Jeff Mao joined Common Sense Education in the fall of 2014. He leads Common Sense’s national outreach programs and provides strategic consulting to states and districts on the effective implementation of digital learning programs. Last year, Jeff served as the lead consultant and primary author of the State of Utah's Essential Elements for Digital Powered Learning, a state learning plan adopted by the Utah State Board of Education and funded by the Utah Legislature. Additionally, he provided consulting in support of the Nevada Ready21 digital learning program sponsored by the State of Nevada, Department of Education and funded by the Nevada Legislature. Jeff has co-moderated numerous Future Ready Schools Summits, and has led workshop sessions at each of the 17 Summits so far.
Prior to joining Common Sense Education, Jeff served as the Learning Technology Policy Director for the Maine Department of Education. In that role, he provided leadership and education technology policy support to four Commissioners of Education, and he was directly responsible for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). He oversaw all aspects of the program including vision, implementation, policy, professional development, procurement and contract management.
Jeff has keynoted international events focused on 1:1 learning sponsored by UNESCO, World Bank, InterAmerica-Development Bank, and the Korean Education and Research Information Service on 5 continents and supported policy advisors to the Premier Ruud, the creator of Australia's Digital Education Revolution program. He served on the Board of Directors of the State Educational Technology Directors Association for six years including two as Chair of the Board. SETDA named him Leader of the Year in 2013.
Recent publications include articles in THE Journal and Principal Leadership (NASSP).

1:1 Learning • Education Leadership & Policy • Ed Tech Procurement • SAMR