“We honor educators as professionals who learn daily from their work and want to share their knowledge with others to transform the lives of their students and their own specialized work. “

— Joshua P. Starr, CEO, PDK International

Who We Are    Established in 1906, PDK International supports teachers and school leaders by strengthening their interest in the profession through the entire arc of their career.

SOCIAL JUSTICE  | ENGAGEMENT  |  EXCELLENCE  |  RESULTS

For the 2020-21 academic year, PDK is focused on cultivating student interest in the teaching profession through Educators Rising. We encourage our members and chapters to help your communities build a strong pipeline of future teachers by connecting us with your districts and their stakeholders, state partners, institutes of higher education, and funding sources such as foundations or chambers of commerce. See below for more information about the Educators Rising pathways into the teaching profession, and share with anyone in your community who can help support our efforts.

Please Give Generously Today!

Support. Shape. Succeed.

Members, alumni, stakeholders, and friends, PDK needs your help! Your gift helps us continue to support public education, shape the next generation of educators, and succeed in diversifying the teaching profession. Please donate by clicking the PayPal icon, emailing us at give@pdkintl.org, or calling us at (800) 766-1156.

PROGRAMS

How we help schools

MEMBERSHIP

Join our Movement

DEVELOPMENT

How you can help

“The quest for continual improvement not only guides us, it defines our work.  Ultimately, our programs and services all focus on what’s best for the students that we serve. “

— Curtis Cain, Past Board Chair, PDK International

Core Values

Social Justice

We promote practices that seek to achieve social justice and equity in public schools. Educators must understand the history and context of American public education, including institutional racism and discrimination, as well as the moral imperative to ensure equity of outcomes, opportunities and resources for the most vulnerable students.

Engagement

We partner, engage and collaborate with other organizations that are seeking to improve public education. In order for complex problems to be solved, multiple stakeholders from different perspectives need to collaborate and be part of the problem-solving process.

Excellence

We must hold others and ourselves to the highest professional standards: We adhere to constant continuous improvement efforts within the organization and promote practices that ensure accountability for education professionals.

Results

Results matter, both for ourselves and for public schools. We hold ourselves accountable for outcomes and promote results-based practices that improve public education.

Core Values

“We provide educational support — always with a focus on improving teaching and learning for schools.”

— Angela Walmsley, Board Chair, PDK International

Staff

Joshua P. Starr, Ed.D.

Chief Executive Officer

Albert Chen, M.E.

Chief Operating Officer

Rafael Heller

Editor in Chief

Muaz Ahmed

Director of Finance

Anne Matthews

Director of Programs

Robyn Mintier

Director of Membership

Lisa Rollins, Ed.D.

Director of Outreach and Engagement

Debbie Webb

Director of Operations

Michael Goldman

Marketing and Communications Manager

Justine Hirshfeld

Creative Services Manager

Teresa Preston

Managing Editor

Stephen Goodman

National Policy and Communications Coordinator

Wally Janneh

Outreach and Engagement Coordinator

Maddie Katz

Outreach and Engagement Coordinator

Noor Lodhi

Membership Associate

Yanely Perez

Product & Curriculum Associate

Marvin Pimentel

Bookkeeper

Peyton Yancey

Membership Associate

You?

We are always looking for talented, driven individuals.

Want to get involved?

See open positions

Board of Directors

PDK is governed by the PDK International Board of Directors.

Melissa Nixon
Board Chair
Operations Committee Co-Chair

Katharine Oliver
Board Chair-Elect
Governance Committee Co-Chair

Angela Walmsley
Past Board Chair

Curtis Cain
Foundation Board Chair

Doug Christensen
Foundation Past Board Chair

Deborah Delisle
Board Director

Christopher Emdin
Board Director

Kimberly Green
Board Director

Erin Jones
Board Director

Maureen LaRaviere
Governance Committee Co-Chair

Natasha Murray
Operations Committee Co-Chair

“We are educators and leaders for whom student success is our mission, vision and passion.”

— Douglas Christensen, Board Chair, PDK Educational Foundation

Careers

PDK International is always looking for excellence and talent. While we may not have a specific position open at this time, please submit your resume nonetheless to HR@PDKIntl.org.

Current career opportunities at PDK International:

Implementation Specialist

The Implementation Specialist will work with Educators Rising to engage, implement, and support state-wide programs by recruiting teacher leaders and rising educators as well as providing training and ongoing support as school develop Educators Rising chapters and courses. Learn more.

Communications Manager
PDK International and its mission of Educators Rising, is seeking an up and coming and dynamic individual to grow our reach through leveraging traditional and digital media, keep abreast of policy and politics, and continue to position PDK as a leader in the education space. Learn more.
Marketing & Communications Intern
The internship position is open to undergraduates, recent graduates, or graduate students who are passionate about education and interested in nonprofit work.  Marketing / Communications / Research Intern will contribute to the growth of our organization and improvement of member and user experience. They will work directly with divisions heads and will contribute to improving and putting to structure internal and external processes, as well as shaping our messaging and ways of communication. Learn More
Project Management Intern
The internship position is open to undergraduates, recent graduates, or graduate students who are passionate about education and interested in nonprofit work. Project Management / Development Intern will contribute to improving internal processes of our organization, will develop valuable materials for educators and take part in event coordination. They will work directly with divisions heads and will contribute to improving and putting to structure internal and external processes. Learn More

Equal Opportunity Employment and Diversity

PDK International is an affirmative-action equal opportunity employer for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, PDK International complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. PDK International expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of PDK International’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

 
PDK International and Curriculum Management Solutions, Inc., (CMSi) provides you with the tools, diagnostic analysis, and recommendations needed to improve teaching and learning in your schools. Check out our off-site audit options today!

“Affiliating with PDK International is more than joining an association; you are connecting to a bigger movement devoted to the care of students everywhere.”

— Patricia Williams, Past Chair, PDK International

Get In Touch

Need to get in touch? Want to learn more?

13 + 3 =

By Phone:

(800) 766-1156

By Email:

info@pdkintl.org

By Mail:

P.O. Box 13090 Arlington, VA 22219 PDK International may periodically send you updates via email about news and events.