Penelope is the Senior Manager supporting the Schools & Talent team, which provides funding for organizations and schools that aim to improve school quality, develop educator pipelines, and address racial barriers to educational success. She is deeply committed to ensuring all students – regardless of prior preparation or background – have high-quality learning experiences that prepare them to live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Penelope was drawn to Education Forward DC because of its commitment to developing educators so that schools are led by talent invested in their success, and its focus on driving educational equity across DC. Prior to joining Education Forward DC, Penelope was the Senior Director of Formal Learning at KIPP Foundation, where she led the strategy for nationwide principal and principal manager leadership development. She began her second career in education as a high school English teacher at Summit Preparatory Charter High school in California, and eventually became the principal of the school, leading a bold transformation from a traditional instructional model to a personalized learning approach built to meet the needs of diverse learners. Penelope earned two BAs in Political Science and Mass Communications from UC Berkeley, and a master’s in education from Columbia University Teachers College. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband and two sons, who both attend Montgomery County Public Schools. Penelope enjoys spending time watching her children’s sports games, reading and meeting with her book club, cooking and baking, and traveling to all the vibrant cities the world has to offer.