Meet Olin

 

As a product of public schools, a former math teacher, and a public school parent himself, Olin understands that a strong public school education can change the life of a child, a family, and a city. It’s why he helped co-found a racially and economically diverse early childhood center in New Orleans, and it’s why he is running to represent District 3 on the Orleans Parish School Board.

Olin has dedicated his entire career to education, most recently as the Executive Director overseeing all charter school accountability at the Louisiana Department of Education.

This experience in school governance and Olin’s experience as a teacher in both charter and traditional public schools gives him a deep understanding of the problems facing New Orleans schools, as well as the solutions needed to ensure that our schools accelerate toward excellence.

Parent

Olin’s inspirations for running for School Board are his three children, all of whom have attended New Orleans Public Schools since kindergarten. He believes it's important that New Orleanians have public school parents elected to serve on the school board.

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“I understand the issues facing public school parents in New Orleans because I live them every day. Families that struggle to balance multiple school schedules, excessively long bus rides, and everything else that comes with our city’s decentralized school system deserve an advocate on the board.”

Educator

Olin has dedicated his entire career to education, most recently as an Executive Director at the Louisiana Department of Education where he was responsible for holding charter schools accountable.

This experience in school governance and public education policy, along with Olin’s formative experience as a teacher in both charter and traditional public schools, gives him a unique and deep understanding of the challenges facing New Orleans students, teachers, and school leaders everyday.

Olin’s career of public service - and, specifically, his work in and around schools - means he’ll be ready on Day 1 to ensure that all of our city’s schools accelerate toward excellence.

“I started my career in public education in 2007 as a certified math teacher at an alternative high school for overage students. From my very first day in the classroom until now, I have diligently worked to improve public education as a former teacher of the year, assistant football coach, chess club founder, teacher coach, and administrator at the Louisiana Department of Education.”

-Olin

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Qualifications

Education Experience

Former Teacher of the Year, assistant football coach, and chess club sponsor

Executive Director at Louisiana Department of Education, responsible for charter school support and accountability

Community Experience

    • Two-time Chairperson of the Mid-City Neighborhood Organization;

    • Two-time Sr. Warden at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church;

    • Co-founder of an economically and racially diverse Birth-PK4 childcare center;

    • Co-founder of the 18th Ward Youth Sports Program;

    • Board member at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School;

    • Ten-time Carrollton Boosters soccer coach;

    • PTA member

Academic Experience

Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge MA
Masters of Public Policy

Hofstra University, Hempstead NY
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Endorsements

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Groups

  • Alliance for Good Government

  • The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate

  • Gambit

  • The Independent Women’s Organization (IWO)

  • Forum for Equality

  • United Teachers of New Orleans

  • The New Orleans Coalition

  • Black Organization for Leadership Development (BOLD)

  • Independent Democratic Electors Association (IDEA)

  • Louisiana Independent Federation of Electors (LIFE)

  • Regular Democratic Organization (RDO)

  • Community Organization of Urban Politics (COUP)

  • Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee

  • Democrats for Education Reform

  • Greater New Orleans AFL-CIO

Individuals

  • Louisiana Principal of the Year (2020) Jennifer Dennis Carey

  • Mayor Latoya Cantrell

  • Congressman Cedric Richmond

  • Former US Senator Mary Landrieu

  • State Senator Karen Carter Peterson

  • Councilwoman Helena Moreno

  • Councilman Joe Giarrusso

  • Orleans Parish School Board Member Sarah Usdin

  • Orleans Parish School Board Member Woody Koppel

  • State Board of Education Member James Garvey

  • Former State Board of Education President Penny Dastague