Amanda Lester Email & Phone Number

Albany, New York, United States

Albany, New York, United States

Albany, New York Area

Fort Collins, Colorado Area

Albany, New York Area

Washington D.C. Metro Area

First engaged as a member of the AACTE Clinical Practice Commission (CPC), and then as an AACTE Facilitator Consultant (2015-16) & staff member (2017-18), served as CPC co-facilitator/lead facilitator.Co-authored the AACTE CPC report on clinical teacher preparation, "A Pivot Toward Clinical Practice, Its Lexicon, and the Renewal of Educator Preparation", released January 17, 2018, National Press Club, Washington DC… Show more First engaged as a member of the AACTE Clinical Practice Commission (CPC), and then as an AACTE Facilitator Consultant (2015-16) & staff member (2017-18), served as CPC co-facilitator/lead facilitator.Co-authored the AACTE CPC report on clinical teacher preparation, "A Pivot Toward Clinical Practice, Its Lexicon, and the Renewal of Educator Preparation", released January 17, 2018, National Press Club, Washington DC. https://secure.aacte.org/apps/rl/res_get.php?fid=3751&ref=rlhttps://aacte.org/professional-development-and-events/clinical-practice-commission-press-conferenceCo-facilitator/Lead Staff Facilitator for the AACTE CPC Special Education Taskforce: https://aacte.org/news-room/press-releases-statements/542-aacte-clinical-practice-commission-cpc-launches-special-education-task-force Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Served as a member of the Leadership Team and primary staff member overseeing program content and development. Key accomplishments include:o Led strategic program development in the areas of clinical educator preparation; diversity, equity & inclusion, principal preparation; special education; principal preparation; improvement science/networked improvement communities; and other emergent educator preparation professional development/research initiatives as assignedo Spearheaded… Show more • Served as a member of the Leadership Team and primary staff member overseeing program content and development. Key accomplishments include:o Led strategic program development in the areas of clinical educator preparation; diversity, equity & inclusion, principal preparation; special education; principal preparation; improvement science/networked improvement communities; and other emergent educator preparation professional development/research initiatives as assignedo Spearheaded development and implementation of the AACTE Clinical Practice Commission (CPC) and the AACTE Black and Hispanic/Latino Male Initiative Networked Improvement Community (NIC), the AACTE Special Education Taskforce, and AACTE Wallace Foundation funded projectso Cultivated and fostered internal and external partnerships, including with member institution Deans, faculty, and PK- 12 partners; AACTE Standing Committees; affiliate partners and organizations; and potential memberso Served as national co-chair for the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Diversified Learner Ready Teacher (DLRT) Collective Action Team, liaison for performance assessment partnerships, and participated in initiatives with LPI, LFA, and other partner organizations o Administered grants and implemented budget protocols as guided by Finance leadership; advised planning for future funding o Composed strategic communication content, including blogs and web-based program promotiono Spearheaded planning and development for two Research to Practice Spotlight video series on Special Educationo Presented on behalf of AACTE in various national forums and conferences; i.e. the 2018 Carnegie Foundation Summit, Prepare to Teach Report Launch Event Panel, and EduTalk Radio segments Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Collaborated with the Vice President and the Director for Member Engagement as part of the Member Engagement and Support Team to develop and implement signature AACTE programs and professional learning initiatives. o Analyzed education policy issues to advise program development and member engagement prioritieso Co-authored the CPC national report (released Jan. 2018), including co-writer for framing sections and lead facilitator for content & policy writing teams, facilitated vetting… Show more Collaborated with the Vice President and the Director for Member Engagement as part of the Member Engagement and Support Team to develop and implement signature AACTE programs and professional learning initiatives. o Analyzed education policy issues to advise program development and member engagement prioritieso Co-authored the CPC national report (released Jan. 2018), including co-writer for framing sections and lead facilitator for content & policy writing teams, facilitated vetting process, and paper release implementationo Led facilitation of the AACTE Black and Hispanic/Latino Male Initiative NIC; o Co-led facilitation and development of the CPC, Special Education Taskforce, AACTE Topical Action Groups, and principal preparation projects, including as liaison for Wallace Foundation project meetings o Co-developed/co-implemented Research to Practice Spotlight video series interviewso Co-developed and led key sessions at the 2017 & 2018 AACTE Annual Meetings, including pre-conferences, Major Forums, and concurrent sessionso Developed/co-developed and implementation of communication plans and products, including webinar series, blogs, website content, social media, and an original AACTE video serieso Cultivated partnerships and participated in related initiatives, such as the CCSSO Inclusive Principal Leadership initiative and LPI Deeper Learning partnership with LFAo Presented on behalf of AACTE at state and national events to advance key projects and partnerships. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Facilitated program implementation and content development in collaboration with Member Engagement staff for all aspects of the Member Engagement Program portfolio.o Served as lead researcher for a landscape study and report that informed the 2015 Wallace Foundation report, "Improving University Principal Preparation Programs: Five Themes from the Field"o Developed and supported principal preparation initiatives and eventso Co-led facilitation of the AACTE Black and Hispanic/Latino… Show more Facilitated program implementation and content development in collaboration with Member Engagement staff for all aspects of the Member Engagement Program portfolio.o Served as lead researcher for a landscape study and report that informed the 2015 Wallace Foundation report, "Improving University Principal Preparation Programs: Five Themes from the Field"o Developed and supported principal preparation initiatives and eventso Co-led facilitation of the AACTE Black and Hispanic/Latino Male Initiative NIC and highlighted diversity-focused member initiativeso Served as CPC Commissioner and provided facilitation and research support for early phases of CPC report developmento Co-developed and led key sessions at the AACTE Annual Meeting, including pre-conferences, Major Forums, and concurrent sessionso Collaborated with Communications team to develop communication plans and products o Presented at state and national convenings on behalf of AACTE Show less

