Marc Cohen
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What Is Your Vision for ASCD?
I believe that all students who walk through the doors of our schools have within them the capacity for greatness, and it is our responsibility as educators to make sure that they are provided equitable access to world-class instruction to help them live up to their fullest potential. Socioeconomics, race, and geography should not be barriers to students achieving their truest dreams. As a result of our commitment to evolving with the times while honoring best practices of the past, and in response to our enviably high level of member engagement in the governance of the organization, ASCD remains the gold standard in providing educators with the programs, products, and services needed to help each student succeed.
The strength of our organization rests in its membership. Whether it is through our educators' social network, ASCD EDge®; expanded opportunities to come together through Web 2.0 interactive technologies; the PD In Focus® online application; Educator Advocates; our legislative agenda; or our work with the whole child, ASCD can serve as a catalyst for change by bringing together education professionals from across the globe to share ideas, provide professional development, and promote legislation that supports the needs of children and educators around the world.
Current Position: Principal, Seneca Valley High School, Montgomery County, Md.
Education: BA, Towson State University; MS, Western Maryland College; doctoral student, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Career History and Highlights: Teacher (5 years); central office administrator (2 years); school-based administrator (12 years). Adjunct faculty for graduate programs in curriculum and instruction and educational administration; recipient of the ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award (2009); elected to ASCD Board of Directors (2011–13). Presenter and keynote speaker at local, state, and national conferences.
ASCD, Affiliate, and Committee Participation: ASCD member for 20 years (student, individual, and institutional memberships). Member of the Annual Conference Planning Committee, Board Finance Committee, and Emerging Leaders. Session presenter at ASCD annual conferences and keynote presenter at ASCD affiliate conferences. Participant at the Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy, Leader to Leader Conference, and Leadership for Effective Advocacy and Practice Institute. Featured guest blogger for The Whole Child Blog; contributor to ASCD publications—ASCD Express, the e-newsletter; Inservice, the ASCD community blog; Mr. Cohen Goes to Washington, a two-part video series designed to promote educator advocacy. Participant in the Whole Child Podcast "Partnering to Transform the Conditions of Learning: Families and Educators Together"; featured speaker on The Sights and Sounds of Equitable Practices DVD.
Nancy Gibson
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What Is Your Vision for ASCD?
The development of a global community of lifelong learners is critical for civil discourse and debate and the advancement of the human race. The new world of learning will leverage technologies and human capital in innovative ways and incorporate unique structures. This "learning revolution" will give our society and others the intellectual freedom necessary to create productive and proactive change.
During my education career, I have been fortunate to travel and network locally, nationally, and internationally, sharing conversations with diverse groups of fellow educators and citizens. I have found that most people share a common desire for freedom, equity, and access to a quality education for their children. They recognize that educating their children will provide them an opportunity for a better life.
As president-elect, I would work with others to frame the "global learning revolution" around the tenets of the Whole Child Initiative, while recognizing that our system of schooling will look very different in the future. ASCD must form worldwide diverse partnerships and networks that push the boundaries, remove the barriers, and form nontraditional methods of learning. We must position ASCD to be nimble and flexible as an organization if it is to adapt and lead in this rapidly changing world. The ASCD call to revolutionize the way we learn should be "Let's do it together!"
Current Position: Associate Professor, Department of Leadership, Concordia University, Chicago, Ill.
Education: BS and MS, University of Illinois; PhD, Illinois State University
Career History and Highlights: Superintendent, O'Fallon CCSD #90, O'Fallon, Ill. (K–8, suburban); superintendent, Blue Ridge CCSD #18, Farmer City, Ill. (K–12, rural); assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and technology, Olympia CCSD #16 (K–12, rural); principal, K–8 Dwight Grade School, Dwight, Ill. (rural); assistant principal, University High School, Illinois State University, Bloomington-Normal, Ill. (city). K–12 special education teacher for 18 years (rural, suburban, and urban); 1990–91 Sangamon County Special Education Teacher of the Year.
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Meet the President-Elect Candidates
Video: Want to learn more about the president-elect candidates? Visit www.ascd.org/candidatesforum to watch the "Meet the President-Elect Candidates" video and read candidate biographies.