Career Highlights

• 1971-74: At Harvard College, took courses in educational media and served as research assistant to Prof. Gerald Lesser, chair of advisory board at Sesame Workshop
• 1976-1980: First job at Sesame Workshop, New York City, in Research Department, conducting formative research for Sesame Street, The Electric Company (reading) and 3-2-1 Contact (science), served as director of research
• 1980-85: Doctoral student in communication, Stanford University. Dissertation on gender differences in high school courses using computers
• 1985-87: Assistant professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Taught courses in educational TV and technology. Consulted on Square One TV, Sesame Workshop math series
• 1987-1997: Director of Center for Education at KQED-San Francisco (PBS). Led department with staff of 12 providing instructional video in schools and Ready to Learn programming and workshops for parents and child care providers. Hosted TV special on “Smart Parent’s Guide to TV Violence” and occasional radio programs
• 1998-2010: Executive Director, George Lucas Educational Foundation, San Rafael, CA. Managed expansion of foundation from staff of 8 and budget of $800,000 to 35 staff and budget of $8 million, publishing Edutopia magazine,, documentaries, and website. Co-chaired U. S. Department of Education Technology Expert Panel and chaired NHK Japan Prize jury for best educational TV series. One of 35 New Century Fulbright Scholars, based at University of Edinburgh.
• 2010-present: Senior Fellow, George Lucas Educational Foundation. Independent author, speaker, board member, and consultant.