Meet The Team: Eagle Rock’s Associate Director of Professional Development, Dan Condon

Today, we’re pleased to introduce you to Eagle Rock’s associate director of professional development, Dan Condon. What Dan does is – under the auspice of our Professional Development Center – work with schools and organizations across the country in order to help them with their efforts to reengage youth in their own education. Since September, Dan has worked with schools in Arkansas, New Mexico, North Carolina and Washington. In addition, he facilitated learning opportunities at the Rowland Foundation’s conference on Real Learning in Vermont and the Coalition of Essential Schools Fall Forum in San Francisco. He also did some of his own learning at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in Palo Alto, Calif., and at the SXSWedu event in Austin, Tex.

Our associate director even has a co-authored chapter appearing in the 2014 National Society for the Study of Education (NSSE) Yearbook that’s entitled Engaging Youth in Schools: Empirically-Based Models to Guide Future Innovations.

Here’s more about Dan, in his own words:

Eagle Rock: What did you do prior to coming to work for Eagle Rock? 

Dan Condon: I was working as the director of education and training with Public Allies — Milwaukee. That’s where young leaders are developed through a rigorous AmeriCorps program that combines full-time, paid apprenticeships in nonprofits with intensive skills training, active community building projects, personalized coaching and critical reflection. Before that I was a founding staff member with One Heartland, and organization that helps to improve the lives of children and families facing socially isolating conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, type 2 diabetes, and youth facing homelessness and identifying as LGBTQ.

Eagle Rock: What attracted you to Eagle Rock? 

Dan: I first showed up as an intern at Eagle Rock in 1995 where I taught and was responsible for the ‘Life After Eagle Rock’ program. I came back in 2002 when I founded the Teaching Fellowship Program in collaboration with Public Allies Inc. It was in 2004 where I moved into my current role. I have also served as a houseparent in Aspen House for three years and a co-houseparent in Juniper House for one year.

Eagle Rock: When you’re not working, what do you like to do in your spare time? 

Dan: I love going to live music events. Most recently I’ve seen Jeff Tweedy and The Avett Brothers. And just this week I also attended Monkeytown4, which is a legendary New York City video cinema and dining experience playing in Denver for a three-month limited engagement. I also volunteer for eTown, a radio variety show that airs on progressive stations across the world; and Outdoor Mindset, a nonprofit organization that unites and empowers people affected by neurological challenges through a common passion for the outdoors.

Eagle Rock: What’s your all-time favorite Eagle Rock success story? 

Dan: My first advisee in the early days was a young woman named Megan Rebeiro. Megan graduated in 1998 and is now a program director with Harlem Children’s Zone, where among other things, she refers new students to Eagle Rock. It’s always great to catch up with her.

Eagle Rock: What’s one thing not many people know about you? 

Dan: I have (soon to be retired NPR broadcaster) Carl Kassell’s outgoing message on my voicemail, thanks to my winning appearance on the NPR show Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me.