Dr. Lillian Lowery: Educator extraordinaire
I love to share stories about teachers who have accomplished remarkable achievements over the course of their careers. One of these is English teacher Lillian Lowery: Educator extraordinaire. Originally from North Carolina, Lillian now hails from Washington, DC.
Lillian was born in Gastonia, Northampton County, North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from North Carolina Central University in Durham. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She completed the requirements for her Ph.D. in Education and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Lillian inaugurated her teaching as a middle school English teacher at Gaston County Schools in Gastonia, North Carolina. Before long she relocated to Alexandria City Public Schools in Alexandria, Virginia, then on to Fairfax County Public Schools in Fairfax, Virigina, and then Fort Wayne Community School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With each new position, Lillian expanded her experience as an educator, serving as a high school English teacher, an assistant principal, minority student achievement monitor, a principal, and an area coordinator.
In 2004, Lillian was appointed the Secretary of Education in Delaware, and then as the Superintendent of the Christina School District in Newark, Delaware. While living in that state, she also served as the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. Next she moved to Maryland, where she served as the Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education.
In September, 2015, Lillian became the first President and Chief Executive Officer of FutureReady Columbus, a non-profit organization specializing in early childhood education located in Columbus, Ohio. In March, 2017, she was appointed Vice President for PreK-12 Policy, Research, and Practice at Washington, DC’s The Education Trust, a national nonprofit organization working to identify and close opportunity and achievement gaps in K-12 education.
For her work as an educator, Lillian has earned many prestigious awards. In 2015, the National Association of State Boards of Education honored her as the “Policy Leader of the Year.” This honor is awarded annually to a national or state policymaker in recognition of his or her contributions to education. Lillian has also garnered the Second Mile Award from the University of Delaware; Wilmington, Delaware’s Junior Achievement Award; the City of Fairfax Mayor’s Service Award; and the Outstanding Service Award from the City of Fairfax School Board. Lillian has also served on several organizational boards including, Delaware State University, edreports.org, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Dr. Lillian Lowery: Educator extraordinaire.
