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Shawn Rubin
Executive Director, Highlander Institute
Shawn Rubin is the Executive Director of Throughline Learning, an organization formerly known as the Highlander Institute, based in Providence, Rhode Island. He has been instrumental in transforming educational practices to foster equity and personalized learning experiences for students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.
Professional Background
- Current Role: As Executive Director since July 2011, Rubin has focused on improving classroom experiences and addressing systemic educational inequities. He emphasizes a community-driven approach to school improvement and has worked closely with various schools to enhance student engagement and achievement.123
- Previous Experience: Rubin began his career as a founding faculty member at Highlander Charter School, where he taught for over a decade, including four years as a kindergarten teacher. His teaching experience has deeply informed his understanding of the challenges faced by educators.13
- Publications: In 2018, he co-authored the book Pathways to Personalization: A Framework for School Change, which outlines strategies for implementing personalized learning in schools.13
Achievements
- Rubin has received several awards for his contributions to personalized learning, including the Aurora Institute’s Outstanding Individual Contribution Award in 2017.12
- He founded a nonprofit organization called Longitude in 2006, which supported educational and human rights initiatives in Ghana and India. Additionally, he co-founded an edtech startup, Metryx, focused on developing mobile applications for formative assessments in education.13
Education
Rubin holds a Master's Degree in Education from Lesley University and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan.13
Personal Life
Residing in Providence, Rhode Island, Shawn Rubin is also active in his local community, serving as league president for a Little League organization that supports youth sports.12 He is a father of two boys.
Overall, Shawn Rubin's leadership at Throughline Learning reflects his commitment to enhancing educational equity and fostering meaningful learning experiences for all students.


