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Our Staff

Rockman et al staff are dedicated, well-educated, versatile, and personable individuals who together pursue the company goal of helping people do what they do better. Their diverse credentials and experiences allow them to evaluate and consult on a wide range of projects, frequently using their creativity and ingenuity to help clients solve key problems and engage in meaningful organizational improvement. The group brings a rare combination of expertise and experience that yields fresh perspectives in each situation. They have been communications experts, interactive media specialists, technical advisors, teachers, school administrators, a professor, a lawyer, and a school board member. This uniquely qualified group has research skills ranging from conducting interviews and focus groups, to developing customized print and on-line surveys, to carrying out sophisticated quantitative data analyses. Rockman staff gives serious consideration to every research opportunity and takes on those for which they feel they can make a meaningful contribution.

Short biographical sketches are provided below along with email links for contacting individuals directly.

Rockman et al
Staff Bios

Saul Rockman, President

Kristin M. Bass, Ph.D.
Jennifer Borse, M.A.
Scott Burg , M.A., M.L.S.
Monnette Fung, Ed.M.
Julia Hazer, B.S.
Michelle Honeyford, M.Ed.
Frances Montell, Ph.D.
Sarah Mushlin, M.A.
Maura Pereira-Leon, M.S., Ed.S.
Marshall Perry, Ph.D.
Cassidy Puckett, M.A.
Justin Robertson, B.A.
Kay Sloan, M.A.
Code Violet
Michelle Weissman, Ph.D.
David Wilmore, B.A.

Adjunct Staff

Cynthia Char Ed.D.
Candy Miller Ed.M.
Nate Titterton, Ph.D.
Elise Trumbull, Ed.D.

Saul Rockman
President
San Francisco Office

Saul established Rockman et al in 1990 after leaving the education marketing group of Apple Computer where he was manager of education research. While at Apple, Saul disseminated research findings on the impact of computers for learning and managed a large-scale effects study. He helped Apple establish partnerships with educational organizations for national technology policy development. Prior to joining Apple, Saul was director of technology programs at WestEd in San Francisco, California. There he conducted research on teacher training programs in technology, analyzed technology resources in social studies, developed distance education projects for rural schools, served as executive producer of award-winning videos on child care, and conducted technology policy research. Before moving to San Francisco, Saul was director of research at the Agency for Instructional Technology (AIT) in Bloomington, Indiana. At AIT, he conducted research on numerous instructional television programs for a consortium of state and provincial educational agencies and developed and managed a computer and video project on problem solving. Saul did his doctoral work in Mass Communications at Indiana University, Bloomington. Saul’s professional interests are wide-ranging, and he is always looking for interesting challenges. In the meantime, he enjoys reading and resting on tropical beaches (and snorkeling off them), or reading and resting in the mountains (but not snorkeling there).

Kristin M. Bass, Ph.D.
San Francisco Office

Kristin M. Bass, Ph.D. has over ten years of experience with data analysis and management in education. Kristin manages evaluation projects primarily related to STEM education at Rockman, and consults on the selection and design of project instruments. Current projects include evaluations of the Science and Technology Program at Youth Radio, the Advanced Digital Pathways program at the Bay Area Video Coalition, and the Genetic Science Learning Center’s 21st Century Biology program. She also manages an evaluation of the Hispanic Studies Initiative grant awarded to the library at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and is involved in a study of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Big Read program. Prior to joining Rockman, Kristin was a postdoctoral fellow at the Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Berkeley Evaluation and Assessment Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Kristin has a B.A. in psychology from Yale University and a Ph.D. in education and psychology from the University of Michigan. Kristin is a fan of children's literature, cute cats, and very bad puns.

Jennifer Borse, M.A.
Bloomington Office

Jennifer has an M.A. from the Mass Communications program at Indiana University, where her research focused on educational technology, physiological responses to media stimuli, and human-computer interface design. Before joining the team at Rockman et al, Jennifer worked for the Center for Excellence in Education, developing and studying the use of learning resources for the Turner Adventure Learning program, researching technology’s impact on new teachers, and conducting an assessment of technology competencies for the U.S. Department of Defense. Since coming to Rockman et al in 1998, she has been involved with the evaluation of several Technology Innovation Challenge Grants as well as a handful of school-based and district-wide technology initiatives within Chicago and surrounding communities. She recently led a two-year evaluation of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s “Where fun and learning click!” program to fund educational Web sites for 9-12 year olds. Jennifer specializes in the evaluation of media programming and learning technologies. As an amateur photographer and videographer, Jennifer is interested in finding new ways to use still and moving images to enhance the work she does as an evaluator. Jennifer is an avid Science Fiction fan and also enjoys teaching swim lessons at a local YMCA.

