Press Release–NIET Names New 2019-20 Steering Committee and Educator Advisory Board (Including two GCS Representatives)
NIET Names New 2019-20 Steering Committee and Educator Advisory Board Cohorts of teachers, principals, and system leaders will share what is working to advance teaching and learning in every educational setting
Today, Dr. Candice McQueen, CEO of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), has announced appointments for NIET’s new Steering Committee as well as its 2019-20 Educator Advisory Board, both of which will bring together teachers and administrators from across the country to support NIET as it expands its work (including two people from Goshen schools!).
These groups will inform NIET’s work year-round to develop innovations and advance policies that have a direct impact on the classroom. The teachers, principals, and system leaders will lend their on-the-ground expertise from diverse educational backgrounds and settings to foster collaboration and further the development of support for high-quality teaching. Both groups officially kick off their work today through meetings and discussions with NIET senior staff.
“The power of our partnerships is the opportunity to collaborate, reflect, and advance together,” said NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen. “Learning from educators and leaders who put visions into action are central to this process and to our growth as an organization. The contributions of NIET’s Steering Committee and Educator Advisory Board will benefit hundreds of thousands of peers nationwide.”
While NIET has long had a formal advisory group of teachers and leaders informing its work, this year, NIET formed a new Steering Committee to provide strategic thinking and vision-setting to help NIET meet the needs of teachers, leaders, and students at large. The new Steering Committee consists of 14 leaders from districts, organizations, state agencies, and universities.
2019-20 Steering Committee Members
• Bob Behning, Indiana Representative and House Education Committee Chair, IN
• Dr. Kenith Britt, Dean, Marian University Klipsch Educators College, IN
• Dr. Paula Calderon, Dean, Southeastern Louisiana University College of Education, LA
• Doug Clauschee, Associate Superintendent, Chinle Unified School District, AZ
• Dr. James Gray, Chief of Schools, Jefferson Parish Schools, LA
• Dr. Saul Hinojosa, Superintendent, Somerset ISD, TX
• Dr. Tonia Howard, Chief of Leadership Development and Special Programs, Lancaster ISD, TX
• Hayward Jean, Principal, Orangeburg CSD5, SC
• Lori Line, Executive Director of Talent Development and Management, Goshen Community Schools, IN (picture and biographical information below)
• Pat Mapes, Superintendent, Perry Township Schools, IN
• Dr. David Mathis, Deputy Superintendent of College and Career Readiness, South Carolina Department of Education, SC
• Dr. Nathan Morris, Superintendent, Cross County School District, AR
• Julie Thompson, Executive Director of Elementary Education, Knox County Schools, TN
• Dr. Jennifer Tuttleton, Executive Director of Talent Pipeline, Louisiana Department of Education, LA
Lori Line
Lori Line is executive director of talent development and management for Goshen Community Schools in Goshen, Indiana. She has been an elementary teacher, literacy coach, interventionist, assistant principal, master teacher, and principal during her 27 years in public education. She also served two years as a TAP regional coordinator for the state of Indiana.
During her four years as principal of West Goshen Elementary School, Lori’s school went from a C letter grade to receiving an A letter grade during her first year as principal. The school has been an “A” school for three consecutive years. In 2018, West Goshen received the prestigious NIET Founder’s Award under her leadership.
Lori has served on the NIET Educator Advisory Board, named an NIET Teach Factor Fellow, and presented at several NIET National Conferences. In June 2018, she presented at the Model School Conference in Orlando, Florida. Her presentation, “Taking Goal Setting to the Student Level,” included examples of how she, as principal, explained state data to students and set goals with each student based on that data. As a principal and district leader, her passion is planning and leading high-quality professional development that includes showing impact on student growth and achievement.
Lori earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University, her principal licensure from Indiana Wesleyan University, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. from Indiana State University in education leadership.
NIET’s 2019-20 Educator Advisory Board is made up of 12 teachers, principals, and higher education leaders who are advancing new strategies in their schools to strengthen the capacity of educators and raise achievement levels for all students. Their instructional focus and proven leadership will provide insights into how NIET’s training and support furthers their skills as educators as well as where NIET can continue to deepen its work.
2019-20 Educator Advisory Board Members
• Dr. Christopher Burkett, Gamecock EdQuarters Director, University of South Carolina College of Education, SC
• Corrie Callahan, Master Teacher, Perry Township Schools, IN
• Angela Davis, Executive Master Teacher, St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools, LA
• Omar Duron, Principal, Gadsden, AZ
• Robert Hill, Head of School, InspireNoLA, New Orleans, LA
• Christina Jamison, Principal Fellow, Grand Prairie, TX
• Dr. Araceli Montoya, Principal, Avondale Elementary School District #44, AZ
• Lauren Moore, Master Teacher, Goshen Community Schools, IN (picture and biographical information below)
• Alex Patterson, Mentor Teacher, Jackson County, TN
• Sarah Szymanski, Math and Science Teacher and Milken Educator, Colorado Springs, CO
• Sheena Washington, Special Education Teacher and Teach Plus Fellow, Prince George’s County, MD
• Amy Whittington, Principal, Central Decatur Community School District, IA
Lauren Moore
Lauren Moore is master teacher at West Goshen Elementary School in Goshen, Indiana. In this role she designs and implements weekly professional development that is differentiated to meet the needs of both teachers and students at her school. Prior to becoming the master teacher, Moore taught first grade for seven years and special education for five years.
In addition to her teaching roles, Lauren served as a mentor teacher for nine of those years. This experience allowed her to take an active role in school leadership without leaving the classroom. In her role as a mentor teacher, Lauren coached teachers, assisted with professional development, and served on the school’s leadership team.
During the 2018-2019 school year, Lauren was a Teach Plus Indiana Teaching Policy Fellow. While a fellow, she worked to support HB 1008 which allows schools to apply for grant money to implement career ladder structures for educators. She learned the value of using her voice to affect change, and how to mobilize others to do the same. Lauren continues to serve as a senior fellow for Teach Plus during the 2019-2020 school year.
Over the course of her career, Lauren has continued to grow as a teacher, leader, and advocate for students and teachers. She received her Bachelor of Arts in elementary and special education from Grace College and her Master of Education in elementary education from Ball State. She is currently working on her administrative license from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Photos and biographical information about each of the Educator Advisory Board and Steering Committee members can be found on NIET’s website. In addition to today’s meetings, the groups will formally convene in the spring and summer to provide additional feedback and guidance.
About NIET For two decades, NIET has partnered with schools, districts, states, and universities to build educator excellence and give all students the opportunity for success. NIET’s initiatives including The TAP System for Teacher and Student Advancement, teacher and leader development, school improvement, rubric and observation systems, and educator preparation, have impacted more than 250,000 educators and 2.5 million students across the U.S. Learn more at http://niet.org