|
Kimberly Birbrower, M.A. Founder & President Kim Birbrower founded Big Picture Instructional Design in March 2007, with the goal of making teachable moments from issue-driven film and television projects. Prior to founding the company, Kim was the first Director of Education at Steven Spielberg's Shoah  Foundation. There, she was responsible for the conception, development, implementation, and assessment of the Foundation's global educational outreach programs, including online exhibits, workshops and training guides, and classroom videos and materials. Kim also served as the national Assistant Director of Educational Policy and Programs at the Anti-Defamation League, writing and adapting material to align with national standards, current pedagogic initiatives, and international needs. Kim has her permanent teaching certification from New York State, and prior to her position at the ADL taught in both public and private schools throughout New York City. She is a graduate of Boston University and New York University, and studied at Columbia University and Oxford University. In 1999, Kim received an Advanced Placement teaching grant from the Mellon Foundation, and was honored with the Anne Frank Center's Spirit of Anne Frank Award in 2000. Kim has authored and contributed to many educational publications, including the study guide for the Dorling Kindersley book, The Holocaust: The Events and Their Impact on Real People (winner of the 2008 Sydney Taylor Honor Award); Echoes and Reflections (winner of the National Association for Multicultural Education's 2007 National Media Award); and Recollections (winner of the 2007 BAFTA Award for Best in the Secondary Learning Category). Caitlin Barry Curriculum Design & Outreach 
In addition to curriculum writing and development, Caitlin coordinates educator, non-profit, and social media outreach for Big Picture Instructional Design. Before joining Big Picture, Caitlin taught 5-8th grade Drama at the Achievement First Crown Heights Middle School and 10th grade English at Classical High School in Providence, RI. Prior to teaching, she worked as a Consumer Marketing Assistant at AOL and a Production Intern for the Disney Interactive Media Group. Caitlin has a BA in Literary Arts and American Civilization from Brown University.
Marie Frietze Curriculum Design & Educator Liaison Marie's work with Big Picture includes writing ancillary curricular materials, and helping to recruit teachers to participate in our campaigns and evaluation efforts. Before joining Big Picture Instructional Design, Marie taught middle and high school social sciences in Massachusetts and northern California. Marie earned her BA and her MAT from Simmons College in Boston, and is a credentialed K-12 social sciences teacher in both Massachusetts and California. Mimi Gazzale Outreach Mimi contributes to Big Picture Instructional Design's campaigns by overseeing outreach to non profits and educators nationwide. Prior to her work at Big Picture, Mimi worked as a development associate for Fortis Films where she reviewed scripts and novels for production consideration. She also served as a programming coordinator for The History Channel in New York, where she tracked and supported the development and production of several ongoing series and specials. Mimi worked at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles writing grant proposals, event planning and administering NEA-funded completion funds to independent filmmakers. Mimi graduated cum laude from Emerson College with a BS in performing arts and a minor in literature. She earned her permanent teaching certificate in the state of Massachusetts, and taught drama to grades 4 through 7 at the Edward Devotion School in Brookline, Massachusetts. Jennifer Ching Curriculum Design & Outreach Jennifer brings both writing and teaching experience to her position as Project Manager and Curriculum Writer for Big Picture Instructional Design. Jennifer began her career in the education sector while still an undergraduate at Seattle University, teaching English and History at Summerbridge (now the Breakthrough Collaborative). After earning her Bachelor's degree in English Literature, she spent a year working with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, facilitating refugee resettlement with the large Hmong refugee community in Syracuse, NY. When her year of service was complete, Jennifer won a Diversity Scholarship from Seattle University that enabled her to return to Seattle to earn her Master's Degree in Teaching. Upon graduation, Jennifer taught middle school Language Arts and Social Studies in Seattle's Highline School District. Jennifer left the classroom to pursue a career in journalism and in 2001 completed the University of Washington's certificate programs in both Non-Fiction Writing and Writing for Children. Her writing credits include CitySearch.com, Meridian Magazine, Healthy Answers Magazine, Seattle University Alumni Magazine, Baby Bug Magazine, and the Northwest Asian Weekly. Ellen Hofheimer Bettmann Curriculum Design Ellen Hofheimer Bettmann is a nationally-recognized leader in the fields of anti-bias education and cultural diversity. She has designed and implemented workshops and training programs around the world. During her 17 years as national director of Training and Resources at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Ellen was one of the creators of ADL's award-winning A World of Difference© Institute. Ellen has written and published extensively. She is the co-author of Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice (Scholastic, ©2000), as well as numerous training manuals, video discussion guides and articles which have appeared in publications such as Education and Urban Society, the Cultural Diversity Sourcebook, Redbook, Healthy Kids Magazine, Parenting Advisor, and YM. Among the awards Ellen has received are: The Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Community Service (Boston College), Goss Alumni Award (Connecticut College), Drylongso Award for Combatting Racism (Community Change), Salmonson Human Relations Award (Anti-Defamation League), The College Medal (Connecticut College), Fred Mandell Community Service Award (Am Tikva, Boston's Community of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Jews). back to top |