​Who I am

My name is Latosha Branch.  I currently serve as the Virginia NAEP State Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Education.  I am a graduate of Virginia Union University where I received my bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in History/Political Science.  I have also studied and completed coursework in educational administration and leadership at the University of Virginia. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. My educational career includes working in the field of K-12 public education, Correctional Education and The Virginia Department of Education for approximately 20 years.

​I am an active advocate for equity of access to quality educational opportunities for ALL learners.  I have presented at various conferences across the Commonwealth and nationally focusing on the effects of current educational policies and practices on at-risk learner, servant leadership and the school-to-prison pipeline.  I consider myself to be a lifelong servant leader with the goal of positively impacting the lives of anyone that I encounter.
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Why I Joined BWEL

​I joined BWEL to make a difference.  To make a greater impact on education from a different perspective.  I believe that it is our duty as educators to continue learning and share what we have learned.  We rise by lifting others up. My goal is to extend the help and grace that I have received to other women education leaders.  I would like to pay it forward.  We are stronger together.

Latosha Branch

Director of Programs for BWEL

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What I do for BWEL

I serve as BWEL’s Director of Programs. In this role I lead in researching, planning, developing and implementing outreach programs and services.  I also serve as chairperson of the BWEL Book Club.  The mission of the Black Women Education Leaders Book Club is to provide meaningful opportunities for lifelong-learning, social connections, and enhanced leadership for Black women educators.  The BWEL Book Club is designed to bring together Black women readers to empower them through the power of literature.  The vision of the BWEL Book Club is to recognize, honor and develop human capital among Black Women Education Leaders by facilitating and encouraging interaction around literature and establishing a reading culture that increases wisdom and builds character for meaningful impact personally, professionally and societally.

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My Accomplishments

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 
• 2009 REB Grant while teaching at Perrymont Middle School (Chesterfield County Public Schools). 
• Teacher of the Year in 2005 for Perrymont Middle School (Chesterfield County Public Schools). 
• Teacher of the year in 2001 while teaching at Belfield Elementary School (Greensville County Public Schools). 
• Correctional Education Ambassador for WELV, Women Education Leaders of Virginia. 
•  Co-authored a professional publication with Dr. Alana Simmons, Have You Paid Your Rent? Servant Leadership in Correctional Education in the 2015  Journal of Prison Education and Re-Entry.