As Interim Chief External Affairs Officer, Eric Lerum will partner closely with Kira to evaluate and better define our external affairs function by conducting a strategic analysis of our institutional positioning–understanding where we have influence, what educators and stakeholders associate most closely with Teach Plus, and where we could be even more effective.
Eric has advised advocates, policymakers, and education leaders on strategy and policy
for over 20 years. Before joining Teach Plus, he worked as an independent consultant supporting a variety of mission-driven clients working to expand educational opportunities and economic mobility. Previously he has worked in senior-leadership positions with America Succeeds and StudentsFirst, leading advocacy efforts in the areas of teacher quality, school choice and governance, accountability, and college and career readiness. Eric began his career in the District of Columbia, ultimately serving as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Education and playing a key role in D.C.’s groundbreaking reforms.
Eric is a graduate of The Ohio State University and the Washington College of Law at American University, where he developed his passion for public education and youth justice while teaching constitutional literacy to high school students in Washington, D.C. He lives in Denver with his wife.
