LEARN

Meet Dr. Daniel F. Keever, a member of LEARN’s Superintendent Advisory Board.

With more than 30 years of experience in PreK–12 public education, Dr. Keever brings a thoughtful, student-centered approach to educational leadership and organizational improvement. As Superintendent of Williamsburg-James City County Schools, he has led initiatives focused on strategic planning, school safety, student services, technology, and strengthening future-ready learning environments.

Throughout his career, Dr. Keever has remained committed to collaboration, innovation, and building strong relationships across school communities, all while keeping students at the center of every decision.

We’re proud to have leaders like Dr. Keever helping shape important conversations around the future of education through LEARN. ⭐️

We want to congratulate Superintendents Advisory Board member, Theresa Rappaport, and The Goodwill Excel Center team on the release of new research reinforcing the long-term impact of their innovative school model!

This follow-up study from the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities at the University of Notre Dame found continued evidence of meaningful economic gains for graduates, highlighting the life-changing impact adult education pathways can have on learners and communities.

We’re proud to see leaders within the LEARN community driving work that is creating measurable, lasting impact.

Support that goes beyond the classroom. 🧩

Through our Adopt a District initiative, we’re working to connect K–12 leaders with the resources, research, and relationships they need to make a lasting impact. Each $1,500 contribution directly supports a district, expanding access to tailored research, networking opportunities, scholarships, and recognition.

Together, we’re helping bridge the gap between research and real-world action while building a stronger, more connected network of leaders shaping future-ready schools.

Learn more and get started at golearntoday.org/donate 🔗

NEW RESEARCH! ⭐️ Strategic plans don’t fail on paper. They fail in practice. Our newest research roundup highlights a common challenge across school systems: planning is often treated as a compliance exercise instead of a tool for real decision-making. The result? Limited buy-in, unclear direction, and strategies that never fully take hold.

This roadmap outlines how to shift that by strengthening leadership capacity, simplifying communication, aligning plans with real resources, and embedding continuous progress monitoring.

Because effective planning isn’t static, it’s something you actively use. Explore the full research on our website! golearntoday.org.

LINK: https://golearntoday.org/a-roadmap-for-better-strategic-planning/

100 DAYS. 50 DISTRICT SUPPORTERS. LEARN has set a fundraising goal of $75,000 to help ensure every school district, regardless of financial circumstances, has access to credible, evidence-based decision support.

Through our goal of securing 50 district supporters in 100 days, we’re working to expand access to real-time research, peer collaboration, and unbiased guidance for K–12 leaders navigating complex decisions.

Why give? Because access to knowledge and peer support should not depend on a district’s ability to pay.

A $1,500 tax-deductible contribution gifts a LEARN membership to a superintendent and helps provide districts with free, digestible research and a shared knowledge base at a time when grant funding is increasingly limited.

Be one of the 50 helping support more informed, equitable decision-making in K–12 education. Get started at golearntoday.org/donate

Meet Rafael Iniguez, a member of LEARN’s Superintendents Advisory Board.

Since 2022, Rafael has served as Superintendent of Parlier Unified School District, a community he knows deeply, having grown up there as the child of migrant farm workers. A valedictorian of Parlier High School, he went on to earn a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, later completing his master’s at Fresno State and becoming the first in his family to earn a doctorate in Educational Leadership.

As a first-generation college graduate, Rafael brings a powerful perspective to his work—focused on expanding opportunity, elevating student success, and inspiring the next generation to pursue both higher education and career pathways.

His leadership is rooted in service, community, and a commitment to helping every student reach their full potential.

FINAL CALL FOR PROPOSALS ⭐️

There are less than two weeks left to apply for the SERVPRO Safe Schools Research Award through LEARN, an opportunity supporting partnerships between university researchers and K–12 districts focused on improving learning environments for students.

The application process is brief and designed to be a manageable first step toward meaningful, real-world impact. But the June 1 deadline is approaching quickly, and now is the time to submit your proposal.

If you’ve been considering applying, don’t wait to start the conversation. This is your chance to help shape safer, healthier, and more effective learning environments through research that leads to action.

Apply here: https://golearntoday.org/call-for-proposals/

NEW RESEARCH! ⭐️ School safety isn’t just about policies. It’s about climate. Positive school environments built on strong relationships, trust, and a sense of belonging is one of the most effective ways to reduce violence and improve student outcomes.

Building that kind of climate takes more than one program. It requires clear measurement, aligned systems, and a commitment to shifting from punitive discipline to more restorative, relationship-centered approaches.

Because when students feel safe, supported, and seen, everything else improves. Explore the full research roundup now at golearntoday.org 🔗

LINK: https://golearntoday.org/national-report-highlights-positive-school-climate-as-a-key-lever-in-violence-reduction/

Meet Dr. CarneyRay-Yoder, another member of LEARN’s Superintendents Advisory Board. ⭐️

With a career spanning special education, school leadership, and district administration, Dr. CarneyRay-Yoder brings a depth of experience grounded in both practice and purpose. She currently serves the Central Regional School District, following her role as Superintendent of Somers Point School District, and has held leadership positions including Principal, Director of Special Education, and Assistant Principal.

Her background also includes work as a Learning Disability Teacher Consultant and Special Education Teacher, along with time as an adjunct professor at Stockton University, shaping future education leaders at the graduate level.

A former Division I scholar-athlete at College of William & Mary, her commitment to growth and excellence has carried through every stage of her career—earning advanced degrees in special education and educational administration from Old Dominion University and Widener University.

Her perspective, leadership, and dedication to student success make her an incredible asset to the LEARN network.