Amanda Cadran

Mom, Educator, Data Evangelist

amandacadran.com | linkedin.com/in/amanda-cadran-phd

Experience Living Life

Program Director: Rapid Cycle Evaluation, LearnPlatform "The mind adapts and converts to its
2016-present own purposes the obstacle to our
Working directly with school districts, state boards of education, acting. The impediment to action
non-profit organizations and educational providers to advance the advances action. What stands in the
knowledge of and capacity for rapid cycle evaluation in K-12 education. way becomes the way."
● Design and implementation of the company’s first structured
process dedicated to rapid cycle evaluation, which resulted in a MARCUS AURELIUS
175% increase in evaluations conducted between 2020 and
August 2021.
● Designed and co-taught a hybrid project-based learning course Education
on rapid cycle evaluation through a grant-funded cohort of K-12
administrators during the 20-21 school year; 100% of NC State University
respondents indicated that their self-efficacy related to PhD in Curriculum and Instruction
statistical analysis and the practical application of data focus on Instructional Design
increased. 2016
● Planning and implementation of projects centered around
professional learning and edtech program adoption with the Lehigh University
states of Texas, Utah, and Massachusetts at the SEA, regional, MA in Political Science
and district levels. focus on public policy and advocacy
● Project lead working with educational networks that reach 2003
across the United States and 150+ school districts including
grant work funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lehigh University
Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative and others. BA in English and Journalism
2003
OER Research Fellow & Consultant, Aurora Institute (formerly
the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL)
2014-2016
This position began as a one-term fellowship with iNACOL and the Proud of...
Council of Chief School Officers (CCSSO), but was expanded to a
second term and then a consultancy with the goal of working with state Mental health advocacy and work as a
education agency (SEA) educational plans and policies and to identify peer facilitator with Postpartum Support
barriers and opportunities for successful, large-scale implementations International and others. Certified in
of topics related to instructional technology and Open Educational Mental Health First Aid (Youth).
Resources (OER).
Hosting my weekly online radio show
● Completed and contributed to projects intended for legislators
called The Bar-Line Shift, which focuses
and K-12 leadership.
on international funk and jazz.
● Presentations and webinars with state, district, and network
partners using compiled case studies to spark innovation for
The opportunity to kickoff the Women’s
OER including educational leadership in Washington and North
History event at my alma mater Lehigh
Carolina.
University as a facilitator with other
● Preparation for and participation in annual conferences and
graduates and current students.
other events throughout the year as needed.
Consultant - Ignite Learning Partners
2015-2016 When I’m Not Working...
Provided research on educational technology trends, based on client's
Reading
timelines and needs, focusing on open educational resources (OER).
● Prince & the Purple Rain Studio
● Invited to the National Science Foundation to build policy Sessions - Duane Tudahl
agendas with Department of Education leaders and other ● The Daily Stoic - Ryan Holiday
nationally recognized practitioners and researchers. ● Condé Nast Traveler (the next
best thing to being there!)
Graduate Teaching Assistant - North Carolina State University Listening
2012-2016
● Italo Disco: Essential Italian
Developed new and updated instructional technology courses. Disco Classics 1977-1985
Reviewed and graded student assignments and provided constructive ● Daymaker by Flamingosis
critiques using a variety of communication methods. Courses included: ● The New Mastersounds radio
station (Spotify)
● Design and Evaluation of Instructional Materials ● Hidden Brain podcast (NPR)
● Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Learning Environments ● Teamistry podcast (Atlassian)
● Interdisciplinary Game-Based Learning Design
● Computer Applications and Curriculum Integration Cooking
● Advanced Multimedia Design and Applications in Instruction ● Homemade gelato
● Online Collaborations in Education ● Injera, doro wat
● Technology Integration: Theory and Practice ● Anything spicy

