Karissa Ebert

“Every day, I get a chance to apply the knowledge I’ve gained through the Learning Analytics program to practices in my workplace. It’s great to be able to use my newfound skills to directly impact the communities I work with in profound and positive ways. The most rewarding aspect of the Learning Analytics program has been connecting with other cohort members, learning from their experiences, and building our knowledge together.” 

Data Collection and Verification

Karissa Ebert graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Psychology and a certificate in Gender and Women’s Studies. While at UW-Madison, Karissa participated in research with the Learning, Cognition, and Development (LCD) Lab. This research focused on memory development, word-mapping, and testing-effect in children ages 3-7. Karissa currently works as a Data Specialist with MiRegistry, an organization that aims to support early childhood educators, providing and tracking both professional development and educational opportunities. As part of her role with MiRegistry, Karissa individually supports providers in meeting state and licensing guidelines and supports various data initiatives within her state contract and agency. 

Technology, Education, and Equity

Due in large part to Karissa’s foundation in memory research, her passion lies in finding how children can best be set up for success by their teachers, and in turn, how teachers can be supported by the institutions that govern and surround them. As part of the Learning Analytics program, Karissa was excited to learn how to use data analytics to invoke small and large-scale change on a systems level. 

Karissa aims to continue to use her knowledge to best advocate for and support early childhood educators, especially those who hold marginalized identities. One of her primary interests lies at the intersection of equity, education, and technology. Specifically, how data can be used to promote equitable access to technology, especially in an evolving educational landscape, where many learning environments are primarily technologically driven or online-based. 

Karissa is a 2022 Committed Scholars Program recipient.