As a Sr Policy Analyst with the National Education Association (NEA), Rowena focuses on systems-level issues and leadership development. As a result, Rowena designed and established a national coaching and mentoring institute using the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Before joining the NEA, she spent over 13 years in public education in Prince George’s County, MD, as an elementary and middle school mathematics and science teacher, STEM coordinator, Peer Assistance and Review Consulting Teacher, and Peer Assistance and Review Liaison. During that time, she worked with various levels of district leadership to design and develop professional learning opportunities for educators throughout Prince George’s County.
Rowena was a member at large of the Board of Directors for the Maryland State Education Association, where she co-chaired the association’s Instructional and Professional Development Committee. Rowena worked with local and state leaders in Maryland on various initiatives, including the Teacher Induction, Recruitment, and Retention Act Workgroup. She worked with multiple stakeholder groups to create synergy and align educational policies, affecting educators throughout Maryland. In addition, she was one of the teacher leaders to guide the development of policies for Maryland’s 21st Century Schools facilities.