Deborah La Torre
@deblatorre.bsky.social
Social Scientist @UCLA w/ expertise in measurement, STEM, teacher and afterschool education. Former public school teacher. Musician. Art lover. Italian American. Foodie. NCAA hoops. SoCal native. Cat parent to Chloe and Lila. Photos my own.
This is how we sometimes do Thanksgiving in sunny California.
The picture includes my dad, aunt, myself, my uncle, and my maternal grandparents.
We lost my dad to Parkinson’s two years ago, and my grandparents long before, but pictures like this still make me smile.
The picture includes my dad, aunt, myself, my uncle, and my maternal grandparents.
We lost my dad to Parkinson’s two years ago, and my grandparents long before, but pictures like this still make me smile.
November 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
This is how we sometimes do Thanksgiving in sunny California.
The picture includes my dad, aunt, myself, my uncle, and my maternal grandparents.
We lost my dad to Parkinson’s two years ago, and my grandparents long before, but pictures like this still make me smile.
The picture includes my dad, aunt, myself, my uncle, and my maternal grandparents.
We lost my dad to Parkinson’s two years ago, and my grandparents long before, but pictures like this still make me smile.
As I was reading Substack this morning, I started thinking about the founding of my school (Ed&IS at UCLA)
We began as a normal school in 1882, with a mission to train teachers, and then became UCLA in 1919. We’ve always educated women, including most of UCLA’s first graduating class. #StandUpForUC
We began as a normal school in 1882, with a mission to train teachers, and then became UCLA in 1919. We’ve always educated women, including most of UCLA’s first graduating class. #StandUpForUC
Bruin Women Firsts
newsletter.alumni.ucla.edu
November 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
As I was reading Substack this morning, I started thinking about the founding of my school (Ed&IS at UCLA)
We began as a normal school in 1882, with a mission to train teachers, and then became UCLA in 1919. We’ve always educated women, including most of UCLA’s first graduating class. #StandUpForUC
We began as a normal school in 1882, with a mission to train teachers, and then became UCLA in 1919. We’ve always educated women, including most of UCLA’s first graduating class. #StandUpForUC
This month my colleagues and I presented at CalTeach about one of the new teacher training programs that we used to have at UCLA.
STEM+C3 was funded through the now defunct federal TQP grants that trained teachers in hard to staff subject areas such as STEM and middle school social studies.
STEM+C3 was funded through the now defunct federal TQP grants that trained teachers in hard to staff subject areas such as STEM and middle school social studies.
centerx.gseis.ucla.edu
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 AM
This month my colleagues and I presented at CalTeach about one of the new teacher training programs that we used to have at UCLA.
STEM+C3 was funded through the now defunct federal TQP grants that trained teachers in hard to staff subject areas such as STEM and middle school social studies.
STEM+C3 was funded through the now defunct federal TQP grants that trained teachers in hard to staff subject areas such as STEM and middle school social studies.
Lila cat listening to Politics Chat with @hcrichardson.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Lila cat listening to Politics Chat with @hcrichardson.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
November 18, 2025
November 18, 2025
For three hot days, from July 1 to July 3, 1863, more than 150,000 soldiers from the armies of the United States of America and the Confederate States of America slashed at each other in the hills and...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
November 18, 2025
Almost every in person workday I drive along Mulholland Drive to get between canyons. Tonight, this was my reward (taken during a brief moment of traffic)! A view of the sunset across the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles.
November 19, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Almost every in person workday I drive along Mulholland Drive to get between canyons. Tonight, this was my reward (taken during a brief moment of traffic)! A view of the sunset across the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles.
I gave up my NY Times and LA Times subscriptions last year, but discovered this week that I can read both online via the Los Angeles Public Library. They also have a great selection of E-books.
www.lapl.org/newspapers
www.lapl.org/newspapers
Newspapers | Los Angeles Public Library
Leer en español
Connecting You to News from Around the World
Your library card gives you easy digital access to thousands of newspapers from across the globe in dozens of languages. We have you cover...
www.lapl.org
November 16, 2025 at 11:14 PM
I gave up my NY Times and LA Times subscriptions last year, but discovered this week that I can read both online via the Los Angeles Public Library. They also have a great selection of E-books.
www.lapl.org/newspapers
www.lapl.org/newspapers
When I was a little kid my family went to Price Club in San Diego. It was nice to see Sol Price and the original warehouse store mentioned in this piece from the New Yorker.