Scott Burg , M.A., M.L.S.
San Francisco Office

Scott has a formal background and extensive experience in adult education, instructional systems design, health and education technology product development and evaluation, and health services research. He had conducted extensive market research on the impact of mobile computing for diagnosis, treatment, and self-management of a variety of health conditions with diverse audiences. He has worked with numerous school districts and public health organizations on development and evaluation of program interventions dealings with diet, nutrition, coordinated school health, and chronic disease management. For the past 12 years, Scott has served as a panel reviewer for the National Institute’s of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant program. Scott has an MA in Literature (Poetry) from Georgetown University and a Masters in Library Science from the U. of Maryland. Scott enjoys tennis, independent film, fiction, and modern art.

Monnette Fung, Ed.M.
San Francisco Office

Monnette is an experienced Web developer and has worked on many aspects of the Web, including usability, design, and data analysis. Monnette recently received her Ed.M. in Technology in Education from Harvard University. While at Harvard, she was involved in the evaluation of several Web-based projects, including WGBH Interactive’s FFFBI (Fin, Fur, and Feather Bureau of Investigation) site for kids and the Milwaukee Public Schools Professional Support Portal. In addition to her online work, Monnette is also interested in language development and has taught in a K-8 bilingual after-school program. Monnette spends most of her free time rushing from work to volleyball. When she's not working or playing volleyball, she also enjoys traveling, macro photography, and playing group games.

Julia Hazer, B.S.
San Francisco Office

Julia has experience in education/teaching, development, and research work. Most recently, she worked as a development assistant and research coordinator at WestEd, a nonprofit research, development, and service agency. At WestEd, Julia helped coordinate the data collection phase for the Quality Teaching for English Language Learners (QTEL) study, a multi-year collaborative professional development and research project involving the New York City Department of Education and Rockman et al. She has also worked as a coordinator for a grant writing and consulting firm called Forward Progress. In 2002, Julia taught music in 4th and 5th grades in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) through Teach for America. Julia graduated Summa cum laude with a B.S. degree in Psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington. In her spare time, Julia enjoys playing soccer, riding her bicycle, studying acting (for beginners), and playing the piano.

Michelle Honeyford, M.Ed.
Bloomington Office

Michelle has worked on a wide array of projects as a Research Associate with Rockman et al. For the past eight years, she has conducted research on inquiry- and community-based learning initiatives that utilize interactive videoconferencing technology. She has also worked on evaluations of a state-wide, technology-based professional development program for school administrators, an innovative distance learning program for teachers of English Language Learners, and a middle-school laptop and problem-based learning initiative. Michelle is especially interested in literacy and has been involved in several studies focusing on writing, reading, digital literacy, and English Language Learners. Before joining Rockman, Michelle was a high school English teacher. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in English Education at Indiana University, Bloomington, where she teaches courses in writing instruction at the School of Education. Michelle enjoys water and snow sports, reading, and spending time with her family.

Frances Montell, Ph.D.
San Francisco Office

Frances conducts educational research and program evaluation, specializing in science, mathematics, and technology projects. She has expertise in research and evaluation design, including quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Before joining Rockman, Frances was a researcher at WestEd, and prior to that she was a researcher and project manager at the Stanford Learning Lab at Stanford University. Her experience includes evaluating mathematics professional development programs, science programs for high school students, and online learning tools, as well as working on NSF-funded research on teacher induction for mathematics and science teachers. Frances has a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She played Ultimate Frisbee with UCSB's Burning Skirts and the Santa Barbara Condors and enjoys teaching people how to throw and catch a disc.

Sarah Mushlin, M.A.
San Francisco Office

Sarah conducts applied educational research and program evaluation, specializing in qualitative methods. She is experienced in research and evaluation design, data collection and analysis, and reporting and communicating results. Before joining Rockman et al, Sarah worked as a consultant on a team responsible for evaluating the Africa Education Initiative, a presidential initiative with projects in 41 Sub-Saharan countries. She conducted extensive field research in the areas of girls’ education, teacher training, and textbook production and dissemination. Sarah’s experience also includes large-scale assessment development in various subject areas, including science, reading, and English for English Language Learners. She is skilled in delivering technical assistance and training to build local capacity in monitoring and evaluation efforts for education projects. Sarah earned her B.A. from Brandeis University in Anthropology and her M.A. from the University of Maryland in International Education Policy and Leadership. She spends most of her free time laughing with her one year old, taking photographs of all the cute things he does, and enjoying the outdoors with her husband. Once a week you can find her practicing yoga, stretching, meditating, and just being.

