Board Election
Learning Forward Board of Trustee Candidates
2025 Board Election
The Board of Trustees announces an open position on the Board of Trustees effective January 1, 2026. To fill this position, the Nominating Committee sought out candidates that would complement the current board while fulfilling certain knowledge and skills that would expand its reach and capacity. The board approved a slate from which it now asks the voting membership to select one of two qualified candidates to become its next trustee.
If you are already a voting member, you should have received notification of the election via email this morning (October 16, 2025) with instructions on how to vote. If you did not receive the email (remember to check your spam), you may not be registered as a voting member, or your email domain may have rejected your email. If you know you are a registered voter, please reach out to the board administrator (joel.reynolds@learningforward.org) who can help you get to the voting site.
If you are not a registered voting member, go to this link for instructions on becoming a voting member.
The election will be open for voting between October 16 and October 30, 2025.
Please take a moment to review the candidates’ biographies below and then VOTE.
Dr. Johnnie Marshall was appointed Principal of Valdosta High School, its 19th principal in a historic 115-year history in 2023. Dr. Marshall's 15-year educational journey within Valdosta City Schools and his achievements made him a dynamic addition to the Valdosta High School community.
Dr. Marshall's educational career has been characterized by his versatility, boundless energy, and unwavering passion for education. His professional growth within Valdosta City Schools began at the Valdosta Early College Academy (VECA), where he initially served as a student teacher. Over the years, he was promoted to the positions of assistant principal and, ultimately, principal of VECA.
During his tenure, Dr. Marshall garnered numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2019 Milken Educator award. His distinction as a Milken Educator places him among a select group of educators, with only three recipients in Lowndes County and a total of 83 across the state of Georgia since the program's inception in 1987. He was named a Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD) Educator Fellow in May 2022.
In addition to those awards, he was named a 2019 VSU Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, 2015 Apple Distinguished Educator, and has been a VECA Teacher of the Year. Marshall serves on numerous educational association boards, advisory councils, and learning teams.
Dr. Marshall's educational journey has been rooted in Valdosta, with academic accomplishments reflecting his dedication to the community. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, Master of Education in Middle Grades Education, and Doctor of Education in Leadership from Valdosta State University.
Dr. Marshall currently serves on College Board’s A Dream Deferred National Advisory Committee. He is also the co-founder of an early college academy charter school in Tampa, Florida. Additionally, he is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, where he serves on the Education Committee of his local chapter.
Dr. Zipporah Miller is a distinguished leader in education with over 30 years of experience in K–12 education, higher education, nonprofit leadership, and school board governance. She currently serves as Director of Organizational Learning for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, where she designs and leads innovative professional learning initiatives, including the district’s pioneering micro-credential program. Dr. Miller manages federal Title II-A funding, supporting more than 15 programs focused on educator development, teacher induction, and leadership growth.
Previously, she was Associate Executive Director for Professional Development at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), where she developed nationwide professional learning for science educators, secured multimillion-dollar funding, and expanded e-learning platforms. Dr. Miller also led science education in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County Public Schools, where her leadership contributed to notable gains in student achievement and the development of science instructional leaders. She co-authored Savvas K–8 Interactive Science and Elevate Science curricula/textbook and program.
As a former member of the Prince George’s County Board of Education, Dr. Miller chaired the Academic Achievement Committee, guiding initiatives in mathematics, equity, and school culture. She championed mental health supports by advocating for calming rooms, strengthened bullying policies, and worked with the superintendent to preserve a community school while supporting students with autism. She also partnered with student leaders to enhance school well-being and resources.
Passionate about expanding STEM and education opportunities for underrepresented students, Dr. Miller is active in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., served as co-chair of the scholarship committee and in other leadership roles. She is engaged with Jack and Jill of America, Inc., including service on its national Leadership Development Task Force, and serves on the International Trends Committee for Links Inc.
A certified StrengthsFinder coach and Learning Forward Academy graduate, Dr. Miller is recognized nationally for her leadership in professional learning. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Chadron State College, a Master’s from Bowie State University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Above all, Dr. Miller considers her most cherished role to be that of wife and mother. She is married to longtime educator Peter Miller and is the proud mother of two sons: David, serves in the Army as a First Lieutenant, and Daniel, a sophomore studying chemical engineering at McNeese State University.
Not currently a voting member? We encourage all members to select the option to become a voting member. If you have not yet signed up to become a voting member but would like to do so, click here for instructions.
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Need help?
Joel Reynolds
Board Administrator
800 E. Campbell Rd.
Suite 224
Richardson, TX 75081
joel.reynolds@learningforward.org
972-421-0901

