For Immediate Release
June 26, 2019
NEW YORK and GEORGIA — EL Education, in collaboration with the Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA), is proud to announce Kolt Bloxson as a joint fellow with the GCSA Incubator and EL Education’s 2019 School Design Program. The EL Education School Design Fellowship supports innovative and entrepreneurial educators to design, launch, and lead new EL Education schools. The GCSA Incubator Program develops and supports high-quality charter schools throughout Georgia prior to their opening and throughout their first year of operation.
“I am so excited for the opportunity to learn how to design a school that embodies the balance of strong character, meaningful and worthwhile instruction, and high academic achievement evident at EL Education schools,” said Kolt Bloxson. “This fellowship is a launchpad to innovative ways to meet the needs of Georgia’s children and improve the educational outcomes for generations to come. I look forward to working with a community of family members, educators and stakeholders to launch a visionary school.”
During her fellowship, Kolt will complete a residency at Amana Academy in Alpharetta, Georgia, an award-winning credentialed EL Education school and GCSA member serving students in grades K-8. The residency, hosted by Amana Academy’s principal, Cherisse Campbell, will immerse Kolt in the EL Education model while partnering with school leaders for ongoing coaching and support. She will also have the opportunity to learn from EL Education school leaders from across the country. Simultaneously, Kolt will participate in the highly-competitive Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Charter Incubator program where she will receive support through the charter petition process and mentoring on charter school operations and governance. By collaborating, EL Education and Georgia Charter Schools Association will support Kolt in creating a school community that increases student achievement, builds student character, and prepares students for success in college and life.
Kolt’s journey in education began as a Teach for America corps member in Atlanta, Georgia. After serving students in the classroom, Kolt became a Mathematics Instructional Coach and most recently served as the K-5 Mathematics Coordinator for Atlanta Public Schools where she ensured high-quality mathematics teaching and learning across Atlanta’s elementary schools.
“We are proud to bring Kolt into our EL Education crew with support from Amana Academy and the Georgia Charter Schools Association,” said Myra Brooks, Senior Director of Schools at EL Education. “Her commitment to student success is unwavering and we have no doubt about the lasting, positive impact she will bring to Georgia students.”
“Georgia Charter Schools Association is excited to partner with EL Education in their support of high-quality charter schools in Georgia,” said Aarti Sharma, GCSA’s Executive Vice President of New School Development. “Through our partnership, Kolt will be able to spend a full year completely devoted to starting a charter school.”
Upon completion of her fellowship, EL Education and Georgia Charter Schools Association will support Kolt in opening a vibrant EL Education school in Atlanta. Previous School Design Fellows Myron Long and Monica Green open their EL Education schools in the Fall of the 2020 school year.
For additional information about the EL Education School Design Fellowship visit, https://eleducation.org/join-the-movement/school-design-fellowship.
About EL Education
EL Education is a leading K-12 nonprofit empowering teachers to transform schools in diverse communities across America. For more than 25 years, EL Education has brought to life a three-dimensional vision of student achievement that includes mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality student work.
About the Georgia Charter School Association
Georgia Charter Schools Association is a nonprofit membership organization that believes students of all backgrounds deserve greater access to excellent educational opportunities. The goal of Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Charter Incubator is to increase the number of high-performing charter schools throughout Georgia by recruiting top talent; training and supporting applicants during the charter petition process; and coaching and developing school leaders and their governing boards on charter school operations and governance.
Contact:
EL Education: Alexandra Fenwick, afenwick@eleducation.org
Georgia Charter School Association: Michelle Wirth, mwirth@gacharters.org
