Staff
Laura is the Program Coordinator for the National Girls Collaborative Project and the TechREACH program. Before joining the EdLab Group, she worked for nearly three years as an informal science educator for Techbridge in Oakland, California. Her work experience includes classroom leadership, curriculum development, training and conference presentation, and project collaboration with the Central Texas Girl Scouts. Laura has her Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution from University of California, Los Angeles.
Mariann
Farrell
Mariann Farrell is the graphic designer for Web and print at the the EdLab Group (formerly the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology). An EdLab Group employee since 2000, her responsibilities include overseeing the EdLab Group's overall style as well as creating a unique visual identity for each of the project. She has designed and produced EdLab‘s Web sites, project logos, marketing materials, conference banners, posters, e-newsletters, CD covers, mousepads, annual reports, and replication guides.
A BFA graduate of the Maine College of Art, Mariann began her formal design career as a jewelry designer/metalsmith transitioning to digital interactive media and graphic design in the late 90’s.
Chris Florez
Chris Florez, M.S.Ed. and K-8 certificated teacher, is the Instructional Technology Specialist for the EdLab Group (formerly the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology). An EdLab Group employee since 2008, his responsibilities include researching, analyzing and evaluating instructional technologies for application in EdLab Group projects; planning and implementing training in the use of instructional technologies for staff, external partners and at conferences; suggesting ongoing improvements in key processes, techniques and procedures related to the EdLab Groups adoption and integration of instructional technologies. Chris has over ten years of extensive information and instructional technology experience, including multimedia and database design, curriculum development, and the integration of Web 2.0 technologies for education-based data analysis.
Shane
Hendrix
Shane Hendrix is an application developer for the the EdLab Group (formerly the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology). Shane has eight years of experience
working with Web application programming and databases. Prior to joining
the EdLab Group, he worked for the City of Seattle on the SafeHarbors project
developing a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). This was preceded
performing similar development responsibilities at companies such as Real
Networks, Edgar-Online, and Humongous Entertainment.
Karen Kniep Blanton
Karen Kniep Blanton, M.S. is the Grants and Contracts Coordinator for the EdLab Group (formerly the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology). She has five years of experience in developing, managing and evaluating state, federal and private foundation grants in informal and formal pre-K-16 education, employment and training, human services, and community development. Her grant writing expertise and grant development assistance has helped secure over $16 million in grant proposals over the past three years. Karen has also taught an accelerated online bachelor’s degree program in leadership for the past four years, including curriculum development, and taught freshman seminar courses for four years. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Washington State University and her Master’s degree in Leadership Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Karen Manuel
Karen Manuel, M.A.Ed. is Director of Digital Inclusion Initiatives. Her professional experience includes over eight years of experience managing workforce development programs and leading initiatives to increase technology access and training in high-need communities. She has managed partnerships, programs, and professional development initiatives that improve the teaching of STEM and was Co-Principal Investigator on a National Science Foundation Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) grant for TechREACH. Karen has expertise in researching and evaluating the impact of equity initiatives and is an active leader and board member of the Communities Connect Network, the City of Seattle Citizens’ Telecommunications & Technology Advisory Board, Interconnection, and Reel Grrls.
Karen Meyer
Karen Meyer, M.Ed. is a Curriculum Developer and a Peer Coaching master trainer. Karen is involved in several of the EdLab Group's (formerly the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology) programs. She is the lead curriculum designer for the Peer Coaching Program, an international staff development program that is part of the Partners in Learning Program sponsored by Microsoft. She is currently designing curriculum for TechREACH, an after school program for middle school students.
For over 20 years, Karen has been involved in K-12 education. Karen’s work experiences include: technology curriculum specialist, classroom teacher, adjunct university faculty, and instructional designer. She is one of the creators of: New Tools Teaching with Technology, a video-based staff development program that showcases teachers integrating technology into their classrooms. She is a graduate of the University of Washington with a M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction focusing on instructional design. Karen frequently presents at the National Staff Development Council’s annual conference.
Jill Perkins
Jill is the Program Coordinator for the National Girls Collaborative Project and the TechREACH program. Before joining the EdLab Group (formerly the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology), she worked for nearly five years at a Seattle biotech company in the Quality Assurance department. In her spare time, Jill enjoys gardening, traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Jill has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Social Service from Seattle Pacific University.
Karen A. Peterson
Karen A. Peterson, M.Ed. is the Executive Director for the EdLab Group (formerly the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology) and Director
of the Diversity in Technology Group. She has managed two U.S. Department of Education grants designed
to provide professional development opportunities to Puget Sound area teachers
and serves as Principal Investigator on the National Science Foundation
grant “The National Girls Collaborative Project”.
For over 20 years, Karen has been active in education as a classroom teacher, university instructor, pre-service and in-service teacher educator, program administrator, and researcher. Serving as Western Washington University’s first "Internet Librarian," she assisted teacher education faculty and students in the integration of technology into K-12 classroom teaching. She currently serves on the board of SMARTgirls, a Seattle-based non-profit organization that develops and administers programs designed to increase girls’ interests in math, science, and technology. A graduate of the University of Washington, Bothell campus, her Master’s thesis focused on gendered attitudes towards computer use in education.
Bev Walker
Office Manager
Tim Wiseman
Tim Wiseman provides network administration and technical support for all EdLab Group (formerly the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology) programs and services. Tim has a Bachelors degree in Industrial Technology from the University of North Dakota, additional course work in Education, and is an A+ and Network+ Certified Professional. Prior to joining the EdLab Group, Tim served as a Software Test Engineer for Microsoft and a Network Administrator for the Sacred Heart School system.