Our Team

​Colleen McDonald, a NY National Board Certified Teacher, is the Executive Director of TEACHMEducation Services, LLC and Director of the EDHUBNY  Colleen shifted from the classroom after a 32 year career in public education where she held roles as teacher, union leader, administrator, grant & curriculum writer, statewide grant director, and elected school board member. As a sub-recipient of an Apprenticeship Building America federal DOL grant, Colleen and her team currently lead the work of EDHUBNY to help organizations serving children meet workforce challenges by scaling Apprenticeship programs for educators statewide.

Ellie Fitzgerald ​is an accomplished professional. Holding an MA in International Education from George Washington University, D.C, she has demonstrated her commitment to fostering positive educational experiences on a global scale and promoting experiential learning. Her professional journey includes contributing to initiatives at global education organizations, leading the data and outcomes team, and collaborating with school districts and higher education institutions to utilize a new college and career readiness platform. She embodies a forward-thinking approach, and is excited to join the EDHUBNY and the growth of Registered Apprenticeship Programs for educators.

​Dr. Stephen Danna has 35 years’ experience in teaching and administration, and prior to that, worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office as an oceanographer. Dr. Danna has led state, regional, and system work in the areas of leadership, strategic action planning, policy, grant writing, coaching, climate change, curriculum, brain-based learning and teacher residency.  Steve has published in the Journal of Staff Development, The Science Teacher, Journal of School Leadership, The Reading Teacher, and Phi Delta Kappan.

Rita Floess, a NYS National Board Certified Teacher, Rita has worked as a gifted and talented educator, elementary teacher, induction coordinator, math coach, National Board Candidate Support Provider.  Rita is a past-member of NYS Professional Standards and Practices Board, and an instructor and professional developer focusing on increasing teacher efficacy and impact.  She is an instructor in AFT’s Teaching for Effective Learning,  an Adjunct Lecturer at SUNY Plattsburgh, and liaison to the Classroom Academy.  Rita brings many areas of expertise including professional and adult learning, differentiation, coaching, policy, and teacher leadership.

Dr. Jean Ann Hunt has had a variety of teaching experiences in urban, rural and suburban areas.  Starting her career as a Middle School Teacher in Houston Texas, later moving to rural Southeastern Ohio where she taught and directed the intermediate program for an alternative school and eventually moving to Chicago to teach in an elementary school.  She has extensive experience as a curriculum writer and director, as well as a Literacy and Instructional Coach.  Currently she works as an Associate Professor in higher education and as a consultant specializing in curriculum development, professional learning facilitation, coaching, teacher residency, literacy and system change.

Ellen Sullivan has enjoyed a life time of work and advocacy in public education.  First as a classroom teacher, then as a NYS Teacher Center Director, before becoming a Research Associate in Educational Services for New York State United Teachers the nation's largest education state labor federation.  Ellen's work has involved providing professional development, coaching and leadership at the local, regional and state levels, researching and developing policy guidance, and extensive grant writing and management.  Ellen also worked on the NYS Professional Standards and Practices Board and completed the Federal Policy Institute at Columbia College.

​Heather Sweet has spent time working in various fields, including education, HR, and event planning. Recently, she spent 9 years working with Ten80 Education, on a team that develops and publishes K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum & trains educators in the art of STEM. Specifically she worked with teachers and professionals as they helped lead their students in virtual and onsite competitions. During the pandemic, she started working as a real estate photographer with In-House Media, learning the techniques of digital and aerial photography. She is eager to support the team and help build the NYS Educator Workforce Registered Apprenticeship Program HUB.