David Johns | Mini Moments With Big Thinkers

David Johns (M.A. '06) was appointed Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans in February 2013. Created by executive order, the initiative coordinates efforts among federal agencies and community and corporate partners to produce a more effective continuum of education for African Americans, from cradle to post-college career. Johns began his career as an elementary school teacher, but became interested in education policy while studying at Teachers College, After graduating, he served as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellow; worked as an aide to Congressman Charles Rangel; and then became Senior Policy Advisor to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. During the 2012 presidential election, he served as the Obama campaign’s policy and research director. In his current post, Johns is working to improve the quality of programs for African Americans while also expanding access to educational offerings. 

Learn more about TC's Department of Education Policy and Social Analysis (EPSA), including its programs inLeadership Policy & Politics, Politics & Education, and Sociology & Education. Also learn about TC's programs in Elementary Inclusive Education and Early Childhood Education. 

To learn more about David Johns, read:

• His Assignment: Help Close the Gap (TC Today magazine)
• Lost in Translation (TC Today magazine)
• Academic Festival 2013: The Sessions (www.tc.edu)
• TC Alumnus David Johns Tapped to Lead White House Education Initiative (www.tc.edu)
• Are We on the Same Page? (TC Today magazine)

Premiered on 8/28/2013