Q2L Team: Administration, Teachers, Staff and Designers
QUEST TO LEARN FACULTY
Q2L Leadership
Elisa Aragon
Co-Director of School and Principal
Elisa brings twenty-four years of experience with the New York City Department of Education to her role as Co-Director of School, having received her principal certification in 1997. Originally from Maryland, Elisa moved to “the big city” after her sophomore year at the University of Maryland (Go Terps!) and graduated from City College of New York with a Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude. Elisa started teaching in the New York Public Schools in 1984 at Park West High School and then transitioned to the CMSP Model School, teaching 7th and 8th grade Humanities. As part of her teaching career with the NY City Department of Education she worked in the basement of homeless shelters, working tirelessly to effect the cycle of poverty for the young mothers who were her students, and their babies, who are our future.
After obtaining a Master of Science in Education from Hunter College with a 4.0 average, Elisa continued her post-graduate studies at Fordham University, achieving a Professional Diploma in Education and earning her SAS. Elisa continued her work in the public school system in the role of Assistant Principal Administration. For eight years Elisa focused her passion and talents as an instructional leader, supporting and honing the skills of classroom teachers who were teaching the most at-risk population of students in NYC. In June 2008, Elisa was selected to participate in the elite New York City Leadership Academy, the centerpiece of Chancellor Klein’s mission of transformation for our public education system. Elisa provided administrative support during the September 2008 roll out of the innovative NYC iSchool in Soho, a selective 9 – 12, fully integrating 21st century technology in a progressive model of interdisciplinary, real-world, problem-based instruction. Elisa left her administrative position at the highly successful and respected High School of Telecommunication Arts to accept a leadership position as principal with Quest to Learn. Her dynamic leadership style, experience and deep knowledge of instruction make her a perfect fit with the goals and mission of our school.
Email earagon at q2l.org
Arana Shapiro
Co-Director of School
Arana has been working in the field of education since 1999. She started teaching in the Inglewood Public School District, where she taught for first grade. In Inglewood, Arana served on the district curriculum review team, helping to develop and implement new curriculum in this small district. Upon moving to New York City, Arana began working at Teachers College (TC), Columbia University’s Early Childhood Education Program. At TC, Arana helped develop the Early Childhood Education department’s new student teacher program by visiting New York City public school classrooms and finding appropriate placement and mentorship for TC students. It was during her work at Teachers College when Arana began working with a group of educators to develop curriculum for a new school, The School at Columbia University and subsequently became a founding faculty member of The School in 2003. Arana's desire to bring new media technologies into the classroom prompted her to migrate from the classroom to the technology team at The School and later to the Lead Educational Technologist position at the Ross Institute, where she integrated technology into K-12 classrooms at both The Ross School in East Hampton and Ross Global Academy Charter School. In addition, Arana was a reading specialist for Groundwork for Youth in East New York Public Schools. She has presented research at many national education conferences, including AERA and NCTM. She received her Masters of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Second Language Learning and Acquisition from Pepperdine University, and did coursework in TC’s Communication and Education program. Currently, Arana is pursuing her Master’s in School Leadership from Bank Street.
Email ashapiro at q2l.org
Katie Salen
Executive Director, Institute of Play
Katie is the Executive Director of the Institute of Play, and Professor in the Design and Technology, Parsons the New School for Design. As the lead institutional partner for Quest to Learn, she has led development of strategic partnerships, including those with Pearson, The New School, and the MacArthur Foundation DML research network. She has extensive experience working with young people in the area of media creation and game design, and has a deep knowledge of issues surrounding the potential integration of digital media, games, and technology into learning environments, like schools, libraries, and museums. Katie has published three books that have come to serve as seminal in the research field of games and learning: Rules of Play, a textbook on game design, The Game Design Reader, and The Ecology of Games: Connecting Youth, Games, and Learning, all from MIT Press. She has worked as a game designer for over 10 years and is co-editor of The International Journal of Learning and Media.
Katie has received over $2.5 million in funding to support her work with the Institute of Play and Q2L in the past 2 years from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Pearson Foundation, and Intel. She has degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and the Rhode Island School of Design.
