CHILD HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION BLOG

       My name is JoAnn Burl, I have dedicated my past 30 years towards working with youth 

and families in the out-of-school-time field and is the recipient of the State of Maryland 

Comptroller, “Golden Apple Award” for outstanding volunteer work donating her time and 

resources to volunteer at public schools throughout the state.  I have encouraged people to do 

better all my adult life, to students of virtually every age, from kindergarteners to retired 

adults. In addition to teaching others to help others, I have extensive experience with non-

profit organizations, and civil, and human rights issues.  I am the Founder/CEO/Director of 

Jeanette’s Joy Community Services and the Co-Chair of National Association for the 

Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Montgomery County Maryland  Afro-Academic 

Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO).  I serve as a Cluster Coordinator 

with Montgomery County Council of PTA’s (MCCPTA) in the Northeast Consortium in 

Montgomery County, MD and an Ambassador of the Black Star Project –Million Father 

March. 

       Being a member of many organizations and groups is what inspired me to return to 

school to earn my degree in Child Development and to continue to work collaboratively 

on eliminating the African American academic opportunity gap.  Presently I am seeking 

seeking volunteers to mentor high school students from January 2017 through July 

and judges for the competition of the ACT-SO program to be held in April.  Every 

year we have over 100 students participating, with many going on to the national 

competition. I serve on the African American Student Achievement Action Group 

(AASAAG) – established by MCPS Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships to 

provide a continual, transparent forum, between African American community stakeholders 

and MCPS stakeholders to work collaboratively on eliminating the African American 

academic achievement gap.   I serve as vice-president of  East County Village Seniors.  Their 

      primary objective is to establish a village and continue to seek vendors to enable their 

      members to have access to a variety of professional services in their village network.

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             Much of my service is with Montgomery County Council of PT(S) an association of 

      local PT(S)As in Montgomery County, chartered by Maryland PTA.  MCCPTA advocates for 

      the students, parents, and teachers of Montgomery County Public School on educational 

      priorities, determined by the membership.  Our mission is to make every child’s potential a 

      reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for children.  

      I enjoy the work I do in the community.