NBPTS

Staff

We’re proud to work with an amazing group of people who have a wide range of interests, backgrounds and experiences, including several Board-certified teachers and other education professional. While our office is based in Arlington, you’ll find many of us in various sites across the country working with partners, networks and a variety of stakeholders to elevate accomplished teaching at the national, state and district level.

Michelle Accardi, NBCT

Director, Policy and Advocacy

Michelle Accardi, NBCT

Director, Policy and Advocacy

Michelle Accardi is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist and the Director of Policy and Partnerships for the National Board. Prior to joining the staff of the National Board in 2011, she was an elementary school teacher in Albuquerque Public Schools. She achieved National Board certification in 2005 in Exceptional Needs. Accardi worked in team taught and self contained classrooms with a focus on students with behavioral differences. In addition, she was active with the New Mexico NBCT Network. She enjoyed interacting with fellow teachers as a Candidate Support Provider and as a Dossier Assessor. Her work included consulting for several BIE Schools. Prior to work in education, she was a private-sector attorney.

Accardi holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas. She earned her Juris Doctor from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Lauren Amador

Associate, Strategic Partnerships

Lauren Amador

Associate, Strategic Partnerships

Lauren Amador is an associate with the Strategic Partnerships team in the Advocacy and Communications department. Her work focuses on supporting projects in targeted geographies by gathering and maintaining project data, supporting budgeting procedures, processing invoices, and supporting stakeholder relationships.

Prior to Joining the National Board, Lauren served as an educator in Mississippi and New Jersey, focusing on differentiation and literacy. She was recognized as the 2022 Teacher of the Year through the Best of Mississippi Awards and honored as one of Gulf Coast Woman Magazine’s 100 Women of Success in 2021.

Lauren holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Raritan Valley Community College and a BA in Psychology and Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certification through Caldwell University. She lives in Gulfport, MS. Lauren has a four-year-old son and two rescue pitbulls. She enjoys pop punk music, raising monarch butterflies, Harry Potter and all things Disney.

Laura Benedetto

Director, Engagement and Mobilization

Laura Benedetto

Director, Engagement and Mobilization

Laura Benedetto is a program manager for the National Board’s strategy team. Benedetto’s work focuses on managing federally and privately funded grant programs that are designed to advance student learning through access to highly effective teachers. She joined the National Board in 2011 as an administrative assistant and has held positions that supported the work of multiple departments.

Prior to joining the National Board, Benedetto enjoyed being in the classroom. She had an opportunity to work in a variety of settings in Connecticut, with a focus on alternative education.

Benedetto holds a master’s degree in education from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, CT and a bachelor’s degree in history from Wheaton College in Norton, MA. A native of New York, she currently lives in Arlington, VA with her pug, Harley.

Peggy Brookins, NBCT

President and CEO

Peggy Brookins, NBCT

President and CEO

Former NBPTS Board member Peggy Brookins, NBCT, joined the National Board as Executive Vice President in December 2014 and was named President & CEO in November 2015. Her long career as an educator includes many national leadership positions and accolades. In July 2014, President Barack Obama named Brookins as a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. She came to the National Board from the Engineering and Manufacturing Institute of Technology at Forest High School in Ocala, Florida, which she co-founded in 1994 and where she served as director and as a mathematics instructor.

She served on the NBPTS Board from 2007 to 2011. In addition, she has served on the board of, The Conference Board of Mathematical Sciences Ad Hoc Committee on Teachers as Professionals, the Content Technical Working Group for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, a commissioner on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), P21 Executive Board, and the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Teacher Prep Commission. She has been a national trainer for AFT (Thinking Mathematics K-2, 3-6, 6-8 Common Core, collaborator and national trainer for Thinking Mathematics 6-8). She currently serves on the Advisory Board of Digital Promise, National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) Executive Board, Fund for Teachers Executive Board, Out Teach Executive Board, Bowie State University and the STAR Program Advisory Board, National Geographic Education Audit Advisory Board, Eddie and Jules Trump Foundation of Israel Advisory Board, the Class Strategic Advisory Board, the Learning Variability Project Advisory Board, Global Teacher Leadership Advisory Board, and Teach Plus.

