A New Era of Collaboration to Shape the Future of Virtual Instruction
The teacher shortage isn’t new, but the urgency has never been greater. Today, more than 411,000 classrooms across the U.S. are without a fully certified teacher. That’s 1 in 8 students starting their day without the instruction they deserve.
At Elevate K-12, we believe the solution isn’t to wait. It’s to innovate.
That’s why we’re proud to introduce the Virtual Teaching Advisory Council, a national group of education leaders who are coming together to advance and elevate the practice of virtual teaching.
Founding Members of the Advisory Council
This first-of-its-kind council brings together 10 trailblazers in education: superintendents, academic leaders, and HR experts who have spent decades working on the frontlines of public education. Each member brings deep expertise in instructional leadership, school operations, and policy; all share a commitment to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality, certified teacher.
Meet the inaugural council members:
- Dr. Cassandra Barker, Deputy Superintendent, Lancaster ISD (TX)
- Keith Burton, Superintendent, Caddo Parish Public Schools (LA)
- Kenneth Dyer, Superintendent, Dougherty County School System (GA)
- Marcia Herrera, Chief Human Resources Officer, Aldine Independent School District (TX)
- Dr. David Lawrence, Superintendent, Dayton Public Schools (OH)
- Dr. Trent North, Superintendent, Douglas County School System (GA)
- Dr. A. Katrise Perera, Superintendent, Lancaster Independent School District (TX)
- Akisha Shehee, Chief Academic Officer, Dayton Public Schools (OH)
- Dr. Tony Smith, Deputy Superintendent, Denver Public Schools (CO)
- Piyush Lumba, Chief Executive Officer, Elevate K-12
Why Now?
Virtual instruction has evolved. It is no longer a backup plan or an emergency measure; it is a powerful, scalable solution to ensure every student has a certified teacher in front of them, every day.
As Dr. David Lawrence of Dayton Public Schools puts it:
“Virtual teaching is no longer an emergency solution; it’s a vital pathway to keep quality educators in front of students. This council gives us the platform to refine and promote models that work.”
The Advisory Council will focus on three key areas:
- Efficacy: What makes virtual instruction truly impactful, and how do we measure it?
- Policy and Adoption: How do we build support at the local, state, and national levels?
- Practice and Operations: What does successful implementation look like in real schools?
What’s next?
The Council will meet throughout the year to share strategies, elevate best practices, and publish research and thought leadership that helps districts confidently integrate virtual teaching into their instructional models. Whether through conference sessions, white papers, or collaborative workshops, this group will help guide the future of instruction: one that’s equitable, effective, and scalable.
“By aligning their experiences and expertise, we can innovate faster and deliver stronger educational outcomes in the communities that need it most.”
— Piyush Lumba, CEO, Elevate K-12
As more districts face increasing vacancies, shifting compliance requirements, and pressure to improve outcomes, we are committed to building a future where certified teachers are accessible to every student, regardless of geography.
This council is a step toward that future.
Read the full press release here: Elevate K-12 Launches First-Ever Virtual Teaching Advisory Council