As director of policy and advocacy for Educate Texas, Joanna identifies and advocates for evidence-based policy solutions related to educator effectiveness, college and career readiness, and reforms passed in the last legislative session. She also assists with the coordination of the Teaching and Learning Council (TLC) which convenes practitioners and a focused group of diverse stakeholders committed to improving the public education system in Texas.
Prior to joining CFT, Joanna was the senior regulatory and government relations manager for Aceable, Inc., an education startup that offers state-approved online driver education and real estate courses. Prior to that, she was a government relations specialist with the Texas Education Agency, focusing on building relationships with members of the Texas House and Senate to advance the agency’s legislative priorities.
Joanna holds a bachelor’s in political science and philosophy from Centenary College of Louisiana and a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin.