New Executive Director Named for Responsive Classroom

Northeast Foundation for Children Welcomes Dr. Lora Hodges

TURNERS FALLS, Mass., April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Board of Trustees of the Northeast Foundation for Children (NEFC), developer of the research-backed Responsive Classroom® approach to elementary education, has announced that Dr. Lora Hodges will become executive director as of July 1, 2012.

Dr. Hodges brings over two decades of experience as an educational leader at the school and district level. She has served as an associate superintendent in the Hoke County Schools in Raeford, NC, and as a principal in several schools in North Carolina. Dr. Hodges began her career in education as a high school English teacher. She holds a Masters in School Administration (MSA) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (EdD).

Dr. Hodges is currently the deputy executive director of programs for the SERVE Center, a nonprofit educational research organization at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She also serves as a senior advisor for CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning) and has been involved recently with advising the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools on implementing social-emotional learning as a district-wide initiative.

"As the third of four generations of educators," says Hodges, "I have always chosen to engage in work that reflects my commitment as a friend and champion of students, teachers, schools and schooling. I believe the opportunity to serve as executive director of NEFC will give me the opportunity to continue to do just that and I look forward to giving my full energy and attention to ensuring that NEFC continues to build its capacity, extend its reach, and consistently set and achieve far reaching goals."

Bob Fricker, chair of the NEFC board notes, "During the 12-month search period, we were fortunate to meet many superb leaders yet we waited to find an exceptional educator who shared our passion for creating safe and engaging schools and whose skills and experience would ensure that the impact of the Responsive Classroom approach would continue to grow throughout the country. In Dr. Hodges we found that person."

Dr. Hodges takes over from Roxann Kriete who retired as Executive Director at the end of 2011 after 26 years of service to the Northeast Foundation for Children.

About Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc. and the Responsive Classroom approach

Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc. (NEFC), a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1981 by elementary school educators who envisioned a way of teaching that would bring together academic and social learning throughout the school day. That way of teaching, called the Responsive Classroom^® approach, is now being used in thousands of schools across the country. For more information, visit www.responsiveclassroom.org.

SOURCE Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.