Real-World Connections: Instructional Strategies for Using Industry Voices to Deepen Career Exploration

About the Presenters

Jon Wren is the Director of Magnet Schools for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), where he leads districtwide efforts in school innovation, strategic planning, partner engagement, and leadership development. Under his direction, MNPS secured nearly $45 million in federal funding through successful Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant awards in 2020, 2023, and 2024—one of the largest cumulative MSAP award totals in the nation.

Jon is known for cultivating impactful partnerships with organizations such as National Public Radio, Magnet Schools of America, AVID, the Nashville Public Education Foundation, Participate Learning, MEG Languages, and the foreign ministries of Japan and Ireland. Through these collaborations, he works to reframe the public education narrative by highlighting stories of innovation, opportunity, and meaningful connection.

He also played a central role in the development of The Promise, a limited-run, Peabody Award-winning podcast series that explores school desegregation amid rapid neighborhood change in Nashville. Jon has been a featured presenter and guest lecturer with Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education, Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, and other national education platforms. Outside of work, Jon is a below-average skier, has been stranded in airports over Christmas two years in a row, and once received a ticket for driving too slowly. He lives in Middle Tennessee with his family.

Giselle Harper is an experienced educational leader and doctoral candidate who currently serves as the MSAP Curriculum Specialist at Richard Dinkins Middle School in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. In this role, she leads the implementation of curriculum initiatives aligned to Tennessee Academic Standards and magnet themes while supporting curriculum development, instructional coaching, professional learning, and magnet-theme integration across MSAP schools. Giselle collaborates with school leaders, curriculum specialists, community partners, and consultants to strengthen student learning experiences and advance innovative approaches to project-based learning, STEAM, college and career readiness, and culturally responsive instruction.

With more than 13 years of experience across PreK–12 education, Giselle has served in roles spanning classroom instruction, curriculum development, instructional coaching, school administration, and educational leadership. Prior to joining MNPS, she served as Director of Studies and Student Life/Director of Curriculum at Clarksville Academy, where she facilitated professional learning, coached educators and instructional leaders, developed training and instructional resources, and supported continuous instructional improvement. Her leadership experience also includes serving as an Assistant Principal at Canyon Hills Middle School and an Active Learning Leader at Bowie High School, where she provided instructional coaching, developed teacher leadership capacity, and improved the school culture.

Giselle holds a Master of Arts in Education in Middle Generalist 4–8 from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Lewis University, and a Principal Certification from Lamar University. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in educational leadership at Tennessee State University. Her commitment to professional growth is reflected in her participation in leadership and instructional institutes focused on assessment and grading, DEI, RTI, PLCs, and closing achievement gaps. Giselle is passionate about developing educators, designing meaningful and engaging learning experiences, strengthening school-community partnerships, and creating opportunities that prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond.

Allison Karandikar is an experienced educator and instructional leader with 14 years of service in Metro Nashville Public Schools. She currently serves as the MSAP (Magnet Schools Assistance Program) Curriculum Specialist at Isaac Litton STEM Magnet Middle School, where she leverages her expertise in literacy, interdisciplinary planning, and project-based learning to support teachers in providing meaningful educational experiences for all learners.

Allison brings a strong foundation in educational leadership, holding an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree from Lipscomb University—where she was an Ayers Fellow—and a master’s in education from Vanderbilt University with a focus on teaching and learning in urban schools. Her bachelor’s degree from Samford University includes a collaborative degree in early childhood, elementary and special education, along with minors in music and Spanish.

Throughout her career, as both a teacher and instructional coach, Allison has been deeply committed to fostering sustainable instructional practices and strengthening school culture. She has led Instructional Collaboration and Coaching Cycles for ELA, Science, and Social Studies; facilitated interdisciplinary project-based learning design; and served as a long-standing member of her school’s Instructional, Cultural, and MTSS leadership teams. She has also contributed to districtwide and statewide professional communities through presentations at TSIN (Tennessee STEM Innovation Network), the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference, and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Across all roles, Allison is known for her collaborative leadership, commitment to literacy and interdisciplinary learning, and passion for creating equitable, engaging educational experiences for all students.

Monica Cougan is an education and technology leader with more than 40 years of experience spanning teaching, higher education, educational technology, curriculum, professional learning, strategic partnerships, and organizational leadership. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of education, technology, innovation, and relationships, helping schools and organizations turn new ideas and technologies into meaningful opportunities for educators and students.

Monica has held leadership and consulting roles with organizations such as Jostens Learning, Lightspan, CILC, ENA, CatchOn, and Participate Learning. Her work has included digital learning, technology integration, professional development, data-informed decision-making, global education, bilingual learning, and emerging technologies, including AI.

Today, Monica leads Cougans Partnerships LLC, an independent consulting and partnership practice focused on supporting educational organizations, leaders, and innovative companies with strategic relationships, growth opportunities, and leadership development.

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning and improving academic achievement around the globe.