Nominee's Key Links:
Bio: https://www.exulab.com/meet-us
Resume or CV: https://www.exulab.com/meet-us
Writing or Publications: https://www.exulab.com/thoughtlab
Website: https://www.exulab.com
Socials:
Agency or agencies for which nominator feels nominee is best suited:
Organization name(s) and position(s) for which nominator feels nominee is best suited:
Chief Learning Officer, Secretary of Education, Executive Advisor
Policies which the nominator knows the nominee supports or in which they have expertise:
Appointed as Secretary of Education of The United States of America, my first project would be to re-examine an updated version of H.R.899. Transforming the department, first, by renaming it the United States Department of Learning and Innovation, I would streamline programs and introduce others that establish the Department as THE catalyst for creativity, innovation, STEM AND STEAM (arts) through experiential and performance-based learning that celebrates the beautiful minds and encourages individual thought development of all of our Nations schoolchildren. The Department becomes a beacon of hope, resource and a champion of world-class learning that unleashes the wide-eyed potential of all learners and their teachers. Education goes back to the hands of the states and local districts working in tandem with parents/guardians. I would establish a nation-wide hack-a thon an exciting competition that would get students excited about learning again and would reward outstanding thinking, imagination, creativity and innovation. I would personally visit schools across the nation to promote this program through an invigorating what I call “ Dream Big Tour Across the Nation.” The products created by the students would actually be implemented and rewarded with a presentation and reception at The White House. This hack-a-thon would be part of my Dream Big initiative of the Department to boldly unleash innovation, creativity and potential of every one of our Nations schoolchildren- Making Learning Fun and Exciting Again-and lets watch what happens!
Nominator's thoughts on what would make this nominee a valuable member of a future Trump Unity Government
1) Is Competent- My adult life has been spent in service to learning and learners- of all levels, ages, backgrounds and industries. I see my practice, projects and leadership through the heart, mind, soul and eyes of the learner- everything I design, build and lead is in service to them-period. My work began as a licensed high school language teacher and has since spanned a robust career in national teacher quality, youth and executive leadership development, organizational and professional development to Chief Learning Officer and executive consultancy in many industries international, academic, private and public. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Spanish for International Service and a Masters Degree in Education.
2) Is Honest- What I can humbly say is that I try every day to be honest with... myself- first. This self-reflection and self-awareness enables me to discern and evaluate my actions as a leader and as a human being. I try to do my best in very challenging circumstances and aim to find the truth and fairness that exists in complex contexts. I try to evaluate where we are and make a plan to make things better. During my leadership through an organizational crisis, I encouraged and modeled honesty at every communication point with my team- it was the one thing that kept us stable and moving forward while the chaos swarmed around us. Being honest with myself first enabled this to happen.
3) Has Courage- and if I can add to this- Has Inspiration- I put these two together because inspiration is born in courage. Throughout my career, inspiration has been a cornerstone of my work. It is that special something that people can feel- authentically- and it makes all the difference. I have been leader in some of the most compliance-based politically charged environments and industries and what pulled me and my team though was motivating genuine inspired action- even in adversity. It is not easy to inspire in the midst of chaos, but courage powers you forward to get tangible results.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered to serve- my promise is that I will serve our Nation with an inspired heart and vision, get our Nation the results it deserves and lead our Nation forward to be the most outstanding exemplar for education and learning in the world with bold courageous action to get us there beginning Hour 1 Day 1. Here we go!