JASON LEARNING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Founder and CEO of STEM Minds
Anu Bidani is the founder and CEO of STEM Minds, a social enterprise that empowers youth to develop a love of learning through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education.
Anu founded STEM Minds in 2016 after trying to find STEM-based programs for her two sons. With a passion for technology and as a former executive at Scotiabank for 20 years, becoming their Head of eStrategy and Solutions, Anu recognized she could create unique STEM education programs for kids ages 4-18 to unlock their full potential. STEM Minds began in the summer of 2016 with just a handful of students and has now grown to international markets. With a dedicated teaching staff, a state-of-the art learning environment, an online academy offering cutting-edge programs, Anu is building a business that is truly revolutionizing STEM education.
Anu is a passionate innovator, leader and entrepreneur with extensive experience as a corporate executive where she witnessed the evolution and impact of accelerated technology changes on business. Anu has delivered large multimillion-dollar projects at a global scale-from system implementations to electronic platform product launches. With vetted expertise in the areas of strategy, product development, solutions development, project delivery, information security and auditing, Anu has developed a wealth of experience that she is proud to bring to STEM Minds.
Brian K Burns III, a Temple University grad and former student athlete with a background in the media production and technology industry. His journey started at Apple Inc, where he strived on the Business team marked by a deep understanding of economic development and workforce development needs inside underdeveloped communities. He also was one of the Lead creatives for the store design team in two markets before coming to Washington DC. Which then led him to become a Lead trainer at United Airlines HQ working at two Hub locations. In his role with Levl Studio, Brian has honed in on a unique skill set that merges community engagement, creative vision, and leadership skills. His approach to bleeding edge technology is not just about utilizing the latest tools professionally but also about understanding how these tools impact the community for roles in job creation in AI. As a Leader, he has led his teams through skill development training, workforce development opportunities, and he has awarded over 100 jobs in Levl Studio Job Creation program that he created. Brian's expertise in community engagement & entrepreneurship led him to create the GH Enrichment Summer Camp in Baltimore which showcases his ability to create opportunities that will bridge the gap of information. Since being there from the fruition his commitment to Levl Studio is to utilize his unique skills and experience that will allow him to merge industries together for the next generation of leaders.
Ms. Hill has been working for JASON Learning since July 2018 after retiring from a 27-year career in public education. As a Vice-President of Curriculum Development, her primary responsibilities include: collaborating with corporate and other non-profit partners to create STEM instructional resources that showcase the innovation and work of current STEM role models. Ms. Hill's experience in public education as a Science Coordinator (Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, TX) and educator (Texas and Arizona) has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the practices and partnerships that influence and support effective educational systems and the development of STEM-literate students, citizenry, and communities.
Job Titles:
- Board Member, Baton Rouge, LA / Professor and Dean, College of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University ( LSU )
Christopher is an environmental champion, dedicated educator, recognized leader, and passionate supporter of music. Prior to his position at LSU, he served in roles of increasing responsibility at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg from 2004-2009. From 1999-2002 he worked at the University at Albany, SUNY as a professor, operations manager for the SUNY Research Foundation, and Vice President for Research. For 22 years, Christopher worked in Maryland, both at the University System of Maryland and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. He spent 10 years as the director of the Maryland Sea Grant College Program. Also, he was appointed as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee of the Commission on Food, Environment and Renewable Resources. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of the Biological Oceanography Program at the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Smalley has overseen the evolution of JASON into a nationally-acclaimed STEM education organization reaching over 5 million students and teachers each year. Prior, Dr. Smalley served for 30 years in public schools, developing innovative, accelerated learning and zero drop-out models, and at the University of Virginia, cultivating strong leadership in education from the local to the state level.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Implementation & Development
Dr. Sieloff joins JASON after almost 20 years of working in high-poverty public schools. He has worked as a teacher, Supervisor for Nontraditional Education, High School Assistant Principal, and Middle School Principal. His career has been focused on designing opportunities for students to find success through experiential and project-based learning in K-12 public education to prepare students for college, career, and service opportunities upon graduation. Dr. Sieloff's research has focused on English Learner student success and equity in education for all students.
Job Titles:
- Board Member, Leesburg, Virginia / Executive Associate Director, AASA
Board Member, Leesburg, Virginia Executive Associate Director, AASA Nationally recognized educator with more than 30 years' administrative experience in raising academic standards, closing achievement gaps and uniting stakeholders. (Joined JASON Board: 2015)
JASON is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 by Dr. Robert D. Ballard. JASON provides curriculum and learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for K-12 students and high-quality professional development for teachers. JASON has been used successfully in a wide variety of formal and informal education environments.
Job Titles:
- Board Member, Houston, TX / Executive Director, Region 4 Educational Service Center
- New Executive Director of Region 4
Dr. Rodney E. Watson currently serves as the new executive director of Region 4 in Texas.
Watson joined Region 4 from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), where he served as the deputy executive director/chief of staff. His main responsibilities include leading several key departments, overseeing key TASB initiatives, and leading large cross-functional projects to provide support to school districts across the state.
