Board Members

Paul Ferarri

Board Co-Chair, Education Consultant

Paul Ferrari is an education consultant with extensive experience in K-12 Education policy. He previously led the National Teacher of the Year program at CCSSO and brings deep knowledge and experience leading communications, external affairs, and... read more

Rebecca Mieliwocki

Board Co-Chair, National Teacher of the Year 2012

Rebecca Mieliwocki is the 2012 National Teacher of the Year from California. Currently a Teacher on Special Assignment, Rebecca coordinates Secondary Teacher Induction and Professional Development for Burbank Unified School District. A veteran... read more

Joshua Parker

Vice Chair, Equity, Maryland State Teacher of the Year 2012

Josh Parker’s mission in education and life is to “help people and solve problems.” Throughout his career, he has achieved both goals. He has served students and teachers within the Baltimore/Washington D.C. corridor as an ELA Instructional... read more

Madaline Fennell

Past Chair, Nebraska State Teacher of the Year 2007

Madaline (Maddie) Fennell brings extensive experience and passion to her work as an advocate for children and public education. She is the Executive Director of the Nebraska State Education Association and serves as Chair of the NNSTOY Board of... read more

Dr. Natasha Murray

Secretary, New York Teacher of the Year Finalist 2017

Dr. Natasha T. K. Murray is an award-winning scholar practitioner with extensive experience in K-12 and university settings. As a product of the New York public school system, after earning her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, she... read more

John Oswald

Treasurer, The Oswald Group

John Oswald has been in the educational testing business for 48 years, and has held leadership roles in Harcourt Assessments, Riverside Publishing, and Educational Testing Service, among others. Since retiring from ETS, he is providing consulting... read more

Bobbie Cavnar

North Carolina Teacher of the Year 2017

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Bobbie Cavnar attended Florida State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in English Education in 1999. After graduating, he taught English and Journalism for four years in the Ft. Lauderdale area before... read more

Dr. Jemelleh Coes

Georgia State Teacher of the Year 2014

In 2013, Jemelleh Coes, as the youngest member of her school faculty and staff, was nominated to represent Bulloch County as Teacher of the Year. She went on to become Georgia’s 2014 Teacher of the Year. She spent the last year traveling locally... read more

Michael Dunlea

New Jersey State Teacher of the Year Finalist 2012

Michael Dunlea became a teacher to make students feel valued, become empowered and live extraordinary lives. He is a 2012 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year Finalist, a 16 year veteran classroom teacher and currently teaches 3rd grade in... read more

Sharon Gallagher Fishbaugh

Utah Teacher of the Year 2009

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Harriet Sanford

Former President and CEO of the NEA Foundation

Harriet Sanford is the former President and CEO of the NEA Foundation. She led the work of the Foundation from 2005 until 2019. The NEA Foundation’s mission is to advance student achievement by investing in public education. Its programs raise the... read more

Rebecca Snyder

Pennsylvania State Teacher of the Year 2009

Rebecca Snyder chairs the Language Arts Department and teaches English at Greater Latrobe Senior High School in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. A veteran of the classroom, Mrs. Snyder has taught multiple grade levels and courses as both a secondary... read more

Monica Washington

Texas State Teacher of the Year 2014

Monica Washington is the Manager of Inclusive and Responsive Educational Practices and an instructional coach for BetterLesson supporting teachers and other instructional coaches across the country as they make positive shifts in instruction and... read more