AAE Welcomes New Members to Foundation Board

Alexandria, VA— The Association of American Educators Foundation (AAEF), the charitable support foundation for the Association of American Educators (AAE), welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors this month. Christina Culver, Dr. Robert Bryant, and Dr. Kevin Ryan each come to AAEF with an extensive background in education and policy.

Ms. Christina Culver oversees her own consulting firm focusing on global venture philanthropy. She recently served as Vice President at Washington, D.C., based Dutko Worldwide. Prior to joining Dutko, she was at the U.S. Department of Education, where she served as Acting Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs, as well as Managing Director of Foundations, External Affairs, and Regional Services in the Office of Communications and Outreach. She has also served as Vice President of Public Affairs for Children First America, and for the first Bush Administration working on education reform programs in partnership with major corporate, non-profit and community partners.

Dr. Robert Bryant has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal of a high school, assistant superintendent, district superintendent, and school board member. Upon his retirement he has served as an advisory to and board member of the Professional Educators Network of Florida, AAE’s partner in the state. Dr. Bryant’s involvement in other professional organizations includes Florida Association of Secondary School Principals; the Association of Florida School District Superintendents; and Advisory Council to Panhandle Regional Center for Excellence in Mathematics & Science, among many others. Dr. Bryant has received many special awards and recognition for his achievements in the field of education, including the Bethune Cookman College Pinnacle Award and the NAACP Black Achievers Award.

Dr. Kevin Ryan has recently retired as professor of education at Boston University and director of the Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character. He has written and edited fifteen books, including his latest, titled Reclaiming Our Schools: A Handbook for Teaching Character, Academics and Discipline. Dr. Ryan and the Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character garnered national praise for writing the Character Education Manifesto which has been endorsed by fifty of the nation's most recognized educators, legislators, and business executives in America. He has been featured in articles in U.S. News & World Report, the New York Times, the Washington Times, and the Boston Herald, among others.

“We are very pleased to have three such distinguished professionals join our board,” said Gary Beckner, chairman of the board of directors of AAEF and executive director of AAE. “Their knowledge and experience are incredible additions to AAE in our work to bring teachers a professional association focused on education.”

Dedicated to the academic and personal growth of every student, the Association of American Educators is the premier educators’ network that advances the teaching profession through teacher advocacy and protection, professional development and promoting excellence in education so that educators receive the respect, recognition and reward they deserve. AAE has members in all 50 states and welcomes professionals from all education entities. www.aaeteachers.org