Brookins achieved her certification in Adult and Young Adolescent Mathematics in 2003 and renewed in 2013. She was inducted into the University of Florida Alumni Hall of Fame in 2009, Received the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) “Woodie Flowers” Award in 2016, is a Florida Education Association “Everyday Hero,” and received the association’s Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2013, Brookins was named an Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar.

Claire Brown

Senior Associate, Grant and Project Management

Claire Brown

Senior Associate, Grant and Project Management

Claire Brown serves on the NBPTS Margins to Center grant under the Experience and Activation team as the Senior Associate for Grant and Project Management. Her work focuses on supporting budget objectives and grant project management. Her work will bolster the success of our team and our partners as we implement our strategies for the grant.

Prior to joining the National Board, Claire was a Pantry and Seasonal Program Manager at Metrocrest Services, a nonprofit located in the Dallas Metroplex, with her work focused primarily on food security within the community. She supported the organization’s expansion as it grew in client demand by 400% during the pandemic and was responsible for program management and growth.

Claire is a strong believer in the power of music education and has been a private piano instructor for the past 5 years, with a current studio at the Coppell Conservatory. She has been a member of the Music Teachers National Association for the past 6 years, chairing multiple committees and events for the Carrollton Chapter.

Claire holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Applied Music from Baylor University. She lives in Dallas, TX with her German Shepherd, Bonnie. She enjoys taking Bonnie on long walks and spending time with friends and family.

Danielle Brown, NBCT

Senior Manager, Candidate Experience

Danielle Brown, NBCT

Senior Manager, Candidate Experience

Danielle Brown is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early Childhood Education and the Senior Manager of Candidate Experience for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Prior to joining the staff of the National Board, she was a Program Director at the Arizona K12 Center at Northern Arizona University, where she worked with districts statewide to build induction and mentoring supports for beginning teachers.

Danielle has taught kindergarten and was an Arts Integration Specialist in the Fort Huachuca Accommodation School District. She became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2014. Danielle received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Arizona and holds a Master's degree in Educational Technology with an emphasis on adult learning and training from Northern Arizona University.

Danielle has served as the President of her local education association, a Candidate Support Provider for National Board Candidates, and was a 2015-2017 Hope Street Group National Teacher Fellow. Danielle has been recognized as an Emerging Leader with ASCD, as well as an Influence Leader. She was also a Gates Foundation Teacher Advisory Council member from 2016-2018.

Daphne Brown

Senior Manager, State Partnerships

Daphne Brown

Senior Manager, State Partnerships

Daphne Brown is the Senior Manager of State Partnerships at the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Daphne received her Doctorate of Education from Jackson State University. Prior to joining the staff of the National Board, she spent over a decade working as a Compliance Specialist of State and Federal grants and strengthening community and stakeholder relationships within her community through the Head Start/ Early Head Start Program. She has been a Professional Development Specialist with The Council for Professional Recognition for eight (8) years providing direct candidate support. She is also an adjunct instructor for both Jackson State University in the College of Education and Human Development and Mississippi Delta Community College’s College Prep Division, working with both colleges for almost a decade. She enjoys working to develop and edify teachers.

Lisa Clarke, NBCT

Vice President, Experience and Activation

Lisa Clarke, NBCT

Vice President, Experience and Activation

Lisa Clarke is a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent Young Adult Social Studies-History and the Senior Director of Candidate Experience.

Prior to joining the staff of the National Board, she was the Team Lead for the U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellows. As a fellow, Clarke learned about education policy and advocated to have teachers’ wisdom at the policy table.

Clarke taught social studies in Kent, WA and Brooklyn, NY. She held a variety of leadership positions in the Kent School District, including serving on the Superintendent Professional Learning Community, assisting with curriculum development, and acting as a Social Studies curricular leader. In 2011, she was honored as the World Affairs Council 2011 World Educator and was chosen to be a World Affairs Council Fellow based on her work to promote and improve global education.