Albany, New York Area

•Oversaw day-to-day and long-range planning, coordination, and implementation of the SUNY Teacher and Leader Education Network (S-TEN): http://www.suny.edu/s-ten•Managed a $4 million project budget, including: reevaluation and modifications to the primary budget; the completion of quarterly & summary budget reports; navigated systems and campus expenditure processes for 17 campus and 4 regional network teams.•Facilitated origination & monitoring for 35 sub-awarded campus & regional… Show more •Oversaw day-to-day and long-range planning, coordination, and implementation of the SUNY Teacher and Leader Education Network (S-TEN): http://www.suny.edu/s-ten•Managed a $4 million project budget, including: reevaluation and modifications to the primary budget; the completion of quarterly & summary budget reports; navigated systems and campus expenditure processes for 17 campus and 4 regional network teams.•Facilitated origination & monitoring for 35 sub-awarded campus & regional projects; including 4 regional Centers of Innovation in Education•Assembled & facilitated multiple project Design Teams and a Community of Inquiry and Practice to inform/direct activities at different project phases •Coordinated development of a statewide faculty professional development series and multiple project convenings•Developed & implemented the S-TEN Professional Development Webinar Series, as well as information webinars for faculty & staff•Developed & supervised a system for collecting/cataloging deliverables, artifacts, and outcome reporting for campus and regional projects•Coordinated the structural design & initial population of the SUNY Educator Preparation Network Online Repository: http://commons.suny.edu/educator-prep-network/•Served as S-TEN liaison and staff support for TeachNY Advisory Council•Liaison to internal/external project partners; including: P-20 campus & regional network teams, state sector partners, SUNY Deans and Directors of Education and Professional Studies, SUNY Applied Learning Matrix Team, NYS Master Teacher Program (advisor during development & application evaluation), & NYS Education Department•Facilitated a national CAEP State Alliance Clinical Partnership Networked Improvement Community (NIC) Design Team•Supervised project staff and related human resource processes•Developed project reports, summaries, presentation materials, and communication plans•Presented at state and national conferences Show less

Troy, New York

•Established and fostered collaborative partnerships with a wide-range of community members, community leaders, and external stakeholder organizations to develop an understanding of the needs and aspirations within local communities and to inform the development of media, productions, and community-focused initiatives•Coordinated and collaboratively developed media-focused community-based initiatives; including the WMHT American Graduate Project: www.wmht.org/americangraduate •Engaged… Show more •Established and fostered collaborative partnerships with a wide-range of community members, community leaders, and external stakeholder organizations to develop an understanding of the needs and aspirations within local communities and to inform the development of media, productions, and community-focused initiatives•Coordinated and collaboratively developed media-focused community-based initiatives; including the WMHT American Graduate Project: www.wmht.org/americangraduate •Engaged and sustained a coalition of community stakeholders from over 40 organizations to inform and expand American Graduate Project initiatives•Assessed project development and adjusted strategies and plans based upon coalition and community input •Created and managed communication strategies with community partners through email, social media, and the development of a project-based website•Developed presentations, reports, and project documents in support of strategic initiatives•Developed and facilitated community conversations with groups and organizations •Collaborated in community partner initiatives, including: Albany Promise Plenary, Data and Community Engagement Committees, Troy YMCA Community Advisory Board, Center for Women in Government Women in STEM Working Group, Siena AmeriCorps VISTA Panel on Poverty (panelist), Capital Region Refugee Roundtable Youth & Education and Community Engagement Action Teams, South End Partners (Albany) Show less

