Senior Manager, Program

She/Her

As Manager, Program, Cara implements programmatic services and designs high-quality, research-based, and user-centered professional learning services, tools, and resources to improve teaching and learning and advance educational equity for and with our school system partners.

Cara joins the Teaching Lab team with over a decade of experience working in the field of education. Cara began her career as a Teach for America corps member in Phoenix, where she taught special education. She also mentored and supported early career special education teachers to transform the educational opportunities of the students they served. Cara earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and English from Marquette University, and Master Degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.  

As a former educator, instructional coach, and school administrator, Cara fundamentally believes that high quality professional learning is what transforms teacher practice and creates equitable, excellent learning opportunities for all students. Currently, Cara resides in New Lenox, Illinois with her spouse Jeff, their sons, and miniature dachshund.