Massie Ritsch, who leads communications for the US Department of Education, is leaving for a senior PR post with Teach for America in January.
Ritsch is acting assistant secretary for the Dept. of Ed's office of communications and outreach -- he has not yet been confirmed by the Senate -- and joined the department in April 2009, handling external affairs and outreach. He is a former education reporter for the Los Angeles Times and moved into PR with the Center for Responsive Politics.
Takirra Winfield, former press secretary to Maryland Gov. (and presidential hopeful) Martin O'Malley, currently heads national communications for Teach for America, which saw its PR strategy leaked and pored over last month.
The 24-year-old TFA places college grads in teaching posts in urban and rural jobs under a two-year commitment. Although it faces criticism over the relative inexperience of its participants, the program was expanded significantly under the Obama administration.
.@ED_Outreach news: I will join @TeachForAmerica as civilian @MassieRitsch in January. Similar job. New challenges. Vital work. Long title.
— Massie Ritsch (@ED_Outreach) November 21, 2014 
Maggie Moran, who is well-connected in New Jersey and New York Democratic politics, has established Moxie Strategies in Asbury Park, NJ.
Husch Blackwell Strategies has added FleishmanHillard alum Michael Slatin as a principal in its public affairs group.
Rory Cooper, a veteran Republican operative and policy specialist, has joined Teneo’s Washington office as senior managing director in its strategy & communications practice.
Brian Fallon, who served as national press secretary for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential run, is signing on next month as Vice President’s Kamala Harris’ campaign communications director.
TikTok is nothing more than a Chinese propaganda tool that poses “a grave threat to America’s national security and, in particular, impressionable children and young adults,” say two Congressmen who want the platform registered as a foreign agent.
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