News Archives - The Children's Guild

The Children’s Guild Alliance Names Moradeun “Mora” Okeowo as Director of Human Resources

by | Mar 23, 2021 | News

The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations, promoted Moradeun “Mora” Okeowo to director of human resources. Okeowo has more than a decade of experience in human resources and joined The Children’s Guild Alliance in 2018.

In her new role, Okeowo will supervise the human resources department’s daily workflow and identify staffing and recruitment needs for the organization. She will also develop and execute best practices for Human Resources and Total Reward System and ensure legal compliance and implementation of its mission and talent strategy.

Okeowo also serves on The Guild’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Council to facilitate the development of inclusive policies within the organization and implement strategies that increase workforce diversity, such as professional development and recruitment and retention processes. “An effective DEI structure provides a constant evaluation that, as an organization, we are safeguarding fairness and impartiality for all people. It gives room for analytical and critical thinking, creating an inclusive work environment that is more adaptable and creative, and ensures a reputation that helps attract and retain top talent,” says Okeowo.

“Mora has demonstrated exceptional leadership, especially during the unprecedented challenges presented by the pandemic. She has a clear vision for implementing and strengthening our HR function. We look forward to her connecting human capital decisions with The Children’s Guild Alliance’s business strategy,” says Jenny Livelli, president, and CEO of The Children’s Guild Alliance.

Before joining The Children’s Guild Alliance, Okeowo was human resources manager for the NAACP national organization headquartered in Baltimore. She managed HRIS integration and implementation, labor union negotiations, benefits administration, and vendor management.

Mora has a master’s degree in human resource management from the University of Maryland University College and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Covenant University in Nigeria.

The Children’s Guild Alliance Holds Virtual Hiring Fairs For Educators and Clinicians

by | Mar 24, 2021 | Events, News

The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C., will conduct three virtual hiring fairs from March 24-26, 2021 for child-serving professionals seeking positions as teachers, teacher assistants, clinicians, school social workers and instructional and behavior coaches.

The hiring fairs will take place on three consecutive days:

  • Wednesday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET
  • Thursday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET – Education Week K-12 Virtual Career Fair featuring The Children’s Guild Alliance
  • Friday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET

The Children’s Guild Alliance consists of more than 500 professionals in special education schools, charter and contract schools, clinic and school-based mental health services, therapeutic group homes and other programs. The organization serves thousands of youths, young adults and their families and works to transform how America cares for and educates its children.

To learn more and register for a virtual hiring fair, visit ChildrensGuild.org/join-our-team.

Event March 19, 2021: Monarch Academy Annapolis Host Virtual Book Reading Event for Read Across America

by | Mar 12, 2021 | Events, News

Monarch Academy Annapolis, a public contract school with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, will hold a virtual Read Across America 2021: Read Aloud on Friday, March 19, from 6 to 7 p.m. Keith Rowel, family and student support specialist at Monarch Academy Annapolis, will present his children’s book “Fried Green Apples.”

Rowel wrote “Fried Green Apples,” currently in production with Palmetto Publishing, with his daughters Kellie and Kye and granddaughter Toni “TT” Whitehead, who illustrated the book. “Fried Green Apples” tells the story of Little Sammie Green, Harriett Tubman’s first cousin, who lives in a magical fruit farm town Mulberry Hill in Maryland with his Grandma Bea and Uncle Charlie. The book heralds the message of neighbors helping neighbors.

In addition to his work at Monarch Academy Annapolis, Rowel directs music and worship arts at First Baptist Church in Annapolis. He is studying for a master’s degree in leadership, graduated from Leadership Anne Arundel and remains in active in the community. Rowel lives in Annapolis, where he was born and raised.

The National Education Association’s Read Across America “focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone,” according to the website.

The Monarch Academy Annapolis event is open to the public. To learn more and register, visit MonarchAcademy.org/Annapolis.

The Children’s Guild Alliance Names Julie Hummer to Board of Directors

by | Mar 12, 2021 | News

The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations, named Julie Hummer to the board of directors. Hummer brings experience serving on boards of education and teaching students with disabilities.

Hummer was an at-large member of the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County Public Schools from 2015 to 2020, serving as president and vice president during her term. Under her leadership, the Board of Education was awarded the National School Boards Association’s Magna Award for educational equity programs in 2017 and 2018, the only large school system in the nation to be honored two consecutive years.

During her term, the board created new policies addressing educational equity, anti-bias behavior and board member ethics. The board also expanded the school system’s eight magnet programs, approved new courses in areas such as computer game design and multicultural studies, prioritized mental health supports in the schools and opened the first new high school in the county in more than 30 years.

Hummer served as a member of the board of directors and as Legislative Committee chairman for the Maryland Association of Boards of Education from 2018 to 2020. In her work as chairman, she testified and advocated before the Maryland General Assembly on behalf of the 24 Maryland boards of education on bills impacting all areas of education and schools, from special education to capital funding.

Hummer’s community activism began when she served with the Brock Bridge Elementary PTA and worked closely with the school system, community and The Children’s Guild to bring the Monarch Global Academy contract school to the Laurel area to help alleviate school overcrowding and offer more school options.

Hummer previously taught students with learning disabilities and emotional disturbances in school systems in Frederick and Fairfax counties, Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in special education from Old Dominion University. She lives in Laurel, Maryland.

The Children’s Guild Alliance Featured on WJZ

by | Mar 4, 2021 | News

Baltimore’s WJZ featured on their evening news on March 3, 2021, “Children’s Guild Works To Provide Students With Unique Ways To Learn, Boost Success In The Classroom,” with interviews from Jenny Livelli, incoming President and CEO;  Julie Hummer, The Children’s Guild Alliance Board member, who is the parent of an 8th grader at Monarch Academy Global Laurel, and a parent of a graduate of Monarch Academy Glen Burnie; and Jamie Wilson, Clinical Supervisor for The Children’s Guild. The segment highlighted our unique educational and mental health approach, as students return to in-classroom learning. 
 

The article noted:

Not every student flourishes in school. Some need a different approach to learning tailored to their needs that goes beyond books and traditional classroom instruction.

That’s where the Children’s Guild comes in.

The nonprofit organization is being led by Jenny Livelli, its first female CEO and President. 

She said their program gives students in Maryland and Washington, D.C., a chance to learn through hands-on and project-based learning at four charter schools and two special needs schools.

 

“It’s not just sitting and receiving education, it’s actually becoming part of the learning process,” Livelli said.

Watch the video and read the article.