Sean Griffin
Director of High School Academic Excellence

Sean is grateful for the experiences and benefits of his own Catholic education through both elementary school and high school within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. After graduating from high school he continued his journey in Catholic education at the University of Notre Dame where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Sensing a desire to give back to Catholic education, he continued on to the PLACE program at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) as a Math and Science Teacher. He was PLACEd at Bishop Mora Salesian High School as a math and physics teacher and he helped bring both AP Calculus and AP Physics to the student population. For 2 years he lived in community with other first and second year Catholic educators and then graduated with his Master of Arts Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education along with his Single Subject Mathematics Credential.

Throughout Sean’s educational career he has had a passion for supporting teachers as they grow and develop. He has worked for the Center for Math and Science Teaching (CMAST) at LMU helping build teacher coaching and professional development for math and science teachers. He’s served as a Dean of STEM and as an Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at St. Bernard High School and St. Mary’s Academy, and was a math Professional Development Leader across the Green Dot Public Schools charter network. He has taught most high school math courses, and most recently was teaching AP Calculus and Algebra 2 in addition to preparing juniors for the math SBAC (the Common Core high school math assessment) and the SAT and ACT.

As the Director of High School Academic Excellence, Sean is excited to partner with academic leaders and teachers to continue to facilitate a growing academic culture of collaboration and professional development that ultimately benefits the student experience and outcomes across the Catholic High Schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Using his experience as an administrator, workshop presenter, and training in preparing for and analyzing data from 21st century assessments, he is grateful for the opportunity to be a part on Onward 4 Excellence team to work with schools to continue to grow student success. 

Contact: DCS@la-archdiocese.org 

Lauren Murray
Associate Director of High School Academic Excellence

Lauren grew up in San Francisco where she attended Catholic elementary and high schools before making her way to the University of San Diego for her undergraduate degree. While at USD, she found her passion within campus ministry and community service, and her vocation for teaching high schoolers. She knew from her time volunteering in schools and her own experience that she was meant to teach in Catholic schools, which led her to Loyola Marymount University’s PLACE Corps where she earned her Master of Arts in Secondary English Teaching and a California Single Subject teaching credential. She was PLACEd at St. Mary’s Academy as an English and Theology teacher. Over the years, she instructed AP English Literature and Composition, assisted with the Technology Team, and coordinated Christian Service Hours for all students.

St. Mary’s Academy taught Lauren to care for the dear neighbor, which was when she felt God’s call to support homeless, foster, and probation youth in Los Angeles through a new independent study school. Over three years, she created A-G approved English curriculums for every course of high school ELA as a teacher leader, became certified in Project-Based Learning in order to implement in her classrooms, conducted Academic Excellence PLCs, served as Administrator Designee, launched a school-wide literacy focus as the Literacy Coordinator, and received training in anti-bias/anti-racist curriculum and trauma-informed practices.

 Through her role as Associate Director of High School Academic Excellence, Lauren strives to facilitate collaboration, innovation, and leadership amongst academic teachers and administrators throughout ADLA. Lauren’s ultimate goal as a member of the Onward 4 Excellence team is to continue and promote a culture of learning in high schools throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as well as support educators dedicated to teaching the whole child.

Contact: DCS@la-archdiocese.org