PDK International Announces 2023 Emerging Leaders

ARLINGTON, Va., June 1, 2023— PDK International (PDK) is pleased to announce 16 up-and-coming professionals in the field of education selected as 2023 Emerging Leaders and Distinguished Educators. PDK’s fellows are leaders who are making a difference in the field of education and looking to network with like-minded individuals to advocate for education.

“The Emerging Leaders Fellows program is helping us raise the narrative and examine the complex contexts around the issues of public education and how PDK can be poised to make an impact on those issues,” said Albert Chen, Acting CEO, PDK International. “The Distinguished Educators program is an honorific designation reserved to highlight our most prestigious members.”

PDK’s 2023 Emerging Leaders include:

  • Laura Gokey (Texas)
  • Tamir Harper (Pennsylvania)
  • Elisa Mascorro (Illinois)
  • DérNecia Phillips (Nebraska)
  • Chafony Poole (Mississippi)
  • Melissa Unger (Pennsylvania)
  • Alexander Uryga (Massachusetts)
  • Angello Villarreal (New Jersey)
  • Kathryn Wiley (Washington, D.C.)

PDK’s 2023 Distinguished Educators include:

  • Cecilia Gray (Arkansas)
  • Maquilla Mills (Tennessee)
  • Sandra Street (New York)
  • Krista Scott (Texas)
  • JoAnne Negrin (New Jersey)
  • Susannah Remillard (Massachusetts)

PDK will host the Emerging Leaders and Distinguished Educators at a professional learning and networking event in Orlando, Florida from June 29-July 2. Through this opportunity, PDK’s fellows will become stronger advocates for their communities and overall, continue positively impacting the world of education.

For more information about all of PDK’s 2023 Emerging Leaders and Distinguished Educators visit https://pdkintl.org/el-de/.

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About PDK International
Established in 1906, PDK International supports P-20 educators, researchers, and policy makers by strengthening their commitment to the profession throughout the entire arc of their careers. We are committed to elevating the profession through the intersection of research and practice. Through our core values of social justice, engagement, excellence, and

results, we encourage educators and stakeholders to elevate the discourse and change the narrative around teaching and learning to ensure that every student has a high-quality equitable education. www.pdkintl.org

About Educators Rising
In 2015, PDK International – in its 115-year commitment to the profession of education – launched Educators Rising, formerly the Future Educators Association (FEA). Today, Educators Rising is cultivating a new generation of highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path from high school through college and into their teaching careers. By working with aspiring educators who reflect the demographics of their communities and who are passionate about serving those communities through public education, Educators Rising is changing the face of teaching. https://educatorsrising.org/