About EducatorNavigator.org
Our Mission
EducatorNavigator.org is dedicated to providing free, comprehensive, and up-to-date information to help educators navigate every stage of their professional careers. From initial certification and licensing through advanced professional development and leadership opportunities, we aim to be the most trusted resource for America's educators.
We believe that well-supported teachers are the foundation of quality education. By removing barriers to critical career information, we help ensure that every educator — regardless of their location, background, or career stage — has access to the guidance they need to thrive.
Our History
EducatorNavigator.org was founded in 2003 by Dr. Margaret Chen, a former professor of education at the University of Virginia, and Robert Gallagher, a veteran K-12 administrator from Maryland. Frustrated by the fragmented and often contradictory information available to educators seeking certification guidance, they envisioned a centralized platform that would bring clarity to the complex landscape of teacher licensure.
What began as a modest website with certification guides for five mid-Atlantic states has grown into a comprehensive national resource covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Key milestones in our development include:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Site launched with certification guides for 5 states (VA, MD, DC, PA, NC) |
| 2005 | Expanded to cover all 50 states; reached 100,000 annual visitors |
| 2007 | Added professional development calendar and workshop directory |
| 2009 | Launched the Educator's Toolkit — free downloadable classroom resources |
| 2011 | Partnered with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) |
| 2013 | Reached 500,000 annual visitors; added K-12 lesson plan database |
| 2015 | Introduced the grant and scholarship finder for educators |
| 2017 | Launched monthly newsletter, now reaching 85,000+ subscribers |
| 2019 | Surpassed 1 million annual visitors; added alternative certification pathway guides |
| 2021 | Developed COVID-era remote teaching resource center (archived) |
| 2023 | Celebrated 20th anniversary; launched STEM-specific resource library |
| 2025 | Reached 1.8 million annual visitors; added AI & EdTech integration resources |
Our Team
EducatorNavigator.org is maintained by a small but dedicated team of education professionals, researchers, and web developers. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts including certified teachers, school administrators, and education policy specialists.
Leadership
- Dr. Margaret Chen — Co-Founder & Executive Director. Former professor of education at the University of Virginia. Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction. 30+ years in education. Specializes in teacher preparation policy.
- Robert Gallagher, Ed.S. — Co-Founder & Director of Operations. Former principal and district administrator in Montgomery County, MD. Ed.S. in Educational Leadership. 25+ years in K-12 administration.
- Dr. Anita Patel — Director of Content & Research. Ph.D. in Education Policy from Georgetown University. Former education policy analyst at the National Academy of Sciences. Oversees all site content and research.
- Marcus Thompson, M.Ed. — Director of Professional Development. National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). 15 years classroom experience in mathematics. Manages PD calendar and workshop partnerships.
Content Team
- Jennifer Liu, M.A.T. — STEM Resources Editor. Former high school science teacher. Curates science and mathematics teaching resources.
- David Okonkwo, M.Ed. — Certification Guide Editor. Tracks certification requirements across all 50 states. Former alternative certification program coordinator.
- Patricia Rodriguez, M.S.Ed. — Special Education & ESL Content Lead. 12 years experience in special education. Bilingual educator.
- Christopher Walsh — Web Developer & Technical Director. Manages site infrastructure, accessibility compliance, and database systems.
- Emily Sato, Ph.D. — Education Policy Analyst. Monitors federal and state policy changes. Contributes news articles and policy briefs.
Advisory Board
Our work is guided by a diverse Advisory Board of education leaders:
- Dr. William Harper — Dean, College of Education, Ohio State University
- Dr. Rosa Gutierrez — Superintendent, Albuquerque Public Schools (ret.)
- Mr. Thomas Nguyen — President, Virginia Education Association
- Dr. Karen Blackwell — Professor of Education, Howard University
- Ms. Linda Burke — Director of Teacher Quality, Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)
- Dr. Samuel Kim — Director of Assessment, Educational Testing Service (ETS)
- Ms. Christine Ogu — Executive Director, National Alliance of Black School Educators
Our Values
- Accuracy: All content is fact-checked and regularly updated. We cite primary sources and official state agency information wherever possible.
- Accessibility: Our resources are free and available to all. We design our site to meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.
- Independence: We are editorially independent and do not accept payment for favorable coverage or endorsement of any program, product, or institution.
- Comprehensiveness: We aim to cover the full spectrum of educator career needs, from pre-service preparation through retirement.
- Respect: We honor the critical work that educators do every day and are committed to elevating the teaching profession.
Funding & Support
EducatorNavigator.org is a project of the National Educator Resource Collaborative (NERC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our work is funded through:
- Foundation grants (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Spencer Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York)
- Institutional partnerships with universities and state education agencies
- Individual donations from educators and supporters
- Limited, clearly identified sponsored content (marked as "Sponsored" when applicable)
We do not charge fees for access to any of our resources. If you find our site helpful, please consider making a donation to support our continued work.
Contact Information
We welcome your feedback, questions, and suggestions.
- Email: info@educatornavigator.org
- Mailing Address: EducatorNavigator.org / NERC, 1200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22209
- Phone: (703) 555-0142 (Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM ET)
For media inquiries, partnership proposals, or content corrections, please visit our Contact page.