The NEA Foundation has announced the selection of Joshua Middleton, an Ed.D. candidate at Howard University, as its inaugural Community Schools Graduate Fellow. This fellowship aims to bolster the NEA Foundation’s commitment to exploring the vital roles of educators’ voices and leadership in fostering student success through community schools.
Middleton, an accomplished educator and doctoral student, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He holds a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Florida State University. His professional journey includes significant contributions to teacher pipeline programs designed to reintegrate Black educators into classrooms, working with the Center for Black Educator Development. Additionally, as a graduate research assistant, he has undertaken independent research that investigates education policy, specifically focusing on racial disparities in school discipline.
Community Schools Fellow
“I am deeply honored to become the Community Schools Graduate Fellow with the NEA Foundation,” said the Howard student. “This opportunity allows me to contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of educators in community schools, which can improve the educational experiences of countless students and educators.”
Community schools operate as collaborative hubs, created through partnerships among educators, families, policymakers, and community organizations. They are designed to address their local communities’ challenges and cultural contexts. These schools serve students year-round and provide support not only for children but also for adults, thereby helping to bridge educational opportunity gaps and dismantle systemic barriers that hinder inclusive and supportive learning environments.
The NEA Foundation’s Community Schools Initiative, which was launched in 2020, focuses primarily on the Deep South—a region noted for its challenges and under-resourced educational institutions. Insights gained from Middleton’s fellowship will yield essential knowledge to enhance community school practices, benefitting not only the Foundation but also other educational stakeholders across the nation. The ultimate goal is to ensure that students in the Deep South, and beyond, gain access to high-quality community schools that can transform their educational experiences.
“We are thrilled to have Joshua join us as our Community Schools graduate fellow,” stated Sara A. Sneed, president and CEO of the NEA Foundation. “His breadth of experience and dedication to educational equity are perfectly aligned with our mission. We are confident that his contributions will significantly enhance the community schools field’s understanding of the critical roles that educators can and do play in the design and implementation of exemplary community schools throughout the country.”
Currently, the NEA Foundation’s Community Schools Initiative operates in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, where it works to support public schools in under-resourced communities.
