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 faced 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 was — and continues to be — complex, capacity-intensive, and budget-constrained. The average student was estimated to 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%.
School systems needed adaptive, inclusive leaders to respond to the crisis and seize an opportunity to grapple with long-standing inequities.
The EP COVID Response Fellowship
Education Pioneers helped the sector respond to COVID-19 by meeting this moment with what we’re uniquely positioned to offer: adaptive, inclusive, talented leaders equipped to transform the sector.
For this 12-month program in 2020-2021, we connected Alumni of prominent education leadership development programs with a district, charter school, or state education agency where they provided Chief of Staff-level support to senior leaders as they planed and implemented adaptive approaches to evolving public health policies, operational processes, and academic practices while ensuring that schools are providing equitable student learning experiences.
COVID Response Fellowship at a Glance
Who were COVID Response Fellows?
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Mid-senior Level Education Leaders |
Proven Collaborators & Problem-solvers |
Adaptive, Inclusive, Equity-oriented People |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 Fellows >>
Read the Press Release >>
READ OUR PROGRAM BRIEFING
Over the course of 12-month work placements from 2020-2021, our 24 COVID Response Fellows had outsized impact on education’s COVID response, providing critical COVID-specific capacity to 20+ school systems serving 7M+ students nationwide. Fellows’ day-to-day work varied, but a common theme rang true: they pushed systems to meet the moment. Their legacy includes:
- 7 Fellows who drove COVID vaccination or testing efforts;
- 5 Fellows who ensured systems had the technology, PPE, and other supplies needed to reopen;
- 5 Fellows who supported effective teaching and learning;
- 4 Fellows who led efforts to secure or allocate ESSER funding; and
- 4 Fellows who led the creation or implementation of long-term strategic plans.
Download the full report or view online >>
[Our] education challenges didn’t begin with the pandemic, but it exacerbated inequities in our educational system. These inequities will endure and prevent the potential of this great country unless tackled head on.