Leadership
Peter Meyerhoff, PhD | CEO
Peter is a learning scientist whose work centers on the design of interest-driven learning environments. As a researcher, he investigates the student and teacher experience in alternative formal and informal educational settings. He served as executive director of new product development at Encyclopaedia Britannica and has led two successful startups in marketing and direct response advertising. Peter holds a PhD in learning sciences from Northwestern University, where he teaches courses in Learning and Organizational Change at the School of Education & Social Policy.
Howie Templer | Chief Project Designer
Howie is a veteran educator who was an Illinois state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching in 2018. He taught elementary school in the Chicago area for 12 years, where he developed expertise in integrating project-based learning experiences into core academic curricula. During his teaching career, Howie served as a math and science specialist and led professional development workshops for educators. In 2011, he received the prestigious Golden Apple Award. Howie holds a master’s degree in instructional leadership from Argosy University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University.
Jenny Meyerhoff | Creative Director
Jenny is the author of 13 books for children and young adults, including the Friendship Garden series (Simon & Schuster), Playing Cupid (Scholastic), Queen of Secrets (Farrar Straus & Giroux), and Sami’s Sleepaway Summer (Scholastic). Prior to becoming a children’s author, Jenny taught elementary school. Jenny served as a district coordinator for the creative problem-solving competition Destination Imagination, working closely with teachers, coaches, and students. She holds a master’s degree in education from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in English literature and psychology from the University of Michigan.
Sami Fabric | Partnerships Coordinator
Sami is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood-6th Grade education with an ESL certification. She is a former elementary school teacher and logistics sales representative. Through her teaching in charter and public schools in Austin and her sales experiences, she has cultivated a deep understanding of the impact of strong curriculum in the classroom and the importance of fostering meaningful relationships.