State Board of Education Selects Gerard Robinson as Florida's Commissioner of Education
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State Board of Education Selects Gerard Robinson as Florida's Commissioner of Education
TAMPA - Following a day of interviews with five finalists, Florida's State Board of Education (SBE) unanimously voted today to select Gerard Robinson as Florida's next Education Commissioner. Currently serving as the Commonwealth of Virginia's Secretary of Education where he advises the Governor in the development and implementation of education policy, Mr. Robinson joined a pool of 26 other candidates vying for the Sunshine State's top education position."As anticipated, Florida was able to attract a very qualified, very impressive group of finalists for this extremely important position," said State Board of Education Chair Kathleen Shanahan. "Mr. Robinson was able to showcase his passion for education and his desire to lift the achievement of all students in a very effective way, and I'm extraordinarily pleased in the Board's decision to make him our next Commissioner of Education."
Gerard Robinson is the former President of the Black Alliance for Education Options and has also served as the Program Director and Principal Investigator. He taught fifth grade in Los Angeles, California, and was a graduate Instructor at the University of Virginia and Piedmont Virginia Community College. He is a graduate of Howard University and earned his Master's degree from Harvard University.
"Mr. Robinson's application presented a very strong candidate who has the experience and qualifications to keep Florida's ongoing education improvements moving full steam ahead," said State Board of Education Vice Chair Roberto Martinez. "His thoughtful responses to the Board during his interview clearly defined a Commissioner of Education that has the energy, enthusiasm and talent to continue Florida's educational successes, and improve the academic and life outcomes of our young people."
The Commissioner of Education serves as Florida's chief educational officer and is responsible for providing full assistance to the State Board of Education and developing actions and policies that champion the mission and goals of Florida's seamless preK-20 education system. To learn more about the State Board of Education, visit http://www.fldoe.org/board/.