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</div><div id="ydpcf29c807yahoo_quoted_6918937796" class="ydpcf29c807yahoo_quoted"><div class="ydpcf29c807yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(38, 40, 42); border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 8px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px;" class="ydpcf29c807inline_reply_quote_container" data-split-quote-node="true"><div style=""><div id="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784" style=""><div style=""><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784yahoo-style-wrap"><div dir="ltr" style=""><div style=""><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;"><div style="text-align:center;"><b style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-family:New serif;"><img title="Inline image" alt="Inline image" src="cid:59003fb0-8846-9830-65b5-8eeb22d5e17f@yahoo.com" style="max-width:400px;width:50%;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784yahoo-inline-image" data-id="<59003fb0-8846-9830-65b5-8eeb22d5e17f@yahoo.com>"></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family:New serif;"><br></span></b></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;"><b><span style="font-family:New serif;"><br></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;"><font size="4"><b style=""><span style="font-family: New serif;">Einstein Charter Schools Celebrates the Retirement of Dr. Tara Johnson and </span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: New serif;">Her Three-Decade Student-Centered Legacy</span></b></font></div><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:New serif;">New Orleans, December 18, 2025</span></b><span style="font-family:New serif;"> — Einstein Charter Schools announces the retirement of Dr. Tara Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, effective December 31, 2025. After three decades in public education, Dr. Johnson concludes a distinguished career defined by one unwavering principle: doing what is in the best interest of children—always.</span></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:New serif;">A Career Grounded in Student Advocacy</span></b></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Dr. Johnson began her career with New Orleans Public Schools as an English and Social Studies teacher and later became a special education teacher, where she advocated for students with exceptional needs and ensured every child received the supports necessary to succeed. From the classroom to network-level leadership roles, her work consistently centered on students’ academic growth, well-being, and dignity.</span></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Following Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Johnson returned to New Orleans and served as Director of Education for the Marine Institute, supporting students in a secure-care facility. She later served as an assistant principal and went on to work within the Recovery School District, supporting multiple schools during a critical period of transformation. During this time, her leadership helped restore instructional stability, strengthen teaching and learning, and rebuild school environments where students could thrive.</span></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:New serif;">Leadership at Einstein Charter Schools</span></b></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Dr. Johnson joined Einstein Charter Schools in 2020 as Executive Director of Compliance, where she ensured that systems, policies, and practices aligned not only with regulatory requirements but—most importantly—with the best interests of students. She was widely known for grounding every decision in one essential question: <i>How does this benefit children?</i></span></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">In 2022, Dr. Johnson was appointed Chief Executive Officer, leading the organization with a steadfast commitment to student-centered decision-making, operational excellence, and community partnership. As CEO, she:</span></p><ul type="disc" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;"><li style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Championed equitable access to high-quality instruction and comprehensive student supports</span></li><li style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Fostered collaborative, child-focused professional learning for educators</span></li><li style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Ensured student voice, family trust, and community partnership remained central to Einstein’s mission</span></li><li style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Successfully maintained full compliance with all federal, state, and local requirements</span></li><li style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Built and sustained a healthy fund balance, strengthening the organization’s financial stability and long-term capacity to deliver high-quality education</span></li><li style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos, sans-serif;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Led with a strong community focus, embracing the New Orleans East community through partnerships, outreach initiatives, and support for senior citizens and families</span></li></ul><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:New serif;">Reflection from Dr. Tara Johnson</span></b></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve Einstein Charter Schools alongside extraordinary educators, students, families, and community partners. After three decades in education, I am proud of what we have accomplished together and deeply committed to ensuring that students remain at the heart of everything we do.”</span></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:New serif;">Board Reflections on Dr. Johnson’s Legacy</span></b></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Board President <b>Dr. Raymond Delaney</b> praised Dr. Johnson’s lasting contributions, noting:</span></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:New serif;">“Dr. Johnson’s leadership extended far beyond the role of CEO. She centered students, honored families, and embraced the broader New Orleans community in every decision she made. Her service reflects the core values that define Einstein Charter Schools, and the Board is deeply grateful for the legacy of student-focused leadership she leaves behind.”</span></p><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family:New serif;">Einstein Charter Schools extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Johnson for her unwavering advocacy for children, her principled leadership, and her lasting impact on students, families, and school communities across New Orleans.</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family:New serif;"><br></span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;"><div style="text-align:center;"><img title="Inline image" alt="Inline image" src="cid:794bebe8-6037-0306-010c-36236c0cd342@yahoo.com" style="font-family: New serif; font-size: 12pt; max-width: 600px; width: 75%;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784yahoo-inline-image" data-id="<794bebe8-6037-0306-010c-36236c0cd342@yahoo.com>"></div><span style="font-family:New serif;"><br></span></div><p style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 18.4px; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal;" class="ydpcf29c807yiv4491850784ydpc654597MsoNormal"> </p></div><br></div></div></div></div></div>
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