A nationally recognized expert and practitioner in both school reform and the education of immigrants and English language learners, Claire is passionate about providing all students but particularly immigrant students, with personalized and cutting edge educational opportunities. Prior to founding Internationals Network, Claire worked in diverse roles and settings spanning public secondary education, teacher education and community/workplace organizing. She has provided guidance on broad school reform initiatives, participating on local, state and national advisory boards, commissions and task forces providing leadership on topics including the development of state standards for English language learners, the benefits and challenges of NCLB for English learners and the opening of new small schools.

Claire has developed innovative programs and practices for diverse populations of new learners of English in various New York City public schools, led the Internationals Schools Partnership (the early network of International High Schools) and piloted the groundbreaking Early College Program at The International High School at LaGuardia Community College, the first International High School. She has also researched and published articles documenting the cross-section of educational reform and language development programs for immigrants and their children. Claire attended McGill University and Brooklyn College as an undergraduate and received masters and doctoral degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University.