SBP Announces 8th Cohort of Competitive Fellowship for Elected School Board Members
26 elected school board members from across the country will participate in this yearlong fellowship and mentorship program.
New Orleans, LA — Today, School Board Partners (SBP) announced the eighth cohort of Fellows selected to participate in the School Board Partners National Policy and Leadership Fellowship, a competitive, one-year program for elected school board members. SBP has selected 26 individuals for this year’s cohort. Cohort 8 is made up of 80% people of color, with Fellows representing 26 school districts across 19 states and serving more than 516,00 students nationwide.
The SBP Fellowship supports school board members—many of whom are serving in elected office for the first time—by providing the knowledge, mentorship, community, and policy support needed to lead effectively and responsibly. Through the Fellowship, participants are paired with experienced mentors and gain access to a national community of peers, equipping them to navigate complex governance challenges and advance student-centered priorities in their districts.
“I’m honored to welcome this exceptional group of leaders into the School Board Partners Fellowship,” said Ethan Ashley, CEO of School Board Partners. “This year reflects a deliberate focus on investing more deeply in school board members who are positioned to drive meaningful change for students. Governing well requires more than good intentions—it requires training, mentorship, and sustained support. Through this Fellowship, we’re equipping leaders with the tools, community, and guidance needed to translate values into strong governance and real outcomes for kids.”
Throughout the Fellowship, Fellows will receive training in effective governance, including developing their leadership style, strengthening decision-making and oversight practices, building sustainable leadership habits, and using policy and governance levers to improve student outcomes, learning environments, and access to opportunity.
The 2026 SBP Cohort 8 School Board Fellows are:
Shiloh Arthmann, Rush-Henrietta CSD – NY
Alonzo Blackwell, Maple Hts – OH
Emefa Butler, Perry County – AL
Sandra Centeio, Brockton Public Schools – MA
Rashelle Chase-Miller, Portland Public Schools – WA
Catalina Chavez, CHSD 94 – IL
Kirby Christian, Randolph – MA
Brittany Davison, LICSW, Southbridge Public Schools – MA
Zakyia Goins-McCants, Prince George’s County Public Schools – MD
Christina Hayes, Missoula County Public School – MT
Hong Ha Hoang, Franklin-McKinley School District – CA
Tiffany Hogan, DeKalb County School District - GA
Kianie King, Quartzsite Elementary School District #4 - AZ
Dr. Crystal London, Zachary Community School District – LA
Prof. Samanthia M. Valentine, Richmond County – GA
Sharon Marino, Colonial School District – PA
Nicole E. Marquez, Creighton Elementary School District #14 – AZ
Tanara Nimmo, Roaring Forks Schools - CO
Vickie Pendleton, Capital School District – DE
Laura Purcell, Montgomery County Public Schools – VA
Jennifer Shanoski, Berkeley Unified School District – CA
JAKE Small, Chelsea Public Schools – MA
Benjamin Straker, Clayton County – GA
Robert Taylor, Metro Nashville Public Schools – NC
Ashley Thomas, Indianapolis Public Schools - IN
Terra Vennard, Harrisburg School District – SD
Since launching the Fellowship in 2019, SBP has supported more than 500 school board members across 41 states and 192 school districts, collectively serving over eight million students. Cohort 8 builds on this growing national network of leaders committed to strong governance and student-focused leadership in public education.
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School Board Partners is a nonprofit organization focused on transforming education in America by supporting, connecting and re-electing representative, student-focused school board members across the country to lead with courage, competence, and impact.