GA Partnership for Excellence in Education names 2017-2018 Education Policy Fellowship Program class

MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, mcardoza(at)gpee.org, 404-223-2464

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July 24, 2017 – The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education today named 20 leaders to the Education Policy Fellowship Program’s Class of 2017-2018. The Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) is a national professional development program sponsored by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) that provides potential leaders with the knowledge and networks to advance the core issues of education policy.

In Georgia, EPFP is an initiative of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and is co-sponsored by the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. The program connects potential educational leaders with one another to build the capacity for our state to raise the bar for student learning and achievement. The ultimate goal of EPEP is to improve the chances for children and youth to succeed.

“The Education Policy Fellowship Program provides leaders with the knowledge and networks to advance the core issues of education policy in Georgia,” said Dr. Steve Dolinger, President of the Georgia Partnership. “It serves as a critical resource for individuals, organizations and the state to increase the knowledge about education policy and linkages between policy and practice. I congratulate all of these talented leaders and look forward to working alongside them.”

Program Funder: The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education is grateful for the funding support of Lockheed Martin and Wells Fargo.

James Aucoin
Director of Programs
GivingPoint

Dr. Chris Cannon
Program Manager
Georgia Council on Economic Education

Genny Castillo
Director – Caucus Services
Georgia House Democratic Caucus

Dr. Bonnie Cochran
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
Paulding County School District

Sherri S. Davis
Senior Managing Director – Strategy, Talent and Operations
Teach for America

Victoria Norris
Education Program Manager
CF Foundation

Jessica P. Pennington
Executive Director
Truancy Intervention Project Georgia, Inc.

Gayla R. Robbins
School Partnerships
honorCode

Stephanie A. Sanders
English Language Arts Program Manager
Georgia Department of Education

Angria Sceusi
Director of Operations and Investments
redefinEDatlanta

Geoffrey Streat
Project Director
United Way of Greater Atlanta

Otha E. Thornton, Jr.
Past National PTA President
PTA

Vett Vandiver
Communications Manager
GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students

Sweta Vivek
Director of Data, Analytics & Insights
Achieve Atlanta

Dr. Kelly M. Walton
Chief Operating Officer
Future Foundation, Inc.

Jacquetta Watkins
Executive Director
The Study Hall, Inc.

Daniel Weber
Executive Director
Charter System Foundation, Inc.

Greg Wilson
Public Service Assistant
Carl Vinson Institute of Government
The University of Georgia

Kerri Wilson
Division Director – Educational Development
Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget

Accelerating the Pace calls for state leaders and educators to focus on four main priority areas for improvement:

  • Make the South the best place to teach in the nation. Teachers and principals who have the talent, preparation and continued support they need to help students succeed.
  • Provide new types of academic—and nonacademic—support for today’s students. Students need an array of support systems to help them deal with physical and emotional health issues that can impact their learning.
  • Clear all students’ path from high school to their next steps in education and work. Build a much stronger bridge from high school into college, career training or a good job.
  • Ensure resources are adequate and targeted. Invest in education to meet the needs of every child, and consider additional support for students who need the most help to catch up.