Alumni Council members

HGSE Alumni Council, 2008-2009

* denotes a new council member

Margaret Jay Braatz, Ed.M.’93, Ed.D.’99
Alumni Council Chair (Council Term 2005-2009)

Senior Executive for Presidential Operations and Chief of Staff Office of the President DePaul University
Jay's perspective on education is influenced by previous work in the non-profit world and her 15-year career with Outward Bound. Jay views involvement on the Alumni Council as a way to bring alumni voices and interests to HGSE's work to strengthen teaching, learning, and scholarship across a variety of educational settings.

Anthony De Jesús Ed.M.’97, Ed.D.’03
(Council Term 2006-2010)

Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Hunter College (CUNY), New York City
Anthony’s HGSE journey was characterized by vigorous debate and struggle regarding the full inclusion of historically excluded communities at HGSE. Despite considerable challenge and frustration - it was the most empowering experience of his life. Through this journey, Anthony learned to navigate the competing tensions between institutions and excluded communities and to devise solutions to the "challenges of diversity" in ways that are mutually beneficial. After seven years in a leadership role at Centro - a university based institute dedicated to documenting, preserving, and interpreting the Puerto Rican/Latino experience in the U.S. - Anthony has recently accepted an Assistant Professorship at the Hunter College School of Social Work. He looks forward to teaching courses in research methods and continuing to focus on his own research.

Tasha Franklin Johnson, Ed.M.’95
(Council Term 2005-2009)

Executive Director, Office of LEA Grants, District of Columbia Public Schools
Tasha's experience at HGSE spawned a lifetime commitment of front-line work with school districts and teacher education departments across the country in the areas of new teacher development and cross-cultural studies in urban centers. As a language arts teacher and later a teacher educator, Tasha resolved to embark upon a professional mission of training a teacher population that was well prepared and ready to work in public schools. As a researcher and practitioner, her commitment to equitable and accessible education and professional opportunities help ensure that prospective students and graduates have a pathway to growth and development within the Harvard network and beyond.

Rowena Fong, Ed.D.’90
(Council Term 2007-2011)

Professor and Director, Bachelor of Social Work Program, University of Texas at Austin
Rowena’s life work with children and families to promote empowerment and cultural diversity has been reflected by her various roles as a clinical social worker, preschool teacher and director of a bilingual, bicultural Chinese preschool, college professor, Center Director of Asian American Studies, and university administrator. Her areas of advocacy encompass child welfare, international adoptions, immigrants and refugees, Asian American children and families, and other ethnic minority issues. As author, educator, and consultant, Rowena promotes culturally competent practices and policies in universities and schools, private agencies, and public organizations. She welcomes the opportunity to serve on the HGSE Alumni Council to collaborate with others in bridging communities and disciplines to strengthen ethnically diverse populations.

David A. Greene Ed.M.’91, Ed.M.’94, Ed.D.’02
(Council Term 2008-2012)

Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, University of Chicago
David oversees the planning of major academic, administrative, and capital initiatives at the University of Chicago. Previously he was a vice president at Brown University, and earlier in his career he helped lead a long-term planning effort at Smith College. He welcomes the chance to support HGSE as it continues to evolve during a dynamic and competitive period for higher education.

Irene Hall C.A.S.’85, Ed.D.’05
(Council Term 2006-2010)

Co-Founder and Co-Leader of the Discovery Charter School, Newark, NJ
The Discovery Charter School is a small urban middle school that has been in existence for seven years. As a teaching principal, Irene is familiar with both classroom and administrative issues. Before she started the school, Irene worked as a special education teacher for fifteen years. Her time at Harvard Graduate School of Education is one of her most favored lifetime experiences. While at Harvard, Irene served on the Editorial Board of the Harvard Educational Review. She loves discussing educational issues with colleagues and with her busy life as a teacher and school administrator, she rarely have the opportunity to do so. As a mentor of the advisory board, she hopes to bring her fondness of HGSE and her experiences as a practitioner to the Council.

Deborah J. Hirsch, Ed.M.’86, Ed.D.’89
(Council Term 2007-2011)

Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Mount Ida college, Newton, MA
In her work across a variety of educational settings, Deborah continues to revisit the themes of leadership, access and equity that were part of classroom discussion, lectures and field experiences at HGSE. Currently serving as Interim Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Mount Ida college in Newton, MA, her experience includes leading educational non-profits, teaching at both public and private universities and serving as a member of Governor Patrick’s higher education task force and Commonwealth Readiness Project sub-committee to create a strategic plan for a comprehensive public education system for Massachusetts. For the past five years, Deborah has worked with HGSE student interns helping them link theory and practice and find useful knowledge to the questions that arise in classrooms and on campuses. As a member of the Alumni Council, Deborah will draw on her experiences to help HGSE students who will be working in educational environments that will increasingly require cross-dialogue and cooperation.

