Founders & Staff
A dedicated team of professionals collaborate in the development and delivery of Tools of the Mind’s professional development and curriculum. Want to learn more about us?
The Founders
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Fun Facts
- Favorite Quote
- "Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play." —Heraclitus, philosopher (500 BCE)
- Inspiration
- The teachers and children that we work with at Tools.
- Most Unusual Job
- I worked in a vineyard in Bordeaux before I went to college.
Deborah Leong, Ph.D.Co-founder and PresidentDr. Deborah J. Leong is the Executive Director of Tools of the Mind and Professor Emerita of Psychology at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she taught for 36 years in the Psychology Department and in the Department of Education. Dr. Leong developed the Tools of the Mind approach with Dr. Bodrova with whom she has written numerous books, articles, and educational videos on the Vygotskian Approach to Psychology and the development of play. Dr. Leong has written several books on early childhood assessment with Drs. McAfee and Bodrova. She has her Ph.D. from Stanford University in Psychological Studies in Education, her M.Ed. from Harvard University, and her B.A. from Stanford University. She was a Fulbright Fellow to the University of Patagonia, Argentina.
Dr. Deborah J. Leong is the Executive Director of Tools of the Mind and Professor Emerita of Psychology at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she taught for 36 years in the Psychology Department and in the Department of Education. Dr. Leong developed the Tools of the Mind approach with Dr. Bodrova with whom she has written numerous books, articles, and educational videos on the Vygotskian Approach to Psychology and the development of play. Dr. Leong has written several books on early childhood assessment with Drs. McAfee and Bodrova. She has her Ph.D. from Stanford University in Psychological Studies in Education, her M.Ed. from Harvard University, and her B.A. from Stanford University. She was a Fulbright Fellow to the University of Patagonia, Argentina.
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Fun Facts
- Bucket List Items
- Travel to Asia, Europe, and Australia
- Favorite Place
- The Mountains
- Most Surprising Thing About You
- In middle school, I had to pass a test taking apart and assembling an AK-47.
Elena Bodrova, Ph.D.Co-founder and Tools Knowledge AdvisorElena Bodrova, Ph.D. is the Co-founder and Tools Knowledge Advisor at Tools of the Mind. In collaboration with Dr. Deborah Leong, she developed Tools of the Mind program based on Vygotskian and post-Vygotskian theories of learning and Luria’s theories of brain development. Dr. Bodrova’s work on applying Lev Vygotsky’s theory to education began in Russia where she worked in the Institute for Preschool Education, and continued in the US where she worked as a Visiting Professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver and later as a Principal Researcher at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning. Dr. Bodrova is the coauthor with Dr. Leong of multiple articles and book chapters on early literacy, assessment, play, and self-regulation. Dr. Bodrova holds Ph.D. in Child Development and Educational Psychology from Russian Academy of Pedagogical Sciences and M.A. in Child Development and Educational psychology from Moscow State University, Russia.
Elena Bodrova, Ph.D. is the Co-founder and Tools Knowledge Advisor at Tools of the Mind. In collaboration with Dr. Deborah Leong, she developed Tools of the Mind program based on Vygotskian and post-Vygotskian theories of learning and Luria’s theories of brain development. Dr. Bodrova’s work on applying Lev Vygotsky’s theory to education began in Russia where she worked in the Institute for Preschool Education, and continued in the US where she worked as a Visiting Professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver and later as a Principal Researcher at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning. Dr. Bodrova is the coauthor with Dr. Leong of multiple articles and book chapters on early literacy, assessment, play, and self-regulation. Dr. Bodrova holds Ph.D. in Child Development and Educational Psychology from Russian Academy of Pedagogical Sciences and M.A. in Child Development and Educational psychology from Moscow State University, Russia.
The Leadership Team
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Fun Facts
- Bucket List
- Seeing a moose, northern lights and grandchildren!
- Favorite Place
- Anywhere by the ocean.
- Coveted Superpower
- Teleportation, so I could spend more time with the ones I love (and more time by the ocean!).
Barb Wilder-SmithExecutive Director & Co-Developer -
Fun Facts
- Describe yourself using three words.
- Resourceful, motivated, optimistic
- What is your favorite food?
- Anything Indian and/or with cauliflower
- What is the most surprising thing about you?
- I have an autographed picture of Margaret Mead
Moira RodgersDirector of Special Initiatives -
Fun Facts
- Most Unusual Job
- Sesame Workshop on a study that led to Sesame Street's Healthy Habit Initiative.
- Weekends Spent
- Hiking, snowshoeing and/or rock climbing. Sometimes it's spent binge-watching Netflix though!
- Bucket List
- See the northern lights in Iceland
Megan SpacciapoliDirector of Evaluation and P3 Partnerships
The Content Development Team
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Fun Facts
- Favorite Quote
- “If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.” — Don Draper
- Most Unusual Job
- Teaching English in Italy to 11-year-olds.
- Coveted Superpower
- Touch a book and know everything inside.
David BrookeCreative Development Manager -
Fun Facts
- Who has been the most influential person in your life?
- My mom, hands down.
- What is the most surprising thing about you?
- I wrote a published book about fairies for children.
- What talent or superpower would you like to have (not including flight or invisibility) and why?
- To be in several places at once...so I can explore and learn about everything I want to!
Angela RobinsonContent Specialist -
Fun Facts
- What three things are on your bucket list?
- Camping under the Aurora Borealis, touching the Egyptian pyramids, and experiencing zero-G
- What inspires you?
- The way young children experience the world around them
- What talent or superpower would you like to have (not including flight or invisibility) and why?
