Kami Cotler's Homecoming

Dear

It’s been 40 years since “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” made-for-TV movie pilot that launched the long-running, hit series “The Waltons” debuted. The 40^th anniversary of the now-classic holiday special’s debut is turning the spotlight back on cast members like Kami Cotler who have been out of the entertainment limelight since the TV series and sequels ended in 1997.

Although Cotler has been known to TV audiences for the past four decades as Elizabeth Walton, the Norman Rockwell-esque youngest member of the beloved Walton family clan, to students at Environmental Charter Middle School (ECMS) in Inglewood, Calif., she is Ms. Cotler, their principal. Most students are unaware of her TV icon status.

Six-year-old Kami Cotler nabbed a role of a lifetime when she was cast as Elizabeth Walton in “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story.” She played the part through the entire nine-season run (221 episodes) and six TV movie sequels. The series ended when she was 16.  Since then, Kami has enjoyed a rich and fulfilling life as, among many other “real-life” roles, a pioneering educator – all the while maintaining a strong connection with her Waltons roots.

After attending the University of Southern Calif. and graduating from The University of Calif. at Berkeley with a degree in Social Science and a teaching credential for English, the lifelong city girl decided to experience rural life.  Kami moved to Virginia and taught in a high school not far from the hometown of Waltons creator Earl Hammer. She divided her days between teaching in an alternative education program for at-risk students and teaching drama.

After five years, Kami and her family moved back to California where she has been actively involved in the charter school movement ever since. “I am a passionate proponent of the idea that not everybody learns the same way and that it is important for parents to have a variety of public school programs from which to choose,” Kami noted.

She was founding co-director of a charter school on the Los Angeles Westside for three years and a consultant to Environmental Charter High School prior to her current position as principal of Environmental Charter Middle School.  “We offer students a small, caring school environment that supports their transition from elementary school and prepares them for high school success,” Kami explained.  “Our educational program is designed for students to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes to succeed in a college preparatory high school and to be effective stewards of their community.”

Kami is grateful for her Waltons experience.  “It was a magical time. I was super lucky.”  She added that she has applied many of the lessons learned while working on  the TV series to “real life.”  “Running a school is not unlike putting on a show. It requires planning ahead and being able to respond to ever-changing situations.”

“The Waltons” cast has remained close over the years and continues to see each periodically. To celebrate the 40^th anniversary milestone, several cast members and loyal fans from across the country will gather for a special screening of “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” Fri., Dec. 2, at The Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre in Jersey City, N.J.

“It’s fun being able to weave both worlds together,” Kami said.  “I’ve had the good fortune to meet lots of wonderful people and feel like I have had a positive impact on lives, whether they are Waltons fans or ECMS stakeholders.”

Kami hopes her Waltons connection will help with school fundraising efforts. Her Facebook fan page friends currently are voting on Waltons photos to be sold on the ECMS website. Proceeds from the photo sales will underwrite educational field trips for the students.

We would be happy to set up a personal meeting for you  to catch up with Kami Cotler and discover what sets ECMS apart from traditional schools.  Please tell us a time or two when you would be available to meet with Kami and we’ll be happy to set it up at your convenience. Meantime, let us know if you have questions or if we may be of any further assistance. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Best regards,

Dienna D'Olimpio
Vice President
Barbara Bishop Public Relations, Inc.

2934 1/2 Beverly Glen Circle, #706

Bel Air, CA 90077
310-656-4668 (office)
310-980-6936 (cell)
ddolimpio@bbprinc.com

About Environmental Charter Schools:

The mission of Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) is to inspire students to discover their own sense of purpose, to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to graduate from college and to empower them to become quality stewards of their community and world. On top of their challenging classroom programs, students are required to apply concepts and skills gained in class to problem-solve local civic and environmental issues and take action to make a measurable impact. Students also participate in outdoor educational challenges to develop self-confidence and leadership skills. The first school was formed in 1999 by founder Alison Suffet-Diaz along with a group of parents, educators, businesses and non-profits to meet the educational challenges in a low-income area of southwest Los Angeles. The second school, a middle school, opened in September 2010. In 2010, ECS was a finalist in consideration for President Obama to attend and present a graduation speech. http://www.echsonline.org/

The Waltons is an American television series created by Earl Hamner, Jr., based on his book Spencer's Mountain and a 1963 film of the same name. The show centered on a family growing up in a rural Virginia community during the Great Depression and World War II. The series pilot was a television movie titled “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story,” broadcast in 1971. The show originally aired on CBS from 1972 to 1981. After the series left the air, three television movie sequels were broadcast in 1982, with three more following in the 1990s.