Early Childhood Education & K-12 Policy Committee
Leadership
Paula Polito, Early Childhood Education Chair
Beary Cherry Tree, CEO
Cheryl Serrett, K-12 Education Chair
Louisiana School Boards Association, Policy & Research Director
Voting Members:
Sheree Blanchard, Leaders for a Better Louisiana - Director of Policy
Rebecca Boniol, Mark Dodge Chrysler Jeep - Vice President & Partner
Kristen Brown, Brown Builders, Inc. - President
Amy Cable, LCTCS - Chief Student Affairs Officer
Ellen Clements, University of Louisiana at Lafayette -
Melissa Ehlinger, YouthForce NOLA - Chief of External Affairs
Lacey Ellis, Acorn Pediatric Consulting - Child Psychologist
Morgan Hilliard, Thrive Foundation - Executive Director
Missy Hopson, Ochsner Health - System Vice President & Chief Learning/Workforce Development Officer
Teresa Lawrence, Delta Personnel, Inc - President
Amanda Martin, Studyville - CEO
Michelle McInnis, SWLA Economic Development Alliance - Senior Vice President
Angelle Pearce, Sugar 'n Spice Children's Academy - CEO
Janet Pope, Louisiana School Boards Association - Executive Director
Caroline Roemer, Louisiana Charters In Action - Executive Director
Libbie Sonnier, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children - CEO
Candace Weber, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children - Director of Partnerships
Wendi Weileman, BearCom - Senior Sales Executive
Policy Positions:
2025 Early Ed. & K-12 Policy Statements
2024 Early Ed. & K-12 Policy Statements
2023 Early Ed. & K-12 Policy Statements
2021 Policy Opinion for Early Care and Education & Sports Betting
Support Policies to Increase Access to High Quality Early Childhood Development Programs in LA
Early Education & K-12 Videocasts & Podcasts:
Career and Technical Education Opportunities in K-12 Systems with Ken Oertling, Ed.D., Superintendent, & Ronny Seal, Curriculum Specialist for School-to-Career, at St. Charles Parish School District
LDOE’s BRAVE Plan, Accountability Changes & LA Literacy with Dr. Jenna Chiasson
If you are an executive or sustaining member and are interested in joining the Early Childhood Education & K-12 Policy Committee, please contact Emilia DiFabrizio at emilia@stokesflame.com.