Common Knowledge^™
The Newsletter of the Core Knowledge Foundation

First Ever Core Knowledge National Sales Conference!

By Barbara Garvin-Kester, President

In late July, twenty new, commission-based sales reps from around the country attended the first ever Core Knowledge National Sales Conference at the Boar’s Head Inn in Charlottesville, VA. I could not have been more pleased to greet this group, which we had long dreamed for — a full-fledged sales force bringing the Core Knowledge message and materials to schools nationwide. Imagine their excitement when we introduced them to the core principles of a shared, solid, sequenced, and specific curriculum! 

These highly experienced sales people, led by our new National Sales Manager, Pete Queenan, not only learned about Dr. Hirsch’s philosophy, the Core Knowledge network of schools, and the Core Knowledge line of classroom materials, they also provided our staff with sales and marketing information that will enhance our message and the appeal of our materials for the larger public school network. The sales reps were very enthused to learn from our staff about Grace Abounding: The Core Knowledge Anthology of African-American Literature, Music, and Art and our other wonderful publications and upcoming projects such as Keys to Reading, which, when completed, is expected to significantly improve reading scores in all grades, narrow the knowledge gap between social groups, and shift the thinking of the educational community. In addition, they saw great potential for sharing Core Knowledge research with the many schools across the country that are seeking a solution for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements.

Core Knowledge now has a cadre of ambassadors calling on schools in states around the nation and spreading the word that Core Knowledge can make a real difference in the quality of education we can provide America’s youth. I hope that, as members of our network of schools, you will welcome our new sales reps and help them make contact with other schools in your area that have yet to adopt a rigorous and equitable curriculum for their students. For a list of sales reps and their contact information, please contact Terry Howell at (434)-977-7550.

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