Experience

Council of Chief State School Officers

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Project Manager

  • Dec 2021 - Present

  The challenges of the global health crisis over the past 2 years laid bare the need for fundamental changes in K-12 education. The unprecedented injection of federal emergency relief funds presents an opportunity to transform the U.S. school system. To chart a path forward, CCSSO launched the Coalition to Advance Future Student Success, bringing together 12 leading education organizations that represent leaders from practitioners in the classroom to the state capitol working together to ensure this moment of transformation brings about greater equity and outcomes for students in the U.S.Collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders to develop common measures of success and develop processes to track progress over time. Conduct frequent analyses of the work of and/or resources produced by national organizations aligned with the Coalition’s agreed upon 10-point framework. Show less

• COVID-19 Support Consultant

  • Mar 2020 - Nov 2021

  Supported states in their response to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on local education agencies and schools. Assisted the Federal Relations team on weekly communications, tracking requests from states and/or members of Congress and USED while coordinating with national advocacy partners. Project managed the planning and execution of CCSSO's three major conferences annually (Annual Policy Forum, Legislative Conference and the Summer Leadership Convening.)



Council of Chief State School Officers

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Program Manager, Career Readiness

  • Aug 2018 - Dec 2019

  Managed the New Skills for Youth (NSFY) initiative, a $35 million-dollar investment from JPMorgan Chase that supported cross-sector teams from ten states to dramatically increase the number of students completing a career pathway that begins in secondary and culminates in post-secondary degree or credential with labor market value. Monitored the progress of ten NSFY states against their goals and deliverables and provided advice to leadership regarding individual and collective state action. Planned the development for all NSFY national conferences to ensure that each cross-sector team received the professional development and technical assistance necessary to advance their education-to-career agendas. Show less

• ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Project Manager

  • Oct 2016 - Aug 2018

  Managed the Gates ESSA grant, a $10 million-dollar investment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support states as they plan and implement their ESSA state plans. Kept track of ESSA-related supports being provided to states through CCSSO’s staff and those provided by CCSSO’s partners/contractors to help facilitate coordination amongst CCSSO teams and partners. Established and maintained productive and collaborative relationships with contractors, national partner organizations and funders to help states strategize and problem-solve to ensure that the supports and services are as effective as possible, particularly focused on policy shifts related to ESSA. Show less

• Senior Associate, Membership & Outreach

  • Sep 2014 - Oct 2016

  Coordinated member service activities including providing rapid response to emerging state policy issues, maintaining productive relationships with members and their state education agency staff. Coordinated with communication and advocacy efforts from the membership office to the chiefs and their key staff. Gathered relevant information and synthesized complex policy and membership issues. Managed the planning of content and logistics for annual member conferences and Board of Director meetings. Show less



BellXcel

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director Of Field Operations

  • Jan 2010 - Sep 2012

  Coordinated the planning and implementation of BELL’s summer learning program that served 2,000 students in grades 2 through 8. Managed a $1.8 million budget and leveraged public/private resources to sustain the school district’s goals. Built and managed relationships with school principals, school district personnel, union officials and community organizations to ensure program support and satisfaction. Hired, supervised, coached and evaluated all direct reports, including 10 program managers and their supporting staff totaling 200 employees across 10 sites to ensure a consistent approach to quality across all sites. Managed the implementation of a Random Assignment Study working with district officials, parents and MDRC to assess the effectiveness of extended learning time intervention on state standardized test scores. Show less

• Government Relations Associate

  • Sep 2009 - Dec 2010

  Conducted research on government funding opportunities at the federal, state and local levels. Led weekly calls with BELL’s senior management team and DC-based consultants. Strategized BELL’s outreach efforts to new districts; mailings, presentations, talking points, etc. Monitored US Department of Education activity, including reauthorization of ESEA and legislation pertaining to closing the achievement gap.

• Special Projects Coordinator

  • Sep 2008 - Aug 2009

  Assisted in advancing BELL’s quality initiatives, including the development of an internal communications program. Worked with national and regional staff members on projects to prepare the organization for growth in the next five years through their Strategic Capacity Building Campaign.

• Program Summer Site Manager

  • May 2008 - Aug 2008

  Managed all aspects of the BELL summer program for 150 students at two schools. Supervised teachers, teachers’ assistants and students to ensure proper instruction and program implementation. Oversaw the management of key operating metrics including staff ratios, student enrollment, attendance goals, etc. Students gained on average nine months in reading and nine months in math of grade equivalent skills during the six-week summer program. Nominated for the Robert B. Peterkin Educational Leadership Award for excellence in site management, the highest award granted within BELL for operational excellence and alignment with BELL’s mission. Show less



Springfield Public Schools (Massachusetts)

• United States
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Assistant to the Senior Administrator for Extended Instructional Time

  • May 2002 - May 2008

  Worked to improve elementary and secondary extended education programs in a district where 87% of all students receive free or reduced priced meals. Evaluated student progress and the effectiveness of academic support programs. Coordinated and executed training sessions for school district administrators, principals, teachers and students.

• Teacher’s Assistant

  • May 2002 - May 2004

  Mentored at-risk students in grades K-5 in ELA and Math. Assisted with curriculum implementation that was tailored to the unique needs of each child.