Board of Education Member Nancy Navarro Receives Leadership Award from Community Teachers Institute


Nancy Navarro, member and former president of the Montgomery County Board of Education, is the 2009 recipient of the Heart of the Community Award from the Community Teachers Institute (CTI). The award recognizes Ms. Navarro’s outstanding community leadership and commitment to education. The award will be presented on March 14, 2009, during ceremonies to be held at the National Education Association in Washington, D.C.

In a letter to Ms. Navarro announcing the award, CTI Executive Director Rushern L. Baker said, “You are a constant in the much needed advocacy for early childhood education and culturally sensitive education for Latinos and other immigrants.”

Ms. Navarro has been a member of the Montgomery County Board of Education since 2004. She is a member of the Board's Strategic Planning Committee, chair of the Communications and Public Engagement Committee, and has served two terms as Board of Education president.

Ms. Navarro also cofounded a nonprofit community-based organization whose mission is to assist the economic and educational development of Latino and other immigrant communities. School readiness, healthy family development, and academic achievement are primary goals of the organization. She has served in a number of volunteer leadership roles, including PTSA copresident and chair of the Youth, Schools, and Childcare Work Group of the Long Branch Revitalization Task Force. In addition to having served as a bilingual classroom parent volunteer, Ms. Navarro also has served as a member of the Montgomery County Gang Task Force Community Action Task Group; cochair of the Long Branch Revitalization Task Force, “Youth, Schools, and Child Care” workgroup; a member of the Founding Board of Directors of the Non-Profit Village; and a member of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.

Other recognitions received by Ms. Navarro for her community leadership include the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County Leadership Award, the U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur & Education Foundation "Hispanic Hero" Award in the Education category, and the Maryland State Department of Education “Women Who Dare” Leadership Award.

CTI’s mission is to encourage, support, and create partnerships among higher education institutions, public school districts, and community organizations to improve the effectiveness of public education by increasing the numbers of high-caliber, culturally connected teachers in K-12 classrooms. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the organization.