Ali McKersie is the Education Specialist-Instructional Coach for Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange at the Smithsonian Institution's Office of the Under Secretary for Education. Beginning her teaching career in 1998 at the Bank Street School for Children, Ali spent 26 years in various roles, including union representative, staff associate trustee, upper school dean of student life, and editorial board member of Bank Street Occasional Papers. She is a National Fellow with Educating for American Democracy and iCivics-EAD and co-founded Building Bridges, a civic engagement project for middle school students. Additionally, Ali serves on the Board of Trustees of the High Meadow School in Stone Ridge, NY. She holds a B.S. from Cornell University, an M.S. from Bank Street College of Education, and a Certificate in Educational Leadership from the New York State Association of Independent Schools.