She came to teaching after six years at Rutgers University, where she studied gender and public policy and worked at the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL). Clarke is a graduate of Providence College and holds Master’s degrees from Rutgers University and Brooklyn College.

Chawanna Chambers, NBCT

Director, Culturally Sustaining Candidate Support Network

Chawanna Chambers, NBCT

Director, Culturally Sustaining Candidate Support Network

Dr. Chawanna Bethany Chambers, NBCT, is a national award-winning PK-20 career educator with teaching experience spanning primary, secondary, and higher education. She has taught a variety of content areas in multiple classroom settings, coordinated tutoring programs, developed curricula across the world, supported teachers through instructional coaching, published educational research, and served in several leadership capacities over the years, including Chief Academic Officer and Deputy Superintendent. In addition to being named New Teacher of the Year in 2009, the National Council for Teachers of English awarded her with one of its Early Career Educator awards. She received the Principal’s Award on her campus in 2010. Chawanna was a class of 2018 New Leaders Council San Antonio fellow and 2019 Leadership SAISD cohort member.

Chawanna, known as Dr. Chae to many, thrives at the intersection of educational theory and practice. Understanding students’ experiences in school is integral to delivering what will help create a lifetime of meaningful success and joy for each of them. Using research and relationships as the cornerstone of her work, she aims to design learning environments that encourage belonging and mastery for K-12 students with equity, anti-racism, and decolonization at the center. She is an entrepreneur and has fundraised and won over $11 million in grants for educational and service organizations.

Chambers holds a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies specializing in Early Childhood through Grade 4 from Texas Lutheran University, a Master of Education in Educational Administration: School Leadership from Grand Canyon University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction from Capella University. Chawanna enjoys the blessings of a multigenerational household in Texas with her two children and grandmother.

Zachary Curtis

Senior Manager, Policy

Zachary Curtis

Senior Manager, Policy

Zach Curtis joined the National Board in 2023, as Senior Manager, Policy. He is responsible for the organization’s federal policy efforts in addition to assisting with state policy work. Zach comes to the National Board from the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), where he managed federal government relations on issues related to education, workforce, and the teacher pipeline. Prior to these roles, Zach worked at Bloomberg in several cities and capacities, including conducting pro bono consulting work for San Francisco Unified School District and serving as a co-chair and member of the organization’s LGBTQ+ and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force.

Zach earned a master’s degree in public policy from George Washington University, concentrating in education. During that time, he completed an internship and capstone project with the Learning Policy Institute, both related to federal strategies to alleviate the national teacher shortage. After completing his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon in international relations, he interned for now-retired Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA).

Outside of work, Zach enjoys sports, travel, cooking, and mixology.

Marc D'Anjou

Corporate Secretary & Special Assistant to the President & CEO

Marc D'Anjou

Corporate Secretary & Special Assistant to the President & CEO

Marc D’Anjou is the Corporate Secretary. In this position, he performs all duties related to the office of secretary of a corporation. From time to time, such duties may be assigned by the President or by the Board of Directors.

Specific duties include drafting and maintaining the official records and minutes of the organization, and serving as the liaison for communication with and between the board of directors and senior management, especially on corporate governance matters. D’Anjou also ensures that Board members have the resources and counsel for discharging their fiduciary duties.

D’Anjou has nearly twenty years of experience in government service and working for nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining the National Board, he worked at the White House as a staff assistant to Vice President and Mrs. Gore, at the U.S. Department of Education as a Confidential Assistant in the Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs, and at a nonprofit organization, the Campaign Finance Institute.

He holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from The American University in Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Western New England University in Springfield, MA.

Jeff Derrick

Director, FInance

Jeff Derrick

Director, FInance

Jeff Derrick joined the National Board in July 2014 as the Director of Finance. He leads the financial planning, budgeting, and management reporting for operational and program performance, and the financial systems to support National Board operations.

Prior to joining the National Board, Derrick spent the past 23 years in the government contracting industry functioning in multiple financial roles. Most recently, during 15 years at Booz Allen Hamilton, Derrick provided strategic financial planning and analysis for several areas, managing the financial strategies for budgets ranging from $70 to $250 million. Derrick’s financial expertise lies in planning, reporting, modeling, forecasting and analysis, indirect rate management/analysis, risk analysis, and proposal pricing.

