AERDF November Newsletter

Last month, AERDF CEO Stacey Childress shared an update with our growing community of friends that recommendations were being sought for talented leaders across the country who would make great candidates for membership on our board of directors. A big part of this news was an announcement that three current board members, who represented AERDF’s anchor donors, were stepping back from their involvement and the board was filling those seats and adding three new seats. We had a sit down with Stacey to let you in on more of the plans for the board and desired characteristics we hope to find in new board members.

Our ask? Take a quick read through and share with 3 people in your network who might make great board candidates themselves or be connected to other leaders who are!

Q: Let’s jump right into it. Why turn to the public for recommendations of leaders for AERDF to consider for its board?

Stacey: From the beginning, we envisioned a process where our board would transition from a donor heavy group to independent members who could bring a broad range of perspectives and skills to help guide the organization in these early stages. Independent governance is important to our long-term success, and we believe strongly in collaboration with practitioners and thought leaders in the education field -- hence, our call for recommendations.

Read more of the conversation here.

Last month marked the public announcement of AERDF’s third program of Inclusive Research and Development: Reading Reimagined, whose mission is to unlock the great reader in every child. As part of that effort, Reading Reimagined is soliciting applications for its newly forming Educator Advisory Council through December 1. 

We’re looking for a group of experienced educators to bring their knowledge and understanding of reading and literacy to the center of our efforts to increase reading fluency and comprehension for Black, Latino, and Native American students and those experiencing poverty. We're especially looking for educators who identify within these communities to help center their voices and perspectives in creating solutions. Members of the Educator Advisory Council will receive an honorarium of $2,500 at the end of the first year of service. For details on qualifications, expectations and other relevant information, visit our Reading Reimagined Educator Advisory Council page. If you have any questions about this process please reach out to readingreimaginedinfo@aerdf.org.

In addition, this winter the program will release a paper summarizing the foundational research available and highlighting areas where more evidence is needed on reading and literacy. That effort is intended to help to sharpen programmatic focus areas and allocation of resources. And throughout the winter, Reading Reimagined will solicit applications from researchers and reading product developers who will, in collaboration with community partners, lead the Inclusive R&D projects that can be scaled to ensure wide adoption.

We’ve had a number of new additions to the team (in addition to our Reading Reimagined team) since our July and October program launches. So meet the newest team members who are working to make AERDF the nation’s leading voice on Inclusive Research & Development!



Shahara Ahmed, Educator Engagement Fellow, EF+Math Program. Prior to joining EF+Math, Shahara worked in admissions at Grace Church School in New York City and promoted early learning opportunities with the Office of Student Enrollment at the New York City Department of Education. 

Asha Lane, Administrative Assistant, EF+ Math Program. Prior to joining the EF+Math Team, she worked as a social media consultant for the Women’s Foundation of the South, where she collaborated with key stakeholders on the vision, voice, and creative design of the organization to center womxn and girls of color in the South.

Anum Malik, Public Affairs Manager. Anum works to support the development of external partnerships, bringing deep experience in building relationships with students and educators, influencing federal and state education policy, and K-12 curriculum design. Prior to her role at AERDF, Anum was a consultant for national civil rights groups.