Dana Polson is a Co-Director, teacher, and founder of ConneXions Community Leadership Academy, a Baltimore City charter school serving 200 students in grades 6-10. At ConneXions she has taught Social Studies and American History, coached policy debate, served as an advisor, and worked collaboratively on all facets of school administration. She is currently working on her PhD in the Language, Literacy and Culture program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Ms Polson holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies and an MA in Music from the University of Virginia; she earned a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, studying viola performance with John Graham. She worked as a string quartet violist, teacher, freelancer, and in music administration. Ms Polson is a card-carrying alumna of the Resident Teacher Program, and taught history and law at Baltimore City's Carver Vocational Technical High School for 4 years.