INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Project Lead The Way, a national nonprofit based in Indianapolis that equips PreK-12 students for a STEM-driven world with teacher-empowered curriculum in computer science, engineering, biomedical science and more, announced today that Joel Kupperstein will join the organization as Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer. Kupperstein will lead PLTW’s product vision and strategy, including planning, research, development, delivery of new products, and enhancements of existing products.
“Joel is an impressive leader, and his significant expertise in education and product strategy make him a great fit for our current and future work at PLTW,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. “As we continue to deliver meaningful learning experiences to millions of students and provide high-quality professional development opportunities to over 100,000 educators nationwide, our work has never been more important.”
Kupperstein has an extensive background in education, publishing, product development, and EdTech. Starting his career as an elementary school teacher, Kupperstein has transitioned into a variety of roles for organizations like National Geographic School Publishers and McGraw-Hill Education where he was responsible for the development and production of instructional materials and curriculums. Joel has a vast understanding of curriculum design, delivery methods, and digital product development.
Prior to joining PLTW, he served as the Senior Vice President of Product Strategy for Learning A-Z. In this role, he provided strategic leadership for teams with direct contributions to product development and go-to-market strategies including product management, product marketing, sales enablement, learning design, content development, creative services, and user experience.
“In today’s world, there’s no doubt that effective STEM instruction is a crucial element of teaching students to think critically and intensively. The work Project Lead The Way does to empower teachers and impact the lives of their students has had an indelible positive influence on the education community,” said Joel Kupperstein. “I am beyond thrilled to join the team and be given the opportunity to contribute to an increasingly brighter future for the organization and the students and educators we serve.”
Kupperstein holds a degree in social ecology as well as a multiple-subject teaching credential from the University of California – Irvine and a master’s in business administration from Rollins College. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Glendale YMCA and previously served on the Advisory Board of the University of California, Irvine – Customer Experience Program.
He will assume the role of EVP and Chief Product Officer effective Monday, December 18, 2023.
About PLTW
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) equips PreK-12 students for a STEM-driven world with teacher-empowered curriculum in computer science, engineering, biomedical science, and more. For over 25 years, PLTW’s curriculum coupled with its best-in-class professional development has supported teachers in creating an environment to make every student STEM successful. As a national nonprofit organization, PLTW is proud to reach 2.5 million students in elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states. With over 100,000 trained teachers nationwide, PLTW brings relevant, hands-on learning to classrooms across the country. For more information on PLTW, visit pltw.org.