Maura Pereira-Leon, M.S., Ed.S.
Bloomington Office

Maura has extensive professional experience in the field of education both in the United States and Latin America. She has studied the use of technology in education and training for more than a decade. As a qualitative researcher with expertise in the areas of design, development, and evaluation of technology-based programs, she has conducted studies of language learning in technology-enhanced classrooms, power distance in multicultural groups, technology integration in teacher education programs, and the use of videoconferencing to support transnational students’ socialization in school. Maura’s experience includes teaching at both the high school and university levels. She has also worked as an education consultant on projects studying diversity and multicultural issues in Indiana public schools. From 1995-1999, Maura was the Academic Director of the Simon Rodriguez Virtual University in Venezuela. Maura enjoys community service activities. In Bloomington, Indiana, she teaches adults how to read using Paulo Freire’s method.

Marshall Perry, Ph.D.
San Francisco Office

Marshall holds a Ph.D. from the Stanford University School of Education and a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University. His dissertation used mixed methods to examine adolescent academic self-concept in the context of middle-school ability grouping. He designed his minor in Political Psychology, which is an area that explores behavioral assumptions of political mechanisms, and peoples’ motivations and experiences within policies. Other interests include accountability, school reorganization, diversity, and academic standards. Marshall has also taught adult education and worked at the Board of Education in New York City. He has served on the Board of Directors of The Village Project, an international organization that teaches civic education, and Peace by Peace, a national network of programs that teach conflict resolution. Marshall has presented papers at the National Conference on Race & Ethnicity and at the American Educational Research Association, where he is an officer of a Special Interest Group. Marshall enjoys being with his wife and daughter and playing the electric and upright bass.

Cassidy Puckett, M.A.
San Francisco Office

Cassidy is a Research Associate at Rockman et al. Cassidy is involved in research and evaluation projects primarily pertaining to K-12, including formal and informal learning, educational technology, teacher professional development programs, language and culture, history, art, and others. Her specialty is the use of qualitative research methods. Cassidy also currently teaches Robotics at Urban Promise Academy Middle School, one of Oakland Unified School District’s small schools and mentors a Big Picture/MetWest High School student. Prior to joining Rockman, Cassidy worked full-time at Urban Promise as an instructor, technology planner and grant writer. She also consulted with other programs including WestEd’s Applications Development Group and the Bermuda Computing Project—a research and development project that created a computing curriculum and follow up evaluation system for Bermuda schools, based at Stanford University. Cassidy holds an MA in Learning, Design and Technology from Stanford. In her spare time, Cassidy likes to run, read fiction, draw, and play vicious games of backgammon.

Justin Mead Robertson, B.A.
Bloomington Office

Justin has extensive experience in the entertainment industry, both in administration and performance, as well as experience in research and design in the museum field. He holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, communication and culture from Indiana University. In REA’s Bloomington office, he coordinates project management logistics and assists in research and evaluation projects. In his spare time he enjoys acting with local theatre troupes and is a member of The Indiana Shakespeare Company.

Kay Sloan, M.A.
Managing Research Director
Bloomington Office

Kay is Managing Research Director for Rockman’s Bloomington, Indiana, office. She has worked on numerous studies of school reform efforts, including several US Department of Education Technology Innovation Challenge Grants, two Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Technology Leadership Grants, and the US Department of Education Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology Grants. Kay’s expertise is in the design of qualitative studies that provide meaningful data on how technology interventions affect teaching and learning. Kay has conducted studies of writing achievement, teacher training, and the use of Web-based resources for training and instruction. Before joining Rockman, Kay was a formative evaluator of children’s television for the Agency for Instructional Television (AIT). At AIT, she also served as project historian for a nationally funded children’s television series on thinking skills, and published a book about the project entitled Thinking through Television. Kay also worked as a freelance evaluator for PBS and the Smithsonian, and taught in public schools and at the university level. She did her doctoral work in English and Comparative Literature at Indiana University, Bloomington. Kay likes to spend her spare time reading, just about anything from new fiction to her old favorite, Shakespeare, and talking, listening to music, or traveling with her husband and college-age kids.

