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!
Backbone Communications implements technology, curriculum & assessment solutions, and software tools for Kindergarten through 12th Grade students and adult learners. Their solutions help students in need of skills development, remediation, and enrichment for all students below grade level, on grade level, and above grade level.
Schools also utilize their services for Universal Screening, Response to Intervention (RTI), Credit Recovery, High School Proficiency, Special Education, English Language Learning, and much more.
Their award winning solutions are known to industry experts as the best technology tools available. All technology and software tools are scientifically proven research-based programs that help students succeed.
Superior customer service and proven implementation strategies are reasons why Backbone Communications continues to be schools source for software tools to help their students learn.
| 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 |
| California | Nevada |
| Brian Snyder | Steve Leitz |
| New Mexico | Utah |
| Aubrey Escobar, M.Ed. | Dan Reid, M.Ed. |
| Educational Technology Consultants | |
| Tom Stultz, Ph.D. | |
| Chloe Rhea Beauford | |
| Dan Reid, 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 following organizations: Women & Philanthropy – ASU Foundation for A New American University, Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at NAU, and 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. With today’s competitive marketplace, Josh is passionate and committed to helping students realize success and achieve permanent gains by providing the students the right content at the right time.
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, Arizona & California 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.
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.
Aubrey Escobar, M.Ed., Bilingual, New Mexico Regional Manager /
505-228-8009
With a background in training & development, instructional design and educational administration, Aubrey Escobar, M.Ed. joins Backbone Communications as a seasoned advocate for education and the integration of educational technology in the classroom. She received her concurrent Bachelors Degree in History and German Studies from Santa Clara University in 2000, and her Masters of Arts in Education Degree from the University of Phoenix in 2004. She is also working on a second Masters degree in Psychology which she is scheduled to finish in mid-2011. Having worked in both the private and public sectors, Aubrey is an expert at streamlining processes and finding lasting solutions to everyday problems taking into consideration both the needs of administrators and teachers.
Aubrey understands what it takes to reach goals in education. She understands the needs of students in a multi-cultural environment, has experience creating and modifying curriculum to meet IEP needs, and has taught in both the United States and Mexico.
Dan Reid, M.Ed, Utah Regional Manager & Certified Educational Technology Consultant / 801-675-0255
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.
Dr. Tom Stultz, Ph.D, Certified Educational Technology Consultant /
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 he
lp guide schools and provide the necessary skill to attain academic success with the use of A+LS.
Chloe Rhea Beauford, Certified Educational Technology Consultant /
602-471-7392
As an experienced trainer and workshop leader, Chloe has helped thousands of educators implement successful Reading and English Language Learning solutions. Over the past 15 years, she has conducted workshops and led presentations at many national, state, and local educational conferences. She has also conducted on-site training workshops for hundreds of schools. Chloe recognizes superior professional development as key to integrating new techniques and methods with fidelity.
