About Us
The Atlantic County Collaborative for Educational Equity was formed in response to data indicating inequitable outcomes (high school and college graduation rates, career attainment, and income) for children of color in Atlantic County compared to the rest of New Jersey. We aim to build relationships across sectors to connect resources, community groups, schools, and individuals within the county in order to increase access to high quality, evidence-based strategies and interventions.
You do not have to be me in order for us to fight alongside each other.
-Audre Lorde
Our Community
Tamar LaSure Owens
Atlantic County Educator
Tamar is a first-grade teacher in Atlantic County with expertise in implementation of the NJ Amistad curriculum. She serves in leadership roles in Phi Delta Kappa, NAACP, and the NJ Education Association. She is inspired by music, her fellow educators, and loud, bright colors that bling! Tamar's involvement with AC Ed Equity is rooted in her commitment to social justice and educational policy change.
Tamar LaSure Owens
Atlantic County Educator
Tamar is a first-grade teacher in Atlantic County with expertise in implementation of the NJ Amistad curriculum. She serves in leadership roles in Phi Delta Kappa, NAACP, and the NJ Education Association. She is inspired by music, her fellow educators, and loud, bright colors that bling! Tamar's involvement with AC Ed Equity is rooted in her commitment to social justice and educational policy change.
Dr. Christine Ruth
Founder / Atlantic County Educator
Christine is a long-time Atlantic County educator, serving over the years as a school counselor, administrator, and special education teacher. She earned her doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California in 2019, the same year she founded AC Ed Equity.
Christine is inspired by her two teenagers, live music, and anyone who lives and speaks their truth. She founded AC Ed Equity because she believes in the collective good - that when life is better for one child it is better for all children. - and that we are all accountable to each other.
Tamar LaSure Owens
Atlantic County Educator
Tamar is a first-grade teacher in Atlantic County with expertise in implementation of the NJ Amistad curriculum. She serves in leadership roles in Phi Delta Kappa, NAACP, and the NJ Education Association.
Tamar is inspired by music, her fellow educators, and loud, bright colors that bling! Tamar's involvement with AC Ed Equity is rooted in her commitment to social justice and educational policy change.
Melissa Tomlinson
Atlantic County Educator
Melissa is a special education teacher and advocate.
Virginia Rettig
Praxis Tutor
Virginia leads the Tutoring for Educational Equity partnership with the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She also volunteers as a Reading / Writing Praxis tutor for prospective teachers.
Lois Fried
Praxis Tutor
Lois is a local CPA who volunteers as a Reading/Writing Praxis tutor for prospective teachers.
Dave Eachus
Praxis Tutor
Dave is a retired Atlantic County educator who volunteers as a Praxis math tutor for prospective teachers. He is inspired by travel, living life to the fullest, and by people who overcome obstacles to succeed.
Dave's commitment to AC Ed Equity is based on his gratitude to mentors that believed in him as he built his teaching career. He sees math tutoring as his opportunity to provide a similar boost for future teachers to achieve their dreams.
Anne Lenahan
Atlantic County Educator
Anne is a local school counselor and parent who is inspired by helping others and trying new things. Her hero is her mom.
Anne's involvement in AC Ed Equity is based in her eagerness to promote social justice and antiracism in Atlantic County schools.
Lisa March
Retired Atlantic County Educator
Lisa taught music in Egg Harbor Township for many years, and both of her daughters came up through EHT schools. She is now retired, but stays involved in many civic organizations, including AC Ed Equity as our Retired Teacher Liason.
Our Partners