Q2L Educators
6th Grade Team
Pierre Dizon
Learning Strategist, Grade 6
Pierre is a born and bred New Yorker, who grew and has lived in Jackson Heights, Queens, all his life. After receiving the Posse Foundation's Leadership scholarship, Pierre headed to Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in American History. Pierre became committed to working with children—and decided to do it for the rest of his life—after working as a cabin counselor at a Hole in the Wall Gang Summer Camp in Ashford, Connecticut and as a teacher at Breakthrough Collaborative in Norfolk, Virginia. Pierre returned back home to New York upon acceptance into the New York City Teaching Fellows program. He is currently pursuing his masters at City College of New York. Last year, Pierre taught at I.S. 230 in Queens, gaining valuable experience working with a wide variety of students. At Quest to Learn, he will work alongside all of the 6th grade teachers to insure that students will learn to the best of their abilities.
Email pdizon at q2l.org
C. Ross Flatt
Being, Space & Place domain teacher, Grade 6
Ross attended Gettysburg College where he earned a Bachelors in History, with a content specialty in World History and a particular focus on Modern Europe. Ross has taught history at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey and Global Studies at The Scholar’s Academy in Queens, New York.
Email rflatt at q2l.org
Alicia Iannucci
Codeworlds domain teacher, Grade 6
Alicia is originally from Western NY. Alicia is certified in Secondary Mathematics Education and received both a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and a Masters of Arts in Education from Adelphi University. While at Adelphi, Alicia became a member of the National Mathematics Honors Society, the National Leadership Society and the National Education Leadership Society. A former math and writing tutor, before coming to Quest, Alicia student taught at Queens High School of Teaching in Queens, New York.
Email aiannucci at q2l.org
Ameer Mourad
The Way Things Work domain teacher, Grade 6
Ameer is originally from Long Island, NY. He completed his undergraduate education at Queens College and his graduate work at Columbia University. Ameer is naturally inquisitive, and has spent a significant amount of time doing research in a genetics lab and has also worked as a tutor, camp counselor and a lab technician. Ameer's enthusiasm for science and engineering makes him uniquely suited for his role as the teacher for The Way Things Work domain.
Email amourad at q2l.org
Ginger Stevens
Learning Strategist, Grade 6
Ginger grew up in New Haven, Connecticut and has also lived in Philadelphia, Seattle, and now Queens, New York. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Haverford College and a Masters of Education in General and Special Education from Hunter College. Before joining the founding faculty at Quest to Learn, Ginger worked as a middle school English, History, and Math teacher at the Churchill School in Manhattan. In addition to her work in the classroom, Ginger has a wide-range of experiences as an environmental educator. She has worked at Wave Hill, a public garden in the Bronx, where she developed and led art and science programs for students with special needs. During her time in Seattle, she was the University District Youth Coordinator at Seattle Youth Garden Works where she helped teenagers grow and sell their own vegetables through a garden-to-market education and employment program. At Quest to Learn, Ginger works with teachers and students in Being Space and Place and CodeWorlds to help students find strategies that are just right for their learning style.
Email gstevens at q2l.org
7th Grade Team
Audrey Geis
Learning Strategist, Grade 7
This past year Audrey joined the New York City Teaching Fellowship and worked as a Special Educator in Brooklyn. Audrey graduated from Emerson College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Organizational and Political Communication, an experience that well-prepared her for this work. While in Boston, Audrey coordinated Emerson College’s Alternative Spring Break program and participated in multiple service trips addressing issues of disaster relief, homelessness, and education. She also worked as a volunteer coordinator for Peace First (formerly Peace Games) where she coached volunteers and taught peacemaking and conflict resolution through cooperative games to elementary and middle school students. Audrey received the Jennifer Stowers Quintal Visionary Award at the 2009 Emerson Recognition Awards for her work in these areas.
Email ageis at q2l.org
Leah Hirsch
The Way Things Work domain teacher, Grade 7
Leah Hirsch has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Santa Cruz in American Studies. While at the University of Santa Cruz, Leah was a Merrill Scholar, a member of Phi Beta Kappa and a winner of the Chancellor’s Award. Leah holds a Masters of Arts from Brooklyn College in Middle Childhood Science and Environmental Education, with a Biology specialization, and a Multisubject Credential from San Francisco State University in Multicultural Education. Leah worked as the Program Director for the Fresh Air Fund’s Camp Hayden Marks in Fishkill, NY, from 1999-2006, and also served as the Afterschool Program Coordinator at the James Lick Middle School in San Francisco, CA. Leah has worked as a 4th Grade Multisubject Teacher at PS 26 in Brooklyn, a Science Cluster Teacher, an 8th Grade Science Teacher and a 7th Grade Summer School Math Teacher. Leah is excited to join Q2L and looks forward to being in a creative learning space with collaborators and kids who love to learn and play!
