Jessica Lura
About Jessica Lura
Jessica Lura serves as the Program Operations Lead at IDEO U, where she has worked since 2020. With a diverse background in education and program design, she has held various roles at organizations such as National Geographic Society and Bullis Charter School.
Work at IDEO
Jessica Lura has served as the Program Operations Lead at IDEO U since 2020. In this role, she has scaled community programs and initiatives, designed systems and workflows to enhance the product experience for over 150 global teachers and coaches, and collaborated cross-functionally to prototype and implement improvements based on user experience feedback. Her work focuses on creating training and curriculum centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), belonging, and effective ways of working for a facilitator network.
Previous Experience
Before joining IDEO, Jessica Lura held several positions that contributed to her expertise in education and program operations. She worked as a National Geographic Education Ambassador and Certification Mentor from 2017 to 2020. Additionally, she served as an Educational Consultant at National Geographic Learning for two months in 2019. Her experience also includes roles as a Learning Experience Designer at the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education from 2021 to 2022, and as an Elementary School Teacher at Ravenswood City School District from 1999 to 2005.
Education and Expertise
Jessica Lura has a strong educational background, having studied at multiple institutions. She earned a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from San Jose State University and holds a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She also completed a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School Online and Harvard Graduate School of Education. Additionally, she studied Design Thinking, Creativity, and Innovation at IDEO U and has a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology and Classical Studies from Colby College.
Professional Development and Contributions
Throughout her career, Jessica Lura has contributed to various educational initiatives. She developed and implemented a growth, accountability, and feedback cycle for a network of 35 facilitators. Her previous roles include serving as the Director of Teaching and Learning at Bullis Charter School for 17 years, where she scaled community programs and initiatives. She also worked as a Learning Facilitator and Learning Experience Designer at Crayola Education from 2016 to 2019, further enhancing her expertise in educational program design.
Skills and Specializations
Jessica Lura specializes in program operations, educational design, and curriculum development. Her skills include designing systems and workflows to improve user experiences, creating training focused on DEI and belonging, and collaborating with diverse teams to implement effective educational strategies. Her extensive experience in various educational roles has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the needs and challenges faced by educators and facilitators.