As Learn to Discover's President and CEO, Brian is responsible for the strategic execution of Learn to Discover's mission and fundraising to support this mission. In addition, Brian designs curriculum, leads the company's IT and technology operations, heads up the organization's Research and Development efforts, and teaches/coaches classes.
Brian has over 35 years of experience in technology, marketing, sales, support and entrepreneurial ventures, including Sun Microsystems, Tandem Computers, Control Data Corporation, Tolerant Systems, Motorola, Inc., and several small start-ups. He has also worked in the non-profit sector, where he established The First Tee of Monterey County's Learning Center, served as its first Director and raised funds for its continued operation. Brian has a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Washington, and specializes in emerging technologies, including virtual/augmented reality, robotics/AI, theme park design, computer programming, electronics, and animation.
As Vice President, Shelly is responsible for the overall curriculum strategy and development, teaches/coaches classes, heads up fundraising efforts, and handles much of the organization's PR efforts.
Shelly has over 23 years of experience as a paralegal/manager in areas of business, corporations, contracts, nonprofits, tax, intellectual property law, and other areas. She also has taught technology and developed curriculum for over 15 years. She has volunteered for numerous nonprofits over the past 25 years (including Autistic Children Foundation, Junior League of San Jose, The First Tee, etc.) She is an experienced grant writer --- fundraising and writing grants for Pacific Coast Charter School and Aptos Academy for the past 10 years. Shelly is CBEST (substitute teacher)-certified, and has a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Davis as well as a Paralegal Certificate from Santa Clara Law School.
Alicia brings more than 10 years of experience working with children from toddlers to college students in informal education settings including museums and non-profits, to Learn to Discover, where she has been an instructor for nearly 2 years.
She has also worked with top scientists in the fields of paleontology and geology, helping to prepare and describe dozens of important fossils. In her spare time, she also dabbles in scientific illustration and paleo-art, as well as staying on top of the latest breakthroughs in science and technology. Alicia completed her Bachelors of Science in Geophysical Sciences at the University of Chicago before completing a Masters of Arts in Teaching through the University of Southern California. In addition, she is CBEST and CSET substitute teaching-certified.
Liam has been teaching for Learn to Discover for the past year in a variety of ways, including offering private lessons for autistic children.
Liam enjoys working with young children to help them find their passion for learning and creativity. He is a computer science and teacher credential major. Liam is an experienced programming languages instructor, who loves learning and helping others learn, especially anything related to technology fields including programming, robotics, virtual reality, Minecraft, and much more.
Elizabeth Greer has been working with elementary and middle school students for over 15 years. She has developed and taught advanced enrichment math curriculum to groups of elementary aged students, and tutored small groups and individual students in remedial math settings. She has founded and coached an award-winning FIRST LEGO League team for 7 years, and is a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts Robotics merit badge. Elizabeth is an active Maker, and has made and taught children a variety of Maker Faire-type of activities, such as silkscreen printing and homemade compressed air rockets.
In addition to math and technology, Elizabeth's interests also include the visual arts, particularly the intersection of art and technology. She is a long-time member and past president of the Art Docents of Los Gatos, where she developed a great deal of curriculum in use in the local public schools, including a highly-popular digital photography lesson. She also created and led a ceramics program at a local elementary school, which produces about 1500 pieces a year using volunteer leaders, and taught the Los Gatos Footbridge Mural class in the summer of 2014.
In addition, Elizabeth is CBEST-certified and has worked as a substitute teacher. She has also served as the president of her local public school parent-teacher organization, and on the board of the local educational foundation. Elizabeth is a member of the California state bar, and worked as senior in-house counsel at Apple, Inc., as a part of the software, advanced technology, fonts and graphics teams, and previously practiced corporate and intellectual property law at a large Silicon Valley law firm in Palo Alto. She attended the University of Michigan School of Law and obtained her B.A. from Yale University in the History of Art, where she also took programming, calculus and pre-med.
Zach has experience in and greatly enjoys teaching children of all ages anything related to technology.
Zach is an anthropology major and a scholarship recipient through his hard work and dedication to learning. He enjoys teaching children a variety of programming languages including Kodu, Scratch, C++, Python, Minecraft, App Inventor and robotics programming languages. He is successful at encouraging children to step outside their comfort zone and use their creativity and imagination in a variety of ways, whether it is something they are just learning or something they are passionate about.
Brittany has many years of experience providing child care and nanny services for local families, and loves to help kids learn.
Brittany is fluent in American Sign Language and enjoys interacting with children of all ages. She has experience working with children at a variety of summer camps and with children with autism. She has been teaching for Learn to Discover in its after-school programs and is very patient, organized, curious, and creative.