Email lhirsch at q2l.org
Lena Kotani
Codeworlds domain teacher, Grade 7
Lena was born in New Jersey and grew up in Western Maryland for most of her life. Lena attended Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts and earned her Bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies and a Minor in Japanese. While attending Boston University, Lena volunteered at the Children’s Hospital in Boston and worked at Bright Horizons Day Care Center, where she became committed to working with children. Before moving to New York City, Lena volunteered at an orphanage and taught 2nd grade in a local school, Tanzania Children Concern, in Moshi, Tanzania. As a New York City Teaching Fellow, Lena is currently pursuing her masters in Math Education at City College of New York. Lena has gained valuable experience working at Frederick Douglass Academy III in the South Bronx for the first two years of her teaching career. Lena is excited to join the Quest to Learn community this year and work with the terrific staff!
Email lkotani at q2l.org
Limor Levy
Being, Space & Place domain teacher, Grade 7
Limor is a native New Yorker who grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. After completing her undergraduate studies at Dickinson College, Limor applied her English major to a career in research, but promptly made a gleeful career change to education, specializing in English/Language Arts. Limor holds a Masters degree in Secondary Education from St. John's University. She is a proud member of the National Honor Society (Alpha Lambda Delta), the National Leadership Honor Society (Omicron Delta Kappa) and has been on the National Dean's List. Limor is also the recipient of the Posse Foundation's Leadership scholarship and the Americorps Service Scholarship. For the past 4 years, Limor has been teaching English and History to 7th and 8th graders at PS 127, in East Elmhurst, Queens.
Email llevy at q2l.org
8th Grade Team
Neveen Mourad
Being, Space & Place domain teacher, Grade 8
Neveen Mourad graduated Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Binghamton University in 2005, with a BA in English and a minor in French. She was inducted into the Golden Key Honor Society at Binghamton University based on academic excellence. After finishing her BA, Neveen immediately pursued her Master’s Degree in teaching. In 2005 she was awarded a grant from the Petrie Fellowship to attend Teachers College, Columbia University. Neveen graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2006 with a MA in English Education, grades 7-12. From September 2006—June 2011, Neveen taught 6th grade Humanities at Isaac Newton Middle School in East Harlem. She coauthored and continually revised the 6th grade Humanities curriculum. As a homeroom teacher, she helped 6th graders make the challenging transition from elementary to middle school. Neveen also created and led after school programs for students, including yoga and knitting. Taking an active role in the growth of the school, Neveen was a key leader in developing, implementing and refining a school initiative for portfolio based student assessment. Neveen is excited to engage Quest’s 8th graders on a journey through history. Through inquiry-based learning, students will investigate history from multiple perspectives using a wide variety of text and media sources. With a strong background in English, both fiction and non-fiction reading and writing will be interwoven into the curriculum to support students’ language and literacy skills, as well as to help students learn to love and appreciate the power of words.
Email nmourad at q2l.org
Lencey Nunez
The Way Things Work, Grade 8
Lencey graduated with a BA in Childhood Education from Long Island University and earned a MA in Middle School Science Education with a concentration in Environmental Science from CUNY Brooklyn. Lencey joins Quest to Learn after teaching 6th and 7th grade Science at the UFT Charter School. During her Spring and Summer vacations, Lencey works as a teacher’s assistant at the American Museum of Natural History in the Education Department.
Lencey is an energetic, outrageous and experiential individual and educator. She believes in hands on learning and creates an encouraging and challenging scientific environment where everyone matters.
