Gardiner Named Strong Schools Chief; Francaviglia Shifts to Lierman Campaign

The advocacy group Strong Schools Maryland announced Shamoyia Gardiner as the organization’s new executive director on Monday.

Gardiner joined Strong Schools Maryland as deputy director in August.

She takes over from Joe Francaviglia, who is leaving the organization to become campaign manager for Del. Brooke E. Lierman (D-Baltimore City) during her run for state comptroller.

Before coming to Strong Schools Maryland, Gardiner served as education policy director for Advocates for Children and Youth, a research analyst for Family League of Baltimore City and a secondary school science teacher.

Strong Schools Maryland was a leading advocate in Annapolis for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a multi-billion-dollar decade-long education reform plan.

Francaviglia, who began his education career through Teach For America in the Baltimore City Public Schools and became a “model teacher” in the school system, led the organization through the efforts to enact the reform plan. He has worked with the Lierman campaign since her formal announcement in December.

In 2020, both Francaviglia and Gardiner were members of Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s transition team.

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