Magdalena Szczerba

Education consultant for Eastern Europe, Magdalena Szczerba, is adept at demonstrating how educators from this region can bring learning to life through interactive education solutions, while also considering the local curriculum and intricacies of the region. Magdalena contributes regularly to a column in the Polish education magazine, EduFakty, covering topics beneficial to educators who wish to bring their classroom learning and teaching techniques to the next level.
 
Magdalena's understanding of the classroom comes from her unique teaching and training background in the Polish Embassy in The Hague, The West Pomeranian Business School and several language schools.
 
Magdalena graduated in 2006 from Wrocław University of Economics and Management with a Masters and a Science Diploma in Computer Science and Econometrics. Currently she is studying English Philology at the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznan, Poland.
 
Magdalena displays a natural connection with people, particularly children, and has clear insights into the evolvment of the education system overall.

Denise Barker

A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Denise Barker has earned both law and education degrees.  She worked for BASF in Sales and Marketing for a number of years before teaching for the past 12 years in both Brazil and the United States.  Her fluency in Portuguese, Spanish and English coupled with her focus on teaching styles, varied learning needs and experience in sales, marketing and education, make Denise an invaluable asset to PolyVision’s diverse and growing business initiatives.

Gerald Goh

Gerald lives the passion of learning pedagogy by harnessing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education. As a former primary school teacher, he delivered ICT-enriched learning experiences, nurturing students to become self-directed and collaborative learners.

A role model, Gerald conducted regular professional development sessions for his colleagues on how ICT engages learners and the effective use of ICT in classroom teaching and learning. In his stint, he was awarded an Outstanding Contribution Award and a bronze award for the National Chinese Language Multimedia Resource Creation Competition. Gerald also co-developed classroom software tools with Creative Technologies.

As a PolyVision education consultant, Gerald promises a new paradigm shift for educators. With PolyVision interactive classroom solutions, he demonstrates how to deliver effective lessons which create innovative and exciting teaching and learning experiences.

Gerald has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Singapore Institute of Management, a Diploma in Education (National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technology University) and an advanced level International Diploma in Information and Communications awarded by University of Cambridge. 

Julie Lecoq has a born-in passion for teaching and new technologies. Combining these interests as a PolyVision education consultant, Julie helps the teachers to use interactive whiteboards to create powerful teaching and learning experiences.

After having studied English at University to become an English teacher, Julie specialized in Didactics and FLE (equivalent to TEFL for French language) and taught French to English pupils in a secondary school in Southern England. There, she was introduced to her first interactive whiteboard—it was a real crush! She decided to return to France to study this wonderful tool and how it revolutionizes teaching. While working as an intern at PolyVision France, Julie completed her Master Degree report on interactive whiteboard pedagogical. She could never break away from her enthusiasm for new technologies in the educational field!

At Polyvision, Julie’s goal is to work with teachers to integrate the interactive whiteboard in their daily teaching practices and help them adapt their teaching styles to enhance student engagement and achievement. Julie believes that whatever the subject, interactivity is a must-have for classroom efficiency. Julie also worked as a multimedia project manager and created pedagogical softwares (Edutainment software for foreigners learning French language and culture and English training program for chartered accountants). Those who work with Julie appreciate her dynamism and passion for teaching.

Charla Bennett

“What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I know.” This proverb played a role in Charla Bennett’s third grade classroom and features prominently in her work with educators today. Putting interactive technology tools into the hands of teachers and students truly brings learning to life and strengthens understanding.

Through her work with the Polyvision Education Team, Charla imparts lessons learned through two decades of work with students, teachers and educational technology. Since earning a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona, she has helped teachers grow confident in their use of technology tools as part of daily lesson delivery. Drawing on her experience as school computer coach, Charla invites educators to explore interactive tools to capture student interest and heighten learning.

Those who work with Charla can anticipate a fun, hands-on approach to acquiring new skills and strategies about what works in today’s technology equipped classroom. Her goal is help every educator feel more capable using the technology tools that today’s digital natives love.

Tracey Leschin

Tracey Leschin believes in developing a love of learning in the elementary classroom by bringing in anything and everything to connect the lesson content to students and their interests. This resulted in some interesting lessons and adventurous days (especially while teaching fourth grade!) in Tracey's teaching days.

Becoming an Education Consultant for PolyVision is a natural extension of Tracey's teaching philosophies. Bringing interactive whiteboards and technology to teachers evokes the same excitement she saw in her elementary students. Tracey enjoys introducing teachers to the possibilities of the technology and how it can create connection and excitement for their students, as well as making life easier for the busy classroom teacher.