Code Violet
San Francisco Office

Code is the San Francisco Office Manager, responsible for the day to day operation of the main Rockman et al location, as well as the general company accounting and administration. In addition to administrative tasks, Code assists with various project work as necessary and contributes to bilingual projects when able. Prior to joining Rockman et al, Code worked in administrative settings in Web development and higher education, handling such responsibilities as public relations, tech support, and completion of online interactive promotions. Away from the office, Code enjoys independent film, writing, and fine vegan cuisine.

Michelle D. Weissman, Ph.D.
San Francisco Office

Michelle's background is in cognitive development and cognitive science applied to education—including language development, cognitive disabilities, and cross-cultural influences on development. She is especially interested in how students learn, the tools they use for learning, and the socio-cultural influence on thinking and learning. While at Rockman et al, Michelle has led research and evaluation projects of professional development programs, online learning programs, and educational technology resources. She has strong research and design skills, with an emphasis on quantitative analyses. Before joining Rockman et al, Michelle taught at both the preschool and university levels. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys baking and traveling to new places.

David Wilmore, B.A.
Director of Operations
San Francisco Office

David is the Operations Manager at Rockman et al, handling many of the financial and logistical functions of the business. A normal day will find him working with clients as an Accounts Receivable representative and contract coordinator, or with Rockman et al staff on technology and infrastructure issues. David has a B.A. in Philosophy from Swarthmore College and has worked as a small business administrator since graduating in 1992. Outside of Rockman et al, David enjoys rock climbing, motorcycle riding and woodworking.

Cynthia Char, Ed.D.
East Coast Region (Boston, New York)

Cynthia has over twenty years of experience in the research and development of educational media and curricula designed for children and families. She worked as a senior researcher and designer at Bank Street College's Center for Children and Technology, and at Education Development Center (EDC). Now the head of Char Associates, an educational consulting firm, she has worked on numerous projects with Rockman et al. Her areas of expertise include interactive media, mathematics and science curricula, and collaborative partnerships between educational organizations. Cynthia received her Ed.D. in Human Development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Candy Miller, Ed.M.
East Coast Region (Boston, New York)

Candy has over four years of experience in educational research and data analysis. Prior to consulting with Rockman et al, she spent four years working with one of the world’s leading non-profit education research organizations, the Education Development Center. While at the EDC, she evaluated the effects of preschool classroom environments, teacher-child interaction, and specific features of programs and families on children’s language, literacy and social development. She specializes in the use of statistical methods, specifically Hierarchical Linear Modeling, to analyze data for various education research and improvement projects. Candy received her master’s degree in Human Development and Psychology with an emphasis in research methods and statistics from Harvard University.

Nate Titterton, Ph.D.
San Francisco Region

Nate is currently a researcher and lecturer at the University of California at Berkeley and a consultant for Rockman et al. His current research is on Web-based curriculum and tools to support lab-based courses, and he has worked on e-learning design and infrastructure, statistical misconceptions, and instructional technology design. Nate has expertise in statistical analyses and research methods and Web-based tools to support educational processes. He received a Ph.D. in Education and an M.A. in statistics from U. C. Berkeley.

Elise Trumbull, Ed.D.
San Francisco Region

Elise is an educational consultant specializing in sociocultural influences on learning and schooling. A former teacher, Trumbull completed her doctorate in education in the area of applied psycholinguistics at Boston University in 1984. She has studied five languages other than English and has conducted applied research in cultural settings ranging from California and Arizona to Micronesia. As a senior research associate at WestEd, a federally-funded educational laboratory based in San Francisco, Trumbull directed a teacher collaborative action research project called “Bridging Cultures” from 1996-2004. Trumbull has co-authored numerous articles and book chapters, as well as six books. Among them are Assessment Alternatives for Diverse Classrooms (with Beverly Farr; Christopher-Gordon, 1997), Bridging Cultures between Home and School: A Guide for Teachers (with Carrie Rothstein-Fisch, Patricia M. Greenfield, & Blanca Quiroz; Lawrence Erlbaum, 2001), and Grading and Reporting in an Age of Standards (with Beverly Farr; Christopher-Gordon, 2000).

Our Staff

Rockman et al Staff Bios

Adjunct Staff

Rockman et al
Staff Bios