Background:
Andy Jacob is senior director of external relations at Bellwether. He has more than 17 years of experience leading communications strategies for ideas and policies that ensure all students get the excellent education they deserve.
Prior to joining Bellwether, Andy led external communications for TNTP, a national education nonprofit — including the writing and release of acclaimed studies such as The Irreplaceables, The Opportunity Myth, and Accelerate, Don’t Remediate that helped fuel the organization’s growth and shaped decisions at every level of the education system. As part of TNTP’s consulting work, he provided strategic communications support for top officials at many of the nation’s largest school systems.
Andy previously served as deputy press secretary at the New York City Department of Education, where he helped position the ambitious school reforms of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel Klein as a national model. He began his career teaching high school math at the School District of Philadelphia.
Originally from Lexington, Virginia, Andy now lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and twin boys.
Why I do this work:
I believe that if we’re serious as a society about righting systemic inequities, strengthening our democracy, and positioning our economy for an uncertain future, there’s no better or more important place to start than ensuring our education system lives up to its promises for all children.
