As we hit the home stretch toward the end of another fantastic school year, I would like to express my gratitude for the tremendous work you do as magnet school educators. Over the last two years, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as the president of Magnet Schools of America (MSA). Over this period, I have watched our organization blossom and grow by leaps and bounds.

For example, this year MSA will usher in a new era by launching the first ever national magnet school certification program based on the five pillars of magnet schools and the National Magnet School Standards of Excellence. These standards define the essential elements and characteristics of high-quality magnet programs, and will provide benchmarks for schools and districts to use when aspiring to develop or improve their magnet schools. 

This year, we solidified our leadership team by hiring Executive Director, Todd Mann and expanded the role of our Director of Magnet School Leadership, Kelly Bucherie. They both have done a marvelous job providing new vision and direction for MSA. We also have welcomed new professional staff, Fawzia Ampaware, Jynaya Joiner, and Elaina Hundley to our national office to help raise our levels of service to members and to the field of magnet school choice. I want to thank our Director of Operations, Judy Shen who will be celebrating her ninth year as a MSA employee, and our Legislative Manager, John Laughner who has been with the organization for six years. Their service has been tantamount to our ongoing success. In addition, the Board of Directors continues to work tirelessly on behalf of the students in our magnet schools. Please join me in thanking the staff and the Board for their expertise and dedication.

One of the highlights of my term as president, was welcoming the U.S. Secretary of Education John King to our national policy conference in Washington, DC last February. This was the first time that a Secretary of Education has talked to our group in person. This symbolizes the high regard held for magnet schools and our association. During the same conference, it was also inspiring to hear civil rights icon, Representative John Lewis pay tribute to the magnet school community for their efforts to promote school integration. We should never forget his message of hope and words of encouragement to keep fighting for our schools and students, because so much is at stake. 

In line with this sentiment, our association was able to achieve recent legislative victories. Last year, we were able to ensure that the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) was reauthorized during the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act. This will ultimately lead to additional funding for magnet schools. As a group, we were also able to protect this program from the very real threat of elimination last year. During this moment of uncertainty, we were able to organize at the grassroots level and express our strong support for MSAP by sending thousands of letters to our elected officials in Congress. 

Currently, the organization is undertaking a public relations campaign that includes press outreach and completing research about magnets in each state. We also continue to nurture our relationships with partners that share our commitment to public education, and equity and access for all students to high-quality magnet schools.  

 
As we prepare for the national conference in Miami, I am proud to report that excitement for MSA is at an all-time high. This year, we had a record number of Merit Award, Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year applications. Presenting these awards to our members has been one of my most fulfilling duties as president. Before I pass the torch to our very capable President-Elect, Sara Wheeler, I want to thank you again for all that you do on behalf of our students and communities.

 
All the best!

Doreen Marvin

President, Magnet Schools of America

Be sure to also thank your representative for signing on to the 

magnet school funding letter in our Grassroots Action Center. 

Elaina completed her Bachelor's Degree in Literature at American University and shortly thereafter worked as a Program Assistant to the College of Arts and Sciences Peer Advising Program. The following year she served as an Academic Advisor at the University of the District of Columbia where she worked with students from all walks of life. These experiences and others have shaped her passion for student services and enthusiasm for strong customer care. She also has event planning, marketing, writing and editing experience under her belt.

 

She decided to join MSA because she is fascinated by the impact schools have on society, is interested in learning more about education policy, and is invested in expanding her expertise to include non-profit development, communications, and member services experiences.

You may contact her at elaina.hundley@magnet.edu