Experience

Petaluma City Schools

• United States
• Education Management
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Program Manager

  • Jul 2021 - Present

  United States Petaluma Transition Program, serving students 18-22 who continue to qualify for services to develop vocational and life skills in a community-based program.

• Education Specialist/Department Co-Chair

  • Jan 2017 - Dec 2021

  Petaluma, CA

• Instructor, High School Equivalency Test Prep

  • Jan 2018 - Jun 2021

  Petaluma Adult School



Mandible Consulting

• Creative Director

  • Sep 1997 - Present

  Consulting services for print and digital media, including research, strategic design, content development, and user experience design for educational games. Clients include the Children's Museum of Sonoma County, Activate Learning, Pearson Education, Mindset Works, NECSAM, Sony, Mattel, The Learning Company, Xeodesign. Projects include interactive hands-on museum exhibit design, technical and instructional writing, educational game design, and UI design for augmented reality apps for… Show more Consulting services for print and digital media, including research, strategic design, content development, and user experience design for educational games. Clients include the Children's Museum of Sonoma County, Activate Learning, Pearson Education, Mindset Works, NECSAM, Sony, Mattel, The Learning Company, Xeodesign. Projects include interactive hands-on museum exhibit design, technical and instructional writing, educational game design, and UI design for augmented reality apps for commercial real estate.

• Interactive Designer

  • Sep 1997 - May 2001

  Consultancy providing research and development services for educational and entertainment software development companies including LeapFrog, Mattel Interactive, NECSAM and other website and digital media producers. Specializing in multimedia authoring tools and usability analysis.



The Marin School

• Primary and Secondary Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Learning Services

  • Jul 2015 - Dec 2016

  San Rafael, CA Duties include providing support and instruction for students with learning differences; professional development, team building, and training for teachers and staff; documenting accommodations and modifications; administering assessments; referrals for assessment; designing curriculum plans; supervising teachers who provide direct instruction to students with identified learning disabilities.



Sonoma Marin Educational Advocacy

• United States
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing

• Principal Consultant

  • Oct 2013 - Jul 2015

  Petaluma Helped families navigate educational choices in a complex world. Educational advocacy services offered included individualized education planning and strategic guidance for families of students with special needs who may or may not qualify for school-based services.



Family Life Center/Seneca Family of Agencies

• Education Specialist

  • Jul 2009 - May 2015

  Petaluma, CA Duties included differentiated classroom instruction in science, math, art, study skills and pre-vocational skills for at-risk students in grades 7-12 in residential treatment; mentoring and coaching intern teacher and instructional aides; IEPs, compliance monitoring, and in-house staff training.



Family Life Center

• Wellness and Fitness Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• IEP & Curriculum Specialist

  • Mar 2009 - Sep 2013

  Petaluma, CA Developed Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students with special needs. Administered formal and information assessments and analyzed data to design goals and objectives for short and long term program design. Researched and individualized interventions and accommodations designed to differentiate instruction for a wide range of learning styles. Trained teaching staff in the use of universal design to adapt lesson plans and assessments for optimal learning in a therapeutic residential… Show more Developed Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students with special needs. Administered formal and information assessments and analyzed data to design goals and objectives for short and long term program design. Researched and individualized interventions and accommodations designed to differentiate instruction for a wide range of learning styles. Trained teaching staff in the use of universal design to adapt lesson plans and assessments for optimal learning in a therapeutic residential treatment setting. District Coordinator and Support Provider for North Coast Beginning Teacher Program.

• Lead Teacher/Education Specialist, Science

  • Mar 2009 - Dec 2011

  Petaluma, CA Working with at-risk adolescents to develop social, emotional and academic skills in a residential treatment setting. Developing individualized curriculum to meet special needs. Writing and attending IEPs, including goals and assessments. Completed 2 year Exploratorium Teacher Institute new science teacher program. Participated in NSTA New Science Teacher Academy mentoring program. District Coordinator and Support Provider for North Coast Beginning Teacher Program.



National Science Teachers Association

• United States
• Education Administration Programs

• Fellow, New Science Teacher Academy

  • Aug 2011 - Jun 2012

  Participant in online teacher mentoring/induction program for new science teachers. Attended national conference. Peer mentor for science educators of students with special needs.



Exploratorium Teacher Institute

• Participant

  • 2009 - 2011

  Participated in two-year professional development program designed to support new science teachers through mentorship and monthly workshops. Built relationships with Bay Area science education resources.

• Student Teacher/Substitute Teacher

  • Aug 2008 - May 2009

  Taught 10th grade Biology and RSP English and Study Skills at Casa Grande High School.



Lanier Publishing International

• United States
• Information Technology & Services

• Strategic Analyst/Web Editor

  • May 2007 - Jul 2008

  Research, design and develop online content and interactive features based on market trends and customer feedback. Research relevant trends in online marketing, SEO and industry developments. Analyze website traffic using Google Analytics. Create ad campaigns and track ROI using Google AdWords.



About Disability

• Mental Health Care

• Curriculum Editor

  • Aug 2006 - Aug 2007

  Supporting development of "train the trainer" curriculum materials for substance abuse prevention specifically tailored to the disability community. Edited written materials and presentations. Collaborated on content strategy and class planning. Provided standard proofing and pre-press editorial services.



Children's Museum of Sonoma County

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice-President, Exhibits and Programs

  • Apr 2005 - Apr 2006

  Co-founded non-profit children's exploration and hands-on learning discovery museum for the northern SF Bay Area. Researched and developed exhibit and program concepts. Contributed to fundraising efforts. Established relationships with local institutions like the Exploratorium, and with local educators and academia.



Kurzweil Educational Systems/ IntelliTools

• Curriculum Projects Manager

  • May 2003 - Mar 2005

  Designed and managed development of educational software for the developmentally and/or physically challenged, specifically reading remediation targeted at English language learners. Sold senior management on leveraging core technologies as the most effective way to improve the company's intellectual property while fulfilling grant requirements specific to the work. Supervised recruiting, training and field testing processes at multiple national sites. Collaborated with University of North… Show more Designed and managed development of educational software for the developmentally and/or physically challenged, specifically reading remediation targeted at English language learners. Sold senior management on leveraging core technologies as the most effective way to improve the company's intellectual property while fulfilling grant requirements specific to the work. Supervised recruiting, training and field testing processes at multiple national sites. Collaborated with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on methodology and modifications specific to computer technology. Show less



The Learning Company

• Australia
• Professional Training and Coaching
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Producer

  • Sep 1998 - Jan 2001

  Managed interdepartmental software development team, creating and publishing Kid Pix brand titles. Researched and documented marketing and design decisions leading to release.



Broderbund Software

• United States
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Product Manager/Designer

  • Oct 1990 - Sep 1998

  Managed interdepartmental development teams for CD-ROM software projects including Kid Pix, with schedule and budget responsibility. Selected for assignment to "The Rubber Room," a game design sabbatical resulting in a language-learning prototype.