The Backbone Team
Toll Free: 1-800-480-3935 Fax: 602-277-9266 info@backbonecommunications.com 5025 North Central Ave Suite 422 Phoenix, AZ 85012Let us help you create your 21st Century Classroom!
| Management | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Leah Dines, M.Ed., President | Brian Snyder, NW |
| Josh Leitz, Regional Director | Matt West, SW |
| BJ Dines, Technology & Training | Lindsey Klein, M.Ed., NE |
| Michelle Poleyumptewa, M.Ed., SE | |
| California | Nevada |
| Terry Brown, NE | Steve Leitz |
| Rachel Brainard, NW | |
| New Mexico | Utah |
| Dwayne Lehman | Diana Bass, M.Ed. |
| Trainers | |
| Tom Stultz, Ph.D. | |
| Dan Reid, M.Ed. | |
| Gina Onstott, M.Ed. |
Leah Dines, M.Ed, President / 602-791-6138
Leah started Backbone Communications in 1999, believing that making the up-to-date and proper learning tools available to larger numbers of students would be doing the most for the most students. She has an undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in Political Science and a Masters Degree from Northern Arizona University in Educational Leadership. She is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at NAU. She is also a member of the NAPEW, National Association of Professional & Executive Women. She has experience in the classroom as a Job Developer/Placement Teacher working with adults with Learning Disabilities as well as with Foster Care students. Before that she worked as a Client Care Worker with violent offender boys age 12-18 years old. Leah had the honor of working with Senator Jon Kyl while in college at ASU, and followed that with a job with the Arizona Board of Supervisors. Using the tools that Backbone Communications represents will enable students to reach goals and dreams they may not have thought possible.
Josh Leitz, Regional Director / 602-770-9152
Josh Leitz has been with Backbone Communications since January 2005. After receiving his Concurrent Degree from ASU in Business Marketing and Business Management he pursued his K-8 education certificate. He was a classroom teacher for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade and used The A+nyWhere Learning System® with his 5th & 6th graders in order to differentiate the curriculum and provide appropriate content to his many students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). When Josh joined Backbone, he began meeting with schools, assisting in implementation, and training teachers and administrators on various software tools. Providing students the right content at the right time while achieving permanent gains is absolutely crucial in today’s competitive marketplace.
BJ Dines, Technology & Training / 602-369-3120
BJ joined Backbone Communications in 2001. He has a CIS & Marketing Degree from NAU. BJ has experience working with technology and training with schools providing Internet solutions. His determination and drive in training teachers, consulting administrators and supporting the BBC Account Managers stems from his true goals – to help make schools successful. His experience has taught him the keys to a successful software implementation. Learn how to avoid the common mistakes and make your investment worthwhile. By following Backbone’s implementation plan, Administrators and Teachers know what is expected of them and can now measure its effectiveness.
Brian Snyder, AZ Northwest Regional Manager / 602-614-0226
As a teacher, Brian used The A+nyWhere Learning System® software in schools in Arizona and Nebraska and taught various classes in grades K-12. He spent four years at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (Y.R.T.C.) in Kearney, Nebraska. After his tenure at Y.R.T.C., Brian was offered a position to teach a self-contained 7th and 8th grade class as well as the Independent Study teacher in their credit recovery program at Perris Union High School District in California. After three years, Brian was given the opportunity to start an alternative school in Pierce, Nebraska. While teaching for Pierce Public Schools, Brian used A+® as his core curriculum software in the alternative education program. As well as being involved in the alternative education program, Brian also taught Strength and Fitness and was an assistant varsity coach for football and boys and girls basketball. He was also the head strength coach for a very successful athletics program at Pierce High School.
Brian is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, B.A. E., K-12.
Matt West, AZ Southwest Regional Manager / 602-349-3693
Matt has been in education since receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University in 2000. He was a certified teacher and taught for 7 years in the Phoenix area. Outside of the classroom Matt served as Technology Coordinator, Curriculum Specialist, and AIMS Test Coordinator at different schools. He also coached various girls and boys sports before joining Backbone Communications. He is currently finishing his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. Matt uses his classroom and leadership experiences to help schools implement and use software as a powerful educational tool.
Lindsey Klein, M.Ed, AZ Northeast Regional Manager / 602-576-2199
After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Buffalo, Lindsey went on to earn her Master’s in Education at D’Youville College. Lindsey taught High School Science and strongly believed in the power of technology to enhance her instruction. She consistently engaged her students using simulations and animations experiencing first hand the benefits from her creative instructional approach. Lindsey’s desire to spread her knowledge and passion for teaching and the importance of technology has led her to the Backbone Team.
Michelle Poleyumptewa, M.Ed, AZ Southeast Regional Manager / 602-471-7392
Michelle Poleyumptewa is a veteran classroom teacher who strongly believes in the power of technology as a tool to support student success. She is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside (B.S. Anthropology) and Northern Arizona University (M.Ed. Bilingual/Multicultural Education), and spent over ten years working in California and Arizona public schools. In addition to teaching grades 2-5, she has worked as a site technology mentor, curriculum council member, math assessment developer, and teacher trainer with an NGO in Haiti. Michelle looks forward to developing new partnerships with teachers, administrators and school support personnel throughout the Southwest as a trainer with Backbone Communications.
