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Lauren, Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools: Advize Career Interview
A career path starting with history and art history unexpectedly led to a fulfilling career in education.
The journey included Teach for America, classroom teaching, school administration, a Stanford graduate program, and a brief private sector experience.
Currently, the Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools designs professional learning sessions, manages large-scale events, and collaborates on learning competencies.
This role demands self-discipline, strong communication, and the ability to influence others. A typical day is varied, balancing independent work and collaboration, and the work offers significant autonomy and impact.
The biggest challenges involve building relationships and managing logistics, but the shared mission and high-competence among colleagues create a rewarding environment.
Success in this field requires classroom and school leadership experience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.
The interviewee advises proactively seeking meaningful work, exploring diverse opportunities in college, and integrating personal identities into a career.
Entry-level positions often exist within talent development teams of larger organizations, highlighting the importance of networking and showcasing interest in professional learning.
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Lauren Keough
Associate Director of Professional Learning
Rocketship Public Schools
UCLA - 2008
Lehman College - CUNY (2010) - Masters of Arts in Social Studies Education & Stanford University (2019) - Masters in Policy, Organization & Leadership Studies
History, Art History
Education
Education
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career path of an Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools
Lauren's career path, beginning with a history/art history degree, unexpectedly led to education after joining Teach for America. After years of classroom teaching and school administration in high-need schools, a Stanford graduate program ("policy organizational leadership studies") and a brief stint in the private sector allowed Lauren to find the perfect fit as Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools, a role where they can leverage their expertise and "spend a lot more time doing the type of work that fills" them.
Main Responsibilities of an Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools
Lauren's Associate Director role at Rocketship Public Schools involves designing professional learning sessions for school leaders, collaborating on "scopes of learning and competencies" to ensure targeted training, and managing the considerable logistics of large-scale events, such as "a five-day in-person professional development retreat for about 150 school leaders," encompassing everything from session design to catering and venue arrangements. This multifaceted role highlights the importance of both instructional design and operational management in effective professional development.
A Day In The Life Of An Associate Director Of Professional Learning At Rocketship Public Schools
Lauren's role as Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools is highly variable, with days ranging from "hunkering down and designing sessions" to back-to-back Zoom meetings and even leading sessions at 7 pm. This flexibility allows for a balance between independent work, collaboration, and responsiveness to the needs of their educators, with a typical workday spanning from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
Most Important Skills for an Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools
Lauren, Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools, emphasizes the importance of "self-discipline" and time management skills for success in their role, creating "a weekly schedule" to stay on track amidst multiple concurrent projects. The ability to "influence and have accountability with people," even without direct management, and to effectively communicate needs to senior colleagues are also crucial skills.
Favorite Parts of Being an Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools
Lauren, Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools, thrives on the variety inherent in the role, stating "each day is completely different," and values the autonomy to pursue impactful projects, such as improving teacher onboarding, while maintaining a fulfilling work-life balance that allows for both professional success and parental involvement.
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Associate Director Of Professional Learning At Rocketship Public Schools
Lauren's biggest challenges as Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools involve building relationships and establishing the team's role within the organization; the team is "newer," requiring Lauren to proactively seek collaborations and manage time effectively, as "logistical parts of the role" sometimes detract from using skills in higher-impact ways.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Public Education Industry As An Associate Director Of Professional Learning
Lauren, Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools, values the shared mission and purpose among colleagues in the charter school network, stating that "every single person...has a shared purpose." This, coupled with the high level of competence and intelligence among her colleagues, creates a stimulating and collaborative work environment where continuous learning is fostered.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Education Industry According To An Associate Director Of Professional Learning At Rocketship Public Schools
Success in educational leadership requires a strong background in classroom and school leadership, understanding "what great instruction looks like," and critically examining past successes to avoid burnout. Long-term success hinges on individuals who can adapt their mindsets about learning, teaching, and leadership, moving beyond the "18-hour days" mentality.
What an Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Education Industry
Lauren, an Associate Director of Professional Learning, learned that the role involved significant "job crafting," allowing for shaping responsibilities to align with personal preferences. This realization, which came later in Lauren's career, could have led to earlier professional success had Lauren understood the opportunity to proactively "make this part of my role" from the outset.
Career Path for Aspiring Associate Directors of Professional Learning
To break into the field of professional learning, Lauren suggests gaining initial classroom experience in diverse school settings—"a New York City public school and then...a charter"—to build credibility. Then, entry-level positions often exist within larger organizations' talent development teams, allowing one to gain internal experience and transition to roles like Lauren's, emphasizing the importance of networking and showcasing interest in professional learning.
Significant Career Lesson From an Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools
A significant career lesson learned by Lauren, Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools, is to proactively seek out "meaningful or complex work" and begin contributing to it before formally requesting a promotion. This approach allows for demonstrable experience ("I've had experience doing X Y and Z") and increased confidence when pursuing advancement opportunities.
College Experiences That Helped An Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools Succeed
Lauren's undergraduate experience, unexpectedly shaped by "a range of activities, internships, work, volunteering opportunities," allowed for exploration of diverse skill sets and career paths, ultimately leading to a fulfilling career in education despite initial plans to work in art. This unexpected trajectory highlights the value of exploring seemingly disparate opportunities and trusting "gut feelings" to guide career decisions.
How Identity Has Influenced an Associate Director of Professional Learning at Rocketship Public Schools' Career
Lauren, Associate Director of Professional Learning, openly integrates her parental identity into her mission-driven career, demonstrating that "it's okay to have an identity outside of your profession," and leveraging the valuable time management skills gained from parenting to excel at work. This approach not only normalizes work-life integration for others but also showcases the transferable skills developed through parenthood.
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