Frank Rider is the senior human services financing specialist at AIR. For almost four decades, he has worked in youth and family servicing systems at the state and local levels, including tribal communities. As a skilled technical assistance provider, he is proficient at conducting needs assessments, enhancing capacity with state ...
Nicholas Sorensen is a principal researcher at AIR. His research is primarily focused on dropout prevention and helping struggling students succeed across the transition to high school. His work emphasizes the role of social psychological interventions, strategies to support success in algebra and mathematics, and use of early warning systems ...
Jessica Heppen, a nationally recognized expert in education research, policy, and practice, is the president & CEO of AIR. Dr. Heppen been with AIR for 20 years and, in that time, has held several key roles during her tenure.
Robert Nathenson is a senior researcher at AIR. He has over 10 years of experience in the execution of rigorous econometric and behavioral science techniques to applied policy questions in the postsecondary education, pre-k-12 education, and health fields. Dr. Nathenson regularly conducts research using both experimental and quasi-experimental designs. His ...
Steve Leinwand is a principal researcher at AIR and has over 30 years of leadership positions in mathematics education. He currently serves as mathematics expert on a wide range of AIR projects that evaluate programs, develop assessments, and provide technical assistance. Leinwand’s work at AIR has included developing specifications and ...
Will Tad Johnston is a senior technical assistance consultant at AIR specializing in mathematics education. He works with the AIR District and School Improvement Team as a mathematics instructional coach working with teachers, building instructional coaches, and administrators in high poverty schools with high percentages of students of color and/or ...
Charrise Hollingsworth is a researcher at AIR, where she evaluates programs and initiatives related to thriving youth and adults. Her growing body of work focuses on youth workforce development, advancing equitable outcomes in K-12 education, promoting socioemotional wellness for students and teachers, and supporting AIR’s cross-disciplinary place-based initiatives. A former ...
Donna Warthan is a senior technical consultant at AIR. Her primary responsibilities include managing the overall project and budget for four federal School Improvement Grant projects in Virginia and New York. In this work, she assists the district and schools in corrective action use data to develop concrete action plans ...
Stephanie Levin is a senior researcher within AIR’s Human Services division. An expert in educational leadership and school finance, Levin is dedicated to improving outcomes for public K–12 students and educators. At AIR, she directs a multi-year formative study and impact evaluation of UnboundEd’s Adolescent Literacy Planning & Implementation Collaborative ...
Shauntice Wheeler is a senior TA consultant in the Educators & Instruction program at AIR. Wheeler is a dedicated and passionate educator with more than 24 years of experience in public education. She provides quality support in the areas of educator recruitment, preparation, development, and retention. She is currently working ...