has been an educator for over 25 years advocating for students in both urban and suburban school systems. She has been a teacher, assistant principal and principal with several public-school systems in the Maryland/DC area. Dr. Cothorne worked for Harvard University as a School Coach for a research project in Baltimore City Public Schools examining how debate impacts middle school students’ reading comprehension. Dr. Cothorne has presented at several national conferences and has published book chapters, one entitled – SCHOOL CLOSURES AND URBAN EDUCATION – which is in the 2nd Edition Handbook of Urban Education. She has engaged in racial equity work for districts such as, Balz School District (Phoenix, AZ), Baltimore City Public Schools and the Pueblo D60 school district (Pueblo, CO).