Education Pioneers is uniquely positioned to find and support the talent needed to respond to this crisis and create a better future for students and communities.
Navigating Challenging Times
School systems are facing unprecedented challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The work to re-open schools safely, recover learning, and reimagine a more equitable future for education is complex, capacity-intensive, and budget-constrained. The average student may lose more than 7 months of learning due to COVID-19, with students of color and low-income students losing up to a year—widening existing achievement gaps by 15-20%.
We must seize this opportunity to grapple with the long-standing inequities within education and build a better future. School systems need adaptive, inclusive leaders to disrupt the status quo. They need Pioneers.
The EP COVID Response Fellowship
As a trusted talent pipeline for more than 15 years, Education Pioneers will help the sector meet this moment with what we’re uniquely positioned to offer: adaptive, inclusive, talented leaders equipped to transform the sector.
For this 12-month, paid Fellowship opportunity, we connect senior talent from our own Alumni network and beyond with a district, charter school network, or state education agency where they’ll provide Chief of Staff-level support to senior leaders as they plan and implement adaptive approaches to evolving public health policies, operational processes, and academic practices while ensuring that schools are providing equitable student learning experiences.
What will EP COVID Response Fellows do?
Advance essential work over the course of 12 months coinciding with the school year. They’ll work directly with senior-level staff to tackle COVID-specific responsibilities; coordinating communications; liaising with public health and education agencies; and more.
Benefit from collective solutions. Fellows will have access to a cohort of peers executing similar work across the country for structured programming, thought-partnership, problem-solving, and best practice sharing—accelerating progress for schools nationwide.
Leverage network support. Fellows will have an advisor to help them navigate their experience and an EP Alum will provide mentorship to groups of Fellows.
Who are COVID Response Fellows?
Mid-senior Level Education Leaders |
Proven Collaborators & Problem-solvers |
Adaptive, Inclusive, Equity-oriented People |
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Applications are now closed for the COVID Response Fellowship.
Meet Our Fellows
2020-2021 Education Pioneers COVID Response Fellows |
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Tirza Buelto Providence Public Schools |
Elizabeth Dill Hartford Public Schools |
Caitlin Gallagher New Paradigm for Education |
Martrice Gandy ReGeneration Schools |
Julie Gopalan Rocketship Public Schools |
Johntel Greene New York City Department of Education |
Karmin-Tia Greer The SEED Foundation |
Amanda Harless Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools |
Nile Harris Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School |
Christopher Hill Shelby County Schools |
Carissa Godwin Holsted Shelby County Schools |
Damon Hoyle Texas Education Agency |
Gaines Johnson Inglewood Unified School District |
Jean Liu Oakland Unified School District |
Vin Menon VISTA College Prep |
Danielle Moehrke Chicago Public Schools |
Charlotte Nugent Office of the State Superintendent of Education |
Caitlin Paul Los Angeles Unified School District |
Jessica Post Yakima School District |
Abbie Ridenour Marin Promise Partnership |
Aeriell Robinson The Surge Institute |
Frances Spencer KIPP Metro Atlanta |
Etna Tiburcio Excel Academy Charter Schools |
Kenneth Walk Boston Public Schools |
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Learn more about our COVID Response Fellows and their new roles >>
INVEST IN THIS PROGRAM
Schools and districts are facing immense financial challenges as a result of the economic impacts of COVID-19. With the generous support of philanthropic investors, EP raised the funds to cover all Fellows' stipends and benefits. We are still seeking investors to contribute to programmatic costs for our Fellows.
Learn More & Invest
- If you’re interested in investing in this program at a leadership level, email Terrence Kneisel, Vice President of External Relations.
- If you'd like to make a general gift to Education Pioneers to support this program and more, you can do so here. Thank you!

Planning for reopening will not be easy; and is not nearly as important – nor as difficult – as execution. We'll have to be problem-solvers, flexible and responsive to data, and willing to course-correct.