Email lnunez at q2l.org
Sharon Ostrowsky
Learning Strategist, Grade 8
Sharon comes to Quest to Learn from the Manhattan Alternate Learning Center where she was a special educator for 6th through 8th grade students. In addition to her responsibilities as a Special Education teacher, Sharon also supervised the advisory program and collaborated with outside agencies for after school programs and field trips. Before working in New York, Sharon was a Special Education teacher at Holmes Middle School in Fairfax County, Virginia. In Fairfax County, Sharon team taught 6th grade English/Language Arts and Social Studies classes and coached club soccer. Sharon was also nominated by Syracuse University to learn and teach lessons of the Holocaust. Passionate and motivated, Sharon is the co-facilitator of Cometfire, a bi-monthly LGBTQ discussion group for middle school kids. Sharon holds a BS in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education from Syracuse University where she graduated Cum Laude. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on Special Education from Bank Street College of Education.
Email sostrowsky at q2l.org
Kate Selkirk
Codeworlds, Grade 8
Kate has been teaching in the NYC Department of Education since 2005. Kate comes to Quest from PS 83 in the Bronx where she taught 7th grade Math and Science. In addition to her classroom teaching responsibilities, Kate coached the Math Olympiad team, advised student council and developed a tutoring program to prepare students for the New York specialized high school test. As a mentor to the Student Council for the past 5 years, Kate helped them organize fundraisers for disaster relief as well as community projects with the local police precinct and retirement homes. Kate was a lead teacher at the Summer Science institute at Queens College where she collaborated with organizations such as the New York Hall of Science and the Bronx Zoo to create and implement an engaging summer program for New York City Science educators. During the past two summers, Kate has travelled to Ecuador & Madagascar through an Earthwatch Educator Fellowship to help scientists conduct field research regarding climate change and wildlife conservation. Kate holds a BA in English and American Literature from NYU and a Masters degree in Mathematics Education. She is currently working on a second Masters degree in Science Education. Kate has presented at numerous local conferences and led professional development throughout the city. Energetic and thoughtful, Kate is excited to design innovative and intriguing ways for her students to encounter mathematical phenomena. 8th grade Codeworlds students will learn to persevere when confronted with challenging ideas and problems and find enjoyment in their path to greater math literacy.
Email kselkirk at q2l.org
Sports for the Mind Team
Lauren Gabriele
Sports for the Mind domain teacher, Grades 6 and 7
Lauren grew up in Los Angeles where her view of the world was shaped by the characters, narratives, images, and sounds emanating from the popular culture around her. Realizing her passion for storytelling, Lauren pursued a Bachelor of Arts in History at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. At Reed, she learned about ideas, contexts, culture, traditions and historiography. Lauren earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Photography and Video from California State Fullerton. There, she grew to understand the importance of the visual and oral articulation of ideas and the effective and purposeful use of technology in education. Lauren received a Masters of Arts in Computing and Technology from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she learned about the infinite possibilities of citizen journalism. For the past seven years, Lauren has been a media arts high school teacher in Los Angeles. She has taught New Media, Animation, Filmmaking and Digital Imaging. In 2009, Lauren became a National Board Certified Teacher.
Email lgabriele at q2l.org
Michael DeMinico
Sports for the Mind domain Teacher, Grades 6 and 8
Michael is responsible for co-designing and implementing digital media-focused curricula for Quest to Learn. Michael brings with him extensive experience as a professional videographer, documentarian and video editor and also as an artist. He has served the Marlborough Gallery as Lead Preparator and worked at the United Nations International School as s Media Specialist. Currently Michael is pursuing a Media Studies Masters at the New School with a focus on videography, documentary, editing and media literacy.
Email michael at instituteofplay.org
Wellness Team
Rachelle Regine Vallon
Wellness Coordinator and Guidance Counselor
Rachelle Regine Vallon was born and raised in New York City. Rachelle graduated from Hofstra University in Long Island, NY, where she majored in psychology and minored in dance. While at Hofstra, Rachelle realized her passion for dance and her desire to support minority adolescents through counseling and received recognition on the Deans’ List for the 2004 and 2005 Spring Semesters. In 2007, Rachelle received a Masters of Science in Education with a specialization in School Counseling from Hofstra University. While pursuing her graduate studies, Rachelle was involved with the Counseling Club, the Lambda Nu chapter of the National Counseling Honors Society, Chi Sigma Iota and received the John Dewey Van Buren Endowment Scholarship. In 2007, Rachelle began her career as a High School Counselor in a charter School in the Bronx, NY, where she provided counseling services to special needs and at risk populations; coordinated the first annual college awareness day and taught dance for sophomore physical education.
