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The Houston A+ Challenge Board of Trustees has chosen Michele Pola, Ed. D., as the organization’s new executive director.

Dr. Pola has been director of programs for the Houston A+ Challenge since 1999 and associate director since 2002. Dr. Pola came to Houston A+ Challenge from the Houston Independent School District, where she was a teacher and principal for 20 years. While at Houston ISD, Dr. Pola organized the 13 schools in the Central District to successfully apply for a $500,000 Lamplighter Learning Community grant from Houston A+ Challenge in 1998.

As program director at Houston A+ Challenge, Dr. Pola managed the $60 million Annenberg Challenge initiative for 88 schools in the Aldine, Alief, Houston, Humble, North Forest and Spring Branch ISDs. She designed and facilitated the first ever District Leaders Learner retreats in the Houston area and led the design and implementation of Houston’s first two-year Leadership Academy for school leaders. She also created Houston’s first Peer Review Accountability Process for assessing public schools.

“Dr. Pola’s focus is on helping to create schools where students get rigorous, hands-on instruction from teachers who customize their lessons so that all students can learn,” said Harry Reasoner, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Houston A+ Challenge and senior partner at Vinson and Elkins, LLP. “The Board of Trustees is delighted to have Dr. Pola at the helm as Houston A+ Challenge continues to work to improve student achievement in public schools in metropolitan Houston. She will be a worthy successor to Linda Clarke, who did a superb and nationally-acclaimed job as executive director.”
Mrs. Clarke was executive director from 1998 to April 2004. Mrs. Clarke will continue to assist Houston A+ Challenge with its work on high school redesign and on policy initiatives.

“Houston A+ Challenge is well-positioned to continue its five-year plan,” said Dr. Pola. “As executive director, I remain committed to carrying out that plan.”

The Houston A+ Challenge is an independent, public, private partnership that has raised more than $100 million for public school reform in the Greater Houston area. The Challenge develops and funds school programs, professional development and leadership institutes to promote higher academic achievement by all students using the principles of Whole School Reform.