"A teacher affects eternity; he can
never tell where his influence stops."
- Henry Brooks Adams

ABOUT ACHIEVE HARTFORD!

• Research & Publications
• Theory of Reform
• Board Members
• Staff
• Supporters

Staff

Paul serves as the Executive Director of Achieve Hartford!, following two years as the organization's Director of Education Programs.

Though Paul’s mother never went to college, she understood the value of education, and worked hard to make sure that he had every opportunity to succeed in college and beyond. Paul is dedicated to ensuring that every child has the same opportunities that he did.

In between spending summers with family in Ecuador, Paul switched high schools in the 9^th grade. At a young age, Paul noticed the difference between the two high schools he attended, opening his eyes to the current state of education.

Later, working as a teacher, Paul was amazed by the impact he had on students and families. He affirms that helping students become confident in their academics and build their own identities benefits entire communities. Paul’s goal at AH! is to make sure that families in Hartford have all the information they need about their school system to become fully engaged.

Paul earned a BA and secondary teaching certification from Dartmouth College in 2000. He graduated with his MBA from the Yale School of Management in 2009.

Pat Salner is the Community Programs Director for Achieve Hartford! and is a long time Hartford area resident with deep roots in the not for profit and arts community. Pat grew up in Boston in the 1960’s and experienced the crises related to public education at that time. Recognizing the inequities of the education system, she is dedicated to working with an organization that is aiming to close the achievement gap. Pat believes that education is the civil rights issue of this generation and is committed to helping to ensure that all of our residents have access to the best education possible. Pat coordinates the Teacher Grant Program sponsored by Achieve Harford! which supports teachers who are willing to challenge students and use innovative ways to strengthen their curriculum. Pat also oversees the Choice Program, which helps parents identify the right school environment and find resources to optimize their student’s experience. Pat feels that Achieve Hartford! can successfully help to  narrow the achievement gap and elevate the success of Hartford public school students.

Lourdes Fonseca is the Community Programs Coordinator and Parent Organizer for Achieve Hartford! 

In addition to her full time commitment to improving public schools, Lourdes maintains an active presence in the Hartford community by serving as a member of the following organizations:

• the PTO  at OPPortunity High School (as its president);
• the School Governance Councils at both Pathways to Technology and Opportunity High School;
• the Hartford Parent Organization Council;
• the Hartford Board of Education's Committee on Family and Community Engagement;
• the Hartford Board of Education's Parent Advisory Council;
• the Hartford Public Schools Title I Committee;
• the Schools Committee of CT Parent Power; and
• the Hartford 2000 association of Neighborhood Revitalization Zones (NRZs).

Lourdes is a native of Puerto Rico, where she received her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.  She moved to Hartford in 1994 and resides in Hartford's North End with her two sons, both HPS students.  She is also involved in her home church: Blackwell Memorial AME Zion Church, located in the Blue Hills neighborhood in Hartford, as the coordinator of all community programs.

Kent P. Ashworth, Communications Manager 
kashworth@achievehartford.org

Kent Ashworth is the Communications Manager at Achieve Hartford! Part of Kent’s motivation is deeply rooted in upbringing. Kent’s grandparents were a school principal and teacher in a two-room school and his parents, in turn, emphasized not only the value of education, but also its unique power to enrich life. Kent worked as a journalist covering the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress, and the state courts regarding civil rights and school finance equity matters and has a longtime interest in the nation’s work to overcome racism and its continuing spinoff effects. His experiences working in urban schools and psychiatric treatment and correctional facilities also have shown him firsthand what the cost of unrealized potential can be to individuals – and society. Through his work at Achieve Hartford! Kent aims to provide perspectives that help accomplish two things: celebrate successes in ways that inspire others, and support constructive discussion of the hard issues and obstacles related to positive change.

Kent Ashworth earned an B.A. in education and history from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and has also done graduate work in urban affairs, before serving as the director of dissemination for the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP).