Kate Loughrey - Consultant

Kate Loughrey is the former statewide coordinator for the Texas Education Agency's (TEA's) online learning initiative, the Texas Virtual School Network.

She also developed and managed a series of the state's first online and blended learning pilots and spearheaded its supplemental and full-time virtual school programs. An early pioneer in the field, she brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to the ongoing evolution of digital learning.
Kate took on leadership roles in a number of other programs and initiatives for the state of Texas as well, such as the

• K-12 and higher education collaboration, the Educational Technology Coordinating Council; and

• the statewide connectivity research project and resulting report to the Texas Legislature.

Kate was the Texas state affiliate member to the Digital Learning Collaborative and served for many years as the state representative to the

• Southern Regional Education Board’s (SREB’s) Educational Technology Co-Op, where she helped develop the very first national standards for quality online courses and online teaching;

• iNACOL (now Aurora Institute); and

• Evergreen Education Group.

After beginning her career in the media and communications industry in the northeast, Kate relocated to Texas where she served as the public relations director for several for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Consulting for a private research company, Kate moderated live focus groups, analyzed the resulting information, and summarized key findings and insights. 

Prior to her tenure at TEA, Kate worked for the Austin, Texas PBS station as a television producer, writer, and on-air host for programs addressing a wide variety of topics, including public education, arts, civic affairs, and social issues—including an award-winning series on caregiving.