The Public School Forum of North Carolina is proud to launch our Donor Spotlight series, highlighting the leaders and partners whose generosity fuels our mission. In this first installment, we speak with Amos Fodchuk—founder and president of Advanced Learning Partnerships and the Forum’s board chair-elect. From his global career in education to his deep commitment to equity and community-driven change, Amos brings both passion and strategic vision to his work. In this Q&A, he reflects on his journey, why he invests in the Forum’s mission, and the impact he hopes to help create for North Carolina’s students, educators, and communities.
How long has Advanced Learning Partnerships been in operation and how has your work evolved?
Advanced Learning Partnerships (USA) was incorporated in 2009. Our Canadian firm was incorporated in 2015. I’m insatiably curious. I strive to leverage my network, platform and passion in service to our profession and the communities that welcome ALP into their work.
I’m a career educator who has served in Canada, South Korea, China and the United States, As Founder and President of Advanced Learning Partnerships, my passion for travel, diverse pedagogies and sustainable organizational change inform my perspective on education systems and their relationship to community and democratic citizenship.
I fulfill my leadership role through three key drivers. I seek opportunities for authentic, long-standing partnerships with organizations committed to achieving learner-centered outcomes at scale. I reserve substantial time in my calendar to engage with these partners and ALP teammates around the honest, complex work required to actualize these partnerships. These experiences enable me to shape emerging trends, opportunities and policy considerations that maximize the success of current and future partnerships.
I’m most proud of the impact that my team and I have in diverse communities across an entire continent. I’m grateful that I get to do this with my wife and friend and our amazing team. It humbles me to model this type of commitment and service to our children.
What inspired Advanced Learning Partnerships to take on the role of a continued supporter of the Public School Forum?
My journey with the Forum began two years ago, when I first joined the Board. What struck me immediately was the organization’s unwavering focus on data-driven advocacy and on-the-ground partnerships. From rural counties to urban districts, the Forum brings people together—educators, families, business leaders—to confront our toughest challenges. I remember visiting a small elementary school in Rockingham County, where I saw children using technology that their parents said had “given our kids a new lease on learning.” That moment crystallized for me why I give: because the Forum not only highlights effective solutions, but also catalyzes them in places where resources are scarce and hope can feel distant.
What outcomes or long-term change do you hope your gift helps make possible—for students, educators, or communities?
Every relationship and commitment to the Public School Forum amplifies voices that too often go unheard—whether it’s a principal pioneering a literacy program, a teacher sharing best practices in STEM, or a family advocating for safe, nurturing schools. By sharing these real stories, the Forum builds emotional connections that inspire new and current donors alike. I believe that when people see the tangible impact of their support—students reading on grade level, schools reducing chronic absenteeism, communities rallying around success—they’re moved not only to give, but to become champions for public education themselves.
If you were speaking to another funder or partner considering supporting the Public School Forum, what would you share with them?
Investing in the Public School Forum of North Carolina is more than a philanthropic gift; it’s a strategic partnership in our state’s future. I believe deeply in the Forum’s equity-first values, data-driven innovation, collaborative leadership, and unwavering transparency. Over the past five years, Forum-backed research has secured over $850 million for literacy and digital-learning initiatives, and our on-the-ground efforts have reduced chronic absenteeism by up to 15% while boosting third-grade reading proficiency by nearly 10 percentage points. By convening educators, families, legislators, and business leaders, the Forum transforms rigorous analysis into tangible results in classrooms across rural and urban districts alike. Every dollar contributed unlocks additional public and private investments, amplifying impact far beyond the original gift. I stand behind this work because I have witnessed its power to transform schools and communities, and I know that together, we can ensure every North Carolina child has the opportunity to thrive.
With 40 years of impact behind us, what gives you hope about the future of public education in North Carolina—and how do you see the Forum’s leadership shaping what comes next for students, educators, and communities?
What gives me hope is knowing that four decades of steadfast advocacy, research, and partnership have built an unshakeable foundation for North Carolina’s schools—and that the Forum’s leadership is more visionary than ever. Over 40 years, the Forum has championed equity, driven policies that expanded early literacy and digital access, and cultivated a network of educators, families, and community leaders committed to every child’s success.
Looking ahead, I’m inspired by our renewed focus on closing opportunity gaps through data‐informed innovation—whether that’s scaling personalized learning models, strengthening wraparound supports for students and families, or equipping districts to navigate emerging challenges like workforce shortages and mental‐health needs. The Forum’s convening power will continue to bring diverse stakeholders to the table, ensuring that solutions are co-created and locally rooted.
As we enter our next chapter, the Forum’s proven track record—combined with a clear, equity-first vision and an agile advocacy strategy—means we’re uniquely positioned to shape policy, spark community investment, and unlock the full potential of North Carolina’s students, educators, and towns.
Is there a message you’d like to share with North Carolina’s educators?
Dear Educators of North Carolina,
Your dedication, creativity, and resilience are the heart of our public schools. Every day, you inspire students to explore new ideas, overcome obstacles, and discover their own potential—often with limited resources and competing demands. Please know that your work does not go unnoticed. Through our partnership at Advanced Learning Partnerships and the Public School Forum, we’re committed to amplifying your voices, championing equitable policies, and securing the support you need to thrive in the classroom.
Whether you’re innovating on a literacy program in a small rural school or integrating project-based learning in a busy urban district, your insight drives our advocacy. We’re here to listen, learn, and leverage data-driven solutions so that together we can remove barriers, expand opportunity, and celebrate every student’s success. Thank you for all you do—you are the reason we believe the best days for North Carolina’s public education system lie ahead.
Leave a Reply