Derrick earned his MBA in finance from Virginia Tech, and bachelor’s degrees in business administration and management science from Geneva College. He has two daughters and a son, and is into all things Nationals, classic rock, spy novels and home brewing.

Joe Doctor

Chief Operating Officer

Joe Doctor

Chief Operating Officer

Joe Doctor leads strategy development as well as programmatic operations for the National Board. His work on these fronts is focused on how the National Board can strengthen the professional career continuum for teachers and advance the teaching profession. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Policy, as well as Special Assistant to the President, leading the development and implementation of the National Board’s strategic plan. He coauthored “Raising the Bar for Teaching” with Jal Mehta, arguing for adapting supports other professions have put in place as a strategy to elevate teaching.

Doctor joined the National Board in 2012. Previously, he was a manager at the Bridgespan Group, a nonprofit strategy consulting organization. His work there focused on developing breakthrough strategies for nonprofits, foundations and public school systems in K-12 education. Doctor has an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from Yale University and a doctorate in education leadership from Harvard University.

Tamara Dudley

Vice President, Advocacy and Communications

Tamara Dudley

Vice President, Advocacy and Communications

Tamara Dudley joined the National Board in April of 2022, as Vice President of Advocacy & Communications. Tamara previously worked for the National Policing Institute (NPI), where she spearheaded organizational-wide marketing, communications, and development initiatives translating research into practice. During the aftermath of the George Floyd murder, she helped to launch the Council on Police Reforms and Race, an African American-led council that focused on proposing nationwide recommendations to reimagine American policing. Tamara has implemented creative strategies and process improvements for universities and alumni associations, completely revamping departments, and leading enterprise systems conversions. She led membership and marketing departments and increased engagement, retention, and growth.

Tamara has also developed community engagement programs focused on deepened relationships and inspired individuals to support education, income, and health initiatives. She achieved this while simultaneously executing award-winning revenue-generating campaigns through the DE&I lens.
She has nearly 20 years of non-profit management expertise, both nationally and internationally, having worked in and/or overseen marketing, strategic planning, communications, development, events, business development, member services, and public relations functions in a variety of large and small organizations. On the international front, Tamara worked to raise awareness of the plight of orphaned and impoverished children in Egypt. She helped to deepen the brand awareness of the Valuable Girl Project and the Serve-To-Learn Programs. As a former Director of Development and Communications, she was successful in collaborating with politicians, dignitaries, and industry leaders to support youth programs and secure appropriations for education programs. She has also trained industry professionals on her recruitment, retention, and growth best practices, and managed 250 workplace giving corporate accounts while helping organizations to grow in their corporate social responsibility and community engagement efforts. She is a strong advocate for data and analysis-driven efforts and performance management, including return on investment analysis.

Tamara has raised nearly $30 million in funding over her career thus far. Most recently, she collaboratively helped to secure a multimillion-dollar gift from the Mackenzie Scott Foundation. Tamara has received numerous awards and recognition from the Virginia Public Relations Society and CASE, including Capital Merit Awards and an Award of Excellence.
Tamara is deeply enthusiastic about inspiring a generation of youth that will have the courage to transform the next. Tamara holds of Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and serves on the Board of Directors for Zoe Freedom Center. She resides in Virginia with her husband and children.

Carol Ezzelle

Senior Director, Psychometrics

Carol Ezzelle

Senior Director, Psychometrics

Carol Ezzelle works with the development and operations of the certification assessment, ensuring it meets or exceeds testing standards. She provides guidance and oversight to project staff on assessment-related research, policies, issues, and inquiries. In this role, Ezzelle oversees psychometric projects, develops technical procedures and documents, and collaborates with staff and partners on issues involving the certification program.

Before joining the National Board, Ezzelle worked at GED Testing Service, Harcourt Educational Measurement (now Pearson) and Professional Examination Service. Ezzelle has a doctorate in psychometrics from Fordham University in the Bronx, NY.

