NEW YORK, N.Y. (Feb. 1, 2022)—Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) announced today that Jacquelyn Martell has been named the next director for DFER New York and its affiliate Education Reform Now New York.
In her new role, Martell will lead the chapter’s mission to develop a student-centered policy agenda rooted in educational equity and excellence. Priority issues include accelerating learning for all students—particularly for historically underserved students and those most impacted by the pandemic, promoting higher education access and affordability within the state, and overall, fighting for higher achievement and greater opportunities for all students in New York.
“Jacquelyn has been a tremendous leader and advocate for children and families. Most recently, she was instrumental in cultivating critical relationships with the community, elected officials and key stakeholders in a $35 million school expansion project within Brooklyn—providing high quality public education options to more than 3,000 students within the East New York area,” said DFER National President Shavar Jeffries. “She spearheaded a robust parent program during the pandemic to engage hundreds of parents, and helped expand Achievement First’s high quality charter network to 91 students in Queens—73% of whom receive free and reduced price lunch and 100% of whom are students of color. I am confident that Jacquelyn has the expertise, bold vision, and passion necessary to lead New York toward a brighter, more equitable future for all children.”
Martell previously served as the State Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Achievement First Public Charter Schools, is a graduate of the Broad Center Residency in Education Leadership, and served as an organizer with the Service Employees International Union, among other notable achievements.
“Education is the linchpin of all social issues. That’s why it is critical that we fight to provide an opportunity-creating public education to all children within this country,” said Martell. “I was lucky to have parents and community members advocating on my behalf, but I’ve seen too often how a lack of access to a quality education can have an adverse impact on a child’s trajectory. Together with DFER, I can continue the fight to create an equitable and accessible system so all our children can access their full potential.”
DFER NY was established in 2007 to advocate for educational equity for nearly 3 million students in New York public schools.
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About DFER NY
DFER NY Political Action Committee committed to advancing educational equity for New York’s students. DFER-NY has recently worked to advance teacher diversification legislation, reduce the cost of broadband internet access for families, and increase funding for public charter schools. It is the partner organization of Education Reform Now Advocacy New York, a 501(c)4 advocacy organization that funds and supports legislative and political advocacy, and the affiliate organization of Education Reform Now New York, a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-16 public education, particularly for low-income students and students of color. DFER NY is a chapter of the national organization, Democrats for Education Reform.
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