Sarah L. Levine, Ed.M.’77, Ed.D.’80
Alumni Council Vice-Chair (Council Term 2006-2010)

Retired Principal; Current Education Consultant, Teacher, Writer, Denver, CO
Currently, Sarah collaborates with teachers and principals on issues and practices related to creating schools that support the health and well-being of their constituents. She also teaches adult learners at a program sponsored by Denver University. Sarah has devoted her career to promoting and supporting the growth of the adults who work in schools on behalf of adult and student learning. She worked closely with school leaders as Associate Director of the Harvard Principals’ center. At HGSE, she also directed the principal certificated program, taught, and led summer institutes for practicing and aspiring school leaders. She has been principal of an elementary and pre-K through twelfth grade school-hard and important work that she loved. HGSE ignited and sustained her passion for teaching and learning and she is honored to give back to HGSE by bringing her experience, energy and passion to the work of the Council.

Marc Lewis, Ed.M.’99
(Council Term 2007-2011)

Teacher, RJ Grey Junior High School; President, Acton Education Association
As a seventh grade social studies teacher and president of a local affiliate of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and National Education Association, Marc hopes to join the Alumni Council in order to ensure that training classroom teachers remains a priority for HGSE. HGSE's programs and initiatives must always reflect an understanding that those who work directly with young people and affect their lives daily are integral members of the educational community. As a member of the Council, Marc will challenge the Ed. School to continue its commitment to training and preparing teachers for that great responsibility. As the former president of GLSEN Boston, the founding chapter of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, he will be a voice on the Council for social justice and a passionate advocate for education to serve as a vehicle for societal and political change.

Tanya Odom Ed.M.’98
(Council Term 2008-2012)

Education and Global Diversity and Inclusion Consultant & Co-author of Evaluation in the Field of Education for Democracy, Human Rights and Tolerance; columnist for Diversity Women magazine; faculty Georgetown University's new Diversity Management program
As a consultant working in the education, NGO, and corporate arenas, I am committed to issues of inclusion and equity. I have conducted workshops globally for adults and youth, on topics including: Diversity and Inclusion Education, Teambuilding, Hate Crime Prevention, Conflict Management, Youth Engagement, and Parental/Community Involvement. For the last 15 years, I have worked with all members of school communities focusing on diversity and inclusion, equity, and the creation of “caring, learning and inclusive classrooms.” As a consultant, facilitator, and coach, I have worked on issues of educational reform, standards and equity, bilingual education, and overall school and district improvement efforts. I am passionate about engaging students as key change agents, and work with students on leadership skills, life skills, social change and diversity. I hope to bring my commitment to education, equity and inclusion to the work of the Council.

Darnell Williams, Ed.M.’96
(Council Term 2005-2009)

Induction Director, Boston Teacher Residency Program with the Boston Plan for Excellence, Boston, MA
Prior to working at the Boston Plan for Excellence, Darnell served as Professional Development Director for Voices Publishing Company. At Voices, he was able to provide faculty and staff development for grades K-12 in the areas of violence prevention, character education, and literacy. He is a strong advocate for racial and ethnic diversity in education, and a major focus of his professional work has been on reducing the achievement gap and creating more equitable schools. Darnell feels that the time he spent at HGSE was the most rewarding experience of his life; meeting diverse people and establishing viable networks proved invaluable.

*Douglas Wood Ed.M.’96, Ed.D.’00
(Council Term 2008-2012)

Executive Director and Principal Investigator National Academy for Excellent Teaching, Teachers College, Columbia University
Doug's work in the field of education has been on school reform. Not reform for the sake of reform, but reform focused on bringing about meaningful and sustainable change. Doug's experience at HGSE shaped his thinking about the importance of sound practice, research and policy in improving educational opportunities for all children. Doug has been an advocate of early childhood education, adolescent literacy development, teacher effectiveness, equitable school finance, and leadership development within schools-all within the context of social justice leading to a more democratic and pluralistic society. Doug looks forward to the opportunity of working on the Alumni Council to promote these ideals.