Otha Thornton on Clubhouse

Bio

Otha Thornton is a national education advocate. He was the 53rd President of the National Parent Teacher Association and worked directly with the United States Congress, Department of Education in the passage of the “Every Student Succeeds Act” in 2015. He played a key role in working with the Military Child
Education Coalition, Department of Defense, National PTA, and White
House in the adoption of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact
around the country. He worked directly with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden in Joining Forces supporting our nation’s active
duty and military veterans and the Let’s Move program. He has worked with D.C. Chancellors and parents in support of D.C. Public Schools. He was the first and only African-American male in the National PTA’s
123-year history.

President Thornton is a retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel and his last two assignments were with the White House Communications Agency and United States Forces-Iraq in Baghdad. Thornton earned the Bronze Star Medal for exceptional performance in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009-2010. He was a state party’s
nominee for Georgia’s State School Superintendent where he earned 1.8
million votes in the 2018 general election. Thornton is active in his
community and around the nation. He currently serves as the Chair of
the Michigan Tech University Honors College External Advisory Board
and an Advisory Group member for Georgia’s Partnership for Excellence
in Education.

President Thornton is a life member of the National Eagle Scout
Association and has more than 25 years of active service in the United
States and around the world. He has won numerous awards to include:
the 2018 National PTA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017 National 4-H Luminary Award, Ebony’s 2013 Power 100 List, 2010 Morehouse College Alumnus of the Year, 2010 D.C. Morehouse Man of the Year, Michigan Technological University Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Kentucky Colonel award recipient.
He received his bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Morehouse
College and a master’s degree in communications from Michigan
Technological University. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Michigan Technological University. Currently, he is enrolled in the University of Charleston West Virginia’s Doctorate of Executive Leadership program.