Fund for Teachers Welcomes Two New Board Members

In September, the Fund for Teachers Board of Directors gathered in Houston for two days of strategic planning, collaboration, and connection. The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress toward the organization’s strategic goals, welcome two new board members, and strengthen relationships among board members and staff.

Under the leadership of Board Chair Jonas Zuckerman, members participated in discussions and sessions with staff, sharing perspectives and exploring ways to advance Fund for Teachers’ mission of empowering educators to pursue their visions for student learning.

“Our time in Houston provided a valuable opportunity to build community and align our work in support of Fund for Teachers’ mission,” said Board Chair Jonas Zuckerman. “Individually and as a board, we are committed to Fund for Teachers’ efforts to empower educators and help them be more effective in their classrooms and communities.”

We are delighted to welcome two outstanding new members to the Board of Directors:

Jill Charrier is a Fund for Teachers Fellow and longtime early childhood educator in Aldine, Texas, where she has spent more than two decades nurturing young learners, including many years in a Head Start Pre-K classroom. Throughout her career, she has served in both classroom and instructional leadership roles, supporting Pre-K and kindergarten educators. Named Aldine ISD’s Elementary/Intermediate Teacher of the Year, Jill is also a proud Fund for Teachers Fellow. Her fellowships have taken her across Europe to explore storytelling, fairy tales and folktales, children’s yoga, creativity, and curiosity. She is passionate about creating joyful, meaningful learning experiences for young children and helping fellow educators bring innovative ideas into their classrooms.

LaWanda Amaker Toney is the founder and president of LA Communications Group, a strategic communications consultancy specializing in messaging, branding, media relations, and public engagement. She brings more than 25 years of experience across government, nonprofit, and private sectors, with a career dedicated to advancing education and supporting the people who make it possible. LaWanda previously served as deputy chief of staff for strategic communications at the U.S. Department of Education and spent more than 12 years as director of strategic communications at National PTA, amplifying the voices of families and educators nationwide. She holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Howard University and an M.A. in Communications from Trinity University.

We’re excited to have Jill and LaWanda join our board and bring their expertise, passion, and perspectives to Fund for Teachers.

Get to know the rest of our board members dedicated to helping Fund for Teachers continue to support educators’ vision and agency by clicking here.