The first title of Maine ASCD Executive Director Dr. Leigh Alley's social-emotional learning series for tween readers, Shiny Friends Super Squad #1: Starr of the Show, launched on October 1. A member of the education faculty in the University of Maine System teaching Children's and Young Adult Literature, Leigh penned the series to help fill an area of need in the trade book market: hi-lo SEL books with engaging content for a wide pre-teen readership.
Jessica Holloway EL19 is the 2023 Tech Educator of the Year by the Chattanooga Technology Council as part of its annual Technology Excellence (TechX) Awards. In accepting the honor, Jess shared, “The best kind of friendships are fierce ladies who adamantly believe in each other, defend each other and think that the other deserves the world. "
ASCD Champion in Education Marnie Hazelton has been named one of LinkedIn's 2023 Top Voices! She says it's critical for schools to partner with teacher preparation programs involving teachers in the strategy for their own professional development, marginalized students will continue to be at a disadvantage in the job market.
Danielle Brown EL23 has been selected by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to be a recipient of the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program award. As a Fulbright recipient, she will share knowledge and foster meaningful connections across communities in the United States and abroad. Danielle serves as a 6th grade math teacher at Andrew Lewis Middle School in Salem, Virginia.
Matt Younghans EL17 is a 2023 class of NAESP National Distinguished Principals. The 40th year of the program honors 35 public school principals (32 elementary, 3 middle and 2 in Department of State Overseas Schools) in Washington, D.C. Each year, NAESP recognizes principals from across the nation for their exemplary achievements.
Argentina ASCD President Silvia Breiburd presented, “The Alpha and Omega of Next-Gen Teaching and Learning” at the Panama TESOL Convention on Inspiring Innovation in English Language Teaching. Participants explored ways of reaching students’ interests through less stressful teaching methods that include generative AI tools and five keys for achieving successful outcomes with GenZ and Alpha students.
Aaron Spence EL10 is the new superintendent for the Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia. Previously, Aaron served as Superintendent of the Virginia Beach, Virginia Public Schools as well as the Moore County, North Carolina schools, and as the Chief High Schools Officer with the Houston Independent School District in Texas.
Adrienne Sanders EL23 has been selected to help play a role in the Fort Mill School District Leadership Academy. She has hosted several fellow administrators as well as aspiring administrators as they have shadowed her on multiple occasions. In December, Adrienne will also collaborate with two colleagues to present to the Leadership Academy attendees during their monthly professional development.
Nova Scotia ASCD is attending and supporting the Public School Administrators Association of Nova Scotia (PSAANS) Professional Learning Conference: Elevating Leadership in Halifax on October 27th, featuring ASCD author Baruti Kafele as a keynote speaker. This is an important gathering of school leaders from across the province sharing ideas and practices to meet the goals for all students.
Laurie Namey EL14 is selected to participate in AASA's Aspiring Superintendent's Academy for Female Leaders. The academies cover topics essential to developing a deep understanding of the leadership role of a successful superintendent and each program is led by nationally-recognized superintendents and feature thought leader practitioners and mentors.
Ramona Brown EL23 helped kick off a three-day training on Oral Language for the Muscogee County, Georgia School District, with all levels of district personnel and implementation teams from ten of the district’s twenty-six schools. In partnership with the Georgia Department of Education this was one of three professional learnings taking place with districts across the state of Georgia.
Natalie Franzi Dougherty EL16 and past president of our New Jersey ASCD affiliate is an EdReports Klawe Fellow, championing quality instructional materials through local advocacy. She will develop and execute impact projects that increase the capacity of teachers and administrators to seek, identify, and demand high-quality instructional materials in their schools.
Iyabo Tinubu EL23, organized a Mystery Skype call between her Grade 3 class at Berlin International School and the Grade 3 class of Rama Ndiaye EL22 at the International School of Dakar (ISD) to engage and connect while enhancing cultural awareness and international-mindedness. Students took turns asking and answering yes/no questions to locate the country where the other class is located.
South Carolina ASCD Affiliate Board Member and principal of Sterling School in Greenville, South Carolina, Josh Patterson, is pleased to announce that on Tuesday, September 19th, his school was designated an Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School for 2023. Josh will travel to Washington, D.C. to represent his school at the award program.
Karen "Dr. K" Baptiste EL13 new documentary, Preschool to Prison has received 15 film festival acceptances and won 6 awards, ranging from an audience award for Best Human Rights Film to also receiving several Best Documentary Short awards. Dr. K most recently spoke at Hunter College and the Burns Film Center to educators making a commitment to dismantling the preschool to prison pipeline.
Sophie Teitelbaum EL20 is pleased to announce she is the new Senior Education and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant at CustomInsight, bringing together her love for young people, community building, and data. She is also an associate cohort member with the Educator Collaborative, and most recently a middle school teacher.