ChangeMaker's Connect - K-12 Education in Georgia

A focused convening of passionate educators and community leaders to share ideas, inspire change, and shape the future of our schools.

Professor Dr. Jagdish Sheth : Jagdish N. Sheth is the Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Business at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and a globally respected scholar in consumer behavior, marketing, competitive strategy, and geopolitics. With more than 50 years of teaching, research, and advisory experience across leading institutions including USC, Columbia, MIT, and Emory, he has authored hundreds of papers and numerous influential books. A recipient of India’s Padma Bhushan (third highest civilian recognition) and multiple distinguished honors, Professor Sheth is also known for his work advising major corporations and governments, as well as for founding several institutions that advance research, policy, and scholarship. We are fortunate to have Prof. Sheth on Vibha's Advisory Board.

Cynthia Currence : Cynthia Currence has 30+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit organizations with an impressive track record for creating impactful partnerships benefiting nonprofit causes and corporations. She was responsible for corporate partnership strategy and engagement for major international nonprofits including the American Cancer Society, World Vision, and Children International. She led teams that achieved multimillion dollar partnerships with global companies including Citi, Glaxo Welcome, MetLife, Procter and Gamble, and Microsoft. She wrote a book on how to create powerful partnerships between nonprofit organizations and corporations which was published in January 2025.

What will we explore?

• The role of schools, families, and policy in building child-first, future-ready systems.
• How Georgia’s K-12 system is responding to the growing role of technology in children’s learning and development.
• The divide between access, readiness, and meaningful use of technology across schools and communities.
• How to ensure technology supports equity, learning, and student well-being rather than deepening existing gaps.

Participants

1. Leigh McCook - Principal Research Associate at Georgia Tech, also serves as Deputy Director for IPaT, Director of STEM programs for the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), and previously served as Division Chief for fifteen years in GTRI’s socio-technical systems division in the Information and Communications Lab
2. Dr. Kenan Sener - CEO at Premier School Management and Education Services . Executive Director and former Principal at Fulton Science Academy Private School. NCSS & GISA Board Member
3. Diamond Jefferies - Principal at International Community School. Former Teacher Education Facilitator at Teach For America and Teacher at Fulton County Schools.

What will we explore?

• How schools measure what is working, beyond test scores, to understand real student and program outcomes.
• How Georgia’s K-12 system can better support and strengthen teacher capacity in a rapidly changing education landscape.
• The connection between investing in educators and improving long-term impact for students and communities.
• How data, training, and support systems can help teachers succeed while driving meaningful, measurable results.

Panel Participants

1. Dr.Sohyun An - Professor of Social Studies Education, Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Kennesaw State University. Cofounder - Asian American Voices in Education (AAVEd)
2. Amy Mungur - Associate Professor of Curriculum & Instruction, Department Chair, Secondary Education - Georgia Gwinnett College
3. Ashley Rolader - Talented and Gifted (TAF) Program Teacher, TAG Program Lead, TAG Endorsement Instructor, Fulton County Schools

Meet our Moderator - Vidhushi Chaudhry
Vidushi Chaudhary is an education leader with over 17 years of experience across India and the U.S., known for her work in innovation, equity-centered program design, and talent development. She is the Founder and CEO of The Creative Might, where she supports the development and implementation of Talented and Gifted programs. Previously, she served as District Resource for Talented and Gifted programs with Fulton County Schools and earlier worked with International Community School in similar roles, training teachers and serving as an educator herself. Her deep experience in inclusion, culturally responsive learning, and advocacy makes her an excellent moderator for this panel.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Centennial Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Exhibition Hall @ Georgia Tech, 460 4th Street Northwest, Atlanta, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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