- Teleportation (is that cheating?)
Jillian SullivanLead Evaluation & Data Specialist -
Fun Facts
- Favorite Quote
- The only way to have a friend is to be one.
- Theme Song
- Canon in D Major by Pachelbel
- Inspiration
- Music
Ruth HensenContent Advisor
The Operations Team
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Fun Facts
- Most Unusual Job
- Body toning exercise instructor.
- Favorite Food
- Dessert.
- Coveted Superpower
- Healer.
Carolyn ErhartProgram Assistant -
Fun Facts
- What is your favorite quote?
- "Never lose your sense of wonder."
- How do you spend your weekends?
- Exploring, trying new foods, and writing. (Relaxing and watching Netflix, too!)
- Describe yourself using three words.
- Adventurous, empathetic, passionate
Tatianna PlefkaPartnership Development Administrator -
Fun Facts
- What is your favorite quote?
- "The tool is the love." -- Japanese bike designer
- What inspires you?
- People driven to make the world a better place, nature, transformation
- What talent or superpower would you like to have (not including flight or invisibility) and why?
- Omniscience
Mara VianaProgram Manager and Systems Design Lead -
Fun Facts
- Who has been the most influential person in your life?
- My mom
- Describe yourself using three words.
- mother, environmentalist, passionate
- How do you spend your weekends?
- Camping, hiking, biking...or anything educational.
Cyndi CadiganFinance and Administration Manager -
Fun Facts
- Describe yourself using three words.
- Honest, Easy-Going, Creative
- Favorite place in the entire world?
- Japan
- What is the most unusual job you've ever had?
- Television program monitor for NHK World Japan
Evan EisenbergerBusiness Development Specialist -
Fun Facts
- What is the most unusual job you've ever had?
- Historical Interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village
- Favorite place in the entire world?
- The Ocean
- What is your favorite quote?
- "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence." - Albert Einstein
Oliver Saunders WilderLead Technologist -
Fun Facts
- Favorite place in the entire world?
- Being on any mountain.
- How do you spend your weekends?
- Taking my dog out on an adventure, exploring different neighbourhoods & restaurants in Toronto, cooking a batch of food for the upcoming week, unwinding with a nice workout class.
- What is your favorite quote?
- The mind is like a parachute, it only works when it’s open
Jasmine LamPowerTools Segment Manager -
Fun Facts
- Describe yourself using three words.
- Reliable, Adaptable, Curious
- What is the most unusual job you've ever had?
- I was a juvenile probation officer in a previous life.
- What talent or superpower would you like to have (not including flight or invisibility) and why?
- Probably a healing factor. I'm pretty clumsy, so it would come in handy.
Ashton HankinsTechnology Success Specialist
The Training Team
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Fun Facts
- Bucket List
- Hike Machu Picchu, travel Europe by bicycle, qualify for the Boston Marathon.
- Favorite Food
- Veggie Pizza.
- Weekends Spent
- Running, doing yoga, hiking with my husband, walking my pup Teal, and cooking.
Aisha O’DonnellPartnership Development Manager -
Fun Facts
- Three Words
- Inquisitive, reflective, persistent.
- Favorite Place
- Laguna de Iguaque, Colombia.
- Most Surprising Thing
- I am not allowed to go by myself to any toy store (no self-regulation).
Luis GallegoPartnership Development Manager -
Fun Facts
- Bucket List
- Travel to Italy.
- Most Unusual Job
- Working at Casa Bonita as a photographer in the jail.
- Most Surprising Thing
- I love to watch Seinfeld.
Kim WilsonLead Partnership Development Manager: CEM -
Fun Facts
- What are three things on your bucket list?
- Fly an Airplane, Write A Book, Cliff Dive With a Wing Suit
- What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
- Coffee and Sunshine
- What is your favorite quote?
- "Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein
Jennifer MartinPartnership Development Manager -
Fun Facts
- Favorite Quote
- "If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun." —Katherine Hepburn
- First Thought Upon Waking
- Coffee.
- Weekends Spent
- Walking, reading, and rowing my rowboat.
Maggie SullivanPartnership Development Specialist -
Fun Facts
- Describe yourself using three words.
- Thoughtful, empathic, curious
- What is your favorite food?
- Berries and breakfast sandwiches
- How do you spend your weekends?
- Hiking, cooking and working on home projects.
Alina RussoPartnership Development Manager -
Fun Facts
- Three Words
- Tall, curious, helpful.
- Favorite Quote
- "I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen." —A.A. Milne
- Bucket List
- Cross-country road trip, eating my way through Italy.
Carol CarrollPartnership Development Specialist -
Fun Facts
- What is your favorite quote?
- "Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty of all before you. The future will take care of itself" Paramahansa Yogananda
- Describe yourself using three words.
- Resourceful, motivated, optimistic
- What inspires you?
- Seeing the look on a child's face when they achieve something for the first time.
Leslie PekarekLead Partnership Manager––Tulsa -
Fun Facts
- If you had a song that played whenever you walked into a room what would it be?
- Happy by Pharrell
- What inspires you?
- A smile.
- What is the most surprising thing about you?
- I'm an eclectic artist
Susan CoopersmithPartnership Development Specialist -
Fun Facts
- What is your favorite quote?
- Every day is a new beginning, so deep breathe, smile, and start again!
- Describe yourself using three words.
- Flexible, Energetic, Organized
- What three things are on your bucket list?
- Dubrovnik, Croatia; Naples, Italy; Bora Bora
Shawn KrehbielEarly Childhood Coach (Tulsa)