Jane Hodgdon is a Group Leader in the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED’s) Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE). She comes from a family of teachers and always knew she wanted to be in the classroom. After graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder, Jane moved to Mexico to teach English for six months. She used her proficiency in Spanish to secure her first fulltime position as a bilingual language arts and reading teacher in Denver Public Schools. Jane returned to Maryland several years later to pursue a master’s degree in applied anthropology at the University of Maryland College Park while working full time at ED. Passionate about the intersection of education, safety, health, housing, and economic development, Jane has worked to build partnerships across federal agencies, with national partners, and – most importantly – with local communities. Outside of work, Jane enjoys being in the hills and mountains, hiking with her friends, kids, and dog.

Britt returned to the Department of Education in August 2020 to assist with the administration of the CARES Act programs. She started at the Department in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) as a Presidential Management Fellow in July 2001 after teaching (secondary English/French/Humanities/soccer coach) for 8 years in both Houston ISD and Boston PS. In OESE, she served as a program officer for the Smaller Learning Communities program and later as a special assistant to the Title I Director. She served as a Team Lead in the Office of Postsecondary Education for the Training for TRIO program. She has completed details for both the Senate’s HELP Committee and OMB’s Education Branch. Britt worked in Budget Service for 8 years, working on many formula and discretionary grant programs as well as special initiatives. Starting in 2014, she was a Group Leader in OESE, with responsibilities for the Comprehensive Centers, Equity Assistance Centers, and Grants to the Insular Areas. Her last position at the Department, before returning in August, was as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Britt is a graduate of Stanford and Rice University.

Tara Ramsey is the Director of the Office of State and Grantee Relations in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. She was previously a group leader in the Office of Migrant Education, and Acting Director of the Office of Indian Education at the Department. Prior to working at the Department, Tara was an English professor and curriculum designer in Mexico, an instructor at a community college, and a discretionary grants director.