Prior to working at TASB, from 2014-2021, Watson served as superintendent of schools for Spring Independent School District (Spring ISD), a district of more than 33,000 students. Some of his accomplishments in the district included leading advancements in early childhood and special education, improving student data management, increasing opportunities, and choice of schools for students, implementing innovative new-teacher development and postsecondary preparedness programs, and overseeing the completion of a $330 million bond referendum.
Grace Allstrom has worked with JASON Learning since 2017 to develop engaging PreK-12 STEM curriculum content, manage production timelines and writing/development staff, and publish content on our website for our student and educator users. She has helped JASON's online curriculum offerings grow from fewer than a dozen to over 40 collections. Her previous experiences in classroom education and asynchronous technology-mediated learning, with a focus on building and supporting communities of practice, inform the emphasis - found in all JASON content - on effective pedagogy and approaches that uplift and celebrate students, teachers, and communities.
Job Titles:
- Director of Development & Grants
Ms. Davis oversees all grant, proposal, and writing efforts at JASON. Her endeavors have enabled JASON to expand its operations and impact thousands more students and educators across the country. Ms. Davis has a strong background in research and writing, with a master's degree in communication from Virginia Tech and a bachelor's degree in public relations and business. While she primarily focuses on grant writing, she also works on blog posts, press releases, donations, and e-newsletters and oversees JASON's social media accounts.
Job Titles:
- Argonaut Expedition Leader and Adjunct Instructor
Jude Kesl is currently the JASON Learning Argonaut Expedition Leader and Adjunct Instructor at three universities in the Milwaukee, WI, area. Jude is also a Google Certified Innovator and Education Trainer. She has worked as a science teacher, literacy and technology coach, and university instructor in Milwaukee, WI, New York City, and other cities around the country. She has also been the K-8 science teaching specialist at the Milwaukee Public Schools district level. Jude is passionate about igniting a love for learning in students and teachers. Jude helped to write JASON Project Curriculum and was the producer for two online simulations for JASON. As the JASON Argonaut Expedition Leader, Jude has taken students and teachers on over thirty JASON Learning expeditions to various locations worldwide. Jude is responsible for ensuring that all JASON Learning participants have a safe and extraordinary learning adventure.
Job Titles:
- Early Childhood Specialist, Former President of the National Science Teaching Association ( NSTA )
Juliana Texley has taught STEM at all levels, from early childhood to graduate school, over the last four decades. She was a Presidential Awardee, science trade book leader, editor of The Science Teacher, and president of the National Science Teaching Association. She has also served on the Boards of the National Science Foundation and the Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS). Mrs. Texley has authored 11 books on STEM Education and one book of fiction, and she co-led one of the first research efforts in online education and teaches both education and technology at the college level. Her original work and Ph. D are in science (environmental) education, with an emphasis on assessment.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager of Implementation and Partnerships
Lewis Moore has a decade of teaching high school science including biology, chemistry, advanced placement biology, dual credit biology, and dual credit environmental science. His credentials include a B.S. in Biology, M.S. in Molecular Biology, M.S. in S.T.E.M. curriculum and instruction and is currently pursuing his PhD. in educational leadership. Lewis partners with the University of Houston as a LEADHouston Fellow. As a LEAD Fellow, he conducts professional developments pertaining to incorporating culturally responsive pedagogy into S.T.E.M. curriculum in multiple school districts. Lewis participated in his initial JASON Argonaut expedition in Costa Rica where he studied bees, pollinators, and climate change. He is also a Fulbright Fellow. His field experience as a Fulbright Fellow included visiting Columbia to research the country's educational practices.
Job Titles:
- Director of Content Development
Lori Bedsole joins JASON after 29 years in public education. She began her career as a teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, which fostered her love for integrating technology and curriculum. Once her family relocated to Virginia, she began her career in one of the largest school districts in the nation. She worked as an elementary teacher focusing on talent development and differentiation for high-potential learners. She then shifted to the role of specialist in the Advanced Academic Office in Curriculum and Instruction, supporting teachers through professional development and writing integrated curriculum for the full-time gifted program.