Jacquelyn Fabian, NBCT

Senior Manager, Candidate Experience, DEI

Jacquelyn Fabian, NBCT

Senior Manager, Candidate Experience, DEI

As the Senior Manager of Candidate Experience, DEI, Jacquelyn works to ensure the candidate experience through National Board Certification is grounded in equitable practices and cultivates a sense of belonging for all educators. She joined the National Board in March 2021. Jacquelyn achieved certification in 2019 in Adolescent/Young Adulthood English/Language Arts and was an educator in the ELA and Social Studies classroom for 13 years, primarily in the co-taught setting. During that time, she also served as department chair, led professional development on DEI initiatives and 1:1 device implementation, and co-founded the Latin American Student Association and Bridging the Gap, a mentorship program for BIPOC middle school students transitioning to high school. In addition to her work at the National Board, Jacquelyn currently engages in speaking opportunities for organizations centered on equity-focused initiatives, advocates for improving and expanding the teacher pipeline for the Hispanic/Latinx community, and is a member of the Teach to Change Now Collaborative. She holds a B.A. in English Education from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL and an M.Ed in Education Leadership from Benedictine University in Naperville, IL. She lives in Chicago.

Marcia Foster

Director, Products and Services

Marcia Foster

Director, Products and Services

Marcia Foster joined the National Board August 2013 as the Director of New Products and Services. In this role, Foster manages design and development of key programs and services for Accomplished Teaching, Learning and Schools (ATLAS) and other new products and services focused on supporting the National Board’s mission.

Prior to joining the National Board, Foster was the product and marketing director for PBS’ Education products. In this role she led the development of Peer Connection, an online resource library for instructional coaches, mentors and teacher leaders. She also managed PBS TeacherLine’s online professional development courses for PreK-12 teachers. Foster has taught as an adjunct at Maryland and Virginia colleges and universities. She began her career as a brand manager for multinational consumer product companies, including Campbell Soup Company and Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation.

Foster earned her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and master’s degree in business from Atlanta University.

Miranda Fredrick

Senior Associate, Network Learning and Engagement

Miranda Fredrick

Senior Associate, Network Learning and Engagement

Miranda Frederick joined the National Board in March 2023 as the Senior Associate for Network Learning and Engagement. She provides administrative support for logistics, operations, and partner collaboration for the Culturally Sustaining Candidate Support Network.

Miranda is an experienced event planner and proud alumna of Coastal Carolina University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and skincare.

Janet Haber

Manager, Engagement and Mobilization

Janet Haber

Manager, Engagement and Mobilization

Janet Haber joined the National Board in May 2011 and brought with her the project organizational and financial skills she acquired from more than 20 years of supporting both federal and foundation funded projects. She has strong project management experience including maintaining records and budgets to ensure all are on track per contract specifications. Prior to joining NBPTS, Haber worked with an educational research corporation where she acquired a strong background in education programming and support including preparing materials for workshops, in-house meetings, proposal and budget support, tallying teacher/student/parent evaluations and preparing final reports and required deliverables. Haber professionally handles sensitive and confidential materials and is adapt at managing fast paced, time sensitive workloads.

Andrea Hajek, NBCT

Director, Assessment

Andrea Hajek, NBCT

Director, Assessment

Andrea Hajek joined the National Board in October 2011 as a director of educator engagement. Over the years, her portfolio has included engaging with and mobilizing the NBCT community and NBCT Networks; leading the field test of the assessment redesign; and contributing to the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) development. In January 2018, she became the director of assessment operations. In this role, she leads the ongoing progress and effectiveness of multiple assessment operations activities with particular attention to quality assurance and improving the candidate experience.

A career educator, Hajek achieved National Board certification in Early and Middle Childhood/English as a New Language in 2000 and renewed her certificate in 2009 and 2019. She was the first National Board Certified Teacher in Miami-Dade County Public Schools to achieve certification in this area. She has taught English as a New Language, Language Arts, and Spanish in California, Florida, and Hawai`i. She has also been a trainer of assessors, validator, and content expert for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Hajek developed and institutionalized a candidate support program for educators seeking to become Board-certified in Hawai`i. She also taught graduate level courses at National University.

