People

Marnina Kammersell

Marni co-founded Mindzai Learning to engage youth in learning through fun hands-on educational activities. She has a diverse background including a variety of teaching and technology related positions. Marni taught web design, C++ programming, robotics, and video game design for kids ages 7-17 at iD Tech Camps at Georgetown University (2005) and California State University Monterey Bay (2001). She also taught SAT Test Preparation courses for the Princeton Review from 2003-2004, and spent several months working with kids ages 5-9 at a democratic school in Suffolk, England.

In addition to her teaching experience, Marni has a strong background in Science and Technology Policy. As a Fellow at the National Academy of Sciences, she contributed to a major 2005 report on American Competitiveness and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education: "Rising Above The Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future." She continued to work on science and technology education issues as a legislative intern in the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Science. Marni has also held policy positions at the National Institutes of Health and The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. She holds an M.A. in Public Policy from the George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of Michigan. Marni can trace her passion for science and technology education back to her own experience participating in the National FIRST Robotics competition in high school. She can't wait to share the excitement of the latest developments in educational technologies with a new generation of students.

William Kammersell

William helped start Mindzai Learning as a way to give youth the opportunity to learn technology in a fun and engaging atmosphere. He views technology as a tremendous way to excite students about math and science while letting them express their creativity and imagination. William is a professional software engineer who has worked in many programming languages and cutting edge technologies. His most recent project has involved developing educational software for Rosetta Stone that allows students of any age to learn foreign languages. As an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, William pursued a double major in Computer Science and Cognitive Science (the study of human intelligence and learning processes). He is very much looking forward to combining these two interests by creating and teaching classes for Mindzai Learning.

William also has a strong interest in teaching and mentoring. In 2005, he taught kids computer programming, robotics, video game design, and web design at iD Tech Camps at Georgetown University. He also has extensive experience in tutoring and loves seeing students develop and master new skills.

Martha Essenmacher

Martha is Mindzai Learning's education consultant. She has over 30 years of experience as an educator focused on engaging students and teachers in meaningful activities that promote excitement about learning. She is currently the Superintendent for Sandusky Community Schools in Sandusky, Michigan. Martha served as the principal of Maple Valley Elementary School from 2003-2006. She held the title of Director of Curriculum for four years, first for the City of Pontiac from 1998-1999 and then for the Sandusky School District from 1999-2002. Prior to moving into an administrative position, Martha spent 22 years as an elementary classroom teacher and bilingual teacher/consultant in the City of Pontiac. Martha completed a Graduate Certificate in Educational Administration with an emphasis in Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership, and holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Martha has dedicated her life to making a difference for children in public education and she is excited to be a part of Mindzai Learning.