President Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Steve Jobs and Rhode Island Education Commissioner Deborah Gist are among the 100 people named to the 2010 Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People list.
The Time Magazine Top 100 list is an eclectic mix of people often known for being controversial as well as influential.
Of the 100 people designated as Thinkers, Leaders, Heroes and Artists, the Time Magazine Top 100 list honored Rhode Island's Deborah Gist as a "thinker."
Gist ranks number nine out of 20 thinkers on the 2010 Time Magazine list and joins notable "thinkers" such as Sonia Sotomayor and Steve Jobs.
Deborah Gist became commissioner of Rhode Island schools in 2009 and her mission was to "link arms with educators, leaders, and residents throughout the state to bring a true education renaissance to Rhode Island."
It has been a challenging road and Gist seems to have the backbone to deal with the inadequacies in the Rhode Island education system. Deborah Gist, 43, made a commitment to the education of the children in Rhode Island and she is clearly doing her job.
From situations such as firing the entire teaching staff at Central Falls High School in February in an effort to turn the failing school around to launching a new evaluation system in which teachers get annual reviews.
In the short period of time Deborah Gist has been the Rhode Island Education Commissioner, her influence has been monumental in a state where education has not been receiving the attention it deserves.
When Deborah Gist became commissioner of Rhode Island schools in 2009, she pledged to make every decision in the best interests of children — something we've heard before and rarely seen happen. Then she started doing it. - Time Magazine
Rhode Island Education Commissioner, Deborah Gist, is well-deserving of the honor given to her by Time Magazine. Even if she wasn't named to Time Magazine's list of 100 leaders, icons, artists, and visionaries, Gist is a tremendous asset to the education system in the State of Rhode Island.
The Time Magazine Top 100 Most Influential People 2010 issue will be out on Friday, April 30.
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Photo: http://flickr.com/photos/21783943@N08/2228735299
Sources: RI.gov, Time Magazine
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