Current and aspiring leaders are faced with day-to-day challenges that are varied and unpredictable as they develop their experience portfolio. One of the key limitations to learning from real-life experiences is that the consequences of one’s decisions do not always unfold right away.
SchoolSims provides a risk-free environment through software simulations where participants have an opportunity to fail as they face difficult situations. Our simulations, which allow you to choose your own “adventure,” essentially accelerate time, allowing participants to decide on a course of action, implement it, and experience its consequences, all within the same exercise.
Used as part of a leadership development curriculum, simulations provoke meaningful shared experiences and promote peer-to-peer discourse. Critical thinking is a key skill for current and aspiring leaders and when simulation participants engage in critical thought and make a choice, in that moment, the learning objective of critical thinking is achieved.
The inclusion of SchoolSims simulation software in your professional development program will result in a deeper experience catalogue for current and aspiring leaders, improved retention of K-12 leaders, and have a positive impact on teacher and student performance and the communities they serve.
Ken is an avid believer in the adage that Experience is the Best Teacher and for over 30 years has been utilizing computer-based simulations to allow professionals to safely learn from decision-making mistakes around some of the most challenging Problems of Practice. For the past six years, Ken has been focused on the challenge of the “Silent Crisis of Leadership in K-12” working to enhance leadership capacity and improve critical thinking amongst school administrators.
Ken is originally from Cleveland, OH but has spent his sims career in the Philadelphia area, specifically in Bala Cynwyd. He earned his MBA from Columbia Business School.
Brian is a proven executive and respected leader. He has founded three companies based on product ideas he felt he could bring to market. Brian has been involved in education technology for the past 10 years.
Before joining SchoolSims, Brian was the CEO of Magnus Health, which was acquired in April 2019. As a 4-time CEO and former Chief Strategy Officer and Vice President of Product, Brian has significant experience in business core competencies.
When not working, Brian likes to play soccer and coach his two children. He also enjoys mentoring other entrepreneurs.
Mary Pat is an admired, capable leader with over 35 years of experience in roles that include CEO, CFO and COO. Mary Pat co-founded two successful professional companies, and for the past 17 years has served as a Trustee for Upland Country Day School and was Board President for five years. Mary Pat has managed every aspect of a business with the goal of creating a great place to work.
Mary Pat has an MBA from St. Joseph’s University and an Economics degree from Rutgers University, where she is a member of the 1982 Women’s National Championship Basketball team. She has been married for 30 years and has three children. She loves the beach and cooking for friends and family.
James has been designing and implementing simulations as part of a blended learning solution for over 20 years. James works with a very creative group that partners with educational practitioners to create high-impact, leadership simulations.
Originally from Allentown PA, James now lives downstream in the Philadelphia area where he earned a BA at Temple U prior to an MS in Instructional Technology upstate at Bloomsburg U. A proud dad of two teenagers, he enjoys spending time with his kids engaging in Philadelphia’s rich cultural offerings, as well as hiking and biking on local trails.