan, Katayoon Fattahi, Kate & Benjamin Hewitt, Kate& Lindsey

Connor, Kathleen & Paul Atkins.

What use is a tray of flowers? Flowers last but five days or six The joy of this Golestan (garden of flowers) will last a lifetime- Saadi

The joy of this Golestan (garden of flowers) will last a lifetime

Golestan Education1808 5th Street

Berkeley, CA 94710

info@golestankids.com

www.golestankids.com

510.704.8541

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