Zachary Stone Email and Phone Number

As a Senior Research Analyst, I conduct qualitative and quantitative research that supports the development of state and district policy. My work results in actionable internal and external reports that inform department strategic planning and provide important guidance to the department's different divisions and teams. I also provide on-demand technical assistance, mostly through data collection and analysis, to a variety of department stakeholders.

Job responsibilities for this role are outlined above.

As an Evaluation Specialist, I supported research and evaluation activities related to multiple projects, including federally funded efforts such as the Florida and the Islands Comprehensive Center (FLICC), the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Making Time for What Matters Most grant, and several Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grants. In this capacity, I created realistic, effective evaluation plans; identified and design project instrumentation; collected and analyzed data; and crafted detailed data summaries, evaluation reports, and presentations. I also contributed to the development of comprehensive new business proposals that were tailored to potential clients’ needs and specifications. My other responsibilities included conducting evaluation activities for the Appalachia Regional Comprehensive Center (ARCC) and the Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center (MACC), as well as writing research briefs for ARCC that were aimed at providing relevant, practical information to a variety of stakeholders and collaborators.

Edvantia, Inc. was acquired by McREL International in September 2013. Job responsibilities for this role are outlined above.

I performed research to support the evaluation of a federally funded education program, which included gathering historical information and interviewing key stakeholders as part of the data collection process. I co-authored, revised, and edited a detailed summary report that explores project findings.

I tested and tutored 1st grade students to collect data for a 5-year intervention study under the direction of Dr. Lynn Fuchs. As part of this work, I taught 51 individual math lessons to 6 different children enrolled in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

As a Policy Intern at the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), I conducted extensive research on issues relevant to the Teacher Equity portion of the State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG). I created and distributed a survey to all district special education supervisors that collected data on special education teacher recruitment, induction, and retention activities. Additionally, I analyzed the SPDG and the Tennessee First to the Top Act of 2010 to identify key areas of alignment.

I prepared and administered both library and publisher agreements for a leading, worldwide provider of electronic content. I communicated regularly with the sales team to negotiate contractual modifications.

I co-taught twenty-five students in a 4th grade inclusive classroom, planning lessons in all subject areas based on the statewide curriculum requirements and modifying instruction in order to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners. I consistently researched and utilized teaching models that best reflected the learning styles of the classroom population and developed Individual Education Plans for each student. Throughout my two years in this classroom, I maintained a safe learning environment that encouraged intellectual curiosity and social/emotional growth. I also made a regular effort to improve as a teacher by attending various professional development workshops, including a week-long writing institute at Teachers College, Columbia University. In February 2007, I received New York State Public School Teacher Certification for both general and special childhood education.

I provided mandated special education services to general education students in grades 2-6. I designed and implemented supplemental small group lessons in all subject areas, working extensively with Wilson Fundations, an early intervention program designed to increase phonemic awareness.

As a summer intern, I researched competitors’ branding strategies for a worldwide plasma cutting manufacturer. My culminating project included a sixty minute presentation for upper management that compared and contrasted industry approaches. I also performed various administrative and clerical tasks as needed.