Support Courtney English for Atlanta School Board

I was recently introduced (via email – we’ve not met yet) to Courtney English, a Morehouse and TFA alum and founding teacher at BEST Academy, the first all-male school in the city of Atlanta. He was elected four years ago to the Atlanta School Board at the age of 24 – the youngest person to be elected citywide in any capacity in the city of Atlanta’s history, and also the first full-time teacher elected to the Atlanta School Board. He is now running for re-election and needs to raise $100,000, so he’s asking for our support (you can donate at here). Here’s a note he sent to me to include here (also see here):

Like Whitney, I've devoted my career to improving education. I am grateful for his support and pledge to do all that I can to work toward our common goal of equality in education.

I was born and raised in Atlanta, and attended Atlanta public schools. As the only full-time teacher ever elected to the Atlanta school board, I understand the challenges facing teachers in the classroom, and more importantly, I know what it's like to be a student in that classroom.

If there has ever been a model for a system in need of reform, it is Atlanta.  51% of our students graduate from high school. We are addressing the biggest cheating scandal in education history. I have served one term on the school board and am seeking re-election because I'm not done. We must continue to clean up decades of administrative mismanagement, improve teacher evaluation systems, and enhance school autonomy.

I've got a tough race ahead of me. The status quo doesn't like change. Your generous contribution before the June 30^thdeadline will help our campaign reach an aggressive goal and get us one step closer to educational equity.

I am deeply grateful for the support I have received from Whitney and look forward to earning yours.

Best,

Courtney English
Atlanta Board of Education