Dana Richards

Dana Richards is the manager of work-based learning at the Santa Clara County Office of Education. Throughout his decorated career as an educator and leader, Dana has used innovation, personalization, high expectations, collaboration, applied learning, developmental research, and community connections to help teachers, administrators and community partners build lasting capacity and contribute sustainable solutions to 21st century social, economic and environmental problems. As an educator, Dana was the founding principal of an early college applied science high school (ECO) with a focus on sustainable technology in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has also designed and co-led cultural exchange field semesters with North Coast Native American communities in California, while teaching sustainability leadership at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, including co-facilitating the college’s Climate Action Plan. Dana has helped to co-found two ecological literacy and social justice-themed high schools in the Bay Area, and is the founder of 4C, The Climate Change Conservation Corps, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Innovation Hub: Green Career Education