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 Executive DirectorDr. 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 Director of ResearchElena Bodrova, Ph.D. is currently the Director for Research and Development at Tools of the Mind and a Research Fellow at the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University. 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 currently the Director for Research and Development at Tools of the Mind and a Research Fellow at the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University. 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-SmithGeneral Manager & Director of Content Development -
Fun Facts
- First Thought Upon Waking
- My three beautiful children.
- Favorite Food
- Broiled scallops.
- Most Surprising Thing
- I can water ski, but hate snow skiing.
Amy HnaskoDirector of Training and Staff 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 SiebertDirector of Research, Evaluation & Outreach
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 KhanLead Training Specialist -
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 GallegoLead Training Specialist -
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 Training Specialist -
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 SullivanTraining Specialist -
Fun Facts
- Describe yourself using three words.
- Passionate, enthusiastic, and thoughtful
- What inspires you?
- Watching children play and interact
- Who has been the most influential person in your life?
- My mother
Giordana CoteClassroom Excellence Segment 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 CarrollTraining Specialist
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 SullivanContent 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
- Favorite Quote
- "You have a brain in your head. Feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose." —Dr. Seuss
- Favorite Place
- My home office!
- First Thought on Waking
- What can I learn new today?
Suzanne O’BoyleProgram Coordinator -
Fun Facts
- Most Unusual Job
- Body toning exercise instructor.
- Favorite Food
- Dessert.
- Coveted Superpower
- Healer.
Carolyn ErhartProgram Assistant