Steven Hicks serves as senior policy advisor in the Office of Early Learning in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. Mr. Hicks first began in the Department as a teaching ambassador fellow, having taught preschool through third grade in Los Angeles, California. During his time in the Obama Administration, Mr. Hicks has helped shape the Department's birth to third grade early learning agenda and worked on two high-profile programs: Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge and Preschool Development Grants. Mr. Hicks holds a M.A in Early Childhood and Primary School Education and is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Early Childhood.