Email rvallon at q2l.org
Cameron Brown
Wellness, Grades 7 and 8
Cameron was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He has an Associates Degree in Sports Management from Mount Royal College, Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from the University of Lethbridge and a Bachelor of Education majoring in Health & Physical Education from the University of Western Ontario. While studying in Lethbridge, Cameron was a member of the U of L Pronghorns Track and Field team where he received the Jimmie Condon Scholarship for his academic and athletic excellence.
Cameron has spent the last 3 years teaching grade 6/7/8 Health and Physical Education at MS 256, Academic & Athletic Excellence on the Upper Westside of Manhattan. Cameron coached both the Girls and Boys Basketball teams, helped start the first Co-Ed Soccer program, and helped coach the Co-Ed Track and Field Team. Cameron also helped develop MS 256’s first student lead Peer Mediation program. Cameron is very excited to come to Q2L and can’t wait to develop the Wellness Program into more than just a class students take 4 periods per week. Cameron believes the idea of Wellness is something we can integrate into all aspects of our life at Q2L.
Email cbrown at q2l.org
Alyssa Richman
Wellness, Grade 6
Alyssa has been teaching Physical Education and Health at Manhattan schools since 2008. She has taught all ages ranging from Kindergarten to High School. In addition to her interest in Health and Physical Education, Alyssa enjoys working with students in extra-curricular activities and believes that these activities are just as important to a child’s development as the required curriculum. During her time at a Charter School, Alyssa helped to develop an internship program for students. Alyssa holds a BA in Physical Education from Syracuse University and a MA in Health Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Motivated and thoughtful, Alyssa believes that games offer students the opportunity to approach learning from a different perspective.
Email arichman at q2l.org
Spanish
Lauren De Silva
Spanish Domain Teacher, Grades 7 and 8
As a native Long Islander, Lauren has taught Spanish in Long Island schools for the past five years. She is looking forward to fulfilling her dream by moving to Manhattan to join the Q2L team. Lauren's experience has allowed her to teach a variety of age groups ranging from Elementary, High School and College Students. She holds a BA with a double major in Spanish and Education and a minor in Psychology from Manhattanville College. Her hard work and dedication led her to receiving a Masters in Education/TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from St. John’s University. While attending Manhattanville College, Lauren studied abroad in Seville, Spain. Studying in Spain inspired her to pursue and further her knowledge in the field of Spanish studies. During her Masters program at St. John’s University, Lauren studied abroad in Santiago, Dominican Republic and attended Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. In February, 2011, Lauren studied in Costa Rica through the Dellecave Educational Institute. Lauren plans to continue traveling around the world and applying her cultural and linguistic experiences in the classroom. Hardworking and enthusiastic, Lauren is eager to help all students grow an appreciation for foreign languages by preparing them to enter the global economy, with the knowledge and skills that foreign language brings. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Lauren has advised foreign language clubs for middle school students and intends on creating a foreign language club for all Q2L students to enjoy.
Email ldesilva at q2l.org
Q2L Support
Israel Tavares
Community Associate
Israel is Quest to Learn's Community Associate, who helps out with everything-everywhere! He was born and raised in New York City’s South Bronx, just a couple of blocks away from Yankee Stadium. As an energetic and athletic teen, Israel was always active in basketball or engaging with peers. Israel went on to study at SUNY Buffalo State College and graduated on both the Dean’s List and Honor Roll with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, with a concentration in Mathematics. While at Buffalo State, Israel was also active in various school-student organizations.
Today, Israel is an achieving brother of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. In his spare time, Israel participates in a step team for his fraternity, community service projects and has a hidden passion for entertainment. Israel has been progressively involved with working with children since he was 14. He has been a part of afterschool programs, summer recreational centers for youth, day camp programs, and has received an award for “Exemplary Performance as a Teacher in an Urban School” while student teaching at Buffalo State College. Israel is happy to be a part of the Quest to Learn team.
