Fifteen school leaders from 12 states were selected for their commitment to student achievement, schoolwide innovation, and strong outcomes for students

BILLERICA, Mass., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates today announced the newest class of the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Collaborative (EELC), marking the fourth year of the national program supporting the professional growth of school leaders. The Class of 2027 includes 15 principals and school leaders from 12 states who will connect with peers and participate in professional learning designed to strengthen leadership and instructional practices.

Throughout the program, members of the collaborative will have dedicated opportunities to learn alongside fellow school leaders, build their leadership skills, and share strategies for creating school communities where educators are supported and students can thrive.

"These 15 leaders are already making a meaningful difference in their school communities, from strengthening school culture and empowering teachers to using data in ways that improve instruction and close learning gaps," said Kelly Sia, chief executive officer at Curriculum Associates. "We're proud to bring together this thoughtful and ambitious group of leaders so they can learn from one another, we can learn from them, and they can extend their impact on educators and students."

Members of the Class of 2027 are in their first through fifth years in their current leadership roles and have experience using Curriculum Associates' i-Ready and/or Ready programs. Selected leaders demonstrate student growth and achievement through formal assessments, schoolwide innovation and student engagement practices, a commitment to high standards and student achievement, and a focus on strong outcomes for all students.

Building on previous years of the EELC, the program creates a community in which school leaders can learn from one another while strengthening practices that support their educators and students. Professional learning through the collaborative has addressed areas including school culture, data-informed instruction, learning partnerships, educator wellness, and celebrating student and teacher success.

Members will also have opportunities to share their experiences and leadership with the broader Extraordinary Educators community through professional learning events.

To learn more about the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Collaborative, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators.

Extraordinary Educators Leadership Collaborative Class of 2027
Dawn Batts, Principal, Chestnut Grove Elementary, AL
Brooke Dunham, Principal, Inverness Elementary School, AL
Annie Diaz, Principal, Julian Harris Elementary, AL
Julie Alderete, Principal, La Mesa, CA
Jamie Lockwood, Principal, Ponderosa Elementary, CO
Adam Kohn, Principal, Turner Middle School, CO
Jaimie Fisco, Principal, KT Murphy Elementary School, CT
Lisa Newman, Principal, Lafayette Elementary School, FL
Crystal Beach, Principal, Towns County Elementary School, GA
Thomas Houlihan, Principal, Queen of Angels School, IL
Taneka L. Lett, Principal, Hawkins Elementary School, MS
Lisa Wilson, Elementary Principal, Tombaugh Elementary, NM
Brittany Mairena, Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, Dayton City School, TN
Heather Fitzgibbons, Principal, Orange Center School, VT
Karrie Lowe, Principal, Ashford-Rumble Elementary School, WV

About Curriculum Associates
Curriculum Associates is a mission-driven company dedicated to making Grades K–12 classrooms better for more than 17 million students and one million educators nationwide. Our connected suite of solutions unites adaptive assessment, personalized instruction, and core curriculum in English language arts and mathematics—supported by expert professional learning and service teams—alongside Ellevation® for multilingual learners and Stile for middle school science. Our teams continue to innovate across print and digital products and services to support educators and strengthen teacher-led instruction. We measure success by our impact on student outcomes and are honored to support the extraordinary work of teachers every day.

Media Contact: press@cainc.com

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SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC