Leading education advocate Helen Carroll has joined the Governor’s Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership (GCIPL) as a consultant to support the program that helps parents become knowledgeable and effective partners in efforts to improve local schools. In this role, she will serve as a parent leadership coordinator for the Northern Kentucky region.
Carroll has been a longtime supporter of the GCIPL program, an initiative of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, and has served the committee as a member and vice chair of its board of directors. She brings more than 35 years of business experience to the position as well as an extensive background in advocacy and civic issues. Her work in a variety of education roles has given Carroll extensive experience working with educators, administrators and school personnel at all levels. Her efforts include her current part-time position as United Way Born Learning Academy Coordinator for United Way of Kentucky and her support for GCIPL and other initiatives through her work in community relations at Toyota. Years of study and evaluation of education needs have given Carroll a clear understanding of critical investments needed in early childhood education and parent engagement in schools.
Carroll retired from Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing in 2014 and began a project planning business, Carroll Project Planning, to support projects for non-profit organizations and businesses.
“Helen has been an invaluable supporter of parent leadership work across the state. It has been a privilege to work in partnership with her as a business and community leader,” said Cindy Baumert, director of the Governor’s Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership. “We are excited to have her join our team as a consultant who can support outstanding parent leadership in northern Kentucky.”
Carroll was instrumental in the development of the Northern Kentucky Education Council, bringing a business perspective to the alignment of three education organizations, eliminating duplication and bringing Northern Kentucky’s support for education and educators under the Council umbrella.
A passion for education
Her passion for supporting education in Northern Kentucky, both from a personal and professional position, led the Kentucky Department of Education to select her as the 2010 recipient of the Joseph W. Kelly Award, which recognizes a business person’s commitment to education and student achievement. In 2014, she was named “Champion For Education” by the Northern Kentucky Education Council.
“I have been a fan of GCIPL for many years and have seen how this program gives parents the tools they need to become engaged,” Carroll said. “Everywhere you go in Northern Kentucky, you can find dedicated GCIPL fellows, or graduates, involved in schools and making a difference for their own children as well as many other children. I’m excited to join this great group of engaged parents and I look forward to working with future GCIPL parents.”
The Governor’s Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership (GCIPL) is an initiative of the Prichard Committee created to provide multiple training opportunities for parents and community members to develop the capacity to support and advocate for successful public schools for all students. This training supports the planning and implementation of productive school/family/community partnerships to improve student achievement. Participants of our training learn the value of shared decision-making in the school improvement process.
The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is an independent, non-partisan citizens’ advocacy group. Since 1983, the Committee, made up of volunteer parents and citizens from across Kentucky, has worked tirelessly to improve education for Kentuckians of all ages.
From the Prichard Committee