BTW, Sol Price funded an education program at Balboa Park that I studied for my masters thesis.
BTW, Sol Price funded an education program at Balboa Park that I studied for my masters thesis.
Can the Golden Age of Costco Last?
With its standout deals and generous employment practices, the warehouse chain became a feel-good American institution. In a fraught time, it can be hard to remain beloved.
www.newyorker.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:10 PM
When I was a little kid my family went to Price Club in San Diego. It was nice to see Sol Price and the original warehouse store mentioned in this piece from the New Yorker.
BTW, Sol Price funded an education program at Balboa Park that I studied for my masters thesis.
BTW, Sol Price funded an education program at Balboa Park that I studied for my masters thesis.
Lila cat acting nonchalant while her older sister Chloe threatens to throw up a fur ball (out of sight) on the other side of our new rug.
BTW, I’d pay a small fortune if someone could teach them to throw up on the tile or hardwood floors instead!
#caturday
BTW, I’d pay a small fortune if someone could teach them to throw up on the tile or hardwood floors instead!
#caturday
November 16, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Lila cat acting nonchalant while her older sister Chloe threatens to throw up a fur ball (out of sight) on the other side of our new rug.
BTW, I’d pay a small fortune if someone could teach them to throw up on the tile or hardwood floors instead!
#caturday
BTW, I’d pay a small fortune if someone could teach them to throw up on the tile or hardwood floors instead!
#caturday
In honor of her takedown this week, I bought my first book from Joyce Carol Oates
November 16, 2025 at 4:35 AM
In honor of her takedown this week, I bought my first book from Joyce Carol Oates
During my past life, we had an indy film company called DViant Films. We mostly shot in Canada where my now ex-husband is from.
I just discovered that our film Collaborator, which won best actor and the FIPRESCI at Karlovy Vary, is streaming for free on Prime.
watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=a...
I just discovered that our film Collaborator, which won best actor and the FIPRESCI at Karlovy Vary, is streaming for free on Prime.
watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=a...
November 15, 2025 at 6:20 PM
During my past life, we had an indy film company called DViant Films. We mostly shot in Canada where my now ex-husband is from.
I just discovered that our film Collaborator, which won best actor and the FIPRESCI at Karlovy Vary, is streaming for free on Prime.
watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=a...
I just discovered that our film Collaborator, which won best actor and the FIPRESCI at Karlovy Vary, is streaming for free on Prime.
watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=a...
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
In a major win for UC faculty groups and unions that sued, a federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump from imposing a $1.2-billion fine on UCLA along with stipulations for deep campus changes in exchange for being eligible for federal grants: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Judge blocks Trump administration push to fine UCLA $1.2 billion for alleged antisemitism
A federal judge late Friday issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from imposing a $1.2-billion fine on UCLA for alleged civil rights violations over antisemitism, its recog...
www.latimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:12 AM
In a major win for UC faculty groups and unions that sued, a federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump from imposing a $1.2-billion fine on UCLA along with stipulations for deep campus changes in exchange for being eligible for federal grants: www.latimes.com/california/s...
In July I was able to attend a donors event that included a screening of highlights and a Q&A for Ken Burns documentary on The American Revolution. It was amazing to hear Ken and his colleagues, but even more moving was a speech made by Andrew Russell of PBS SoCal.
We need to keep PBS alive!
We need to keep PBS alive!
November 14, 2025 at 1:46 AM
In July I was able to attend a donors event that included a screening of highlights and a Q&A for Ken Burns documentary on The American Revolution. It was amazing to hear Ken and his colleagues, but even more moving was a speech made by Andrew Russell of PBS SoCal.
We need to keep PBS alive!