Terry Brown, CA Northeast Regional Manager / 707-337-6253
After working for several years in law enforcement as a narcotic/gang detective, Terry made a career transition and to the private sector for a Real Estate finance company. He has always been interested in working in education after spending a short time working as an instructional assistant at a juvenile court school in California. Terry possess a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from National University and a Professional Knowledge certification in Secondary Education. His prior experience has reinforced the importance of helping schools and students succeed. Through education and technology he now has the opportunity to impact his community in a positive and rewarding way.
Rachel Brainard, CA Northwest Regional Manager / 415-450-1271
Rachel’s passion for education and her desire to help students succeed in the classroom led her to join Backbone Communications in 2009. She is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in History. She continued her education at Chapman University and earned her California Teaching Credential in Social Science. She has experience teaching students in grades K-12, with a focus in the Social Sciences. In order to stay involved with her community, Rachel is also the head swim coach at a local high school and has built a successful team over the past two years. Rachel strongly believes in the benefits of using technology in the classroom for both students and teachers. She looks forward to working with California’s teachers and administrators to bring technology tools into the classroom in order create successful schools throughout Northern California.
Steve Leitz, Nevada Regional Manager / 702-442-1108
After receiving his B.S./B.A. in Marketing & Management from The Ohio State University, Steve spent almost 20 years in the Fashion Eyewear Industry. As Vice President of Sales and National Accounts Manager, Steve was responsible for building designer and private label collections for Dillards, Foleys, J.C. Penney, and the Ski Areas throughout the Southwest United States. Upon the sale of his company, Steve was approached to help the owners of Backbone Communications to help students and teachers in Nevada. Steve’s enthusiasm for healthy self esteem for kids, his volunteer work in that area for over 20 years, and his excitement in seeing his oldest son Josh succeed as a teacher and educational software professional helped Steve decide to join the Backbone Team. Steve looks forward to working with each one of you, and bring his years of partnership experience to help develop a plan to reach your goals.
Dwayne Lehman, New Mexico Regional Manager / 505-366-9042
Upon completing a successful tenure in international administration/education, Dwayne has returned to the United States and started a new chapter in his educational Career. His background is varied; Dwayne held the office of CEO for a successful cooperation for 16 years. Additionally, he has been an entrepreneur in business, educational teacher with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and most recent an education administrator with the Quality Assurance Bureau for the State of New Mexico’s Public Education Department. During this time he worked with schools that either had not made or was expected to not make the Annual Yearly Report AYP. His career in education has been from a self-contained classroom to Dean of Students to Human Resource Director. His experience and training in various fields of education have given him the tools necessary to become not only successful as an educator but an educational administrator.
He has a BA in Management from IUBL and a MS in Educational Administration. Dwayne strongly believes in the power of education and his motto holds true with children as it does with adults. “It is not what you do for children or adults but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.”
Diana Bass, M.Ed, Utah Regional Manager / 801-675-0255
Diana Bass earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of Utah. She subsequently graduated with a Master of Arts degree in American History and has worked on her Ph.D in Educational Studies. She taught high school students for twelve years using student centered and experiential instructional techniques such as debates, simulations, and mock trials. Diana is an independent contractor with Western Governors University. She taught Philosophy courses for Provo College and has served as a Content Specialist for an online school. Diana believes state-of-the-art software tools implemented properly will help students, teachers, and school districts achieve the educational pursuits that lead to student success and optimal learning.
Dr. Tom Stultz, Ph.D, Certified Trainer / 602-430-9734
After leaving IBM in 1999, Thomas L Stultz, Ph.D., merged his technical background with educational solutions. For seven years (2000-2007), Dr. Stultz was part of the Payson Unified School District (PUSD), where he served as a highly qualified mathematics teacher with Payson Center for Success High School. He used The A+nyWhere Learning System® throughout PUSD developing curriculum offerings for the district that went beyond the technology “tool” of A+® to address various learning styles of all students. In addition, Dr. Stultz was a part of the Gila County Superintendent’s Office serving as Technology Integration Specialist from 2007-2009. He provided educational consultation to school administration, and assisted teachers and staff in implementation of their technology strategies. Dr. Stultz is a Certified Trainer for A+® and he continues to help guide schools and provide the necessary skill to attain academic success with the use of A+LS.
Dan Reid, M.Ed, Certified Trainer / 602-690-7056
Dan retired from teaching after 37 years in the classroom in 2006. During those 37 years, Dan taught every grade K-12 in addition to online graduate courses for PBS Teacherline and Los Angels County Department of Education TeachStar. He is a Master Teacher in the Intel Teach to the Future program, served as a Career Ladder Facilitator and Evaluator for the Payson Unified School District. While at the Payson Unified School District, Dan used The A+nyWhere Learning System® as a vital part of the learning environment for his students and has a unique understanding of the relationship between A+LS and an existing school/district instructional atmosphere. From 2006-2009, Dan served as a Technology Integration Specialist for the Gila County Education Service Agency assisting schools in integrating technology and educational software. Dan is a Certified Trainer for A+® and has extensive experience with both A+LS and DynEd.
Gina Onstott, M.Ed, Certified Trainer / 801-699-9213
Gina Onstott joined Backbone Communications in 2009 in pursuit to combine her passion for education and experience in business. After completing her B.S. from ASU in Global Business, Gina followed her dream of working with youth through local schools and returned to school to complete her M.A. in Elementary Education. Gina joined the Backbone Team to expand product knowledge through schools and in doing so creating wonderful opportunities for students and teachers. Gina believes technology is the gateway to new teaching concepts for teachers and learning opportunities for students. Gina looks forward to working with the school’s best teachers, administrators, and districts in creating a partnership and opportunities for many years that will bring the technology tools needed in today’s schools.
