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Kimberly Birbrower, M.A. President and CEO 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). Ashley Snavely Program Coordinator  Ashley joined Big Picture Instructional Design as Program Coordinator in January 2008, where she provides overall support for each of the company's projects. Before joining Big Picture, Ashley worked as a personal assistant and entrepreneur. Currently a full-time graduate student and self-proclaimed people person, Ashley brings her contagious enthusiasm and her expertise in research, organization, and communication to every project on which she works. Ellen Hofheimer Bettmann Senior Curriculum Writer 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). |