Executive Director

Emily Schultz is the Executive Director for Alabama Families for Great Schools. Prior to this role, she led the effort to pass Alabama's public charter school law through the Alabama Coalition for Public Charter Schools and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Emily came to the Coalition from the Governor's Office, where she served as education policy director.

Emily started her career in education as a second-grade teacher at Cascade Elementary in Atlanta through Teach for America. She is an Alabama native and has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Educational Studies from Carleton College, and a Master in Education Policy from Stanford University.

Communication and Engagement Manager

Maria Garabics is the Communication and Engagement Manager for Alabama Families for Great Schools. Maria graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Upon graduating, she started her career in education as an elementary teacher in South Louisiana through Teach for America.

During her time as an educator, Maria successfully obtained a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University. Maria is a recent proud resident of Birmingham, Alabama.

Executive Assistant

Debi Laycook is the Executive Assistant for Alabama Families for Great Schools. In her role, Debi provides administrative support for Emily Schultz, the executive Director of Alabama Families for Great Schools. Debi has supported Alabama Families for Great Schools since 2022.

Prior to joining Alabama Families for Great Schools, Debi served as a human resource officer for the federal government for 25 years, and as an elementary principal and educator for 20 years.