Education policy innovations and priorities are only truly impactful when they translate into benefits for students in classrooms. That’s why EdTrust is excited to welcome its inaugural Educator Advisory Council, designed to embed the perspectives of classroom experts directly into our advocacy, policy positions, and research.
Throughout the year, the educators will advise EdTrust on policies including representative curriculum, AI, equitable pathways, literacy, and more. They’ll track developments in federal policy affecting their students, and each will complete a project to translate their learnings into local advocacy.
2026-27 Educator Advisory Council
Dr. Melissa Collins
Melissa Collins, Ph.D., is a second-grade teacher, STEM leader, and the 2023 Tennessee Teacher of the Year. With 27 years of experience, she advocates for students and educators at the local, state, and national levels. She is also the founder of Future Leaders of STEM, where students receive white coats, symbolizing belonging, confidence, and the bright futures ahead of them.
Chasity Hart
Chasity Hart is the performing arts coordinator and theater educator at Young Audiences Charter High School in New Orleans. She believes in educating the whole child, knowing that creativity, discipline, and confidence developed through the arts extend far beyond the stage and into the classroom. Her mission is to cultivate not only exceptional students, but compassionate, well-rounded human beings.
Anton Horton
Anton Horton is the executive director at Boldly Moving Education Ahead (BMEA), where he leads innovative initiatives that expand educational opportunities for Black, Brown, and economically underserved students. A Detroit native, veteran, and former principal, Anton is passionate about developing leaders, strengthening schools, and creating transformative learning experiences. His work centers on educational equity, educator wellness, and community impact.
Dr. Jennifer López
Jennifer López, Ed.D., is a high school history teacher in Los Angeles. Over the past 15 years, she has taught across grade levels, subject areas, and traditional and charter school settings. She is an alumna of the Teach Plus California Policy Fellowship and currently serves on the executive committee for Educators for Excellence (E4E)’s National Teacher Leader Council (NTLC).
Elizabeth Metts
Elizabeth Metts is a ninth grade history teacher and team leader at Excel Academy Charter High School in East Boston, Mass. She designs equitable, on-grade learning experiences for multilingual learners and students with disabilities through blended, self-paced instruction. A 2025 Milken Educator Award recipient and Teach Plus Massachusetts Senior Policy Fellow, her work explores strategies to increase student agency, improve attendance, and expand access to rigorous learning.
Bianca Owens
Bianca Owens is a middle school math teacher in Dallas with more than a decade of experience supporting students and educators through classroom instruction, curriculum implementation, instructional leadership, and professional learning. Her work centers on educational equity, evidence-based instruction, and expanding opportunities for historically underserved students.
Carlotta Pope
Known as “The Radical Teacher,” Carlotta Pope is a first-generation American, New York City educator, social advocate, and lifelong learner driven to reimagine education. Inspired by Brooklyn’s resilience, she advances education policy through the Pillars of ACE: Advocacy, Capacity-Building, and Exploration. With a focus on politics and education, her work empowers communities, elevates authentic voices, and champions culturally responsive and equitable policies that expand opportunity and inspire lasting change.
Sam Singer
Sam Singer is a veteran high school literature teacher and educator for multilingual learners in Nashville, Tennessee. She founded and directs the Volunteer State Seal of Biliteracy, earned by 5,500 students at 100+ schools in 30+ languages since 2018. Sam advocates and organizes for equitable education policies, resources, and opportunities grounded in her classroom experience, and leads professional learning from the local to national level.
Brandon Smith
Brandon Smith is a high school history and civics teacher and instructional coach in Louisiana with nearly a decade of experience championing equity-driven, data-backed instruction. He is dedicated to mentoring new educators, elevating student voice through historical inquiry, and fostering inclusive classrooms. Brandon’s areas of expertise include curriculum design, civic engagement, and scaling high-impact instructional practices.
Dr. Winnie Williams-Hall
Winnie Williams-Hall, Ed.D., is a middle school special education teacher in Chicago, dedicated to supporting students with individualized education programs (IEPs). With three decades of experience in the education field, she brings deep expertise to classroom instruction and is a passionate advocate for mental health and wellness. Williams-Hall is an active member of Educators for Excellence (E4E) and serves on the National Teacher Leaders Council (NTLC). Committed to empowering fellow educators, she volunteers annually as a presenter for teachers at Chicago Public School (CPS)’s annual Googlepalooza conference, a week-long virtual training event designed for CPS educators and staff.