Hajek holds a bachelor’s in elementary education and an M.Ed. with a focus on ESL from the University of Mar del Plata in Argentina. She was featured in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2006 and 2007.

Kristin Hamilton, NBCT

Vice President, Standards and Assessment

Kristin Hamilton, NBCT

Vice President, Standards and Assessment

As Vice President, Standards and Assessment, Kristin Hamilton leads the National Board’s work to maintain accomplished teaching standards and certify teachers who meet these standards. This work includes standards revision; assessment design, development, and operations; and collaboration with partner organizations to advocate and create pathways for a standards- and credential-based professional continuum.

Hamilton is a renewed National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescence through Young Adulthood/English Language Arts. When she practiced in the classroom, she taught high school language arts in Prince William County, Virginia. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia and holds an M.Ed. and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, where she has taught undergraduate pre-service teachers. Her research focuses on teachers’ experiences of teacher leadership.

Stacey Hicks, NBCT

Director, State Strategy and Partnerships

Stacey Hicks, NBCT

Director, State Strategy and Partnerships

Stacey Hicks serves as Director of Outreach and Engagement focusing on recruitment, communication, and principal stakeholder groups.

Prior to joining the staff at National Board, Hicks served as the NT3 Project Director with the Arizona K12 Center, where she oversaw the implementation of the Network to Transform Teaching (NT3) award from the National Board. The grant focused on two main objectives: increasing the number of National Board Certified Teachers increasing the number of NBCTs serving as instructional leaders.

In 2013, Hicks achieved National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist teaching for Paradise Valley Unified School District in Phoenix, Arizona. Hicks taught third grade as a Teacher Innovator at the Pinnacle Peak Center for Teacher Development, acting as an exemplar observation classroom for the use of teacher development using live observation, video broadcasting and collaborative telepresence. She taught for seven years in Arizona and taught for two years prior to that in Ohio, where she was born and raised. Hicks has a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Kent State University, Ohio.

April Jones

Director, Candidate Support Community

April Jones

Director, Candidate Support Community

As Director of Candidate Support Community, April Jones works to build relationships across the candidate support community. She collaborates with leaders and facilitators across the country to foster a candidate-centric, improvement-minded culture in the design and execution of candidates’ experiences both to and through the National Board certification process. She elevates our candidate and stakeholder experience by creating structures and processes to deepen stakeholder relationships with one another, scale successful program practices and build a community of support among stakeholders.

Jones joined the National Board in 2007 and has worked in various departments including Communications, Finance, the Office of the President and Outreach where she assisted in the rebranding campaign, worked to streamline contract and scholarship processes, provided support for the Teaching & Learning Conference and managed partnerships with various key stakeholders to increase opportunity for support of Board certification.

Jones is a graduate of Christopher Newport University in early childhood psychology and enjoys volunteering, great food, fitness and party planning.

Melissa Mays

Director, Project Management

Melissa Mays

Director, Project Management

Melissa Mays joined the National Board in January 2020 and serves as the Director, Project Management where she provides day-to-day leadership and management across the full scope of the National Board’s relationship with its operational partner. Mays is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds a B.A. degree in Government from Georgetown University and a M.S. degree in Information Technology with a certificate in Informatics from the University of Maryland Global College.

Benjamin McKinney

ATLAS Data Entry Coordinator

Benjamin McKinney

ATLAS Data Entry Coordinator

Ben McKinney joined the National Board in 2021 and serves as an ATLAS Data Entry Coordinator. He is responsible for managing ATLAS customer contracts, customer support, marketing, trial access and other critical aspects of the website.
Prior to joining the National Board, Ben worked in Accounts Receivable at Shift4 Payments and Apartments.com. He has 4 years of experience in accounting and 4 years of experience in the telecommunications industry as a project specialist.

Ben studied economics and project management at the University of Maryland. In his spare time, he loves to play soccer, guitar, and spend time with family and friends.