Tracey received her undergraduate degree from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. She then received her Master of Arts in Education from Saint Xavier University in Chicago. Since leaving the classroom, she has been training teachers for almost 10 years through education publishing companies such as Pearson Education.

You will find that working with Tracey brings enthusiasm and passion about education and the integration of technology. She specializes at the elementary level and has worked extensively with introducing apprehensive teachers to technology in the classroom.

Steve Slifka

For Steve Slifka, helping teachers use today’s technology to engage and excite the imagination of students is his primary goal. He knows the importance of taking advantage of every available resource—to capture the attention of students, prepare them for higher learning and the challenges awaiting them in our global community.

A graduate of Youngstown State University, Steve received a BS in Business Administration and focused on Marketing Management. During his 10+ years of working for Steelcase/PolyVision, Steve worked with teams engaged in improving the working and learning environments for K-12, higher education, as well as healthcare. Steve finds it rewarding to help educators and workers of all types get the most out of their environment by understanding their surroundings, work styles and challenges.

As a father of two high school students, Steve is acutely aware of the educational and societal pressures students face on a daily basis. Technologies created at PolyVision are designed to ease those pressures and channel student energy into constructive, goal-oriented skills while raising their confidence levels. Steve is proud to bring you a solution that alters the roadmap of education, one student at a time.

Molly Montoya

Coming from a family of educators, it is not a surprise that Molly Montoya landed in the education field. Molly first taught in Mexico City at the elementary level, giving her extensive experience with the English as a Second Language (ESL) community. When she returned to the United States, her classroom experiences blended seamlessly with the work she began to do in the Audio Visual Industry. Working with key stakeholders in a variety of school districts nationwide, Molly has successfully assisted with the integration of many instructional technology tools. Her native-like fluency in Spanish is a great asset to our Spanish-speaking users of PolyVision interactive classroom solutions.

Joyce Chiavacci

While Joyce Chiavacci’s fourth-grade classroom might have looked in many ways like an average classroom, the learning that took place inside was anything but typical. Joyce’s own experiences as a struggling student and her desire to help others like her led her to become an educator. Her highly interactive, hands-on and visual approach to teaching developed as a way to make learning easier and more engaging for all students, especially those facing challenges in the classroom.

As an education consultant for PolyVision, Joyce helps teachers, schools and school districts seamlessly adopt and integrate interactive tools into the classroom and curriculum. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education with a minor in art from the University of Maine. She has been a fourth-grade teacher, basketball coach, advisor and mentor to student groups and coordinator for a school accreditation program. Joyce draws on her active participation in the University of Maine’s annual program on integrating technology into the classroom to instruct and engage students and enhance the learning process.

Teachers who work with Joyce through PolyVision can expect to experience the same sense of humor her students knew her for, as well as her energetic and knowledgeable approach to interactive teaching and learning.

Ian Maber

Education consultant, Ian Maber brings over 25 years of experience in the classroom. His talent of blending educational pedagogical principles with technological developments across a broad range of levels and subjects is apparent in his work with some of the most well-known names in technology development: Intel, Samsung, Pearson Publishing BBC, Channel Four and RM Education.

Ian has also worked in an advisory capacity with government departments including the United States, Australian and Canadian High Commissions.

In his words, “PolyVision Technology products, the ēno interactive whiteboard in particular, have many plus points. It is great fun to go into teaching and learning environments to show what a positive impact our interactive whiteboards can have in the classroom.”

Greg Brooks

Greg Brooks’s proficiency in current and emerging classroom technologies is unsurpassed. As a former elementary teacher, teacher education professor, literacy curriculum and instruction consultant, leader in professional literacy education organizations, and educational technology enthusiast, Greg brings a passionate spirit to the challenges and opportunities of the technology-rich 21st Century classroom.

Greg found it easy to integrate technology into his classroom, sparking student interest in subjects—to the point where they looked forward to their next assignments. However, Greg knows that not all teachers are on a comfort level to do the same. Compounded by their daily demands to cover several topics and materials, “extras” such as incorporating technology in the classroom is nearly impossible for many. He knows that, if teachers are going to use technology regularly, it must be highly practical, applicable and straightforward, as well as engaging for teachers and students alike.

As a PolyVision education consultant, Greg brings a level of professional development that promises all teachers can and will find ways to thoughtfully and comfortably integrate their PolyVision interactive whiteboard to create new and exciting teaching and learning experiences. With increased knowledge, confidence, and enthusiasm for using technology, teachers will begin to explore the near endless abound of digital tools and resources beyond the interactive whiteboard.

