ForwardED Episode 1: Bringing the Public Back Into Public Education

What happens when a community comes together to strengthen its public schools?

In the first episode of ForwardED, JPEF President Rachael Tutwiler Fortune joins Nina Waters and Cindy Edelman to reflect on the people, partnerships, and pivotal moments that helped shape public education in Jacksonville.

From the founding of JPEF to the ONE by ONE community conversations, they explore how listening, research, and sustained investment helped turn shared concerns into collective action. They also look ahead to the challenges that demand our attention, including literacy, teacher support, and preparing students for success beyond graduation.

Listen for a candid conversation about how far Jacksonville has come, the work still ahead, and why everyone has a role in shaping the future of public education.