Our Purpose
At AEC, we believe every student deserves access to high-quality, grade-level instruction—and we’re here to help schools make that a reality.
AEC is built on a shared passion for creating equitable, sustainable, and transformative learning environments.
With decades of combined experience in education leadership and instructional innovation, we partner with schools and districts to close learning gaps, elevate teaching practices, and accelerate student outcomes.
Our Story
Dr. Sonya Murray and Dr. Kristen Taylor created AEC with a singular vision: to bridge the gap between aspiration and action in education. Drawing on their extensive expertise in curriculum design, leadership coaching, and data-driven instruction, they recognized the need for a hands-on, collaborative approach to tackling the challenges schools face today.
Their shared philosophy emphasizes that success isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about empowering educators and leaders with the tools and strategies to sustain meaningful change. Together, they’ve led transformative initiatives that have improved outcomes for students across diverse communities.
Our Approach
At AEC, we don’t just consult; we collaborate. We work alongside your team to:
Identify and address barriers to learning.
Build systems that align instruction, curriculum, and assessment.
Equip educators with proven tools to accelerate student success.
Our mission is simple: to help schools move from where they are to where they aspire to be—faster and with greater impact.
Meet our co-CEOs
Dr. Sonya Murray
Dr. Sonya Murray thrives on empowering leaders to disrupt the status quo in education. With nearly three decades of experience, she has worked across classrooms, schools, and districts to implement research-based strategies that drive accelerated student outcomes. A former Teacher of the Year, principal, and leadership coach, Dr. Murray specializes in equipping educators with the tools to align instruction, dismantle barriers to learning, and create sustainable systems that foster student success. She believes that when schools commit to high expectations and equitable opportunities, every student can thrive.
Dr. Kristen Taylor
Dr. Kristen Taylor is a leader in simplifying and prioritizing critical educational goals. With over 15 years of experience supporting educators, she helps teams cut through complexity to implement clear, effective strategies that accelerate student learning. Specializing in instructional alignment and capacity building, Dr. Taylor works with schools and districts to ensure that teaching practices, curriculum, and assessment work seamlessly together. She believes that transformation doesn’t have to be complicated—but it does require intentionality, collaboration, and commitment to doing the work.
Our team of experienced consultants brings deep expertise in instructional leadership, school improvement, and systems alignment. Together, we help educators bridge gaps in skill, will, emotional intelligence, knowledge, and capacity—ensuring every student receives the high-quality, grade-level instruction they deserve.
-
Dr. Sherrie Robbins
Dr. Sherrie Robbins is dedicated to enhancing instructional best practices and helping educators capitalize on their strengths. A former Teacher of the Year, academic coach, and literacy facilitator, she specializes in guiding educators to refine their instructional methods, build their professional expertise, and implement high-impact teaching strategies. As an adjunct faculty member and mentor to future teachers, she works to ensure that professional learning translates into lasting student success.
-
Dr. Terrance Scott
Dr. Terrance Scott is committed to addressing the sociocultural factors that shape student learning and success. As an advocate for inclusive, accelerated education, he draws on his expertise in history and the arts to help educators create engaging, meaningful learning environments. He believes that schools must go beyond identifying challenges—they must actively create solutions that give every student the opportunity to succeed.
-
Mrs. Tashanae Francis-Womack
Mrs. Tashanae Francis is dedicated to transforming learning environments by cultivating strong, inclusive school cultures. With a Master’s in Education and a Ph.D. in progress in Educational Psychology, she specializes in teacher development and leadership coaching. She believes that when educators feel empowered, they can create the conditions necessary for students to excel—academically and emotionally.
-
Dr. Exley Warren
Dr. Exley Warren brings a wealth of experience from working in and with Title I and urban schools. A transformational leader, he has led schools to significantly improve student performance through high-quality instruction and data-driven decision-making. His approach to leadership is grounded in the belief that passion drives commitment—and that by fostering a strong instructional culture, schools can create lasting change.
-
Dr. Amy Youngblood
Mrs. Amy Youngblood is passionate about developing high-impact professional learning experiences for educators. With extensive experience as a federal programs director and curriculum director, she understands how to align resources and instructional strategies to create sustainable growth. She believes that when schools focus on building capacity at every level—teachers, leaders, and district teams—students reap the benefits of accelerated learning.
-
Dr. Sheldon McAfee
Dr. Sheldon McAfee is a trauma specialist and expert in whole-child development. With experience as a teacher, coach, and principal, he focuses on creating equitable learning environments where students can thrive academically and emotionally. His work in tolerance education and inclusive practices helps schools expand opportunities for underserved students, ensuring that learning acceleration is accessible to all.
-
Dr. Paya Sample
Dr. Paya Sample has built a career thriving across diverse leadership landscapes. She has played a pivotal role in transforming high-performing organizations, helping schools and districts implement leadership structures that drive instructional success. She believes that even in the most challenging environments, meaningful transformation is within reach when schools commit to strong leadership and clear instructional priorities.
-
Mr. Marques Harris
Mr. Marques Harris is an educational leader dedicated to expanding opportunities for historically underserved communities. With a background in philosophy from Morehouse College and over a decade in education, he helps schools and districts dismantle systemic barriers that prevent student success. His work focuses on creating instructional environments that accelerate learning and promote long-term achievement.
-
Dr. Destiny Shantell Woodbury
Dr. Destiny Shantell Woodbury specializes in school improvement and instructional alignment. With 17 years of experience, she has led significant improvements in student achievement and behavior through strategic planning and leadership coaching. She empowers school and district leaders to articulate and execute clear, actionable visions for accelerating student learning.
-
Dr. Michael Love
Dr. Michael Love brings deep expertise in improving educational outcomes for diverse communities. He has expanded academic opportunities and postsecondary readiness across multiple districts, creating systemic change that transforms entire generations. Known for his innovative approach to problem-solving, he believes that every school has the potential to cultivate excellence when instruction, leadership, and resources align effectively.
-
Dr. Lance Ozier
Dr. Lance Ozier is a nationally recognized expert in literacy coaching, youth development, and instructional leadership. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked with schools across the country to develop and implement research-based strategies that improve student outcomes. As a former leader of the Gates Foundation’s Network for School Improvement, he specializes in helping districts create aligned, scalable systems that accelerate learning at every level.
-
Mrs. Jen Liu
Mrs. Jen Liu is the backbone of operations at Accelerated Education Consulting, ensuring seamless coordination and efficiency across all aspects of our work. With a strong background in organizational management and administrative leadership, she supports the AEC team by streamlining communication, managing logistics, and optimizing internal processes. Her expertise in project coordination and attention to detail help keep our partnerships running smoothly, allowing our consultants to stay focused on accelerating student success. Jen is passionate about education and believes that behind every great team is a strong foundation of support, strategy, and execution.
Let’s work together to accelerate learning and create opportunities for every student to thrive.
When you work with AEC, you’re not just hiring consultants—you’re gaining trusted partners who are as invested in your success as you are. We bring a blend of research-based strategies, real-world experience, and a relentless commitment to helping schools achieve results.