Online Curriculum Course Designer/Instructor

Duke University Talent Identification Program
2010-2015
Through this work with middle and high school students, I developed
and revised online education curriculum and facilitated positive
learning experiences through consistent communication and
interaction between administrators, students, and parents.
● Implemented major restructuring of online Fourth and Fifth Grade
online programming.
● Utilization of best practices for virtual learning to design
coursework and facilitate learning, including:
o Academic Writing and Research
o News Writing in the Digital Age
o Writing the Personal Essay
o Writing the Persuasive Essay
o Short Fiction Workshop

Teacher (Middle School ELA; K-8 tech) and Edtech Director

2004-2016
I’m an educator and always will be. I want to work with a group to
understand their needs, design goals and support their progress. This
can be for a program, a project, or the people wrapped in it! It is
important to approach all work with a growth mindset, and lead others
in that way. I learned those skills through work in the Diocese of
Raleigh, North Carolina.
Selected Publications
● Cadran, A., et al. ( 2016). Policy and funding frameworks for blended and online learning. International Association for
K-12 Online Learning.
● Cadran, A. (2014). State of the states: Open educational resources in K-12 education. Council of State School Officers
and iNACOL.
● Cadran, A. (2008). This I Believe Middle School Curriculum. This I Believe, Inc.

Selected Academic Work

● Cadran, A. “A Descriptive Case Study of the Ethics of Care Fostered by a Statewide Blended Teaching Model in
Support of Site-Based Exceptional Children Teachers.” Dissertation. North Carolina State University.
● Cadran, A. (2014): “As We Are: The Ethics of Care in a Blended Co-Teaching Environment.” Pilot dissertation study.
North Carolina State University.
● Cadran, A. (2003). “The State and Society in Nigeria: Religious Dichotomies Force the Struggle for Democracy.”
Graduate thesis. Lehigh University.
● Cadran, Amanda (2002). “Media and the Race for Fame on Mount Everest.” Undergraduate senior honors thesis.
Lehigh University.

Selected Presentations & Panels

● Cadran, A. & Doney, J. (September 2021). “Evolving with Evidence: The Critical Role of Network, IT, and Tech
Departments.” Utah Education Telehealth Network conference, Richfield, UT.
● Cadran, A. (2021). ““Understanding the Effectiveness of Your LEA’s Edtech: A Cohort Approach.” Utah Rural Schools
Association conference, Richfield, UT.
● Cadran, A. et al. (2021): “Principles of Rapid Cycle Evaluation: Sessions 1 & 2.” KIPP Foundation Data Retreat, Virtual.
● Call, T. et al. (2021): “Supporting LEAs During the Remote Learning Era: The Value of Edtech Management.” Utah
Coalition for Educational Technology, Virtual.
● Alley, J.,, Cadran, A., & Hedgecock, R. (2021): “Understanding the Effectiveness of Your LEA’s Edtech: A Cohort
Approach.” Utah Coalition for Educational Technology, Virtual.
● Cadran, A. and Pierce, K. (2020): “Teacher Engagement and Support During Uncertain Times.” Presented virtually.
● Cadran, A. (2020): Webinar series for the Utah State Board of Education. Presented virtually.
● Cadran, A. (2020): “Get Ready: Preparing your 2020-2021 DTL Application.” Utah Coalition for Educational
Technology. Price, UT.
● Cadran, A. et al. (2020): “Building Collective Efficacy at Your School Using Data-Driven Decision-Making.” Utah
Coalition for Educational Technology. Price, UT.
● Starr, J., Gryllos, S., & Cadran, A. (2019): “Data Systems and Leveraging the Power of Collaboration.” EdSURGE Fusion.
Burlingame, CA.
● Starr, J., Gryllos, S., & Cadran, A. (2019): “Discover A Digital Products Library for Massachusetts Schools!” MassCUE
Fall Conference. Foxborough, MA.
● Hung, C. and Cadran, A. (2019): “Mission Meet Metrics: KIPP DC’s Journey.” KIPP Foundation data retreat. Chicago,
IL.
● Shaw, J. & Cadran, A. (2019): “Students with Special Needs: When Equity Met Outcomes.” SxSWEdu. Austin, TX.
● Cadran, A. (2019): Mentor Session leader. SxSW Interactive. Austin, TX.
● Cross, A., and Cadran, A.(2019) “What’s Your Number? Data-Driven ATLIS Member Benefits.” ATLIS Annual
Conference. Dallas, Tx.
● Durfee, M. and Cadran, A. (2019): “State-Supported Tools that Make Analyzing Data Simple.” Utah Coalition for
Educational Technology. Price, UT.
● Gryllos, S. and Cadran, A. (2019): “District Edtech Assessments and Product Usage Analytics: The Who, Why, and
How.” MAPLE/LearnLaunch. Webinar.
● Berman, M. and Cadran, A. (2018): “Addressing Software Procurement Challenges: A Campus System
Proof-of-Concept.” WCET. Portland, OR.
● Borgen, J. and Cadran, A. (2018): “No More Random Apps of Technology: Crowdsourcing Compliance & The Future of
Edtech Management” CETPA. Sacramento, CA.
● Berman, M. and Cadran, A. (2018): “CSUPASS – CSU Procurement of Accessible, Secure Software.“ California State
University Information Technology Summit. Sacramento, CA.
● Mishleau, B. and Cadran, A. (2018): “Practical Research for Personalized Learning Programs: Using Evidence for
Evaluation.” iLearn Collaborative Conference. Denver, CO.
Selected Presentations, Continued

