Susan Mundry

Susan Mundry, Deputy Director of Learning Innovations at WestEd and Associate Director of WestEd's Mathematics, Science, and Technology Program, has been helping new teachers, principals, and administrators become more effective leaders in science and mathematics for over 20 years.

Mundry codirects the agency's National Academy for Science and Mathematics Education Leadership, providing professional development and support for education leaders nationwide. Many of these leaders have provided professional development, in turn, for hundreds of educators at their own sites, spreading the knowledge they gained in the Academy. Mundry consulted on the design and implementation of the Academy model for the states of Texas, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. As a result, more than 250 additional educators have become more effective leaders in their field.

She is leading a research study examining the distribution of highly qualified teachers in New York and Maine for the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands. She also serves as Project Director for the evaluation of the Intel Mathematics Initiative, a professional development program for elementary and middle grades teachers in Massachusetts and California aimed at increasing student outcomes in mathematics.

As Senior Research Associate for WestEd's National Institute for Science Education's professional development study and dissemination teams, Mundry contributed to numerous publications and helped implement programs in teacher development. She coauthored the best-selling book, Designing Effective Professional Development for Teachers of Science and Mathematics, as well as Working Toward a Continuum of Professional Learning Experiences for Teachers of Science and Mathematics, Designing Successful Professional Meetings and Conferences in Education, and Global Perspectives for Local Action: Using TIMSS to Improve U.S. Mathematics and Science.

Mundry coauthored the toolkit, Teachers as Learners, a videotape collection of 18 professional development programs, a guidebook, and Web site activities that illustrate diverse strategies for teacher learning in science and mathematics. These materials are used extensively in professional development programs and for graduate training in teacher professional development throughout the nation, so far reaching more than 8,000 educators and education leaders.

Mundry also coauthored the award-winning Leading Every Day: 124 Actions for Effective Leadership, now in its second edition. The book was named National Staff Development Council 2003 Book of the Year. Her latest book is The Data Coach's Guide to Improving Learning for All Students. Mundry currently is codeveloping the professional development guide for Curriculum Topic Study, a process that increases teachers' understanding of national standards and research on student learning across grades K–12.

Prior to joining WestEd, Mundry served in many roles from staff developer to Associate Director at The NETWORK, Inc., a research and development organization focused on organizational change and dissemination of promising education practice. There, she managed the work of the National Center for Improving Science Education and the Center for Effective Communication, provided technical assistance to schools, oversaw national dissemination programs, and codeveloped the "Change Game," a board game that enhances leaders' ability to lead change efforts in schools and districts.

Mundry received a BA from the University of Massachusetts, an EdM from Boston University, and a Graduate Certificate in Management from Lesley College.