Email itavares at q2l.org
Technology Team
Richard Bowman
Computer Technology Specialist
Richard Bowman was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He describes himself as being geeky on the inside but cool on the outside. Richard began tinkering with computers from the age of 11. He built his first gaming PC at 13. While still in high school, Richard acquired the A+ and Net + Certifications at ECPI Technical College in Newport News, VA. He went on to major in Network Engineering at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Richard started his own free neighborhood computer repair service by the name of Rich Repairs after seeing the need to educate his local community on the basics of using a personal computer. He spent a year working with Merck Pharmaceuticals on their Field Sales team as a Technical Support Consultant before arriving at Quest to Learn. Richard finds working with computers to be very fun, even when things go wrong because he enjoys the challenge of deducing what might be the problem. Richard looks forward to bringing even more technical advancements to the students at Q2L this year.
Email: rbowman at q2l.org
William Moyet
Technologist and School Associate
William is originally from New York City and grew up on the Lower East Side. William attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT. While at Trinity, William majored in American Studies with a special concentration in education and race relations. William has always been active in community service. While a senior at Trinity, William served as the Assistant Chair of FACES—the largest community service organization at the college. Will has worked as a U.S. History teacher at Salisbury School in Salisbury, CT. While at Salisbury, he was very engaged in the life of the school, working as an individual and small group tutor in different subject areas. William also served as a dorm parent and sports team coach for Salisbury's wrestling, football and baseball teams. Through his work at Q2L, William continues his commitment to civic and community engagement.
Email wmoyet at q2l.org
INSTITUTE OF PLAY
Mission Lab
Rebecca Rufo-Tepper
Director of Integrated Learning, Institute of Play
Rebecca has been working in the New York City public school system for ten years. After receiving a master’s degree in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, she taught high school and middle school English and Social Studies for seven years in Brooklyn and Manhattan. In addition, she was a staff developer at East Side Middle School, a public school in Manhattan, for two years. She is professional development facilitator for the Holocaust Educators Network in New York City and the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC. Rebecca’s research has focused on professional development and school reform. She has presented her work at national conferences, including NCTE, NMSA, and ISCHE. Recently, Rebecca was an adjunct instructor of English Education in Hunter College's Curriculum and Teaching Department and worked with Pam Grossman at Stanford University on a research project on New York City ELA teachers. Rebecca completed her PhD in Urban Education in May 2009.
Email rebecca at instituteofplay.org
Claudio Midolo
Senior Game Designer
Claudio Midolo left Italy searching for a place to explore audio-visual design, photography and interactive systems, finding in New York City and Parsons, the ideal environment to follow his passions. During the course of the two years he spent at Parsons, the New School for Design as a MFA Design and Technology student, he focused his research on the creative possibilities of code and the intersection of digital technology, human creativity and communication. He presented the soundFishing project, a procedural sonic sampler, at the MobileMusicWorkshop08 conference in Vienna and a year later he joined the 2009 MobileHCI in Bonn, Germany with his master thesis 'Phototropic Memories. During June and July 2009, Claudio was in Zambia to implement the StopStockouts mobile advocacy campaign as an Open Society Institute fellow. He's currently part-time faculty at Parsons teaching Foundations of Time-based Digital Media. In collaboration with the Social Science Research Council and various institutions, Claudio also works as a producer for the Design for Learning team helping to implement the New Youth City Learning Network. He is honored to join the Institute of Play and Quest to Learn teams as a game designer, creating fun learning experiences for what he sees as the school of the future. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Clio, his beloved cat Mimi and continues to follow his creative passions.
Email claudio at instituteofplay.org
Daniel O'Keefe
Curriculum Developer
Daniel O'Keefe taught for six years at Saint Thomas Choir School, NYC, where he designed the 5-8 grade math program. At Saint Thomas, Daniel empowered his students to take on the roles of teachers, learners and teammates, using strategies such as cooperative problem solving, student mentoring, culture/environment formation, and differentiated learning techniques. Daniel helped students to care about and manipulate formal relationships in math, using manipulatives, stories, game play and design, programming, wit, and the world. He was able to use basketball and soccer coaching techniques to inform his teaching, and vice versa. Daniel also taught math for The Calhoun School and math and music for GoProjectNYC. His pedagogy is influenced by the rigorous discipline, he experienced in meditative athletics and martial arts and his time in Southern India learning the Mridangam.
