Lisette Casey is currently serving as Strategy Officer for Modern Teacher. Her background in public education includes 22 years of experience at the elementary, secondary and administrative levels. She is passionate about the growing need to transform educational practices to create authentic and collaborative learning environments that promote inquiry, visible thinking, and student voice and choice through Digital Convergence. In efforts to create classrooms for modern learners, Lisette works with administration and staff in effectively designing and delivering both professional development and educational content for 24/7 availability with an emphasis on making learning personal for all learners. She has effectively collaborated with school-wide administration to successfully develop and implement a district-wide iPad roll out and personalized learning program. Lisette is also an Apple Distinguished Educator. Lisette is also a founding partner of the Colorado Mobile Learning Collaborative. This collaborative consists of Colorado administrators working to support 1:1 learning initiatives in districts. Lisette also extended her work as an independent consultant when she started her own company in 2013. During this time she partnered with teachers and administrators in the transition to modern learning environments by utilizing digital technology and changing pedagogies. Lisette received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Delaware, a teaching certificate from the University of Colorado and a Masters in Education from Lesley University. When she is away from work you may find her gardening, cooking, traveling or spending time with her family in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Stephanie Hollar, Modern Teacher Faculty, is a proud resident of the Buckeye State. Stephanie locally and nationally services schools and other educational organizations in professional development, instructional coaching and educational consulting. In addition to her work with Modern Teacher, Stephanie consults with various organizations specializing in curriculum and unit design, school design, assessment literacy, and blended learning in the 21st Century classroom. Stephanie earned her B.S. from Bowling Green State University and her M.ED. from Penn State University. She ranks co-founding a blended learning school in the year 2000, before blended learning was really a “thing”, as one of her most valued learning experiences and professional accomplishments. Stephanie credits her past experience as curriculum leader, director of education, classroom teacher and even as a student, as foundational pieces that have grounded her in her educational belief that students make the most academic and social gains with access to the right environment, tools, and support from effective educators and that with the right environment, tools and support from effective leaders teachers have the opportunity for success.

Kelly Jones serves as Modern Teacher’s Marketing Manager. Originally from Arkansas, Kelly earned a Bachelor of Arts in both Biology and French from Hendrix College. Post-undergrad and leading up to her current position, Kelly positively contributed to the growth of multiple companies in the fields of education and sustainable food systems. The diversity in her experience, interests, and skill sets allows her to approach marketing strategy holistically from analytical and creative vantages. Personally, Kelly aims to draw meaningful connections about the intersections between culture, education, and technology with respect to the social and economic climates in which they coincide. Professionally, Kelly aims to use these connections to drive positive change in the educational landscape. Through data-driven marketing strategy and effective foresight, her role promotes Modern Teacher as a long-term asset in our ability to transform school districts into robust ecosystems which are empowered to remain at the leading edge of innovative pedagogy.

Jeff Ottens is a former consultant and entrepreneur experienced in driving growth and building high performing teams. He brings experience in a broad range of functions to Modern Teacher from strategy and operations to finance and business development. Jeff began his career at Huron Consulting Group, where he focused on restructuring and turnaround initiatives with a focus on the airline industry. Jeff brings entrepreneurial and operational experience from his time spent growing a flood and fire restoration company until its acquisition in 2012. Currently serving as Executive Vice President of Operations, Jeff works to streamline processes to scale operations and efficiently service our Clients to transform traditional classrooms to modern learning environments. Jeff earned his B.A. from the University of Illinois with a degree in Finance.

Dr. Shawn K. Smith is currently serving as President of Modern Teacher and a national leader on issues surrounding digital education and pedagogy. He is compelled to preserve education’s rich heritage and support America’s teachers and leaders as they transition traditional classrooms into modern learning environments. Shawn is an author, speaker, consultant, and rare book collector. He has one of the largest private collections of John Dewey’s writings in the world. He is the author of Teacher as Architect: Instructional design and delivery for the modern teacher and The New Agenda: Achieving personalized learning through Digital Convergence. Formerly Shawn was a teacher, principal, and Chief of Schools for 15 years in school districts in Illinois and California. He has made appearances on both Discovery and Learning channels as well as various radio, web, and podcast programs. Shawn holds degrees from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin (bachelor’s degree, elementary education), the California State University, San Bernardino (master’s degree, middle school education), and the University of Southern California (doctorate degree, urban education policy and leadership).

Dr. Ann M. Chavez is currently serving as a founding partner and Chief Academic Officer of Modern Teacher. A native Southern Californian, Ann has 24 years of experience across all levels of public school service. As a teacher and principal, she worked in school districts across Southern California. As a district leader, she most recently served in Chicago Public Schools as the Deputy of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for a regional area on Chicago’s Southside. Ann believes that we find the path to results by providing focused support for teachers and empowering principals as instructional leaders. She uses a practical hands-on approach and brings her daily experience as both teacher and principal as she mentors and coaches today’s educational leaders. Ann focuses on the individual needs of districts and school sites to build the leadership capacity within and empowers them to make strategic decisions that directly affect student-learning outcomes. Ann earned a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from California State University of Long Beach, a Masters of Education in School Administration from Azusa Pacific University, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership in Urban Schools K–12 from the University of Southern California.

Chris Hurd is the Quality Assurance Manager at Modern Teacher with 4+ years experience. A Kansas City native turned Chicagoan, Chris comes from a background in healthcare education tech and e-commerce web development. His experience, knowledge, and passionate work ethic bring great energy to the team. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, photography and spending time with friends and family.

Alex King is a Software Developer specializing in system and user interface design. His job includes developing new platform features, ensuring existing ones continue working great, and keeping his cat from walking all over his keyboard.

Andy Pridgeon is currently serving as the Vice President of Network Membership for Modern Teacher. Originally from the Grand Rapids area of West Michigan, Andy earned his B.S., as well as his M.A. in educational administration and administration of secondary schools from Central Michigan University. Andy has been a middle school professional educator for 21 years and has worked closely with professional teachers aligning customized professional development. Andy takes great pride in leading a one-to-one initiative within his middle school and providing high engagement instructional techniques for the professional staff. Andy also believes in developing the leadership capacity of teachers and empowering them to be primary decision makers regarding the objectives, goals and trajectory of a school building and district. Andy started his career as a seventh and eighth grade science teacher and has served as a middle school athletic director, assistant principal and most recently as a lead principal for the past 15 years. Andy continues to reside in Michigan with his wife (Angie) and their two daughters.

Justin Vincent has held CTO and technical architect positions at start-ups and Fortune 500’s, including Idealab, Uber Media, B Sky B, the UK’s number one Satellite TV network, and Reed Elsevier. Most recently he founded, built & sold Pluggio, a social media dashboard. Justin’s Open Source software ezSQL is used in over a million websites and has been incorporated into many open source products, such as WordPress.