Tamekia Brown named Chief Academic Officer
Deputy Superintendent Elizabeth Saenz today announced that Dr. Tamekia Brown was named EPISD’s Chief Academic Officer. Under Deputy Saenz’s leadership, this position will lead Curriculum and Instruction, core academic functions and EPISD’s critical transition to active, project-based learning and digital innovation.
This appointment is also critical as the district focuses on building a strong literacy foundation for all students, and making critical instructional shifts to meet the requirement for rigor in the state standards.
Dr. Brown’s appointment is immediate. She joined EPISD in 2015 as the Executive Director of Academics and has served as the Interim Chief Academic Officer since January 11, 2017.
“The Chief Academic Officer plays a critical role in strategizing, planning and implementing initiatives that support and benefit our teachers and students,” said Superintendent Juan Cabrera. “Dr. Brown is a dynamic leader and a proven champion and advocate for EPISD students and staff.”
During her time at EPISD, Dr. Brown has led efforts to transform teaching and learning through implementation of the Active Learning Framework. Active Learning is one of EPISD’s strategic priorities, and the Active Learning Framework seeks to support teachers in developing deeper engagement in their classrooms to help our students become critical and creative thinkers, problem solvers, and effective communicators. Under Dr. Brown’s leadership, nearly 1,000 teachers have volunteered to participate in the first two training cohorts. Another 3,000 teachers will graduate from the Active Learning Framework within the next four years.
Dr. Brown has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Central Arkansas. She has a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Before arriving at EPISD, she was the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning for Springdale Public Schools in Springdale, Ark.