Greg has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from State University of New York-College at New Paltz. He also has a Master of Science in Curriculum Development and Instructional Design (concentration in Instructional Technology) as well as Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in Reading Education, all earned from State University of New York- University at Albany.  He has served in leadership roles in several national, state, and local professional education organizations and has had authored or co-authored numerous articles and book chapters that have appeared in professional publications.

Eric Spicer

PolyVision education consultant, Eric Spicer knows that opportunities for teaching don’t just happen in a classroom. As a former elementary and middle school teacher, Eric served as a coach and mentor for students in sports and after school clubs, getting to know students personally and encouraging them in a variety of learning activities.

Eric’s early teaching experiences included working with elementary school students in an afterschool computer club. Seeing students get excited about learning and how much they developed their skills in the process convinced him of the importance of integrating technology into the classroom. Eric has a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts in Educational Technology from Michigan State University, where he currently is an adjunct professor in the Educational Technology Masters Program. He has also taught adult education classes.

Those who work with Eric through PolyVision can expect him to bring a sense of fun to integrating technology in the classroom, and a well-rounded perspective on how technology can benefit both teachers and students.

Crystal Just

Sometimes, as Crystal Just discovered in her classroom, the best thing a teacher can do is go with the flow. As a second grade teacher, Crystal embraced when her students would throw curveball questions at her during class discussions and activities, because it usually led to very teachable moments. Her approach to teaching—whether through impromptu lessons, interactive presentations or group learning activities—was designed to foster curiosity and a love for learning in her students.

Crystal continues to cultivate excitement for teaching and learning in her work as an education consultant with PolyVision. As an education consultant, she helps teachers develop in their use of interactive tools, which translates into engaged, successful students. Crystal has a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Education degree from Texas State University. She specializes in elementary and early childhood education, and has a deep knowledge of research methods related to education and alternatives to traditional teaching methods.

Those who work with Crystal can expect her to be as passionate about helping teachers grow in their use of technology as she is about engaging students to learn.

Carissa Santasiero

For education consultant, Carissa Santasiero, the challenges of teaching—whether sixth grade math students or other teachers immersing themselves in technology strategies—are made gratifying in “light bulb” moments.

As a middle school math teacher, soccer coach, and community service club and drama group advisor, Carissa worked to help students develop passion for learning through the use of hands-on tools that support personal accomplishments. As a training development specialist for PolyVision, she works with teachers to transform lessons into interactive activities that engage and empower students. Her goal is to help teachers tap into student interest in technology to prepare them for success in and out of the classroom.

Carissa also communicates education needs and solutions to the sales force, ensuring that classroom needs drive sales priorities. In addition to her classroom experience, Carissa holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Georgia.

Teachers who work with Carissa can expect to experience light bulb moments—when a concept suddenly clicks—in themselves and in their students.

Amy Brandt

As a first grade teacher, Amy Brandt could never wait to get to school each day, and she sought to share that excitement for learning with her students. It’s one of the reasons she embraces the use of interactive tools to help inspire and engage students.

Amy continues to work to pass along a passion for learning—by helping teachers integrate interactive tools into their classrooms. Prior to joining the PolyVision Education Team, she worked as an assistant principal of a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human development and family studies from Colorado State University and a Master of Education degree from the University of Phoenix.

In her education consultant role with PolyVision, Amy draws on her experiences in the classroom, as well as the examples of other teachers in her family. One of her goals as an Education Consultant is to help teachers incorporate interactive technology into their daily teaching patterns, helping them to more effectively engage students in learning, especially those who might otherwise act disruptively or not pay attention in class.

Those who work with Amy can expect her to be knowledgeable and filled with ideas for transforming lessons and classrooms to maximize the education experience for both teachers and students.

Amanda Oneth

Teaching is about connecting for Amanda Oneth, education consultant. Being a part of helping students make learning connections is what makes it gratifying. As a fourth grade teacher, Amanda worked to create a classroom environment where students enjoyed learning, and where each student received the attention needed to succeed.

In her work at PolyVision, Amanda helps teachers use interactive tools effectively and efficiently in their classrooms. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma. In addition to her work in the classroom, Amanda has spent several summers teaching students at a science camp. Her lessons on projectiles always delivered a blast, giving Amanda a reason to consider herself a “rocket scientist.”

Those who work with Amanda can expect her to bring a skilled approach to integrating technology in the classroom. As a teacher, Amanda understood how the use of technology helped her run the classroom more smoothly, giving her the time she needed to work one-on-one with students or in small groups. Her goal is to help other teachers experience those benefits as they engage students in learning.