Now

Now

My now page. A running snapshot of what matters to me right now.

Hi, my name is Meghan Raftery.

What I’m Up To

I’m spending most of my time helping kids, educators, and communities get better at the skills that matter in real life, not just the ones that show up on a report card. 

A lot of my work right now focuses on durable skills, microcredentials, and how people actually learn.

Projects I’m Excited About

  • Next Generation Scholars: supporting the team as we design a durable-skills curriculum for middle and high school students. The work blends leadership, identity, and community, which is my favorite mix.
  • Defined Learning: building on-demand modules for teachers who use Project Based Learning. Helping educators see, track, and grow the skills that really stick.
  • Edjacent: exploring how microcredentials and AI can help both teachers and students upskill quickly and confidently. This project keeps evolving, and I’m learning a lot in the process.
  • Education Design Lab: our research into how skills are assessed, validated, and recognized is moving forward. We recently launched a $3.5M RFP to support projects that make workers’ skills and credentials more visible, trusted, and transferable.

What I’m Reading

I recently finished I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, and it still haunts me. It’s dark, emotional, mysterious, and fast-paced. I also keep coming back to Kids on Earth: The Learning Potential of 5 Billion Minds, which pushed my thinking on what school is for and how much learning happens outside of it. 

Follow me on Storygraph for more book reviews. 

On Screen

Coaching and collaborating with teachers in Fairfax, running Communities of Practice, and hosting parent-voice conversations at my kids’ middle school.

In Person

This month I’m speaking at the 2026 1EdTech Digital Credentials Summit in Philadelphia, presenting on “From Friction to Flow: Insights into Skills Assessment and Validation” with my colleague Nishita Chheda. Beyond that, I’m still showing up for local library events, connecting with educators, and doing research in the wild.

Something Fun

Every season, my husband Kevin and I host a two-hour cocktail party. It’s our favorite way to mix friend groups, spark conversations, and build community in Virginia Beach. We’re already planning the next one.

The End

Last updated February 2026.