UnboundEd’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the unanimous appointment of Lacey Robinson as its chief executive officer. Robinson’s contributions at the senior leadership level have helped UnboundEd expand its programming for educators to grow their equitable and rigorous instructional practices.
“UnboundEd is making an indelible mark in the education space. I am honored to lead us forward as we continue to help educators hold high expectations for all students by examining the intersection of standards, aligned curriculum and instructional practices that uphold a norm of equity in order for students to grow in their learning every day,” said Robinson, who joined UnboundEd as senior director of engagement in 2016. “We believe in creating equity across our education systems. We continue to stand with educators around America in this collective and inclusive effort.”
The Ohio native also brings decades of distinguished educational leadership experience at the local, county and national level as a former elementary teacher and middle school turnaround principal, equity specialist for Montgomery County Schools, and director of school leadership for New Leaders. Robinson earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and her master’s degree from Teachers College of Columbia University.
Robinson, who served as Chief of Programs, succeeds Kate Gerson, UnboundEd’s co-founder and former CEO, who announced her departure to the Board in recent weeks.
“I am enormously proud of what we’ve accomplished at UnboundEd and remain deeply committed to our core mission of advancing equitable instruction for all children. My life’s work is fighting racism as it manifests in the details of instruction,” Gerson said. “I’m excited to keep building and learning in that work with educators across the country.”
Since its founding in 2015, UnboundEd has transformed into a national organization dedicated to empowering teachers by providing free, high-quality standards-aligned instructional materials and resources for the classroom and the opportunity for immersive professional development through our Standards Institutes and year-long cohort programs. UnboundEd remains committed to rigor, equity and educational justice for all students in America’s classrooms.
“Kate made the connection that teachers from across the country needed both support and encouragement to make the educational shifts that meet the rigorous college and career standards in effect today,” said Doug Borchard, UnboundEd Board chair. “We are fortunate to continue UnboundEd’s legacy of creating safe spaces for teachers to grow in their content knowledge and reflect on their own unconscious biases with Lacey at the helm.”
“I am appreciative of the opportunity Kate has given me to not only build my capacity but also create real connections with other leaders in the education landscape,” Robinson said. “She prepared me to step into this role and I hold the responsibility very close.”
The transition comes as UnboundEd expands its influence and impact, with its Standards Institutes experiencing extensive waitlists from educators nationwide. The Winter 2020 Standards Institute will be in Orlando, February 10-14.