We know it takes the whole community to educate a child. Students need effective efforts from teachers, parents and community partners alike to succeed. Our team of experienced educators and professionals are here to help your #WholeEducationalCommunity be successful and support your students’ needs.
“I empower teachers with purposeful instructional strategies to facilitate more student learning and create happier, more confident classrooms. My job is to elevate your teachers, so they can elevate your students.”
– Jaclyn Sarnese, MSEd
Founder Jaclyn Sarnese considers herself a ‘forever educator,’ starting her career in the classroom and continuing her professional journey guiding learners of all ages. After Jaclyn graduated from the University of Miami with a double major in Biology and Secondary Education taught, she began teaching high school biology and biomedical science at Oakcrest High School in New Jersey. As a young college graduate, Jaclyn started a PLTW Biomedical Science magnet program to offer more high-quality STEM opportunities for their diverse students. Jaclyn was extremely grateful for the guidance she received through participating in creative, non-traditional approaches to teaching and learning, and she wanted to empower more teachers with the same level of professional learning and support.
After a very sad goodbye to Oakcrest, which had become her family, Jaclyn left the classroom to attend the University of Pennsylvania and earn her M.S.Ed. in education policy. There, Jaclyn studied under some of the nation’s top professors and researchers in education, which only fueled her drive to advocate for increased support for teachers through policy and high-quality professional learning. During her graduate school experience, Jaclyn was also introduced to the importance of a shared vision and community development by participating with the STEM Learning Ecosystems in Philadelphia, then San Diego.
Upon relocating to California, Jaclyn began assisting school districts with their adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and quickly became a local leader in STEM Education, as a co-chair for the Innovation in K-12 Working Group for the San Diego STEM Ecosystem. Jaclyn continued her aspiration to support teachers by visiting dozens of science teachers’ classrooms across the state and country, where she was able to observe and test out different research-based strategies to recommend to individual teachers, based on her observations. These classrooms became Jaclyn’s laboratories of innovation which catalyzed the creation of elevatEd Classrooms just in time for the largest paradigm shift in the history of the US Education System.
Most recently, Randall has partnered with Public Health research teams and other private and public sector clients to develop strategic and business development plans for organizational transformation. Randall has a degree in Economics from Middlebury College with concentrations in Developmental Geography and East Asian Literature. He has also completed additional licenses and certifications in Project Management and Finance.
Randall has over 20 years of international experience in sales and marketing for Fortune 500 companies in the Global Health arena – identifying critical areas of opportunity, building the corresponding targeted solutions and driving home results. In executing those efforts, he has also led diverse and cross-functional teams to successful outcomes, receiving numerous awards and special recognition for his efforts.
Most recently, Randall has partnered with Public Health research teams and other private and public sector clients to develop strategic and business development plans for organizational transformation. Randall has a degree in Economics from Middlebury College with concentrations in Developmental Geography and East Asian Literature. He has also completed additional licenses and certifications in Project Management and Finance.
Jacqueline received her Ed.S and M.A. degree in School Psychology from Rowan University and her B.S. degree in Psychology from Drexel University. She is currently certified in New Jersey and practices full time in the public school system. She has been working with the elementary and middle school students for 6+ years. She works to consult and collaborate with teachers, parents, and students to maximize their education and social experience. Additionally she completes cognitive and behavioral assessments as part of the Special Education process. She specializes in educating students, teachers, and parents on a variety of disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, Autism, Specific Learning Disabilities, as well mood disorders and various developmental disorders.
Aimee Masters Altman is currently a middle school language arts teacher in southern New Jersey. As a teacher with over 13 years experience, she has worked as a Kindergarten-6th grade Library-Media Specialist, a 3rd grade inclusion teacher, as well as a middle school language arts teacher. Mrs. Altman graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Sociology with a concentration in health and medicine and a minor in Women’s Studies. During her time at UPenn, she found her passion for teaching while working the Extended School Year program for students with special needs. She then went on to earn her Master’s degree in Education in Reading/Writing/Literacy with a certification as a Reading Specialist from the University of Pennsylvania School of Education. She continued her education for a Library-Media Specialist certification at Rutgers University. Mrs. Altman has sat on many committees to analyze, select, and write curriculum.
Elizabeth received her MPH in Health Promotion from Columbia University and her BS in Exercise Science from George Washington University. She has been studying and working in the Social Determinants of Health space for the past 10 years, conducting needs assessments and implementing and evaluating program designs in diverse communities. She is currently a Public Health and Wellness Consultant full-time while helping guide her niece through virtual school, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and realizes the importance in developing PDs to support the Whole Educational Community.
Dr. Korey Sewell , founder of Hands-On Technology Education, is a professional engineer and educator specializing in Computer Science & Engineering. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Michigan (2012) and his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Riverside (2004). His professional background consists of work at places such as Intel, Apple, Qualcomm and MIPS Technologies with interests in Microprocessors, CPU Workloads, and Simulation Methodology. As an educator, Dr. Sewell aspires for Hands-On Technology to continue to fulfill its mission of empowering the K-12 demographic with innovative, practical, and affordable technology-based activities (summer camps, workshops, and after-school programs).
Rachel is an experienced cross-cultural development and educational specialist. She has spent her career working across the Islamic World from Central Asia to The Middle East to Southeast Asia. Her fieldwork has been with NGOs, non-profits, and local educational institutions focusing on supporting community development and vulnerable populations specifically through education-related projects. She is an esteemed Fulbright recipient with a BA in International Development. She has worked in refugee resettlement and peace-building as a community development specialist. Then in higher education both in the classroom as well as in administrative support in Krygyzstan, Jordan, and the United States. Her background in education and community development has given her a passion to work in the education sector to help the whole educational community succeed.
Paula Blanco is currently a bilingual kindergarten teacher at a dual-immersion school. Paula first received a bachelor’s degree in foreign language teaching and in infant education. Paula found her passion teaching and went back for a MAT Spanish (teaching Spanish as a second language). After her education, Paula moved from Spain to the United States. Ms. Blanco is an experienced teacher with 9+ years of classroom experience.
