NHLI | New Hampshire Learning Initiative
All Students Deserve a Quality Education
We Want to Move Your School Forward
As educators themselves, the leaders of NHLI saw a need to assist schools in deepening learning practices to improve education. NHLI has a strong mission: move schools forward through meaningful educational change, and provide pathways to success in college, career, and life for all students.
We Want to Move Your School Forward
As educators themselves, the leaders of NHLI saw a need to assist schools in deepening learning practices to improve education. NHLI has a strong mission: move schools forward through meaningful educational change, and provide pathways to success in college, career, and life for all students.
January, 2016
Education Leaders spearhead the formation of the New Hampshire Learning Initiative (NHLI) to serve as a catalyst for innovation in education in the State of New Hampshire. NHLI was envisioned at this time to oversee the efforts and support the scaling of the important work in New Hampshire toward a fully integrated, competency-based PreK-20 system that supports all students, families, and educators.
June, 2016
NHLI announces the hiring of their first Executive Director, Jonathan G. Vander Els. Jonathan has a strong background in education, having spent 11 years in administration, with eight of those years as the principal of a nationally-recognized school. Jonathan had also been very involved in competency-based work at the state and national level.
July, 2016
Using pilot funds for the Assessment for Learning Project, NHLI kicks off the first part of the project called No Grades, No Grades in five elementary schools: DJ Bakie Elementary School, Maple Street Magnet School, Memorial School, Parker Varney Elementary School, and Pittsfield Elementary School.
August, 2016
Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE) expands to include nine key districts, with NHLI as a key partner in providing targeted professional development. The New Hampshire Department of Education received a waiver for PACE to continue in New Hampshire as an assessment pilot.
September, 2016
NHLI kicks off statewide support of the integration of skills/dispositions in curriculum, instruction, and assessment with key district teams in partnership with 2Revolutions.
December, 2016
NHLI kicks off the first of five “Innovation Studios” with partner 2Revolutions. The Innovation Studios were designed to raise awareness of competency-based and personalized learning practices in New Hampshire schools. Innovation Studios were held at Parker Varney School in Manchester, NH; Pittsfield Elementary School in Pittsfield, NH; Souhegan High School in Amherst, NH; Sanborn Regional School District in Kingston, NH; and Maple Street Magnet School in Rochester, NH.
January, 2017
NHLI initiates support for building leaders by partnering with the Stanford d. school to offer School Retool, a professional development fellowship for principals and assistant principals. School Retool allows school leaders to redesign school culture through research-based practices that lead to deeper learning.
June, 2017
NHLI announces the hiring of their second Executive Director, Ellen Hume-Howard. Ellen has a strong background in education, having spent numerous years as Director of Curriculum in a nationally-recognized district, as well as having played a key role in a number of the innovative efforts in New Hampshire and nationally. Former Executive Director Jonathan G. Vander Els moved into a role focused on directing the innovative projects currently within NHLI.
September, 2017
NHLI expands the Assessment for Learning Project to focus on “co-designing learning experiences with students.” Two strands emerge within the Assessment for Learning Project: Elementary Curriculum Replacement Units and K-12 Student Exhibition, based off of the Next Generation Collaborative Learning Design project pilot. Participating districts include Concord, Manchester, Rochester, Sanborn, and Souhegan.
April 2018
NHLI begins working with Jobs for the Future (JFF). The project brings the NH Work Study Practices into curriculum-embedded assessment design.
May 2018
NHLI partners with the Center for Innovation in Education (CIE), to offer Ongoing Assessment Progress (OGAP) professional development, a program that supports K-5 mathematics instruction and assessment.
June 2018
NHLI collaborates with Southern New Hampshire University to offer graduate course credit for professional development.
July 2018
NHLI launches its Voices Installation at the Assessment for Learning Project symposium. The Voices Installation captures the learning of students and adults from districts across New Hampshire who have been involved in the innovative projects led by NHLI.
October 2018
The New Hampshire Department of Education receives approval for the PACE project under the state’s 1204 application, which extends the PACE project for 5 more years.
January 2019
Future of Learning Pathways begins its work to support a network of districts designing career and college pathways across multiple districts in New Hampshire.
Meet the Team
Ellen Hume-Howard
Executive Director
Ellen joined The New Hampshire Learning Initiative (NHLI) in August of 2017. She supports NHLI’s vision to assist New Hampshire schools and districts to deepen their innovative practices in education and improve learning for all students. More Info >
Jonathan G. Vander Els
Director of Innovative Projects
Jonathan works directly in schools to support teachers and administrators as they integrate personalized approaches to learning in a competency-based system. More Info >
Mariane Gfroerer
Director of PACE
Mariane Gfroerer is the Director of PACE (Performance Assessment for Competency Education) and College and Career Readiness for the New Hampshire Learning Initiative. More Info >
Debbie Metcalfe Quint
Debbie Metcalfe Quint is thrilled to be a part of the New Hampshire Learning Initiative team to support the important work being done by an outstanding staff. More Info >
NHLI Board of Directors
Val Zanchuk
NHLI President
Val is President of Graphicast, Inc., a Jaffrey based manufacturer of precision-machined zinc alloy castings. Val has been active in STEM education and workforce development issues for almost 20 years. More Info >
Dr. Mark Joyce
NHLI Treasurer
Mark is the executive director of the New Hampshire School Administrator’s Association, a private not-for-profit organization that represents all New Hampshire school system administrators and advocates on behalf of all children and public education. More Info >
Christine Rath
Board Member
Christine is the former Superintendent of Schools for the Concord, NH School District. She served in Concord for 30 years, as middle school principal, high school principal and Assistant Superintendent before becoming superintendent. More Info >
Irv Richardson
Board Member
Irv is currently the Coordinator for Public Education and School Support at NEA- New Hampshire. In this role, he provides professional learning opportunities for New Hampshire educators. Irv also teaches at Southern New Hampshire University in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program. More Info >
Be an NHLI Presenter
NHLI often participates in events and conferences, and we are always looking for educators to deliver presentations that speak to our efforts, ideas and values. Join NHLI at our next event and become a known speaker in your field.
Become a presenterPast Presenters
- Margaret Heritage
- Valerie Greenhill
