Dr. Mary McKenna,  the founder and Director of NEST-USA and Director of Instructional Support for the pilot schools in Nepal has her PhD from the University of Michigan with specializations in Special Education and Reading Instruction. Mary started and directed an award winning teacher preparation program at Quinnipiac college focused on urban populations.  She subsequently worked in the preparation of teachers at several other universities.

Most recently, Mary spent five years co-teaching with teachers in urban centers in Nepal. There, she learned how to effectively adapt teacher training for teachers who have limited English Language skills and very limited teacher preparation.