● Shaw, J., Glickman, S., and Cadran, A. (2018): “Identifying Promising Strategies for Diverse Learners.” BLPC.
Providence, RI.
● Wermers, M., Lieberman, J., and Cadran, A. (2017). “Drive Edtech Outcomes in Your District.” Statewide
conference. MassCUE and M.A.S.S. 2017 Technology Conference. Foxborough, MA.
● Cadran, A. (2017). “The ATLIS Network Effect.” Annual conference. Association of Technology Leaders in
Independent Schools. Los Angeles.
● Cadran, A. (2016). “Growth Mindset and You: Engaging Your Students through Change.” District-level
conference. Diocese of Raleigh. Raleigh, NC.
● Cadran, A. (2016). “Lea(r)n Webinar: Learn to get the most from this new member benefit.” Online webinar.
Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools.
● Cadran, A. (2016). “LearnCertified Training.” Wake County Public Schools Spring Convergence Workshop.
Wake County Public Schools. Raleigh, North Carolina.
● Cadran, A. et al., (2016). "’Keys To Success’ Graduate Student Panel.” Graduate Student Drive-In Conference.
North Carolina State University College of Education.
● Cadran, A. and Soots, B. (2016). “OER: Tools and Promising Practices for Teachers.” Webinar. International
Association for K-12 Online Learning. Online.
● Cadran, A. (2016). “An Introduction to the Growth Mindset for Educators.” Professional development
workshop. Diocese of Raleigh. Apex, NC.
● Cadran, A. (2016). “Teaching Blended Learning Courses to Occupational Course of Study Students: A
Quantitative Analysis of Care.” Paper presentation. 39 th Annual Conference of the Eastern Educational
Research Association. Hilton Head, SC. (Also participated as a session chair)
● Bonnot, L., Cadran, A., Coe, J., Loomis, K., Weeks, T. (2015). “Shining Examples of OER: Stories from the
Field.” iNACOL Annual Symposium. Orlando, FL. Link to project portal: ccsso.org/oer
● Cadran, et al, (2015). “OER in Public Education: Trends, Challenges, and Applications.” OER Summit. San
Diego County, CFF, Team Red.
● Cadran, et al., (2015). "’Keys To Success’ Graduate Student Panel.” Graduate Student Drive-In Conference.
North Carolina State University College of Education.
● Cadran, A. (2015). “As We Are: Ethics of Care in a Blended Teaching Model.” Graduate Student Research
Symposium. North Carolina State University. Raleigh, NC.