By Jennifer Koppel, DFER Texas State Director
What an important time to be a Democrat in Texas. From our rapidly shifting, diverse electorate to an expanding pool of strong Democratic candidates running for office, 2014 is a promising year in the Lone Star State’s transition from red to blue.
It is in this supercharged atmosphere that I am proud and excited to serve as state director for Democrats for Education Reform’s newest branch in Texas.
The fact that there is a desire for a Democratic political reform organization focused on education in Texas is extremely exciting. Education reform has been a one-sided debate in Texas for too long. We have a lot of work in front of us to balance the conversation, but we’re ready to give a voice to passionate Democrats who care about the future of education for our kids.
DFER Texas will make it a priority to unite Texas Democrats and to represent the interests of people traditionally excluded from the Republican majority, including the growing Hispanic population. I’m looking forward to seeking out those Democrats with diverse educational expertise and helping them fight for crucial reforms at both the local and state levels.
Some background on me: I’m a graduate of the University of Texas, and I’m excited to be back in Austin. I’ve spent the last 20 years working in the nonprofit sector, most recently as Vice President of Growth for IDEA Public Schools, a network of public charter schools serving low-income K-12 students in the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Austin.
Sign up to receive DFER-Texas communications and keep an eye on our blog in the coming weeks and months for information on what Democrats are doing in Texas to ensure all our kids have access to a quality education, and how you can get involved.
With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Jennifer Koppel has worked with elected officials, philanthropists, homeless mothers, boards of directors and students to achieve successful outcomes for organizations in growth phases. Read more about Jennifer here.