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Meet the OET Team

Leadership

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Anil Hurkadli

Interim Deputy Director

Anil Hurkadli (he/him) serves as the Chief of Staff for the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development at the U.S. Department of Education and the interim Deputy Director for the Office of Educational Technology. He previously served as the Senior Vice President of Community Impact for the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation and the Learning and Strategy Officer for the Thrivent Foundation. Prior to that, Anil implemented Minnesota’s first alternative teacher licensure program, served as a chief of staff at a national non-profit organization, opened new schools for Minneapolis Public Schools, and taught at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Anil is a proud Minnesotan and son of Indian immigrants.

Staff

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Bernadette Adams

Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies and Research and Development Lead
Former White House Leadership Fellow

Bernadette leads projects to provide educators with guidance on: the impact of AI on teaching and learning; new approaches for evaluating the effectiveness of digital learning; the role of online communities of practice and social networks in supporting educators; exemplary strategies for district leaders to design, fund, acquire, and maintain technology infrastructure; and key considerations for successfully implementing personalized and competency-based learning strategies for both students and teachers. Bernadette served as a technical consultant and subject-matter expert to the National Science Foundation, 18F, and the Performance Improvement Council on projects to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and STEM education across government as a White House Leadership Fellow.  Prior to joining OET, Bernadette worked to advance the use of technology for workforce development at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Partnership for Reinventing Government, and served as a consultant to design an innovative technology-based science curriculum for the Atlanta Public School District. Bernadette holds a Master’s in Education from the University of California at Berkeley and a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of California at San Diego. She is also a former high school chemistry teacher.

LinkedIn

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Kevin Johnstun

Education Program Specialist

Kevin Johnstun is an Education Program Specialist in the Office of Educational Technology (OET) at the US Department of Education. His current work focuses on developing advanced research and development capabilities within the Department and understanding how educators can leverage artificial intelligence to improve student outcomes. He previously led the office’s work on accessibility and assistive technology and lead several projects related to teacher professional development, and open educational resources, and digital literacy.

He was also previously a research analyst for the President’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology in the White House. He holds an MS in Instructional Psychology and Technology and a BA in Philosophy from Brigham Young University.

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Sara Trettin

Digital Health, Safety, & Citizenship, Libraries

Sara leads efforts on digital health, digital safety, and digital citizenship and previously led work on broadband internet access, digital equity, and K-12 open education. She recently returned from Tokyo, Japan where she spent a year embedded in the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) as part of the Mansfield Fellowship Program. Sara spent time in seven offices across MEXT and focused on Japan’s efforts to increase the use of technology in education. Sara joined the Department as a Presidential Management Fellow in 2014. While on rotation to the State Department, Sara supported the ECA Collaboratory’s work on open education, open government, and education diplomacy. Prior to joining the Department, she worked as a Learning Services Librarian and served as Teacher in Residence at the Library of Congress. A former teacher, Sara holds a B.A. from Clemson University, a graduate certificate from Duke University, and a Master’s in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sara enjoys exploring new parks with her family and packing a tent when she travels.

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Fellows

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Ji Soo Song

Digital Equity Advisor

At the U.S. Department of Education, Ji Soo leads the Office of Educational Technology’s (OET) digital equity initiatives to expand adoption of reliable, high-speed broadband and digital tools for learning. He also develops intra- and inter-agency partnerships to close the digital divide for learners furthest from opportunities and provides subject matter expertise to external capacity building and technical assistance efforts.

Prior to OET, Ji Soo was the senior policy advisor at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), where he led the research, analysis, and communication of public policy issues concerning digital learning standards and frameworks, educator credentialing, and funding for professional development. Ji Soo represented ISTE as a board member for the Title IV-A Coalition and the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training.

Ji Soo holds a B.A. in biology and education from Dartmouth College and M.Ed. in education policy and leadership from American University. He was also a 2021-2022 fellow with the Institute for Educational Leadership’s Education Policy Fellowship Program. Finally, Ji Soo served as a City Year AmeriCorps Member in the District of Columbia, where he taught third-grade mathematics and robotics and received the 2018 WilmerHale Civic Innovation Award.

LinkedIn

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Isabella Zachariah

Education Pioneers Impact Fellow

Isabella Zachariah serves as an Education Pioneers Impact Fellow within the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Education Technology (OET). Isabella will be supporting OET’s digital equity and open educational resource initiatives. Before joining OET, Isabella worked on education research and technical assistance projects at the American Institutes for Research (AIR). These projects leveraged evidence-based strategies and data-driven solutions to promote high-quality programs and policies with an emphasis on equitable access. Isabella gained substantial knowledge and experience in conducting research, developing resources for various stakeholders, and building relationships throughout these projects. Isabella earned her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Education & Society at the University of Chicago.

LinkedIn

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Dominique Dallas

Federation of American Scientists Impact Fellow

Dominique Dallas is currently an Impact Fellow with Federation American Scientists at the Office of Educational Technology (OET), where she passionately works on advancing digital equity and promoting AI literacy. Before joining OET, Dominique served as a Network Data Strategist with Chicago Public Schools, where she played a key role in harnessing data for educational improvement. Dominique’s commitment to education and dedication to creating inclusive and equitable learning environments led her to a policy and advocacy fellowship with Education Trust Louisiana, where she advocated for dual enrollment opportunities and increased teacher diversity.

Dominique’s commitment to education is evident in her past role as a school leader, where she successfully navigated the complexities of educational leadership.

Dominique holds a solid educational foundation with a Master’s in Public Administration from Louisiana State University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Schiller International University, and a B. A in Marketing and International Business with a minor in Spanish from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her diverse academic journey includes a certification in Data Science and Machine Learning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dominique’s mission is deeply reflected in her commitment to ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all. Her unique blend of experience in data strategy, policy advocacy, and school leadership positions her as a dedicated advocate for transformative change in the education sector.

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Zac Chase

Digital Equity Impact Fellow

Zac Chase serves as Digital Equity Impact Fellow within the Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology. In his third decade in public education, Zac is leading OET’s development of the new National Education Technology Plan. Zac is returning to OET where he previously led the development of the 2016 NETP, represented ED on President Obama’s Broadband Opportunity Council. and led efforts to improve technology preparedness for novice teachers. Zac has worked nationally and internationally with schools and school systems on designing equitable and accessible learning experiences. Most recently he worked at St. Vrain Valley School District where he undertook the development of the district’s first open-licensed, freely-available curriculum for 6-12 English language arts.

LinkedIn

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Desmond Rudd

Education Pioneers Impact Fellow

Dr. Desmond Rudd (he/him) serves as an Education Pioneer Impact Fellow within the US Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology (OET). Desmond supports OET’s work around Accessibility, Assistive Technology, and Special Education. In addition to special education, his expertise also includes in family engagement advocacy for special education populations, systems thinking, teacher training and program evaluation.

Prior to OET, Desmond was appointed as a Legislative Policy Fellow for Washington DC State Board of Education’s Office of the Student Advocate where he researched the use of family voice of special education families across DC Schools. He also served as a school leader at a special education charter school where he designed and led mission, vision, and strategy work centered in creating collaborative learning communities for professionals supporting students with moderate to severe disabilities.

Desmond holds a B.S.Ed in Music/ Music Education from The University of Alabama, M.Ed. in Childhood Education/ Students with Disabilities from Canisius College (now Canisius University), and an Ed.D. in Education Policy and Leadership from American University. Desmond’s mission in life is to continue building sustainable communities for the marginalized; and for generations to come.

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OET Alumni