Overview
Taunya Nesin conducts studies to support the development of high-quality instructional materials and edtech solutions for K–12 math and science teachers and students. She works with states and districts on various issues, including professional learning implementation and charter school framework revisions. She served as the content lead for the NAEP Science framework update for the duration of the project, which ran from June 2022 through February 2024.
Nesin is involved in multiple projects, including an Education Innovation Research (EIR) grant for the development of a K–8 science supplement and foundation-funded work to conduct usability and feasibility studies during the creation of new K–5 and middle school math programs. She is also leading the development of math-specific practice guides in collaboration with PERTS.
Nesin collaborates with key WestEd leaders to build a vision and plan for strategic partnerships with organizations, schools, and philanthropy. She acts as a connector to national and state-specific projects that can lead to partnerships in STEM work.
Nesin joined WestEd after serving as a Senior Program Officer at the Gates Foundation, where she focused on grants related to the availability, smarter demand, and implementation of high-quality K–12 instructional materials. Her prior experience includes work at the DC Public Charter School Board and policy research at The George Washington University. She also previously served on the advisory boards for DC STEM and OpenSciEd. Nesin was an editor at the National Science Teachers Association, National Geographic School Publishing, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, where she developed curricula for K–5 science and English and language arts. She began her career as a public school teacher in Hoboken, Atlanta, and Boston.
Education
- EdD in educational administration and policy, The George Washington University
- MA in curriculum and teaching, Teachers College, Columbia University
- AB in English and American literature and language, Harvard University
Honors, Awards, and Affiliations
Member: Advisory Board for Lawrence Hall of Science’s Center for K–12 Science, Accelerating K–5 Science Education Through Networks and Design (ASCEND K–5)
Keystone Fellow: Beyond100K
Board member: TechBridge Girls
Member: EdLoc
