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Gary Hoachlander is a Senior Fellow at ConnectED: The National Center for College and Career. Beginning his career in 1966 as a brakeman for the Western Maryland Railroad, he has devoted most of his professional life to helping young people learn by doing—connecting education to the opportunities, challenges, and many different rewards to be found through work.
Widely known for his expertise in career and technical education and many other aspects of elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, Gary has consulted extensively for the U.S. Department of Education, state departments of education, local school districts, foundations, and a variety of other clients. Gary earned his Bachelor’s degree at Princeton University and holds both a Master’s and Ph.D. degree from the Department of City and Regional Planning, University of California, Berkeley.
So many students ask: “Why do I need to know this?” It’s a fair question, and we must provide better answers!
Gary Hoachlander
Gary Hoachlander is a Senior Fellow at ConnectED: The National Center for College and Career. Beginning his career in 1966 as a brakeman for the Western Maryland Railroad, he has devoted most of his professional life to helping young people learn by doing—connecting education to the opportunities, challenges, and many different rewards to be found […]
Gene Schmidt
Gene currently serves as an Educational Consultant for the Four Corners (New Mexico) College and Career Pathways Partnership: College and Career Ready for a Transition Energy Future. In collaboration with ConnectED CEO Gary Hoachlander, Gene provides educational guidance for a consortium partnership of five school districts, three colleges, local businesses and the Navajo Nation on […]
Liza Eaton
Liza Eaton is passionate about creating learning spaces where students find relevance and can be leaders of their own learning. Her skill sets include: a strong equity-focused, systems-thinking orientation, deep experience in innovative education, and a passion for teacher development. Her current work spans the instructional leadership realm from mentoring instructional leaders, coaching teachers, leading […]
JD Hoye (Secretary)
JD is the former Chief Executive Officer of NAF and a former member of the NAF Board of Directors. With a deep commitment to preparing students for college and meaningful careers, JD has worked at both the grassroots and the highest levels of government for decades, to reform how young people are engaged in learning […]
Brian Driscoll
Brian Driscoll is the Associate Director of Development at Lick Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, where his work focuses on leadership giving and strategic philanthropy. Previously, he served as Vice President of Individual Philanthropy for Genesys Works, a national non-profit bridging the gap between low-income students, underserved schools, and the business community. Brian has […]
Jennifer Lutzenberger Phillips
Jennifer Lutzenberger Phillips brings significant experience as an educational leader, student advocate, coach, and literacy teacher to her position as Director, Learning, Teaching, and Pathway Development. Formerly, she was the vice president of Teaching and Learning at Envision Schools and a school improvement coach and a content coach in secondary English, with a focus on […]
Tamyra Walker
Tamyra has 18 years of educational program design and development experience, including the development of industry-informed programs for #YesWeCode, a national initiative to help 100,000 young women and men from underrepresented backgrounds find success in the tech sector. Her expertise lies in the design of inclusive student-centered STEM learning programs with cultural responsiveness and empowerment of identity […]
Joseph Hendry
Joseph Hendry is IT Administrator for ConnectED. He has previous experience teaching English in the Czech Republic, as well as working at a tech startup and managing a café in San Francisco. Joseph graduated from New College of Florida in Sarasota, with a BA in Anthropology.
Julie Koenke
Julie Koenke serves as the Executive Director of the Great Lakes College and Career Pathway Partnership (GLCCPP), a collaboration between ConnectED: The National Center for College and Career, Education Systems Center, Jobs for the Future. With support from the Joyce Foundation, the GLCCPP supports the implementation of college and career pathways within four Great Lakes […]
Kiera Brodsky-Chase
Kiera is committed to challenging the status quo. They come to ConnectED from a 15-year career working in special education and instructional coaching. Kiera’s vision is to ensure access to high quality instruction for all learners. Kiera has worked as a teacher in residential programs, K-12 special education programs, focusing on 9-12 full inclusion. They […]