Dianna Minor, NBCT

Senior Manager, Standards

Dianna Minor, NBCT

Senior Manager, Standards

As Senior Manager of Standards, Dianna Minor leads the National Board work in overseeing critical functional areas for the Standards Team including project management, consultant management, event planning, and grant reporting. Additionally, Dianna coordinates the Certification Council, which is the arm of the Board of Directors with approval authority over the Standards and Assessment Department. She also works closely with the Assessment, Communications, Finance, and Candidate Experience Teams and with representatives from external stakeholder organizations.

Minor is a renewed National Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence, English Language Arts. Previously, she has worked in Alabama as an English/language arts teacher, literacy and ESL interventionist, curriculum specialist, and as a college adjunct in curriculum and instruction at the University of Alabama (Birmingham). She is a graduate of the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) and holds a master’s degree in English/language arts education, Administrative/Instructional Leadership certification, and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree in English/language arts. Minor has served as a blogger for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and coached with the National Math & Science Initiative (NMSI) where she designed and developed content and eLearning experiences for educators across the country.

She has also served as an education consultant with Alabama’s A+ College Ready organization, where she developed curricula and trained educators in the latest-best practice teaching strategies. She has been active in the National Board communities serving as a board member with Alabama’s NBCT Network, National Board Core Connections Webinar facilitator, and as an educational consultant with the Alabama A & M University/University of Alabama at Huntsville Regional Inservice Center, where she facilitated professional development workshops and seminars asynchronously for educators pursuing National Board certification. In addition to being previously recognized as a district nominee for Alabama’s Teacher of the Year with Hoover City Schools, she was recognized as a 2020 Red Mountain Writing Fellow, an affiliate of the National Writing Project, and a 2021 TEDx Birmingham Education Fellow.

Milad Nazar

Senior Associate, Accounting

Milad Nazar

Senior Associate, Accounting

Milad Nazar joined the National Board in 2020 and serves as a Staff Accountant. He is responsible for performing duties related to accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other financial accounting duties.

Prior to joining the National Board, Nazar worked in Accounts Receivable at a defense contractor, ITILITY LLC. He has a decade of successful experience in project management and progressive accounting experience for-profit, non-profit, and government organizations. He has supported multiple Logistics and Services contracts up to completion for the Government of Afghanistan that was funded by the Ministry of Defense & U.S. Army since 2007.

He is a strong believer in the power of positive thinking and teamwork in the workplace. He regularly exercises and practices yoga to have a clear mind on daily tasks at hand. Additionally, he loves a good old binge watch of his favorite history shows on Netflix, long bike rides, and marathon runs with his friends.

Nazar majored in Finance from Kardan University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

Jéri L. Ogden

Senior Manager, Network Learning and Engagement

Jéri L. Ogden

Senior Manager, Network Learning and Engagement

Jéri L. Ogden is an educator, writer, and facilitator with a passion for and emphasis on equitable practices and cultural competence. She serves as the Senior Manager of Network Learning and Engagement. Jéri graduated from Howard University with a B.A. in Communication and Culture and from American University with an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy. Upon her undergraduate graduation, she spent one year working at DC’s first all-boys public charter school as a substitute teacher and assistant director of the after-school program before her training as a Summer 2010 DC Teaching Fellow. Jéri has taught at both public and charter schools in DC and Houston, as well as an international school in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Prior to joining the staff, she managed teacher residents and later was the Director of the Professional Learning Community at ASCD.



With over 14 years of progressive teacher leadership, Jéri is also the founder of P.U.R.P.L.E., a consulting firm that provides purposeful, uplifting, and restorative professional learning experiences to organizations and communities. Jéri is currently pursuing her Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation at Marymount University where her research is centered on burnout and the experiences of Black women principals. She is a former member of the adjunct staff at Trinity Washington University where her courses focus on restorative practices, relationship building in school systems, and empathy. Her work is rooted in the philosophy that you cannot separate the tree from its roots so understanding the context of people and places matters. You will often hear Jéri say, “equity is not a buzzword”.

Sarah Pinsky

Director, Policy and State Strategy

Sarah Pinsky

Director, Policy and State Strategy

As a policy director, Sarah Pinsky supports the National Board’s state and federal policy efforts by analyzing federal and state legislation, writing policy memos and reports, and assisting the government relations team in organizing federal and state policy events. Pinsky comes to the National Board from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) where she managed state and federal policy efforts on issues related to teacher preparation.

