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For Immediate Release
September 24, 2007
Contact: Heather Reams
Director of Communications
877-385-6264
heather@aaeteachers.org

New Addition to AAE Foundation Board

Alexandria, VA—The Association of American Educators Foundation, a support entity for the Association of American Educators, a professional teachers’ association, has added to its ranks. Dr. Barbara Christmas was elected this month as the newest AAEF board member at the foundation’s recent board meeting, held in Alexandria on September 8.

 Dr. Christmas’ career in education began in Tattnall County, Georgia, where she served as a high school English teacher and guidance counselor. She also held the position of principal in several elementary schools across the state, and earned the Distinguished School Bell Award from the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals.

 “Dr. Christmas is a vital addition to our board,” said Gary Beckner, chairman of the board of directors for the AAE Foundation. “Her education background, as well as her expertise in school reform issues, will aid AAE immensely as we continue to work for teachers and students.”

 Dr. Christmas’ accomplishments include being selected to be a participant at the Education Summit (Nation's Governors at top CEOs), Palisades, New York in 1996; participating in the National Roundtable hosted by President Bill Clinton and Secretary of Education Richard Riley in 1997; and serving as Vice Chair of the Georgia School Improvement Panel for the Georgia Department of Education.

 Dr. Christmas has written a number of articles on education reform have been published in newspapers across the state, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  In addition, she has developed and conducted workshops entitled "Creating a Positive Climate for Education Reform", "Supporting and Nurturing Beginning Teachers," and "Improving Reading Test Scores through Teaching Developmental Vocabulary."

 “The experience that Dr. Christmas gained as Executive Vice President of PAGE [Professional Association of Georgia Educators] is quite beneficial to AAE,” said Beckner. “We look forward to her leading by example as we attempt to launch a state-based alternative to teacher unions in all 50 states.”

 Dr. Christmas has also served on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Early Learning Initiative, and presently serves as a Trustee for Georgia Southern University.

 Dedicated to the academic and personal growth of every student, the Association of American Educators is the premier educators’ network that advances the teaching profession through teacher advocacy and protection, professional development and promoting excellence in education so that educators receive the respect, recognition and reward they deserve. AAE has members in all 50 states and welcomes professionals from all education entities. www.aaeteachers.org 

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