Diana McFarland

“Over the course of this 2-year program, I was able to build an amazing network of peers who share my passion for improving our systems of education. The program equipped us with the mindset, skills, and experience to make a difference in the way we educate the next generation, while also honoring a healthy work/school/life balance. I am grateful to the amazing team of educators who came together to make this program possible.”

LEVERAGING LOCAL LEADERSHIP FOR SYSTEMIC IMPACT

Diana is passionate about using data and policy to improve educational systems and outcomes. After more than a decade in the classroom, she pivoted toward a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in order to tackle the systemic barriers that limit student success. She engages regularly in professional learning opportunities focused on governance, equity, and learning analytics, and she advocates for research-based approaches in all aspects of school board work. A long-time community volunteer through organizations such as Girl Scouts, Schools of Hope, and local youth sports, Diana understands the critical role that families, educators, and community networks play in supporting student learning. She is especially focused on applying learning analytics to identify and remove barriers for historically underserved students.

ENGAGING COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL EQUITY

Diana is a dedicated volunteer in her community who has given hundreds of hours of service through Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Youth Sports, School Community Organizations, and Schools of Hope. She is passionate about providing future generations with the most efficient, effective, relevant and engaging educational experiences possible. She is determined to utilize learning analytics tools to identify the most effective solutions for removing barriers so that historically marginalized students are able to thrive. Her experience with children in her community has made it clear to her how K-12 educational systems must collaborate effectively with strong networks of community support in order to equitably serve all children.