Staff Biographies
Dr. Dennis Harper
- Resume (Rich Text File)
- Recent Keynotes
Dennis Harper, Ph.D.
Generation YES is led by Dr. Dennis Harper. Dr. Harper has been an international leader in the educational technology field for over 35 years. He wrote the first college text on computer education, RUN: Computer Education while a faculty member at the University of California. Dr. Harper has taught in universities around the world and has been instrumental in bringing the first computers into schools in numerous countries.
After returning to the U.S., Dr. Harper joined the Olympia, Washington School District where he conceived and directed the development of Generation www.Y, an innovative model of student involvement in school technology infusion, teacher professional development, and school improvement. Funded by a U.S Department of Education Technology Innovation Challenge Grant, the program is not only still going strong in Washington, but also has spread to hundreds of schools throughout the country. Over 100,000 teachers and students in the U.S. have participated in the Generation www.Y model of professional development.
In 2001, the US Department of Education's Expert Panel on Technology rated Generation www.Y as "exemplary" - one of only two programs given this rating after an extensive review of hundreds of such programs.
After the Generation www.Y grant was completed, Dr. Harper founded Generation YES (Youth and Educators Succeeding) to continue providing support and disseminating the model. The model was recently renamed GenYES, since the "Generation Y" students are growing up, and this model still continues to represent all students in K-12, no matter what name they give this new generation of learners. The company also distributes other programs that support and extend the GenYES methodology to other areas. These programs focus on student-centered collaborative learning in the areas of technology infrastructure, technology peer mentoring, technology certification, gender equity, leadership and community service.
Dr. Harper is a frequent speaker on the topic of student empowerment through technology. His keynotes are an entertaining mix of inspirational passion and hard-won experience with real schools, real teachers, and real students. He is also the director of the non-profit Kijana Voices, which creates technology opportunities for youth worldwide.
In recognition of his contributions to the field of technology and education, Dr. Harper has been named the Distinguished Educator of the Year by Technology and Learning Magazine, a Shaper of Our Future by Converge Magazine, and the 2001 Technology Advocate for the United States by District Administrator Magazine
Sylvia Martinez, M.A. Education Technology
Sylvia Martinez is a veteran of interactive entertainment and educational software industries, with over a decade of design and publishing experience.
Prior to joining Generation YES, Sylvia oversaw product development, design and programming as Vice President of Development for Encore Software, a publisher of game and educational software on PC, Internet and console platforms. Sylvia was also involved in the company's Internet initiatives, including Math.com, the award-winning web site that provides math help to students worldwide.
For seven previous years, Sylvia was an executive producer at Davidson & Associates/Knowledge Adventure, a leading educational software developer. She designed, developed and launched dozens of software titles including Math Blaster: Algebra, Math Blaster: Geometry and Maurice Ashley Teaches Chess. In addition, she was responsible for Educast - the first Internet service for teachers that provided teachers with free news, information and classroom resources.
Prior to joining Davidson & Associates, Martinez spent six years at Magnavox Research Labs, where she developed high-frequency receiver systems and navigation software for GPS satellites.
Sylvia has been a featured speaker at national education technology conferences in areas ranging from the use of the Internet in schools, Web 2.0 technologies, student leadership, project-based and inquiry-based learning with technology and gender issues in science, math, engineering and technology (STEM) education.
She holds a Master's in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University, and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Megan Evander
Megan Evander is the Customer Service Lead for the Generation YES Programs. Her role is to ensure that customers needs are being met by providing a wide range of support and keeping the lines of communications open and friendly.
As a recent Graduate of The Evergreen State College, Megan understands the power of collaborative education. The Evergreen State College is well-known and critically acclaimed for its ultra-progressive liberal arts setting. Megan's first-hand experience with the collaboration process provides her with a background that is an asset working with Generation YES schools. Growing up in a teaching family (her mother is a GenYES teacher) and a technology-influenced home prepared her to identify core goals of student driven technology integration through project-based learning. Megan's experiences as a student, coach and community volunteer have reinforced her belief in the value of active participation in learning, rather than passive reception of information. She continues to integrate this belief with practical applications. The ability to communicate, to solve problems, and to work both collaboratively and independently in addressing real issues and problems are what makes her a valuable asset to the Generation YES Corporation.
Emily McCartan
Emily McCartan coordinates new project development for Generation YES, working with districts and service centers implementing custom solutions for student-centered technology integration.
Emily began her career as a GenYES student in 1997 when she was a seventh grader (her lesson plan was a HyperStudio presentation about sub-Saharan Africa). Since graduating from Lewis and Clark College she has worked with teachers and students on technology integration at schools in the US Virgin Islands, and now works for Generation YES full-time. The photo on the right is Emily as a GenYES student, narrating a movie about the model. The photo to the left is Emily today.
