Team
Noelani Mussman

Noelani Mussman

Dr. Noelani Mussman (Ed.D. expected 2027) is a nationally respected educational leader with over two decades of experience driving innovation in early childhood education, teacher leadership development, bilingual learning, and systemic equity initiatives. Her work spans the public, charter, and nonprofit sectors, grounded in deep collaboration with institutions such as Project Zero (Harvard Graduate School of Education), DC Public Schools, and the Smithsonian.

Academic Background

  • Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (in progress) – George Washington University
  • M.A. in Teaching – Johns Hopkins University
  • B.A. in Comparative Literature & Educational Studies – Brown University
  • Additional undergraduate study at the University of Nantes, France

Leadership & Strategy Highlights

  • Leads systemwide professional learning across 117 schools for current and aspiring leaders
  • Architect the Teacher Leadership and Aspiring AP strand in the $30M DOE initiative to uplift schools needing intensive support.
  • Spearheaded the design of the Aspiring Assistant Principal Academy
  • Facilitates the Chancellor’s Teacher Advisory Board
  • Key liaison for strategic partnerships with GWU, Project Zero, Smithsonian, and City Bridge Foundation
  • School Leader of two Tier 1 Dual Language Schools, including serving as Founding Assistant Principal of a Tier 1 Blue Ribbon DC Dual Elementary Charter School
  • Designed an MTSS whole-child model and a DLL coaching system adopted across DC
  • Led initiatives around equity, wellness, and trauma-informed practices
  • Two-Generation Programming

Notable Presentations & Public Recognition

  • Plenary Speaker at WISSIT (Washington International School Summit Institute for Teachers)
  • Presented at NABE, Teachstone InterAct, Lego Foundation’s Playful Schools Conference, and New America
  • Published in NAEYC’s Young Children Magazine and featured in national education blogs and panels
  • Recognized with the United Way ECE Leader Award, Jumpstart Ripple Award, and as a Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship Finalist

Specialized Expertise

  • Early Childhood Bilingual Education & Family Engagement
  • Adaptive Leadership & Coaching for Equity
  • Project-Based, Playful Learning grounded in Project Zero research
  • System-level PD Strategy & Design for Multilingual and Diverse Learners

Advisory & Policy Contributions

  • Founding member of the DC Project Zero Playful Schools Initiative
  • Contributor to the DC Office of the State Superintendent Literacy Task Force
  • Member of the Teachstone Dual Language Workgroup
  • Regular facilitator for the Early Education Leadership Institute and national ECE summits

Teaching & Academic Roles

  • Faculty at the Washington International School Summer Institute for Teachers (WISSIT)
  • Former Adjunct Professor at San Francisco State University, teaching ECE and literacy courses
  • Founding team member of multiple schools and leadership programs across DC and California

Meet the team