Who We Are
Dr. Jeffrey Evancho
Dr. Jeff Evancho is an educator, nonprofit leader, and learning-design practitioner based in the Pittsburgh region. He serves as Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Teaching and Learning Collaborative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, research-based professional learning for educators.
Jeff’s work sits at the intersection of educator agency, maker-centered learning, and organizational culture. He co-directs Agency by Design Pittsburgh, a regional learning community inspired by ideas that supports educators in designing classrooms where students build agency, curiosity, creativity, persistence, and visible thinking. Through this work, Jeff helps teachers and school leaders create powerful learning experiences that connect research, classroom practice, and community-based partnerships.
Previously, Jeff served in various executive leadership roles in public school central office administration and began his career as a visual arts educator. Across these roles, he has led initiatives in deeper learning, student voice, education innovation, maker education, arts integration, and human-centered school transformation.
Jeff’s leadership is grounded in the belief that schools and learning organizations should be places where young people are known, challenged, supported, and invited to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Peter Wardrip
Peter Wardrip is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
His current research and practice work focuses on designing and assessing maker-based learning experiences, educator professional development and educator learning communities.
He is a research and evaluation partner with the Madison Children’s Museum and the Discovery Center Museum. He is also an adjunct researcher for the Scott Family Amazeum. He co-leads Agency by Design Pittsburgh with Dr. Evancho, an educator learning community that supports maker educators. He also co-leads Teacher Studio, a monthly meetup for educators interested in creative, hands-on learning experiences.
Dr. Wardrip has published in a variety of academic and practitioner publications. His research has been supported by funders such as the National Science Foundation, and Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Dr. Wardrip earned his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh in Learning Sciences and Policy. When he is not working, he enjoys playing euchre with his family and friends, foraging for food in the countryside, drinking hot chocolate and playing soccer.