Avery Thrush is a West Virginia native and former educator. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and master’s degrees from Lipscomb University and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she focused on bridging the gap between policy and effective educator practice. Her career began as a Teach for America corps member in Nashville where she taught sixth grade, supporting students from historically underserved backgrounds to achieve significant academic growth. Beyond the classroom, Avery has led community organizing efforts and contributed to state-level policy initiatives, including work with West Virginia Can't Wait, the Tennessee Department of Education, and the National Education Association. Currently, Avery is a LEE Fellow at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She works across the Center for Strategic Initiatives and the Office of College, Career and Technical Education at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, supporting career-connected learning in Massachusetts.
