Yvonne Marie Andres

Among the earliest people to use the Internet to develop global e-learning opportunities for educators and students, Andrés founded the nonprofit Global SchoolNet in 1984, an international organization that facilitates collaborative educational projects. In 1992, she created Global Schoolhouse, connecting youth worldwide with scientists, authors, explorers, and community leaders to work together on projects of real-world importance.

In 1995, she facilitated the first-ever live streaming television-Internet broadcast with World News Now. Named one of the 25 most influential people in education technology worldwide in 2000, she was invited by President George W. Bush to launch Friendship Through Education, a U.S. State Department initiative created in the wake of 9/11 to foster relationships between American children and those from other countries through technology. She followed this with the Doors to Diplomacy program, which encourages middle and high school students around the world to produce web-based projects about international affairs and diplomacy.

Andrés is also the author of numerous early guides to the Internet for educators. Her projects included International CyberFair, Global Forest Link, the Virtual Museum of Youth Culture, and the LGBTQ History Student Filmmakers competition. She began her career as a teacher and technology mentor for the Oceanside Unified School District in Oceanside, California, and was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2017.