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 is a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations and is dedicated to transforming how America educates and cares for its children through education, behavioral health and national training and consultation services. Affiliates of The Children’s Guild Alliance include The Children’s Guild, Monarch Academy public charter and contract schools, Monarch Preschool College Park, Tranzed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), TranZed Apprenticeships, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, Transformation Education Institute and The National Children’s Guild Fund. Additionally, The Children’s Guild Alliance presents the Kids First National Conference.