Principal Paz Ramos Appointed to Early Learning Council by Governor Kitzhaber

Alder Elementary Principal Paz Ramos, leader of the first Dreamer School in the U.S., was recently appointed to Governor John Kitzhaber’s newly created Early Learning Council. The nine-member group will guide statewide efforts to support high-impact early-childhood efforts across the state.

Portland, OR, September 30, 2011 -- Governor Kitzhaber recently announced his appointments to the Early Learning Council. As a member of the Early Learning Council, Paz Ramos is in a unique position to align statewide early childhood initiatives with on-the ground programming at Alder Elementary, the K-5 school recently adopted by “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon.

“We are so proud and energized by Governor Kitzhaber’s appointment of Paz to the Early Learning Council,” says Mark Langseth, President and CEO of “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon. “His contributions on the Council will only further what we’re trying to achieve at the Dreamer School.”

“I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon was founded in 1990 to help low income children reach success in school and college. The organization delivers a proven combination of core services to students: long-term relationships with caring adults, academic and personal/social support services, and creating a “culture of college” within schools and the students’ families.

In 2010, “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon established the first “Dreamer School” in the nation at Alder Elementary. This development will expand the Foundation’s impact from 300 to 3,000 kids per year, all within this decade. Alder has one of the highest poverty rates of any school in the state. “I Have a Dream” is partnering with over a dozen other non-profit organizations to transform the lives of every student in this school.

“I believe very deeply that we can change the path for these kids by providing long-term, wraparound services,” says Paz Ramos. Reaching kids early, promoting kindergarten readiness and critical family support is essential for long-term educational success. Through this council work, Mr. Ramos is in a unique position to simultaneously help shape state policy and to implement the Governor’s broader cradle-to-college vision on the ground at Alder.

The nine members to the Early Learning Council are:
Chair: Richard C. “Dick” Alexander (West Linn) Pam Curtis, MS (Portland) Teri Thalhofer, RN (The Dalles) Charles McGee (Portland) Bobbie Weber, PhD (Corvallis) Norm Smith (Portland) Paz Ramos (Gresham) Janet Dougherty-Smith (Portland) Dick Withnell (Keizer)

Information about the Dreamer School, “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon and Paz Ramos can be found at the"I Have a Dream website" (http://www.ihaveadreamoregon.org).

The Early Learning Council will be responsible for implementing the framework developed by the Early Learning Design Team to ensure all children are ready to learn when they enter kindergarten.

The nine members to the Early Learning Council are:
Chair: Richard C. “Dick” Alexander (West Linn) Pam Curtis, MS (Portland) Teri Thalhofer, RN (The Dalles) Charles McGee (Portland) Bobbie Weber, PhD (Corvallis) Norm Smith (Portland) Paz Ramos (Gresham) Janet Dougherty-Smith (Portland) Dick Withnell (Keizer)

Emily Niedermeyer Becker
“I Have a Dream” Foundation-Oregon
2916 NE Alberta Street, Suite D
Portland, OR 97211
503.287.7203
Emily.Becker@ihaveadreamoregon.org
http://www.ihaveadreamoregon.org

This release was published on openPR.