Tanji Reed Marshall, PhD, has dedicated her career to advancing educational equity and improving instructional practices across the United States. Her professional journey demonstrates a deep commitment to creating inclusive and effective educational systems that serve every student, particularly those from marginalized communities. As the chief executive officer and principal consultant at Liaison Educational Partners since 2014, Dr. Marshall works tirelessly to elevate the role of educator practices and advocate for policies that ensure access to quality teaching and leadership. She also serves as a senior education consultant partner at Performance Solutions Limited, a role she has held since 2022, where she continues to build partnerships with organizations dedicated to equitable education.
Dr. Marshall’s academic foundation has been a critical driver of her success. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, equipping her with advanced educational systems and policy knowledge. She also holds a Master of Arts in English education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she graduated magna cum laude, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston College. These degrees reflect her lifelong passion for learning and her desire to combine psychological insights with educational strategies to enhance student outcomes.
Dr. Marshall’s career spans more than three decades and includes a wide range of roles that have deepened her expertise in education. She began as a classroom teacher in Hackensack Public Schools before transitioning to McClintock Middle School in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. As a teacher, she achieved remarkable results, including the highest growth rate in her district and state in North Carolina, with her students making one to two years of progress annually. Her ability to foster academic growth among her students exemplifies her dedication to excellence and her skill in creating effective learning environments.
After her teaching roles, Dr. Marshall took on leadership positions within Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, serving as a Title I literacy coach and literacy specialist. In these roles, she focused on enhancing instructional practices among educators, demonstrating her capacity to influence systemic change. Her responsibilities included developing curricula, conducting professional development sessions, and mentoring teachers to improve classroom outcomes. These experiences prepared her for broader advocacy and consulting roles in subsequent years.
Dr. Marshall’s commitment to educational equity became even more prominent when she joined The Education Trust. As a senior practice associate and later as the director of p12 practice, she led initiatives to ensure that all students, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, receive the resources and opportunities they deserve. Her work included fostering policies prioritizing equity, producing reports and articles to raise awareness, and encouraging representationally balanced curricula that reflect cultural responsibility rather than mere responsiveness.
Dr. Marshall’s publication, “Understanding Your Instructional Power: Curriculum and Language Decisions to Support Each Student,” published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), exemplifies her dedication to addressing inequities in education. The book challenges educators to reconsider how their decisions impact students and offers strategies to create more inclusive and effective teaching environments. Her influence extends beyond her written work to seminars, workshops, and partnerships with like-minded organizations striving to empower educators with the knowledge and mindset necessary for fostering high-quality education.
Dr. Marshall attributes her professional success to her faith, which underpins her commitment to excellence and lifelong learning. Her belief in listening deeply to others’ challenges and understanding their unique contexts enables her to provide effective and compassionate solutions. Her faith also fuels her vision for the future as she seeks to expand her organization’s reach and solidify its leadership role in promoting equitable learning spaces nationwide. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Marshall actively contributes to civic and professional organizations. She volunteers with Women Giving Back, a nonprofit supporting women and children in crisis, and participates in the Council for Women of Boston College and The BOW Collective. Her community involvement reflects her belief in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change.
Born in the Bronx, Dr. Marshall finds balance in her personal life through family and athletic pursuits. She is married to Robert R. Marshall and is the proud mother of Aerin Marshall Barnes and Robert R. Marshall II. She enjoys swimming, biking, and running and regularly competes in triathlons. These activities contribute to her physical well-being and mirror her determination and discipline in all aspects of life. Dr. Marshall envisions expanding her impact by forging new collaborations with organizations that share her commitment to educational equality. Her goal is to create learning environments where students are respected, supported, and empowered to succeed. By continuing to champion policies and practices that prioritize equity, she aspires to leave her mark in the field of education.