New Orleans Education Leaders Rally at An Evening With Education

In the elegant glow of the New Orleans Museum of Art, a crowd of educators, politicians, community partners, and families gathered on Oct. 2nd for An Evening With Education. It was an inspiring gathering that cut through the haze of election-season rhetoric to zero in on the heart of our city – our children. Hosted by NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) and powered by New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO), the event felt less like a stuffy panel discussion and more like a family reunion with a purpose.

It was an evening full of networking, storytelling, and forward-looking dialogue. Conversations flowed easily, touching on personal experiences and collective strategies to ensure every student receives the backing needed to grow, achieve, and thrive.

Kicking off the program, NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Fateama Fulmore reaffirmed her steadfast commitment to educational excellence. Her vision was clear, "Through collaboration, NOLA Public Schools aims to be the gold standard— the destination for education in New Orleans, the highest performing district in Louisiana, and a national model of excellence. Every school will be the best choice for families, ensuring every child can grow, achieve and reach their greatest potential."

The evening's first panel, guided by NOLA-PS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jawan Brown-Alexander, delved into the vital links between education, community involvement, and leadership. Panelists brought sharp, evidence-based perspectives alongside on-the-ground triumphs and hurdles, offering practical ideas to boost progress from early childhood through high school and into career readiness.

Jerel Bryant, CEO of Collegiate Academies, kicked things off with a reminder that cut straight to the soul of the room, urging leaders to wield their words like lifelines for growing minds. "I don't need to tell you powerful people that your words have power," he said, his voice steady and insistent. "But I want to remind you that kids and identity—it's everything. And we teach amazing and powerful kids, so the more you can amplify what they do well, the more you can amplify what schools do well, that matters."

Building on that foundation, Dr. Tammi Griffin-Major, CEO of the Algiers Charter School Association, painted a vivid picture of the child's world beyond the school bell, insisting that true support starts long before the first lesson. "We can buy all the curriculum, we can have the best teachers," she declared, her tone a mix of urgency and compassion, "but when that child enters the building, if that child does not feel safe, full, and mentally prepared, it's not going to happen—and that's the reality."

Rochelle Wilcox, Executive Director of Wilcox Academy, then turned the spotlight on the quiet architects of tomorrow, those early childhood educators shaping fragile brains into resilient futures. With a fire that echoed through the hall, she challenged the crowd: "If we are the brain architects of human development, we should be paid as such. We should have the funding as such. Our children deserve it."

Dana Peterson, CEO of New Schools for New Orleans, brought a surge of optimism laced with a call to action, celebrating how far the city had come while pushing for the next leap. "We already are a national model in the outcomes," he noted proudly. "We have narrowed the gap between what the average kid in New Orleans has access to and can achieve, and what the average kid in the state has access to and can achieve… There's more work to do for every kid before we realize the dream where every young

person in New Orleans can access an incredible public school that's full of great educators… We need to make New Orleans not only the best place to live, not only the best place to visit, but the best place in America to teach."

Dr. Nancy Turner, TeachNOLA/TNTP Program Director, further focused her attention to the unsung heroes in the trenches—the teachers themselves—reminding everyone that endurance isn't a luxury, but the bedrock of lasting change. "Teaching has to be sustainable and manageable," she emphasized, her words a quiet plea for balance, "and you have to be able to have the life that you imagined for yourself."

Dominique Simone, CEO of AlignEd, wove in the vital role of families, reframing the old adage with a fresh, urgent vision of collective strength. "I'm trying to change that narrative and make sure that we have a true parent partnership, parent and community partnership," she shared, her passion lighting up the space, "because New Orleans is that village.

Finally, Claire Jecklin, CEO of the New Orleans Career Center, bridged the gap between school desks and real-world hustles, insisting that education's true measure lies in the jobs it unlocks. "We're all in the business of workforce development," she asserted with a knowing nod, "and when we think that those are two roads, we are really missing the boat."

Their exchange drove home a key point: true advancement comes from teamwork that tackles challenges head-on and honors achievements, always keeping students front and center.

A standout moment came during the Candidate Conversation, led by WDSU News Anchor Gina Swanson. Mayoral hopefuls Royce Duplessis and Oliver Thomas emphasized the need to forge strong ties and partnerships between the mayor's office and NOLA Public Schools and its School Board to help secure stable funding and boost student outcomes. The back-and-forth revealed fresh paths for city leaders to open doors for the next generation.

Duplessis captured the evening's essence with this reflection: "Investment in early childhood development is investment in economic development. The numbers are clear. The statistics speak for themselves, but it's about priorities. One of the easiest things that we do as leaders is talk about how much we love children, but when we look at our budgets and we look at how we allocate our spending, they don't line up."

Thomas echoed the call for sustained effort, drawing from his own roots: "The next mayor is going to have to make sure that the pathway to education is at least paved with the street where you don't get stuck in a pothole, or a sidewalk, that where you can consistently walk to school, not… (see) blight that even though you may get a great education and your eyes may be wide and bright, but when you walk by those dark patches, it dims your outlook."

Gatherings like this one weave tighter connections and keep the focus squarely on education. Grounded in data, lived realities, and shared aims, they reflect a deep resolve to shape a stronger tomorrow for all students.

For those who missed it, the full event can be viewed on our YouTube channel. A quick WDSU recap can be found here.

As the district presses on, the emphasis remains on accountability, openness, and ambitious standards to give students their best opportunities to unlock their full potential every single day. With continued collaboration and partnerships, the path ahead looks promising.