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Certified Trainers
Note: If you have been teaching the Career Choices program for three years or more and are interested in becoming a certified trainer, give us a call (800) 967-8016 or email us.
For Wendy Bingham, passion for the Career Choices curriculum is a family affair. As daughter of author Mindy Bingham, Wendy has been involved with Academic Innovations in one capacity or another for the last ten years. She’s played an integral role in all aspects of the company’s sales and marketing efforts since becoming the Vice President of Marketing and Technology in 2001. Wendy brings an ingrained entrepreneurial spirit to Academic Innovations, one that served her well throughout her studies at the University of Southern California, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. As part of the Entrepreneur Program at USC, Wendy was recognized for developing one of the “Top 10- Business Plans” in 1996. She went on to start her own successful business as a database management consultant, providing company-wide sales and marketing evaluations, software customization, and staff training. Wendy worked for McGraw-Hill, coordinating sales events and promotions and developing the division’s database. Wendy continues to pursue education and training, and has attended the Grantsmanship Training Program, holds several Goldmine certifications, and maintains a California Real Estate License– allowing her to continue to indulge her entrepreneurial “itch” in her spare time. Brad Columbus has been the principal of Three Rivers Middle College since its start in the summer of 2012. Brad has worked as a history teacher, assistant principal, a track and football coach, and an adjunct history professor at Quinebaug Valley Community College. In addition to being a principal, he is currently a League of Innovative Schools Coach, leading schools through standards-based education for Connecticut Association of Schools. He is also the President of the Northeast Association of Magnet Schools. Brad has a Bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and a Masters from Wesleyan University. He currently resides in Waterford, Connecticut.Bobby Cunningham is currently serving as Principal/Director at the W.R. Rogers Continuing Education and Technology Center in Richland School District 2 in Columbia, South Carolina. From 2006 to 2008, he was principal at McCormick High School, implementing reforms that helped the school earn an Absolute rating of Excellent in 2007 and Good in 2008—after receiving a rating of Below Average in 2006. He completed an Education Specialist degree from the University of South Carolina (August 2010). Recognized as the South Carolina Golf Coach of the Year (1997), he is also a member of the Erskine College Athletic Hall of Fame. Bobby and his lovely wife, Linda, have two children, Shawn and Adrienne, and welcomed their first grandchild to their family earlier this year. Erin Hansen graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Communication and Comparative Literature. She then attended Westmont College to earn her teaching credential in secondary English. Erin has taught at Carpinteria High School for 8 years and was privileged to teach one of the first ever dual-enrollment Career Choices courses. She is passionate about supporting every student through the high school process and into post-secondary education, and she believes that the creation of a 10- year plan is absolutely necessary in doing so. Bob brings over 45 years of business experience to the Kern Community College District. He has taught classes on small business planning and start-up, marketing, management, finance, cash flow, and communications at Bakersfield College and College of the Canyons for 24 years. He was a consultant for the Small Business Development Center for 18 years and also served as the interim director of the new Business Assistance Center at KCCD. As a trainer, specializing in supervisory skills, communication, and change management, Bob has provided assistance to a broad array of business and governmental organizations. Currently, as the Director of Workforce Development for the Kern Community College District, Bob is working with the faculty and staff of a consortium of four community colleges, the middle schools and high schools they serve, and regional industry. His goal is to implement a new system of career-based training that will increase high school graduation rates; reduce the need for college entrance remediation; and increase community college certificates and graduations. He is also the Director of the Central/Mother Lode SB1070 Region. In this role, Bob coordinates pathways and best practices among 13 colleges and their feeder high schools. Bob has lived in Kern County for 35 years. He and his wife, Beth, spend time spoiling their 8 grandchildren and planning their next visit to Italy.
Penny Paine, trainer, consultant, author, and former Gender Equity specialist for the State of California, is one of our most experienced and sought-after speakers. Armed with British charm and an all-American "can do" spirit, Penny has trained in nearly every state in the union. Her past contracts include: California Dept. of Education, California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, Girls Incorporated, TIAA CREF, and the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity. Penny was instrumental in developing and facilitating the national "Women Helping Girls with Choices" program. Her expertise on gender related topics brings an added dimension to her Career Choices presentations. She has worked with teachers of all disciplines as well as with schools in the process of integrating or restructuring curriculum. Penny is particularly adept at guiding schools in the change process. Trish, Career Choices certified trainer, has enjoyed careers in a variety of seemingly disparate industries—from time as a classroom teacher to running focus groups for Mattel to working as a crew member with several major cruise lines. Trish blends her love of people of all ages, her broad range of travel experiences, and her passion for food as the co-founder of TOURific Escapes.Rudy Ramirez has been in education for 40 years. This fall, he will start his 24th year as Principal of Indio High School. A former teacher, counselor, and assistant principal, Mr. Ramirez is an advocate for students, parents, and the Indio community. Mr. Ramirez resides in Indio, has four children who graduated from Indio High School, an 11th grader at Indio High School, and a son starting 1st grade. Mr. Ramirez is deeply connected to the community and their families. Rudy is a true believer in academic success for all.
Phyllis Stewart's diversified background includes 39 years as a classroom teacher, Career and Technical Education Coordinator, and businessperson. Her ability to combine successful careers in business and education gives her additional insights into the importance of comprehensive career guidance. The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and Glencoe recognized Phyllis as one of the Top Ten Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers of the Year. Honored as Indiana's Outstanding Vocational Teacher of the Year, she is a dynamic presenter that brings a solid understanding of how Career Choices positively impacts the classroom. As a successful business owner, Phyllis also understands how the format provided by Career Choices allows for educational choreographs into the workplace. Her hope is to help young people gain an awareness of the need for educational preparation and how that translates to career preparation for the real world. Dr. Lauren A. Wintermeyer was a K-12 classroom teacher before earning her Master’s degree in Educational Counseling. She completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Santa Barbara and wrote her dissertation on dual enrollment and college persistence. Lauren was the Director of Dual Enrollment Programs for Santa Barbara City College for five years. She is also a co-founder of the Get Focused...Stay Focused!® Initiative and has presented at numerous conferences statewide and nationally. Dr. Wintermeyer is currently an Academic Counselor Ventura College and independent educational consultant for dual enrollment and the Get Focused...Stay Focused!® Initiative.
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