Professional Learning

Amy Oelschlager is the Manager of Professional Learning based out of St. Paul, MN. She taught elementary school for several years before getting her Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology and becoming an Instructional Coach.

She also worked as a Personalized Learning Coordinator for an urban district in the Twin Cities creating and coordinating professional development and effective implementation of instructional technology in K-12 classrooms.

In addition to her teaching and district leadership, she has worked at MIND as an Education Success Manager supporting the implementation of ST Math in districts and schools across the country. She loves training and coaching teachers to use ST Math as an instructional tool to transform their math instruction.

Jim deBerjeois is a Professional Learning Specialist (PLS) located in the Atlanta, Ga area. He spent 20 years as a teacher and administrator in various schools in NY, NC, and Ga.  He has extensive experience in delivering training and classroom support to educators throughout the country. Prior to becoming a PLS, he served as an Education Success Manager at MIND, supporting the implementation of ST Math in various schools and districts. In his spare time, Jim enjoys reading, playing tennis, and following college sports, especially basketball.

Dr. Billie McConnell is a Professional Learning Specialist in San Antonio, TX. He has taught math, computer science, design thinking, and technology applications. He has worked with students and teachers at all K12 levels.  He has also served as a Principal, Head of School, Director of Instruction & Technology, consultant, and an assistant professor in teacher education.

One of his passions is helping teachers create engaging, technology-rich classrooms. Through his experience and his education from his Ed.D. in Educational Technology and his M.S. in Computer Education & Cognitive Systems, Billie is able to help teachers reach students in new and engaging ways.

Karen Frankhouser is a Professional Learning Specialist on behalf of the MIND Research Institute. Karen is a career mathematics educator, working as a classroom teacher in grades 6-12 and as an education consultant supporting PreK to HS teachers and students.  Karen has a Master of Science in Education Design and Strategies.Karen has extensive experience developing and delivering integrated curricula, using strategies that foster critical thinking. Karen is passionate about the learner’s journey, seeing that “lightbulb” shine when understanding is achieved. Karen has lived in seven different states and taught in private and public schools.  These events have helped Karen to learn to thrive when faced with change. Now, she resides in eastern Pennsylvania, a short drive from New York City and Philadelphia. But whenever it is possible, you can find Karen at the shore, cruising on her comfy bike. 

ShaKeitha Green is a Professional Learning Specialist based out of Los Angeles, CA. She has been in the field of education for over 13 years. ShaKeitha was a Lab Tech at an elementary school for 7 years where she monitored and implemented the school’s technology programs including ST Math. During that time she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and a Master’s Degree in Technology Based Education. 

Additionally, she has worked at MIND as an Education Success Manager supporting schools and districts with the implementation of ST Math for the past six years. She discovered a great joy for presenting and the importance of connecting with the audience.

Vivian Doughty is a Professional Learning Specialist with MIND Research Institute. Vivian has worked with MIND since 2012 supporting schools and districts within California and beyond. A Minneapolis native, she has made Long Beach, California her home for nearly all of her adult life while working in vocations that have honed her creative, out-of-the-box thinking, intuition, and grit.  Her kind nature is always a positive impact. Vivian taught in the private and public sector for many years, working the entire spectrum of education, from young children to adults of all ages. She holds multiple degrees from CSULB along with a clear, professionalized, California teaching credential and ELA1 certification. Vivian enjoys performing at a high level to ensure the vibrancy and success of your professional learning process and delivery.

Rebekah Ames is an Education Success Manager based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education. She has worked in education for fifteen years and spent many of those years as a classroom teacher teaching kindergarten, third grade, and fifth grade. Additionally she has worked as an instructional coach, helping teachers refine best practices and find new ways to reach all learners. She is passionate about education, especially math education. Rebekah enjoys working with teachers and school leaders to show them how ST Math can transform the way their students feel about math. When she’s not solving math problems with JiJi she can be found cooking, gardening, and enjoying time with her family.

Melissa is an Education Success Manager based in Southern California.  She graduated from Chapman University with her B.A., then later earned her teaching credential from Cal State Los Angeles. Melissa is a dynamic education ambassador who has served students as a HS Math Teacher, Tutoring Center Director, Regional Manager of After School Programs, and as an Assistant Principal. In her current role, she enjoys sharing her passion for ST Math’s neuroscience based approach to teaching mathematics with Administrators and Teachers. She is a married mama of two who relaxes by soaking up sunshine & sipping sweet-tea.

Chris Hara is an Education Success Manager based in Seattle, Washington. He completed his Master of Education and credentialing program at UC San Diego before teaching middle school math and science in California. His passion for inquiry- and project-based learning in the classroom grew alongside his participation in leadership initiatives ranging from technology integration to grant writing. As an Education Success Manager, he enjoys working with educators nationwide to foster deep, conceptual understanding, and a love for mathematics. In his spare time, you can find him surfing, fishing, climbing rocks, and generally recreating in the great outdoors.

Michelle Russell is a Professional Learning Consultant based in Chicago, Illinois.  She has over 20 years of experience working in both public and private schools through the Greater Chicagoland area and holds a Masters in Technology in Education.  Michelle’s classroom experience includes time as a middle school math teacher, elementary teacher, computer teacher and an Instructional Technology Specialist where she was tasked with creating and supporting an environment that encouraged creativity and the independent use of instructional technology within the school. Michelle enjoys spending time trying out new recipes to cook with her husband, enjoys relaxing with a good book, and cross-stitching.

Emily Palumbo is a Professional Learning Consultant based out of Northern New Jersey.  She is a former elementary school teacher who worked for many years in both charter and public schools.  During Emily’s time as a teacher, she received her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Teaching.  With this degree, Emily has focused on adapting and developing curriculum to meet the needs of a wide variety of learners.  As a Professional Learning Consultant, she enjoys getting to engage with teachers across the country and help them to use ST Math to reach every student in their classrooms.

JiJi oversees student success and is responsible for crossing the screen as math puzzles are solved. JiJi is an accomplished world traveler, and has led over two million students to the next challenge as they play ST Math. JiJi is not great at jumping, but excels at waddling around classrooms in pursuit of giving students and educators alike a high “flipper”. JiJi is currently studying all mathematical subjects in grades PreK-8.