Our Staff

	Laura Allen is the Founder and President of Vision Education & Media.   She has worked with teachers and students and technology for over eighteen years, creating some of the field's most effective solutions for using technology as a tool for learning and teaching.   Laura's visual arts background is the foundation of her belief that creative thinking is the key to effective learning. An early interest in LOGO programming led Laura to the Harvard Graduate School of Education where she collaborated on projects with the MIT Media Laboratory and the mathematician and educator, Dr. Seymour Papert, the founder of LOGO programming and one of the world's foremost expert on instructional technologies.   Prior to founding Vision Education, Laura directed the Computer Department at The Buckley School in Manhattan for fourteen years and was Director of the Technology Program at the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School for two. Laura is also the founder and director of The Stonington Retreat, a summer technology workshop for educators, which is now in its twelfth year. She also developed the concept and curriculum for the YWCA's TechGYRLS program, a national program for girls ages 9 - 13 that is currently running in over 35 YWCA's across the country.   In recent news, Enterprising Women has named its 2006 Enterprising Women of the Year and Laura was chosen from among over 400 entries!
	Corbett Beder is the Senior Director of Research & Development at Vision Education & Media. For the past two years, his projects have included teaching high school digital video, middle school video game design, and LEGO Robotics. Additionally, he has assisted with numerous FIRST LEGO League teams and conducted professional development seminars in Robolab and MicroWorlds. He hails from the Southwest and tremendously enjoys the opportunity to work throughout New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey. He holds BA in Philosophy from NYU and an AM with a focus on Cinema and Media Studies from the University of Chicago. Prior to working with Vision, Corbett has worked in the film industry, publishing, and even repaired a computer or two.
	Emilie Reiser is the Director of Programs at Vision Education & Media. She oversees all Vision programs in schools throughout the city, ranging from pre-robotics classes to courses in web design for students in kindergarten through high-school. Emilie also develops curriculum for in-school programs and leads Vision’s professional development courses. She holds a degree in Latin American Studies from NYU, with minors in Politics and Spanish. Prior to working in New York, Emilie spent time in Brazil participating in a Human Rights & Media program and working with non-profit projects engaging favela youth in the production of creative media.
	John Tsipouras is the Manager of fee-based Technology Programs for kindergarten through 8th grade and a Lead Instructor at Vision Education & Media. He coordinates all phases of offsite after-school programs and trains instructors in their new roles. John holds a MS in Educational Technology and a BS in Management Information Systems from Central Connecticut State University. His past work experiences include developing corporate learning software and integrating technology in public school systems in the Greater Hartford area.
	Maria Tranquilli is the Program and Marketing Manager at Vision Education & Media, as well as a Lead Instructor. Maria oversees marketing and public relations and manages all programs held in the Vision facilities. She holds a BA in Illustration from the Philadelphia University of the Arts, and her past work experience includes serving as Director of Arts, Humanities and Education at Somerset Hills YMCA in New Jersey.
	Isaac Kestenbaum is Manager of Birthday Parties at Vision Education & Media. A graduate of Vassar College, he hasworked as a reporter atdaily newspapers and as a n instructor at an educational dairy farm. In addition to running parties, Isaac develops curriculum, teaches after-school programs, and mentors First LEGO League teams in Newark, New Jersey.
	Jonathan Monina is Manager of Financial Operations at Vision Education & Media. In this role, he oversees all the day-to-day finances at Vision and plans for the organization’s future. In addition, he often lends a hand with Vision’s after-school robotics programs. Jonathan is a graduate of Binghamton University, where he earned a double major in finance and global management. A native of Brooklyn, Jonathan is also a freelance writer, producer, videographer and filmmaker.
	Rachel Beane is the Human Resources Manager at Vision Education & Media. She also oversees the organization’s information technology, serves as a lead curriculum developer and works as an after-school mentor. Rachel holds a degree in studio art from Bard College and a MFA in sculpture from the Pratt Institute. Her past work experience includes serving as an Artist in Residence and Arts Program Associate at the Bronx Charter School for the Arts.
	Elisa Casinader is Vision Education & Media’s Office Manager ensures that Vision’s day-to-day operations run smoothly. She holds a BFA in sculpture from the Pratt Institute. In addition to sculpting, Elisa is a welder, bronze-caster, woodworker and a video and performance artist. Elisa brings her artistic sensibility to her other role at Vision: working with children as an after-school technology instructor.