Albany, New York Area

•Policy Analyst in the Office of Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (permanently hired to this position after serving as a Women in Public Policy Fellow in the same office from 1/2010-6/2010)•Researched, tracked, and analyzed emergent issues and trends in education and children and family policy and utilized data, budget reports, research, news reports and other information to perform analysis •Tracked, researched, prepared, and drafted legislation•Analyzed and tracked fiscal… Show more •Policy Analyst in the Office of Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (permanently hired to this position after serving as a Women in Public Policy Fellow in the same office from 1/2010-6/2010)•Researched, tracked, and analyzed emergent issues and trends in education and children and family policy and utilized data, budget reports, research, news reports and other information to perform analysis •Tracked, researched, prepared, and drafted legislation•Analyzed and tracked fiscal implications of legislation and relevant issues, including the preparation of a local fiscal impact note, analysis of funding streams and school budget line items, and impact of budgetary proposals•Drafted policy analysis, policy summaries, notes, agendas, press releases and wrote constituent newsletters•Met with legislative representatives, constituent groups, and agency personnel regarding legislation•Corresponded with key leaders and coordinated/participated in meetings on behalf of the Member •Managed communication and served as office liaison to the Education Commission of the States and National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Back to School Program •Organized events including the Caucus Weekend Education Workshop and NCSL Back to School Visits•Attended policy related meetings and events, including monthly NYSED Board of Regents meetings•Managed content additions to the Member’s Assembly webpage and Facebook page Show less

Albany, New York Area

•Worked as Center for Women in Government and Civil Society Public Policy Fellow in the Office of NYS Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark•Performed policy analysis and legislative duties related to education, post-adoption, and children and family issues.

Albany, New York Area

•Researched and created information and policy summaries in support of strategic initiatives for Community Engagement•Provided initial consultation to develop a UAlbany Community Service Tiered Mentoring Program which was successfully implemented•Designed, sourced, created, and maintained content data to support and faciliate the redesign of the Univeristy Community Engagement website•Revised and implemented webpage development training and troubleshooting protocols as liaison to… Show more •Researched and created information and policy summaries in support of strategic initiatives for Community Engagement•Provided initial consultation to develop a UAlbany Community Service Tiered Mentoring Program which was successfully implemented•Designed, sourced, created, and maintained content data to support and faciliate the redesign of the Univeristy Community Engagement website•Revised and implemented webpage development training and troubleshooting protocols as liaison to University faculty and staff •Performed staff work to facilitate projects, meetings, and committee initiatives Show less

Albany, New York Area

•Supported the work of the Higher Education Team and the Teacher Education Team•Conducted research and data collection in support of OCUE staff work for program registration, accreditation and teacher preparation •Supported the initial implementation of legislated Autism Provider Training registration through the collection and review of data, the creation of databases, and other related duties•Drafted and edited documents for policy and project initiatives in accordance with… Show more •Supported the work of the Higher Education Team and the Teacher Education Team•Conducted research and data collection in support of OCUE staff work for program registration, accreditation and teacher preparation •Supported the initial implementation of legislated Autism Provider Training registration through the collection and review of data, the creation of databases, and other related duties•Drafted and edited documents for policy and project initiatives in accordance with evidence-based research and education law Show less

Schenectady, New York

•Piloted educational programs including Collaborative Co-Teaching (general education/special education), Small Schools “school within a school” Team, and an Inclusion-Skills Classroom•Worked collaboratively with regular and special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and families to meet the individual needs of students, both with and without IEP’s•Created an evaluation portfolio for tenure (2003) and participated in a district-wide evaluation system based on the Charlotte Danielson… Show more •Piloted educational programs including Collaborative Co-Teaching (general education/special education), Small Schools “school within a school” Team, and an Inclusion-Skills Classroom•Worked collaboratively with regular and special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and families to meet the individual needs of students, both with and without IEP’s•Created an evaluation portfolio for tenure (2003) and participated in a district-wide evaluation system based on the Charlotte Danielson Frameworks •Participated in extended professional development training for Inquiry-Based Learning/Science Education, Differentiated Instruction, Guided Reading, and an Arts-In-Education•Created and revised district curriculum maps in Science and English Language Arts in accordance with New York State Learning Standards•Mentored high school students interested in education careers as part of a district career mentoring program, and facilitated teacher preparation field experiences and classroom observations for preservice teacher candidates •Served on committees including Science and Literacy Curriculum Teams, the Report Card Revision Committee, the School Restructuring Committee, and the Science Administrator Interview Committee Show less

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Education Policy And Leadership

Enrolled in Education Policy Doctoral Studies Program University at Albany, School of Education, Department of Education Policy.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Public Affairs And Policy With A Concentration In Education Policy

Activities and Societies: Excellence in a Masters Essay Award, May 2010: “The Struggle to Achieve Educational Equity: The Impact.

Master Of Science In Education (M.S.Ed.), Elementary Education

Master Of Science In Education (M.S.Ed.), Music Education

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Music Industry