The California School-Age Consortium is proud to highlight Tighist Bihon from CalSAC's Leadership Development Institute 360°/365 fellowship. Tighist is a leader who has demonstrated unrivaled commitment to the field and drive for advanced leadership in the out-of-school time and early learning field.
Tighist Bihon, Girls Inc. of Alameda County - Oakland
Tighist Bihon has been working for Girls Inc. of Alameda County since 2014, where she is currently a Program Coordinator. Girls Inc. is a nonprofit organization that encourages all girls to be "Strong, Smart, and Bold" by helping them master foundational academic skill, practice healthy behaviors and build positive relationships with peers and adults. Prior to working at Girls Inc., Tighist Bihon worked in the day school and afterschool field for 12 years with K-5 students in different capacities.
Tighist Bihon was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She moved to the United States when she was 15 and graduated from Hillsdale High School in San Mateo where she discovered the need for an ELL (English Language Learners) program. Soon after moving to the East Bay, she received her Bachelors of Social Work from the University of California State, East Bay and fell in love with the community. Soon after that Tighist start working at Acorn Woodland Elementary as a Reading Interventionist, where she helped English Language Learners by providing intensive small group intervention.
Tighist is currently working for Girls Inc. of Alameda County as a Program Coordinator at Acorn Woodland Elementary, where she continues to support youth and families by providing a strong Literacy program and inspiring youth to be Strong: Through mental and physical health, Smart: Through academic engagement and Bold: Through leadership development. She is also passionate about building a strong sense of community in her program by making an impact on the lives of youth she serves and providing a safe place for youth to come for support.
Tighist has continued her leadership journey in 2018 with her acceptance to CalSAC’s Leadership Development Institute, which has helped her develop as a leader. She looks forward to new possibilities where she can continue to learn, grow and serve youth and their families.
“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.”