Job Titles:
- Board Treasurer, Massachusetts
Entrepreneur/Investor: Rob is active as an investor, board member, and leader for a variety of technology, consumer, and education businesses. Rob has recently started or helped launch Foodnome, ZippSlip, Gadget Software, Nexstreem, and Protex90, among others. Rob is an honors graduate from Harvard College and a Rotary Scholar. (Joined JASON Board: 2017)
Job Titles:
- Board Chairman, Richmond, Virginia / Retired Executive, Union Bank & Trust
Board Chairman, Richmond, Virginia Retired Executive, Union Bank & Trust Successful financial and administrative leader with over 30 years of progressive experience in banking/finance. Responsibilities have included CEO of Union Bankshares Corp, Chairman of American Bankers Association, Treasurer of ABA, and various other roles in banking/finance. (Joined JASON Board: 2016)
Kathy is a 45-year veteran of the education industry and has served in top positions in both publishing and technology companies, including executive positions with Pearson and IBM. In 2014, Kathy was selected as a Fellow of the Advanced Leadership Initiative (ALI) at Harvard University. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for several for-profit and non-profit organizations in the education industry and serves as a national and international speaker on leadership, diversity in the business world and gender equity issues. (Joined JASON Board: 2017)
Job Titles:
- Board Member, West Park, New York / Co - Founder, the Explorers Museum
Board Member, West Park, New York Co-Founder, The Explorers Museum Avid explorer, adventurer, and author who has canvased the globe in search of answers to elusive questions. Most recently served three terms as the 37th president of The Explorers Club-only the second woman in the club's 108-year history to be elected. (Joined JASON Board: 2015)
Job Titles:
- Board Member, District of Columbia / President, ReMA ( Recycled Materials Association )
Robin leads the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), in Washington DC which represents approximately 1,300 private, for-profit companies in 41 countries around the world. She joined ReMA in 1989 directing the environmental compliance activities and was appointed executive director in 1997 and then President in March 2000. Robin was appointed to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Steel (ITAC-12) by the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative. She also serves as Chairwoman on the NMVTIS Advisory Board. Robin currently serves on the Boards of SERI, the National Recycling Coalition, and Keep America Beautiful. She is a Past Chair of NAM and is a member of the Key Industry Associations Committee (KIAC) of ASAE. She is also a Director of the International Environment Council of the Bureau of International Recycling in Brussels, a member of BIR's E-Scrap Steering Committee, and serves on the Steering Committee of Electronics Recycling Asia and on the Jason Learning Board. Ms. Wiener earned a J.D. degree cum laude (Georgetown University Law Center), her B.S.E. degree in chemical engineering (University of Pennsylvania), and is co-author of the RCRA Compliance & Enforcement Manual (Shepard's McGraw-Hill, 1994) as part of its Environmental Law Series. (Joined JASON Board: 2015)
Job Titles:
- Board Secretary, Berryville, Virginia
Susan has a background in healthcare, including executive and clinical roles. She has served in a variety of board member positions for education and healthcare organizations, including Chairman of the Board for Grafton School and Our Health Inc and various board member positions for Shenandoah University, Powhatan School, Clarke County Education Foundation, and other organizations. (Joined JASON Board: 2017)
Job Titles:
- Board Member, Shepherdstown, WV
Susan recently retired from a long career in leadership positions in science, engineering and natural resource management. Most recently she served as Deputy Director of the Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport System Division of the National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, Susan managed the award of $400 million of new grants each year which explore the most innovative multidisciplinary research and education. Her goal has always been to discover new knowledge but more importantly to develop the next generation of engineering researchers, inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs. She strove to accomplish these same goals when serving as the Deputy Director of two other divisions of the Directorate for Engineering, namely the Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems and the Division of Engineering Education and Centers.
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Job Titles:
- Full Stack Developer, Sys Admin, DevOps Engineer
Mr. Witschger has developed websites for almost 20 years. He has worked at companies of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies like Apple and GM, to small startups where he was the only employee. He loves mentoring others and helping out where he can, and strongly believes in the power of education. He is always learning new things (through standard schooling, online education platforms, and programming and scientific YouTube videos).
Job Titles:
- Director of STEM Education Professional Development & Implementation
Ms. Sandrin creates the training materials based on the JASON curriculum and works with a national network of trainers and coaches to deliver that content directly to the classroom teachers implementing the curriculum. Ms. Sandrin has 15 years of science education experience, including 8 years leading science curriculum and instruction in the largest district in Wisconsin. Ensuring ALL students have access to high-quality science and STEM curricula and experiences from well-prepared educators drives her work at JASON Learning.
Job Titles:
- CIO
- COO
- Operations and Technology Leader
Mr. Smith is an operations and technology leader with over 20 years of experience in for-profit and nonprofit environments. Previous roles include technology director with National Geographic, systems engineering consultant for several major nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurial e-commerce venture co-founder, and regional systems manager for an international technology systems manufacturer.
Job Titles:
- Operations & Administration Specialist
Ms. Sadiqui is in charge of many of the back-end operations for JASON, including processing payments and invoices, providing customer support, supporting conference organization, managing travel booking, organizing virtual professional development training, and more.
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor, Author, and Former State Superintendent of Ohio
Senior Advisor, Author, and Former State Superintendent of Ohio Susan Zelman
Job Titles:
- Board Vice - Chairman, West Virginia
Board Vice-Chairman, West Virginia U.S. Representative, West Virginia (Retired) Former congressman, member of the House Appropriations Committee and three of its twelve subcommittees. Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. Member of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security. (Joined JASON Board: 2016)
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant / Website Design
Job Titles:
- Board Vice - Chairman, West Virginia
Board Vice-Chairman, West Virginia U.S. Representative, West Virginia (Retired) Former congressman, member of the House Appropriations Committee and three of its twelve subcommittees. Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. Member of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security. (Joined JASON Board: 2016)