For many years now, I’ve noticed that working to improve, invest in, or (oddly) defend public education brings out the best in people. It’s a never-ending, ever-widening labor of love for young people, communities, and the idea of a functioning, or better yet, a vibrant democracy. Sometimes it’s hard to see an immediate, real-world impact, especially if you don’t work in the classroom or regularly visit schools (miss the good old days). But whether it's educators inspiring students and anchoring communities, advocates making sure the system works for everyone, or innovators of all types bringing new ideas forward, supporting the promise of a great education can be our best and most tangible expression of compassion, justice, and hope for the future. And I don’t think there’s ever been a time when we’ve needed more of that collective, teetering on existential, hope.
I feel incredibly lucky to still be fighting the good fight, now with the brilliant team of education dreamers, believers, and storytellers at FINN Partners—a few months in already. Together, we’re showing that when we work in service of education from the many vantage points and undertakings our clients bring, we elevate not only educational progress and ideas but also each other. Stay hopeful, friends.
Julian Vinocur joins FINN Partners’ education team as a vice president leading work with a variety of higher education, K-12 curriculum and crisis clients. Julian’s career spans positions from the Alliance for Public Education to NYC Public Schools and the Fund for Public Schools, as well as the Association of College and University Educators and TNTP.
Throughout his career, his work has centered on telling stories that establish the brand and authority of public education as a pillar of opportunity and democratic ideals. He has worked on various public-private partnerships to support the needs of educators and students in communities across NYC and the U.S.
Congratulations! We look forward to working with you and your schools soon! Bring FREE AI tools and platform to ALL of Killeen!