Shanna Kohn
About Shanna Kohn
Shanna Kohn serves as the Director of International Education at Sesame Workshop, where she oversees the education arm of the Ahlan Simsim program, a significant initiative in early childhood development. With extensive experience in educational programs and humanitarian efforts, she has worked in various international contexts and managed a substantial education budget.
Current Role at Sesame Workshop
Shanna Kohn serves as the Director of International Education at Sesame Workshop since 2021. In this role, she manages a team of over 10 contractors, including content creators, educators, psychologists, and language specialists. Kohn oversees the education arm of the Ahlan Simsim program, which is recognized as the largest early childhood development initiative in humanitarian response history. She is responsible for developing direct service components of the program and collaborates with partners such as the International Rescue Committee to implement initiatives in regions including Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria.
Previous Experience at Sesame Workshop
Prior to her current position, Shanna Kohn held multiple roles at Sesame Workshop. She worked as a Project Manager for Educational Programs in International Social Impact from 2016 to 2018, focusing on projects in countries like Mexico, South Africa, India, and Afghanistan. Kohn also served as Education Manager and Senior Education Manager for Humanitarian Programs from 2018 to 2021, where she contributed to the development of educational content and initiatives. Her earlier role as Project Coordinator in International Social Impact from 2014 to 2016 involved coordinating various educational projects.
Educational Background
Shanna Kohn holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Policy and Management from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, which she completed in 2014. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in American Studies with concentrations in Psychology and Sociology, along with a minor in Education, from Vassar College, graduating with General and Departmental Honors in 2013. Additionally, Kohn participated in the Tibetan Cultural Studies Program Abroad at Emory University in 2012, where she studied for 11 months in Dharamshala, India.
Research and Teaching Experience
Shanna Kohn has a background in research and teaching. She worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at Harvard University from 2013 to 2014, contributing to The Achievement Gap Initiative. Earlier, she served as a Faculty Research Assistant at Vassar College, assisting Dr. Eileen Leonard and Dr. Sherina Feliciano in their respective sociology and anthropology research projects. Kohn also gained teaching experience as a Teacher's Assistant and Teacher at Next Generation Scholars in 2010 and 2011, where she engaged with students in educational settings.
Project Management and Budget Oversight
In her current role, Shanna Kohn manages an education budget of $5.4 million. She provides input on research and monitoring materials to inform project improvements and works cross-functionally with research and production teams to ensure the delivery of impactful content. Her extensive experience in project management and collaboration with various stakeholders has contributed to the success of educational initiatives at Sesame Workshop.