Melinda George
Melinda George is Learning Forward’s chief policy officer, serving on the Learning Forward leadership team and overseeing Learning Forward’s policy and advocacy work. Melinda has been integral to developing strategy and facilitating networks as well as leading the Learning Forward fundraising team. Prior to joining Learning Forward, Melinda was the president of the National Commission on Teaching & America’s Future (NCTAF) where she led its charge to build a research-based framework of policies and practices that ensure every child has access to a competent, caring teacher in a school organized for success. From 2006-11, Melinda served as the senior director of Education Strategic Relations at PBS, where she developed national partnerships and oversaw the development of PBS TeacherLine, an online professional development service. Prior to PBS, Melinda was the first executive director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA). Melinda began her career as a 4th- and 5th-grade teacher in D.C. Public Schools.
All Articles
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[Video] What does the American Rescue Plan mean for you as a leader of educator learning?
Do you have questions about how the American Rescue Plan affects leaders of learning like yourself? Learning Forward’s Chief Strategy Officer Melinda George and Chief Learning Officer Frederick Brown have put together a short video explaining what the rescue plan means for education; how the funds can be used; and […] -
Want to know your ARP funds are having a long-term impact? Collect data.
In the coming weeks, states and districts across the U.S. will receive a huge infusion of much-needed cash, thanks to the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. As Learning Forward has shared, these funds can be used to bolster critical efforts to support educators as they attend to their students’ needs. […] -
A virtual bright spot
A bright spot in this pandemic year has been the planning and execution of Learning Forward’s Virtual Leading, Learning, and Teaching (ViTLL) webinar series. Little did we know one year ago that we were starting a series that would include 34 webinars (so far) and 52,000 registrations. Nor did we […] -
American Recovery Act passed by the U.S. Senate
As of this writing, the American Recovery Act has been passed by the U.S. Senate and it is on its way to the House to be passed as revised by the Senate and then it will go to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. It is expected that […] -
Congress considers COVID relief bill – your voice of support is needed!
Over the next two-to-three weeks, Congress will consider a third wave of COVID-19 funding relief that will total $1.9 trillion and likely include: $130 billion in additional funding for K-12 schools, which can be used for a multitude of purposes including cleaning/sanitizing schools, PPE and professional learning, and $7 billion […] -
Secretary-nominee Miguel Cardona testifies before Senate HELP committee
On February 3, the Senate HELP Committee held its confirmation hearing of Connecticut Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona to be US Secretary of Education. The hearing was largely uneventful and it is expected that Cardona’s nomination will proceed to full Senate confirmation as soon as this week with likely bipartisan […] -
A new network for a changed world
Among the things we’ll remember about the year 2020 are phrases like “You’re still on mute” and “Can I share my screen?” They are emblematic of how educators have been challenged to navigate uncharted waters of remote learning and overnight technological adaptation. To quote another phrase that we’ll remember as […] -
The Title IIA equity multiplier
Learning Forward’s Professional Learning State and District Planner (essa.learningforward.org) is a guide to help state, district, and school leaders implement professional learning to support high-quality curriculum and instructional materials. Grounded in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) definition of high-quality professional learning as intensive, data-driven, job-embedded, and classroom-focused, the planner […] -
President Biden, here’s what educators need now
As the new U.S presidential administration takes shape, we at Learning Forward have hope and confidence that President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership will mean great progress for every student and educator in America’s education systems. Learning Forward is ready to support and advise the new administration as it […] -
Congress Approves Title II Funding Increase and Billions in COVID Relief for Schools
Congress wrapped-up its session just before midnight on December 21 by approving two large funding packages – one covering annual appropriations for fiscal year 2021 and another being the first significant COVID-19 relief bill since the CARES Act passed last March. For professional learning and America’s schools, the news was […]
