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Management Team WestEd Carnegie Learning Headquarters			The Learning Zone ™ Management Team Steve Schneider, PhD National Director, Learning Zone In his broader role of Director of Mathematics, Science, and Technology at WestEd, Steve Schneider works with the National Science Foundation Center for Assessment and Evaluation of Student Learning (CAESL); the University of California Office of the President's Mathematics Professional Development Institutes; and the Algebraic Intervention for Measured Achievement project (AIMA) of the U.S. Department of Education's Institute for Educational Sciences. Schneider has more than 30 years of science, mathematics, and technology education experience, including K-12 pre-service teacher education, high school and middle school math and science teaching, and teacher professional development. He has published numerous articles on science, mathematics, and technology education, professional development, and teacher preparation. He received a PhD from Stanford University in design and evaluation of educational programs with an emphasis in science, mathematics, and technology education, a BS in biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a California Life Teaching Credential from California State University, San Jose. Tania J. Madfes Director of Curriculum, Learning Zone Tania J. Madfes directs curriculum development for Learning Zone. Previously, Madfes served as a university mathematics educator. She has extensive K-12 experience as a high school mathematics teacher and the Coordinator of Mathematics and Science for a major urban school district. In her larger role at WestEd, Madfes is a Senior Research Associate who directs curriculum, professional development, and evaluation projects related to mathematics education. As a mathematics specialist, she also provides technical assistance to leaders of systematic reform efforts through the WestEd Eisenhower Regional Consortia for Mathematics and Science. Madfes holds an EdD in curriculum and instructional design from the University of San Francisco. Mardi A. Gale Regional Director, Learning Zone Mardi Gale writes curriculum and conducts professional development for Learning Zone. In addition, she teaches math content courses for the University of California, Los Angeles. After spending 20 years in K-12 classrooms, Gale came to WestEd in 1992 as one of the original regional directors for the Mathematics Renaissance Middle Grades and K-12 initiatives, funded by the National Science Foundation. She served as an associate director for the Mathematics Renaissance Leadership Alliance, designing professional development and working with districts to develop district leadership teams. Gale earned degrees in English and philosophy from U.C. Santa Barbara and attended graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley, and Pepperdine University. She holds a Standard Elementary Teaching Credential, an Administrators and Supervision Credential, and Single Subject Credentials in mathematics and English. Kimberly J. Viviani Director of Production, Learning Zone Kimberly Viviani develops curriculum and ensures quality and consistency of all Learning Zone materials. She has over more than 10 years of mathematics curriculum development experience including the development of educational software and associated print materials. She also has experience working with various educational publishing companies as an editor, writer, and software development consultant. Viviani works closely with Carnegie Learning to incorporate the Cognitive Tutor into the Learning Zone curriculum. In her larger role at WestEd, Viviani works with the National Science Foundation Center for Assessment and Evaluation of Student Learning (CAESL) and the Algebraic Intervention for Measured Achievement project (AIMA) of the U.S. Department of Education's Institute for Educational Sciences. She received a BA in mathematics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Learning Zone/Menlo-Atherton J. Tim Sturges, MBA Learning Zone Credentialed Math Teacher Tim Sturges is the primary instructor at Learning Zone's Menlo-Atherton center. Mr. Sturges has worked in math and science education for 32 years. His hands-on teaching experience at all levels of high school math and science spans 28 years. Mr. Sturges has served as the math textbook evaluator for the East Side Union High School District in San Jose and has helped develop the math Recovery Program for East Side Union High School District. Mr. Sturges piloted the Learning Zone Math curriculum at Summit Prep. He holds a BS in geophysics/mathematics from San Jose State University with a California Standard Secondary Life Teaching Credential and an MBA from Santa Clara University. Mr. Sturges completed graduate courses in math at the University of Pittsburgh and at Santa Clara University. "In all my years of teaching, we just kept doing the same things when kids were failing. You drill and then when they fail you drill harder. If we keep doing the same thing in Algebra, we can't expect to get different results. The Learning Zone approach accommodates different learning styles." - J. Tim Sturges, Learning Zone Credentialed Math Teacher Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | This site and its contents copyright WestEd 1995-2007. All rights reserved.