Danielle Ongart

Experience

• 

  NYC Department of Education

  Aug 2004 - Jun 2006

  Fifth Grade Self-Contained Classroom Teacher

  Planned and implemented curricula in a self-contained classroom of 31 students as a Teach for America corps member.

• 

  New Heights Academy Charter School

  Aug 2006 - Jun 2011

  Founding Fifth Grade Math and Science Teacher; Mentor Teacher; Science Department Chair

  Designed and facilitated new professional learning for all teaching staff for 50+ hours each year; managed the on-boarding and professional learning plans for all new science teachers. Developed, managed, and curated 5 curricula. As part of the recruitment team - conducted 100+ interviews and contributed to hiring decisions for instructional positions.

• 

  Colorado Department of Education

  Jun 2011 - Sept 2011

  Dropout Prevention and Student Engagement Unit Research and Policy Analyst

  Managed the Unit’s legislative program, including writing the Unit’s annual legislative report. Developed a feedback system for the new Practices Assessment program (10+ Colorado districts).

• 

  Denver Public Schools

  Sept 2011 - Apr 2016

  Led a new 11 person team within the Professional Learning Center that built and executed strategies to improve the quality and impact of district-wide professional learning for school-based staff. Improved professional learning systems, processes, and content. Built and managed team workflows. Planned the content and logistics for school-based and central office staff professional learning events ranging from 20 to 800 participants. Developed and executed a new observer certification process that is still in use while providing direct supervision to the Certification and Calibration Manager; exceeded 4-month training deadline for 400+ observers. Co-created teacher professional learning resources and a professional learning framework to improve the quality of learning experiences. Co-authored the observation and professionalism rubrics used to evaluate 4,300+ teachers and developed related professional learning systems with input from 150+ individual stakeholders. Managed a $500,000 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant and the efforts of 40+ teachers to videotape lessons for a nationwide library of practice. Consulted on the communication strategy for the research reports.

  • Associate Director, Professional Learning Implementation

    Aug 2015 - Apr 2016

  • Senior Manager, Educator Professional Learning

    Sept 2014 - Jul 2015

  • Manager, Training and Professional Learning Alignment

    Apr 2013 - Aug 2014

  • Project Manager, Leading Effective Academic Practice & Measures of Effective Teaching Extension

    Sept 2011 - Mar 2013
• 

  U.S. Department of Education

  Apr 2016 - Jan 2017

  Special Assistant

  Developed policy for programs out of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and managed almost $1 billion in grant funds. My portfolio included School Improvement Grants. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) state technical assistance strategy, and ESSA guidance. I wrote ESSA guidance about supporting English learners and using evidence to support educational investments. I also authored a new $12 million grant program to support districts in improving student socioeconomic diversity and published a summary of district efforts around student diversity. Show less

• 

  Denver Classroom Teachers Assn

  Apr 2017 - May 2017

  Organizer, Membership

  Worked with the local teachers' union to increase membership and inform all teachers of upcoming professional opportunities and contract negotiations.

• 

  Colorado Department of Education

  Jun 2017 - now

  The Student Pathways & Engagement Unit implements 40+ state and federally funded programs and collaborates with other state agencies and partners. The unit’s offices provide a variety of supports for all of our students, especially those that are historically underserved.This unit's work collaborates with schools, districts and community partners to support whole child, whole family efforts:- Adult education for learners ages 17+, including high school equivalency credential attainment and English as a Second Language- Dropout prevention and student re-engagement promising practices and grant opportunities- Post-secondary and workforce readiness programs to support students gaining college credit, indusy recognized credentials and work-based learning experiences- Mental and behavioral health supports for students and educators- School health services, including school nurse training and school Medicaid reimbursements- Out-of-school time programming and grant opportunities- Support for foster and homeless youth- Educational and wraparound supports for migrant students and families Show less Oversaw the distribution of $10+ million of grant funds across three federal and state grants, impacting 25+ grantees (school districts, non-profits, community colleges, libraries) across the state. Developed policies and implemented new state laws with input from stakeholders, including State Board of Education rulemaking and 5+ grant competitions. Collaborated with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, including participation in the National Reporting System Technical Working Group and successfully meeting all requirements of two corrective action plans after multiple monitoring visits. Provided state leadership on Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act implementation with partner agencies, including labor, higher education, human services and the community college system. Show less

  • Assistant Commissioner, Student Pathways & Engagement Unit

    May 2024 - now

  • Executive Director, Student Pathways Unit

    Sept 2021 - May 2024

  • Director, Adult Education Initiatives

    Jun 2017 - Sept 2021