Testimony Before the Committee of the Whole Public Roundtable on the State Superintendent of Education Dr. Antoinette Mitchell Confirmation Resolution of 2025

By Tami Lewis, Senior Director of Government Affairs

Good morning. My name is Tami Lewis, and I’m a proud Ward 5 resident and parent. I serve as Senior Director of Government Affairs at the DC Charter School Alliance. We advocate on behalf of the 68 nonprofit organizations operating 134 public charter schools in the District—serving nearly 48,000 students, from early childhood through adult education, or almost half of all public school students in DC.

I have worked in education and education policy in the District for more than 25 years and held leadership roles at the DC Council, in the Mayor’s Office, OSSE, and across the charter sector. My work has always focused on improving educational access and outcomes for at-risk students and those with disabilities.

As someone who helped draft the legislation that transformed our state education office into a modern agency with full authority and responsibility, served on the transition team that implemented that shift, and served as the Assistant Superintendent for Special Education under the first three state superintendents, I understand well what it takes to lead OSSE. That’s why I could not be more honored to support Dr. Antoinette Mitchell’s nomination as State Superintendent of Education.

Dr. Mitchell has been with OSSE since 2011, almost from the beginning of its evolution. At that time, DC had been designated a high-risk grantee by the U.S. Department of Education due to widespread issues with grant management, resulting in more than 200 compliance findings. Rather than shy away from the complexity, Dr. Mitchell stepped into the challenge. She was instrumental in helping to build the foundational systems OSSE needed to ensure fiscal responsibility and regulatory compliance and, ultimately, to exit high-risk status. Her work included designing new policies and procedures, hiring and training staff, and creating a sustainable infrastructure for managing millions in federal education funding. In those early days, many were discouraged by the steep climb. Dr. Mitchell stayed. She led with patience, clarity, and a singular focus on building a credible, high-functioning state education agency.

But Dr. Mitchell’s impact didn’t stop at stabilization—she has been a bold and forward-thinking architect of what’s possible in education. She spearheaded digitizing the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DC TAG) application, connecting multiple agencies to streamline access and serving more than 4,500 families annually. She played a key role in establishing 17 career academies across DC high schools—offering students real pathways to success in fields ranging from IT to healthcare. These academies have increased GPAs and graduation rates and improved postsecondary enrollment. She also envisioned and launched the DC Youth Reengagement Center, which supports 250 disconnected youth each year in earning diplomas or credentials. She led the shift to the Integrated Education and Training (IET) model in adult education—combining literacy instruction with job training—while professionalizing the field of adult literacy. These are not small wins; they are structural, lasting shifts that have expanded opportunity and access across the District.

What sets Dr. Mitchell apart isn’t just her qualifications—it’s her presence. Over the years, she has earned a reputation as a quiet force within DC’s education ecosystem. She is a true collaborator—she listens deeply, respects different perspectives, and brings people together to solve complex problems. Whether designing systems to improve federal compliance or reimagining technical education, Dr. Mitchell leads with humility, intelligence, and a relentless focus on what’s best for students. As the District navigates unprecedented uncertainty as the federal education policy and funding landscape rapidly changes, there is no better person to lead OSSE. Her colleagues, community partners, and educators alike trust her not only because of her experience but because of her integrity.

A native Washingtonian, Dr. Mitchell graduated from Wilson High School and began her career as a social studies teacher at Hine Junior High. Her journey—from classroom to agency head—is incredibly inspiring to all of us. She brings deep policy expertise, steady leadership, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to change lives.

Again, there is no one better equipped to lead OSSE at this moment. I urge her swift confirmation.

Thank you.