CHARLESTON, WV—Edvantia is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Yvonne Thayer as director, Education and Learning Strategies. She comes to her new position with extensive experience in the development of training materials and programs as well as the coordination and oversight of regional and national education initiatives.

Thayer has a doctorate in education from Columbia University with a specialization in adult education and is a certified professional coach from the International Coach Academy in Melbourne, Australia. Most recently Thayer worked as senior director of Making Middle Grades Work and special projects for the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to directing the national middle school improvement initiative in 21 states, Thayer was responsible for leadership training projects in low-performing schools and was a federal comprehensive centers coach for both the New Jersey Department of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

In her new position at Edvantia, Thayer will manage all aspects of various research and development projects, lead the creation of new products and services, and will help to coordinate the development priorities for both the Center for Education Services and the Center for Research and Evaluation Services at Edvantia.

About Edvantia: Edvantia is a nonprofit corporation, founded in 1966, that partners with education agencies, foundations, publishers, and service providers to apply expertise in research, evaluation, professional development, and technical assistance to help schools and students succeed. Specialty areas include district and school improvement, teacher quality, systems development and alignment, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), 21st century skills, and college access. Learn more at the Edvantia Web site or contact Dr. Steven Moats (see above).