Padma Kannan headshot

The Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA) would like to welcome Padma Kannan, our new Research Assistant in the Evaluation and Credentialing Unit.

Padma has over ten years of experience working with children in schools, teachers and leadership education in India and US in K-12 settings. Padma’s experience as a program evaluator and researcher has given her a strong background in educational research, data management, and impact analysis. Padma’s experience of working in educational systems has centered around equitable learning and inclusion for marginalized communities.

  1. Tell us about your education and/or work experience prior to joining the MNCWTA. I have my Master’s in Educational Leadership and Management through University of Bath, UK and have 14 years’ experience in educational settings as program evaluator, trainer and researcher.
  2. What do you enjoy most about your work? I enjoy the collaboration offered in the work and the power to make a change in the larger realm of the society through my work.
  3. What are you most passionate about professionally? I am most passionate about being a catalyst in the policy implementation and improving practices at grassroot level centered around equity.
  4. What are you most passionate about personally? I want to be an example to my daughter on following her dreams and making a difference to the world around her.
  5. What are you surprisingly good at? (or what do you wish you were good at)? I really do wish that I did not have two left feet and would be able to dance to my favorite music.
  6. What do you like to do outside of work? I like to spending time with family and friends. I enjoy spending time with my daughter, especially painting with her!