Julie Jackson, current President for Uncommon Schools for K-8, began her career as a Teach For America corps member, teaching mathematics to urban NJ students for 10 years. She also served as a former Dean of Students, High School Principal, and founding Elementary School Principal. She earned her B.A. in Communications from Shippensburg University in 1992, an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from William Paterson University in 2002 and conducted graduate work in African-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin.Jackson’s strong leadership and commitment to improving public education have earned her several honors. These honors include a Teacher of the Year award in 1998, the Dodge Leadership Award in 2002, Teach For America’s Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership in 2013, Board of Trustee member for both the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls and Leadership Prep Board of Trustees, and selection as a Pahara-Aspen Fellow. She has also conducted numerous national and international presentations on student culture, staff culture and leadership in China, South Africa, Chicago, Detroit, Texas, New York, and New Jersey. After almost two decades in education, Julie’s career underscores her professional and personal commitment to ensuring that all children have access to the same quality of education she wants for her own children.