Janet Steele
Leader in Education Technology, Education Reform and Professional Development

Janet Steele has served as a leader in education technology, education reform and professional development for 28 years.  A nationally recognized teacher, her classrooms were highly constructivist and focused on the integration of technology and fine art into the instructional environment.

As the Director of the Milken Educator Network for the Milken Family Foundation (www.mff.org) she worked in close collaboration with many state departments of education to provide strategic planning and support to build state networks comprised of over 1800 award winning educators in 45 states.

Later she moved within the Foundation to become the National Training Director for the Teacher Advancement Program, (TAP) a national model for school reform. Here she continued to contribute strategic thinking and decision making to the ongoing refinement of the program, as well as the training and support of each state TAP director.  

As the Worldwide Program Manager of Primary-Secondary Programs for the Microsoft Corporation, Janet was responsible for program development and expansion of worldwide professional development frameworks under the Partners in Learning Initiative.  This included driving the worldwide Innovative Teachers Network, spearheading the implementation of the Microsoft Peer Coaching Program throughout Latin America and Asia, and working closely with respected author, Professor Michael Fullan to develop and implement the Learning to Lead Change curriculum focused on the knowledge base required to lead and manage change in a country.

Currently as Senior Associate for The Powerful Teaching and Learning Group, LLC, (www.powerfulteaching.com) Janet provides consulting, strategic planning and professional development services for schools.  In partnership with research partner, The BERC Group, the group’s primary focus in Washington State is to support improvement of classroom instruction and to increase student achievement and improved scores on the Washington’s high stakes test: WASL.  Janet routinely designs and delivers hierarchal programs to specifically address and support a school’s vision and goals.

Throughout her career, Janet has presented nationally and internationally on educational issues including education reform, curriculum, education technology, and arts integration.  Her honors include the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award, the Christa McAuliffe Washington State Excellence in Education Award, and Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honorary.