Achieving the Promise

Huge congratulations to Dr. Roosevelt Nivens on being named the 2026 AASA National Superintendent of the Year!

This recognition reflects extraordinary leadership, a deep commitment to students, and a clear vision for the future of public education. Honors like this represent the impact superintendents have not just within their districts, but across the broader education community.

At Achieving the Promise, we value the opportunity to engage with and support educational leaders nationwide. Seeing superintendents recognized at this level is a powerful reminder of the dedication and purpose that drives this work.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

We’re thrilled to share that the Achieving The Promise team recently came together for our Annual Meeting to reflect on the progress we made in 2025 and to set bold goals for 2026!

This past year, we continued partnering with visionary nonprofit and education leaders. We helped turn strategic ideas into action, and drove meaningful results for the communities we serve.

As we look ahead, our team is energized, aligned, and ready to support our clients with renewed focus and purpose. We’re committed to helping organizations design actionable strategies, strengthen capacity, and deliver measurable impact in the year ahead.

Here’s to a year of growth, collaboration, and continued achievement. Onward to 2026!

We talk a lot about curriculum quality, but not enough about curriculum coherence. This article surfaces the real math challenge: clutter, gaps, and missed opportunities for deep thinking. A must-read for anyone working to strengthen instructional systems.

https://medium.com/.minnick/curriculum-gaps-and-clutter-the-math-problem-we-arent-talking-about-11e2cfac6a50

Curriculum Gaps and Clutter: The Math Problem We Aren’t Talking About In the wake of our dismal NAEP math results, much of the conversation has focused on COVID learning loss, widening achievement gaps, and…

🌟 Meet the Team: Laura Montas Brown🌟
We’re thrilled to introduce Laura Montás-Brown, MPP, who brings over eight years of experience helping K–12 schools and districts turn data into actionable insights that drive better outcomes for both educators and students.
Before joining Achieving the Promise, Laura led the development of the Faculty and Staff Data Collection Tool for the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent, standardizing workforce data across all 69 DC local education agencies and tracking key metrics for nearly 14,700 educators.
Laura’s expertise lies in leveraging dashboards and authored reports to inform district-wide decisions on staffing, retention, and equity. She also designed and managed OSSE’s first School Climate Enhancement Microgrant, empowering 19 schools to analyze results, engage stakeholders, and implement strategies that strengthened educator effectiveness, school climate, and student learning.
We’re excited to have Laura’s analytical rigor and passion for education data guiding our mission to help schools achieve their promise. 💡📊

We’re excited to announce that ATP is proudly sponsoring the Elev8 Baltimore “Lights, Camera, ACTIV8!” Gala on August 7, 2025, at the iconic Lexington Market!
This red-carpet celebration will showcase student-led films and bring together educators, families, community leaders, and partners to honor youth creativity and community engagement.
This partnership holds special meaning for us as our very own Rachel Stafford previously worked with Elev8 Baltimore, and we’ve seen firsthand the positive impact they make. Supporting this event is a natural extension of ATP’s commitment to community-centered initiatives and educational equity.
We’re honored to be part of this celebration and look forward to an inspiring evening of storytelling, connection, and collaboration.

Summer Reset for Teachers
At Achieving the promise, we believe in supporting educators beyond the classroom. This guide to low-stress summer PD is the perfect balance of rest, growth, and preparation, so you can reset, reflect, and return stronger.

Explore how to make the most of your summer with personal growth, self-care, light school prep, and flexible learning options.

Read the full guide and start your intentional reset today: https://www.teachhub.com/professional-development/2025/06/no-stress-summer-pd-for-teachers/

No-Stress Summer PD for Teachers - TeachHUB Boosting your career over the summer has never been easier with this summer PD for teachers! Dive into some PD right from your couch!

Summer is here, and vacation requests are rolling in.
How can leaders keep work moving and teams motivated during the summer months?
This recent Forbes article, “13 Smart Strategies For Managing Summer Vacation Schedules,” is full of practical tips for planning ahead, cross-training, and maintaining momentum during vacation season.
Great leaders don’t just get through summer. They lead with balance, flexibility, and trust.
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2025/06/13/13-smart-strategies-for-managing-summer-vacation-schedules/

13 Smart Strategies For Managing Summer Vacation Schedules I believe planning ahead will minimize stress and help the team feel supported.

Happy 4th of July from Achieving the Promise!
Today, as we honor the values of freedom, equity, and opportunity that define our nation, we also reflect on the promise of a better future for every student and family.

🌟Join Our Team!🌟

Position: Part-Time Consultant Support
Location: Hybrid – primarily remote with limited client-site hours

Are you looking to make an impact in a dynamic environment? We’re on the hunt for a proactive and detail-oriented part time Project Support person to join our team!

What You'll Do:

· Collaborate with our consultants to support the planning of workshops and meeting presentations.

o Develop and organize project documentation, including meeting workshop presentations and guides.

o Conduct research and gather insights to support client needs.

o Analyze small data sets to identify themes and trends to inform client recommendations.

o Write content for both digital platforms and in print.

· Provide on-site support during workshop sessions, as needed (D.C. and MD client sites).

· Review and synthesize materials developed during workshops, including assisting in the preparation of meeting summary notes and reports.

What We’re Looking For:

· Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

· Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

· Ability to work independently and manage your time effectively.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

· Previous experience in education is a plus!

Why Join Us?

· Flexible hours that fit your schedule (10-15 hours/wk).

· Competitive hourly rate (~$30 – 40/hr depending on background).

· A chance to work in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Interested?
Send us your resume to [email protected] and in the Subject Line note: Resume_Project Support_Your Name. We can't wait to hear from you!

This week, our founder, Rachel Stafford, is at the 2024 National Convening for Education Leaders of Color! 🌟 This event brings together hundreds of dedicated leaders for three days of impactful discussions and collaborations. Together, we’re working towards expanding academic and economic opportunities for young people of color. Proud to be a part of this pivotal gathering and to contribute to such a vital cause. Here’s to the future of education and the power of collective action!

Happy Back to School Day! As we kick off a new academic year, we're excited to support your educational journey with strategies designed to inspire and empower. Here's to a year of growth, learning, and achievement! Let’s make it a great one!