We need to keep PBS alive!
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
At the Getty Villa in the Malibu section of Los Angeles this week
November 11, 2025 at 11:38 PM
At the Getty Villa in the Malibu section of Los Angeles this week
Chloe has already had extra treats, but she’s trying to use her calico jedi powers to get more.
“Mom, you are next to the pantry. You want to give me more treats. Giving me treats brings you joy!”
Caturday everyday.
“Mom, you are next to the pantry. You want to give me more treats. Giving me treats brings you joy!”
Caturday everyday.
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Chloe has already had extra treats, but she’s trying to use her calico jedi powers to get more.
“Mom, you are next to the pantry. You want to give me more treats. Giving me treats brings you joy!”
Caturday everyday.
“Mom, you are next to the pantry. You want to give me more treats. Giving me treats brings you joy!”
Caturday everyday.
When my dad was a teen he enlisted in the navy reserves and trained to be a radar operator because the test said he loved to talk. He was called up to active duty and served at Pearl Harbor and in Japan. Later he joined the FAA.
Two years ago we buried him at Miramar National Cemetery. #veteransday
Two years ago we buried him at Miramar National Cemetery. #veteransday
November 11, 2025 at 5:40 PM
When my dad was a teen he enlisted in the navy reserves and trained to be a radar operator because the test said he loved to talk. He was called up to active duty and served at Pearl Harbor and in Japan. Later he joined the FAA.
Two years ago we buried him at Miramar National Cemetery. #veteransday
Two years ago we buried him at Miramar National Cemetery. #veteransday
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
We are teaching a groundbreaking class at USC titled “Bridging the Media Gap Between L.A. Influencers and Independent Journalists” trying to create a new style of ethical hybrid reporting that will usher in this brave new era of journalism.
A letter from our editor: lataco.com/usc-class-la...
A letter from our editor: lataco.com/usc-class-la...
November 10, 2025 at 12:58 AM
We are teaching a groundbreaking class at USC titled “Bridging the Media Gap Between L.A. Influencers and Independent Journalists” trying to create a new style of ethical hybrid reporting that will usher in this brave new era of journalism.
A letter from our editor: lataco.com/usc-class-la...
A letter from our editor: lataco.com/usc-class-la...
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
I refuse to support a funding bill that fails to address the Republican health care crisis.
And make health insurance affordable.
The American people clearly understand the stakes and the urgency. We must too.
I'm voting no.
And make health insurance affordable.
The American people clearly understand the stakes and the urgency. We must too.
I'm voting no.
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 AM
I refuse to support a funding bill that fails to address the Republican health care crisis.
And make health insurance affordable.
The American people clearly understand the stakes and the urgency. We must too.
I'm voting no.
And make health insurance affordable.
The American people clearly understand the stakes and the urgency. We must too.
I'm voting no.
What my cats think about on my in person work days at UCLA. Except they claim they didn’t get enough treats, milk, etc.
Look I get publishing a broad spectrum of opinions but I already fed them this morning
November 8, 2025 at 6:46 AM
What my cats think about on my in person work days at UCLA. Except they claim they didn’t get enough treats, milk, etc.
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
Australia has so much electricity from solar power that it is going to start offering free electricity to everyone for at least three hours during the day as the wholesale price of power goes negative
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
Australia has so much solar that it's offering everyone free electricity
Australia's extensive solar power penetration makes so much energy that the government wants to offer free electricity at peak hours.
electrek.co
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Australia has so much electricity from solar power that it is going to start offering free electricity to everyone for at least three hours during the day as the wholesale price of power goes negative
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
This is Adelita Grijalva. She was elected 43 days ago.
Republicans still refuse to swear her in because she is the final vote needed to release the Epstein Files.
Republicans still refuse to swear her in because she is the final vote needed to release the Epstein Files.
November 5, 2025 at 11:38 PM
This is Adelita Grijalva. She was elected 43 days ago.
Republicans still refuse to swear her in because she is the final vote needed to release the Epstein Files.
Republicans still refuse to swear her in because she is the final vote needed to release the Epstein Files.