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Thaly Germain, executive director of the Lynch Leadership Academy at the Lynch School of Education and Carroll School of Management, has been named to the 2014 Pahara-Aspen Education Fellows program, which identifies education leaders who use diverse and innovative approaches to ensure all students have quality learning opportunities available to them.
“It’s something I didn’t necessarily expect or anticipate,” said Germain, who joined the Lynch Leadership Academy in 2012. “I’m really honored by the opportunity and it’s truly humbling to stand among this group of leaders.“
Germain is no stranger to innovation and leadership. At the Lynch Leadership Academy, she oversees program strategy, development and implementation. Prior to her arrival at BC, she served as the executive director of aligned staff at New Leaders, where she helped re-create the organization’s recruitment, selection, training and principal support programs across 10 partner cities. Among her other roles in education, Germain has been a principal in Washington, DC, and a history teacher in New York City, two jobs that provided her with much of her firsthand experience and knowledge.
“Again, the piece that stands out for me is how humbling it is to have been selected for the fellowship program and how much I’m looking forward to learning as part of this cohort-based experience,” said Germain. “This is an opportunity to leverage the ideas and the thinking of other leaders meaningfully.”
The Pahara-Aspen fellowship provides education leaders with the chance to step back from their daily work and reflect on what they and their peers have done, and look ahead at what’s possible.
“The fellowship gives me the opportunity to work alongside leaders who have had a true impact on education reform and the sectors of education,” said Germain. “I’m looking forward to all the learning and I’m truly excited about the opportunity.
“A lot of the work we’ll be doing is thinking about reshaping education and also learning from one another. The experience will be about innovating and thinking about our future as leaders in this space.”
The Pahara-Aspen Education Fellows program is highly competitive – Germain is just one of 24 educators chosen – but her selection isn’t surprising, said Carroll School Dean Andy Boynton.
“Some day, Thaly will be the secretary of education for our great country,” he said. “Until then, we are thrilled to have her at BC.”