Daniel studies technology and education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He writes songs, acts in films, and films strange films. Daniel is learning to play the uilleann pipes, addicted to the command line and uncluttered screen space, and writing a play about Hades and tea. He studied Philosophy at St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD.
Email daniel at instituteofplay.org
Shula Ponet
Game Designer
Shula is an artist and designer, whose work focuses on children, education, and technology. She holds an undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology from NYU and is currently pursuing an MFA in Design and Technology at Parsons The New School for Design. Prior to beginning her Masters, Shula worked on a research study that tested depression prevention methods among children and adolescents. Additionally, she designed book covers at a NY-based publishing company and artwork for a children’s clothing company. At Parsons, Shula is studying animation and interaction design, with a special focus on designing for children. She aspires to work in the field of educational media.
Email shula at instituteofplay.org
Eliza Spang
Learning Design Strategist
Eliza is responsible for the long-term advancement of the game-like integrated learning model pioneered by the Institute of Play—its continued evolution in existing learning contexts and its expansion and adaptation in new contexts, such as the upper schools at Quest to Learn and ChicagoQuest. Eliza comes to the Institute of Play and Quest to Learn with over 13 years of experience in education. She began her career in education as a high school science teacher at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School in Hamilton, MA and then moved to San Marin High School in Novato, CA. After earning her PhD in Curriculum and Teacher Education from Stanford University School of Education, she worked as a teacher educator, educational consultant and researcher in California, Massachusetts and New York. She presents at national conferences regularly and was an adjunct professor at Hunter College. Eliza’s research interests are science teacher education, professional development and the use of scientific inquiry in classrooms.
Email eliza at instituteofplay.org
Brendon Trombley
Game Designer
Brendon Trombley is a game designer and adventurer originally from the Adirondack region in upstate New York. He has since made his way to the big city to explore the potential of games to positively impact the world. He loves to create designs that not only educate, but also inspire people to explore and participate in the world around them.In 2008, he graduated from the New Media Design and Imaging program at Rochester Institute of Technology. His experiences there, introduced him to a wide-range of design and technology methodologies—from game design and programming to animation and graphic design. Brendon greatly enjoys his multi-disciplinary focus and participating in different aspects of the creative process. From 2008 to 2010, he designed and developed online learning tools and experiences at Kognito, a New York City based e-learning firm. As a new member of the Institute of Play, he's very excited to craft fun and engaging missions and learning experiences for the students at Quest to Learn. Currently, Brendon is also involved in several projects, including Chamball, a new sport fusing elements of dodgeball and martial arts and Brothers in Farms, a strategy game that teaches about sustainable agriculture techniques. When he's not creating and designing he loves adventure, exploration and new experiences of all kinds—be it traveling, hiking or rock climbing.
Email brendon at instituteofplay.org
Institute of Play Afterschool
Leah Gilliam
Program Manager for Informal Learning
Leah is responsible for the implementation and ongoing development of informal learning programs at the Institute of Play, including Institute of Play Afterschool, Short Circuit, and the summer camp,
Email leah at instituteofplay.org
Michael DeMinico
Digital Media Mentor
Michael is responsible for co-designing and implementing digital media-focused curricula for in-school and after-school contexts. Michael brings with him extensive experience as a professional videographer, documentarian and video editor and also as an artist. He has served the Marlborough Gallery as Lead Preparator and worked at the United Nations International School as s Media Specialist. Currently Michael is pursuing a Media Studies Masters at the New School with a focus on videography, documentary, editing and media literacy.
Email michael at instituteofplay.org
Don Miller
Art and Design Mentor
Don is responsible for refining and implementing curricula in the Institute's after-school pilot programs with a focus on art, design and electronics. Don brings with him a wide range of experiences as an educator and artist. Before moving to NY he worked for over five years in Philadelphia, teaching middle and high school English at Mastery and World Communications Charter schools. He serves as the Director of Playpower, a non-profit organization that brings low-cost learning games to developing countries, and he is a recent teaching resident at Eyebeam Art+ Technology Center's Digital Day Camp. Don is an adjunct professor of multimedia and programming at Borough of Manhattan Community College and City University of New York and is a graduate of New York University's Interactive Telecommunications Program.
Email don at instituteofplay.org
