2011 Courageous Conversation Mini-Summit

Marlecia Autrey was born in Farmington, Michigan and raised in Selma, Alabama. After her public school education, she worked her way through The University of Alabama and obtained a BA in English Literature in 1995.  During her undergraduate work, she volunteered with the Boys and Girls club of Tuscaloosa.  As a result of interacting with the students there, she decided to purse a career in education to become an advocate for students to ensure educators always heard their voices.       

Marlecia continued her education at The University of Alabama’s Graduate School of Education pursuing work in curriculum and instruction.  Studying at the university promoted her desire to work in educational reform for traditionally underserved student populations.

After receiving her Master’s degree and teaching credential, her career brought her to Centennial Middle School in Boulder, Colorado to teach 7^th grade Language Arts.  Marlecia moved from Boulder to the Denver Metro area and begin working in the Cherry Creek School District where she taught reading and college preparatory classes.  Seeing the need for systemic change in how programs in the school were being implemented, Marlecia moved into a professional development position as the Pupil Achievement Specialist (PAS).  As the PAS coordinator for one of the largest middle schools in Colorado, she planned weekly staff development opportunities supporting teachers in analyzing their students’ achievement data and using that information to create lessons that were data driven and culturally relevant.   During that time she also worked as a national staff developer for the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program. After working with the Chicago Public Schools in a summer institute, she was recruited to work as an Expansion Manger to support middle and K-8 schools in vertically articulating with high schools to transition AVID students from 8^th to 9^th grade. She also designed and facilitated several professional development opportunities for the Chicago teachers.  When a position for a District Program Coordinator became available in the Cherry Creek School district, Marlecia returned to Colorado.   There she worked with teachers, administrators and counselors in the district studying the impact of race on implementation of their programs.   

In the Cherry Creek School District, Marlecia was a member of an Equity team, the CARE (Collaborative Action Research for Equity) team and the District Equity Leadership Team.  As a member of those teams, she worked to promote equity for underserved students through out the district. 

Marlecia has designed and facilitated numerous professional development seminars and training programs for teachers and administrators. She is currently an associate at Pacific Educational Group (PEG). PEG advocates for school reform to ensure equitable learning opportunities and results for underserved student populations.

Courtlandt Butts began his education in the Philadelphia public school system before moving to Orlando, Florida, where he completed his early schooling.  He attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.  He continued his education at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), earning a Master of Arts in Education, with an emphasis in Educational Technology and Media.  During graduate school, he worked as Project Director for an international youth services program that led him to work abroad, primarily in Spain, Japan and China.  Courtlandt’s passion for teaching students, experiential education and technology let to his significant leadership and involvement in broadcasting the first ever global webcast for the International Institute for Peace through Tourism held in Amman, Jordan.  This global conference involved educators, dignitaries and ministers of governments for over 60 different countries.

Courtlandt’s commitment to educating children of all races and differing abilities led him to work at the Gretchen Everhart School for Exceptional Children where he learned American Sign Language and other unconventional forms of communication. He recognized the critical benefit of parent engagement and the necessity of community outreach programs in order to build healthy children and communities. His work included grant writing and building partnerships with the federally funded National Youth Sports Program, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and the City of Tallahassee. He also served as president of the Minority Graduate Student Association (MGSA) at UNI where he involved himself in community and family initiatives aimed at promoting student achievement through tutor programs and other community activities. Upon obtaining his master’s degree, he continued this work at UNI as faculty advisor for MGSA.

He went on to become an assistant professor in the Education Department at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where early childhood and secondary programs placed special emphasis on urban education within a conceptual framework that promoted advocacy, culturally responsive pedagogy, professional teaching and dispositions. Prior to joining PEG in 2007, Courtlandt worked as a district administrator for Eden Prairie Schools in suburban Minneapolis, MN.

Courtlandt is the Director of Family and Community Engagement for Pacific Educational Group.  He resides in Atlanta, GA.

Cynthia Hays has engaged in systemic and strategic transformation work throughout her career.  In preK-16 public and private educational systems to ensure  “ Equity and Excellence for All Learners”. Dr. Hays is a licensed superintendent, high school principal, K-12 Spanish teacher and K-8 bilingual-bicultural elementary education teacher. She received her doctorate from the University of Minnesota in Educational Policy and Administration.  She chose Second Language Acquisition and Dual-language Retention as her dissertation topic. Dr. Hays holds multiple professional certifications in the areas of Strategic Planning,Total Quality Management, Leadership Assessment and Executive Coaching, Choice Theory/Reality Therapy and Consensus Building. She has served as a consultant in high school transformation in numerous urban school districts and has served as an executive coach for business and school leaders. Dr. Hays has been vigilant in her study of ethical leadership and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota and guest lecturer at many colleges, universities, community organizations, churches and businesses throughout the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Cyndie has more than 32 years of experience as an innovative educational leader in urban, suburban, public and private educational systems. She has a proven track record of achievement in transformational leadership and creating the conditions that enable individuals and organizations to manage complex change.

Cyndie has experience working with Pacific Educational Group not only as a consultant but also in her previous role as an assistant superintendent of a metropolitan school district. She knows first-hand what it is like to experience the challenges and the triumphs associated with authentically engaging in Systemic Equity Transformation. She resides in Minnesota and serves as Director of Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Development for Pacific Educational Group. 

Cyndie also has experience working in the private business sector. Her reputation for leadership in the area of educational technology and system integration was widely acknowledged and resulted in her recruitment to serve as Senior Vice-President of an educationally oriented Internet Technology, Software and Services Company. She gained valuable experience in business, finance, and innovative technology applications as she traveled throughout the country consulting with schools and businesses. 

Cyndie has experience working with Pacific Educational Group not only as a consultant but also in her previous role as an assistant superintendent of a metropolitan school district. She knows first-hand what it is like to experience the challenges and the triumphs associated with authentically engaging in Systemic Equity Transformation. She resides in Minnesota and serves as the Director of Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Development for Pacific Educational Group. She specializes in transformational leadership development to ensure educational equity and excellence and involves capacity building, organizational development, strategic planning, executive coaching, board development, project management, and public speaking.