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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

  • 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 President

    Dr. Deborah J. Leong is the Co-founder and President 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 Co-founder and President 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.

  • 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 Advisor

    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.

    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

  • 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-Smith
    Executive 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 Rodgers
    Director of Partnership Development & Business Development

  • 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 Spacciapoli
    Director of Evaluation and P3 Partnerships

The Content Development Team

  • 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 Brooke
    Creative 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 Robinson
    Content 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 Sullivan
    Lead Evaluation & Data Specialist

The Operations Team

  • Fun Facts

    Most Unusual Job
    Body toning exercise instructor.
    Favorite Food
    Dessert.
    Coveted Superpower
    Healer.
    Carolyn Erhart
    Program 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 Plefka
    Partnership Development Administrator

  • Fun Facts

    What is your favorite quote?
    "The tool is the love." -- Japanese bicycle 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?
    The ability to travel in time!
    Mara Viana
    Program 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 Cadigan
    Finance and Administration Manager

  • 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 Wilder
    Lead 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 Lam
    PowerTools Segment Manager

  • Fun Facts

    Describe yourself using three words.
    creative, hyper, overcaffeinated
    What is the most unusual job you've ever had?
    A web developer and localizer for a computer game.
    What is your favorite food?
    Octopus
    Anna Zuban
    Full Stack Developer

  • 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 Hankins
    Technology Success Specialist

  • Fun Facts

    Describe yourself using three words.
    Adventurous, globetrotter, curious
    What is your favorite food?
    Pickles
    What is the most surprising thing about you?
    I've lived in 9 different states, including Washington DC.
    Angela Alvis
    Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives

  • Fun Facts

    Describe yourself using three words.
    Inspirational, caring, and motivated
    How do you spend your weekends?
    Visiting museums, listening to live music, and traveling to new places
    What inspires you?
    Leaving an impact on future generations
    Jennifer Jeffries
    Research Coordinator

  • Fun Facts

    Describe yourself using three words.
    Loves to laugh
    How do you spend your weekends?
    Playing with my son, watching football or golfing
    What is your favorite food?
    Bacon
    Sam Banks
    Business Development Manager

The Training Team

  • 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’Donnell
    Partnership 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 Gallego
    Partnership 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 Wilson
    Lead 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 Martin
    Partnership 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 Sullivan
    Partnership 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 Russo
    Partnership 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 Carroll
    Partnership 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 Pekarek
    Lead 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 Coopersmith
    Partnership Development Specialist