Deborah Jackson, special projects administrator in Fairfax County Public Schools, began her term as president of Learning Forward at the conclusion of the association's annual conference in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 10, 2014.
Jackson succeeds Julie Blaine, executive director of the Central Regional Professional Development Center at the University of Central Missouri. Blaine now serves as past president.
Jackson joined Learning Forward's Board of Trustees in 2012. In her current position, Jackson leads the design and implementation of the school system’s teacher and administrator effectiveness initiatives. She is a mentor and instructor for the system’s Aspiring Principals Program and provides coaching support to principals and administrators in leadership, research-based instruction, and other topics. A former principal of McLean High School and Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston, Jackson has been an educator for 28 years. She also serves as an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Education for the University of Virginia. Jackson has facilitated and presented at many local, national, and international conferences, seminars, and workshops. Jackson is a member of the Learning Forward Virginia Board and a graduate of the Learning Forward Academy Class of 2011. She is also a former board member of the Fairfax Association of Black School Educators and has received numerous awards for her achievements and service, including the 2014 PDK Chapter 1144 Educator of the Year award.
Learning Forward is the only association focused solely on the most critical lever in improving schools – building the knowledge and skills of educators. To learn more, visit www.learningforward.org.