Danks Selected for Notre Dame Leadership Summit

Amanda Danks, a doctoral student in the educational evaluation and policy analysis at the NC State College of Education, has been selected as a fellow in the University of Notre Dame’s 2018-19 Reform Leaders Summit.

The summit aims to educate and equip leaders with skills they need to support parental choice public policy in the United States. The summit selects between 30 to 35 leaders to participate in the 11-month program which meets three times for seminars led by policymakers, school leaders, researchers and educational entrepreneurs.

Hailing from Youngstown, Ohio, Danks attended Bethany College in West Virginia for her undergraduate degree and earned a Master’s in Leadership in Teaching, with a specialization in Special Education, from the Notre Dame of Maryland University.

“I am interested in the Reform Leader’s Summit because I believe that every student, regardless of ability, financial means, or family education deserves a high-quality education that specifically meets the individual’s needs,” said Danks.

Her passion for education equity was ignited in Baltimore where she became an educator through the Baltimore City Teaching Residency program.

“I  fell in love with teaching and especially, working with students who have significant cognitive disabilities. I saw an incredible amount of educational inequity and injustice while working in Baltimore and was inspired to do all I can to address it.”

“We’re thrilled to have Amanda in the Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis program,” said Dr. Anna Egalite, Assistant Professor. Egalite nominated Danks for the summit.

“She brings state-level expertise, a depth of experience, and an incredible work ethic to her studies. She embodies so many of the characteristics we hope to see in our graduate students, the types of characteristics that are imperative for success in a career in education policy: tenacity, grit, drive, curiosity, open-mindedness, and, above all else, a sincere desire to improve outcomes for all students.”

As a Reform Leader’s Summit fellow, Danks will meet with her cohort in New Orleans, Louisiana; Tampa, Florida; and Indianapolis, Indiana. The fellowship covers the cost of travel, lodging and meals.