Pinsky earned her master’s degree in public policy and her bachelor’s in government and economics from the University of Virginia. Pinsky currently attends The George Washington University’s Law School’s evening program.

Edward Santiago

Senior Associate, Communications

Edward Santiago

Senior Associate, Communications

Eddie Santiago serves as the Communications Associate for National Board. Eddie joined National Board in 2019. Eddie works to spread awareness and the importance of Board Certification in classrooms for both students and teachers. He helps with all the communications and media relations for the Board.

Eddie graduated from West Virginia University in December 2015 with a degree in journalism. Before joining National Board he worked as a production assistant at WWLP 22News in his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts (where basketball was invented). Growing up in Springfield really shaped Eddie’s love for basketball.

Eddie enjoys spending time with friends, and family, being active, finding new experiences, and is a big time sports fan.

Evangeline Stewart

Sr. Associate, People & Administration

Evangeline Stewart

Sr. Associate, People & Administration

Evangeline Stewart joined the National Board in 2005 as an Administrative Assistant for Development. During her tenure at the National Board, Stewart has provided high-level support for multiple departments. In this role, Stewart conducts research, prepares reports, provides design support and maintains the donor database. Stewart is a part-time freelance photographer and graphic designer, a mother of two, and is currently pursuing a degree in communications design. During her free time, you can find Stewart organizing activities for Let Us Volunteer (LUV), a community service organization she created in effort to be of service in and around her neighboring community.

Melissa Villareal

Senior Manager, Assessment

Melissa Villareal

Senior Manager, Assessment

Since joining the National Board in 2001, Melissa Villareal has played a key role within the National Board assessment team. Villareal works within Assessment to manage and document development, committee, and research projects, and budgets for National Board Certification. She also has experience in Assessment Operations providing strong support to National Board candidates throughout the certification process. Villareal takes great pleasure that her work provides many opportunities to support accomplished teachers.

Villareal holds a Bachelors’s in business administration from Strayer University. She is the proud parent of two school-aged children.

Thea Williams-Black

Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships

Thea Williams-Black

Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships

Thea Williams-Black is the Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction-Literacy Education from The University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Elementary Education with a Certification in Gifted Education from William Carey University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Tougaloo College. Thea comes from a family of educators and has over 25 years of education experience as a K-12 educator, promoted and tenured professor, department chair, dean of education, curriculum writer, project manager, professional development facilitator, author, and educational researcher.

Before joining National Board, Thea was Dean of Education at her alma mater, Tougaloo College. She revised the curriculum for all programs, was awarded over $5 million in grants, and oversaw the Jackson-Tougaloo Early College High School and an after-school STEM enrichment program, YOUCAN! Institute.

Thea enjoys spending time with her family traveling and creating many memories.

Caitlin Wilson

Manager, Products and Services

Caitlin Wilson

Manager, Products and Services

Caitlin Wilson is the Manager of Products and Services for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In this role, she supports the continued development of ATLAS, an online video library from the classrooms of Board-certified teachers. ATLAS is used by teacher preparation programs, schools, districts, and state departments of education for professional learning. She also supports the design and implementation of other products and services aligned to the National Board’s mission.
Prior to her current role, Caitlin was a Strategy Officer for The NEA Foundation where she led the Foundation’s Global Learning Fellowship, a year-long professional development program for K-12 educators across the country. Caitlin also previously led the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s networked improvement communities. In this role, she engaged teacher preparation faculty and staff in professional learning opportunities to address shared challenges, including the special education teacher shortage and recruiting more men of color into the teaching profession.
In her previous work at the National Board, Caitlin supported the Network to Transform Teaching, a networked improvement community aimed at taking Board certification to scale in 10 states across the country. She also contributed to the initial development and implementation of ATLAS.
Caitlin began her career as a Spanish and Reading teacher in Cobb County, Georgia. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on Secondary Education from Georgia College and State University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Georgia.