A flipped professional learning event

Carrie Whalen, Customer Support Implementation Specialist at Hāpara

Carrie Whalen has been with Hāpara for four years, bringing two decades of experience as a technology administrator in K-12 education. Her favorite part of her job at Hāpara is partnering with technology administrators, people whose roles she deeply understands, to help school districts optimize their use of Hāpara tools. Carrie finds fulfillment in making educational technology not just functional, but transformative.

Carrie has been married for 25 years and is the proud mom of two grown sons. Outside of work, Carrie finds joy in her garden, where she tends plants and watches for hummingbirds. She’s also passionate about service, volunteering weekly in her church’s 3-year-old classroom and as a baby cuddler at a local hospital.

Heather Rentz, Community Development Manager at Hāpara

Heather is a dedicated lifelong learner with over two decades of experience in education. She has held various roles from grade 1 to grade 12. Heather resides in Alberta, Canada, with her husband and three children. Heather finds joy in traveling and adventuring, having visited many destinations around the world. Additionally, she loves being outdoors, soaking up the sun whenever possible.

Meagan Jakubec, Product Manager at Hāpara 

Meagan brings her experience as an elementary educator to the Product team, with a focus on building tools that are grounded in real classroom needs. When she’s not working, you’ll find her outside with her husband and two kids, or curled up with a coffee and a good book.

Lindsay Dixon-Garcia, Director of Marketing and Customer Communications at Hāpara

Lindsay started her career as a Spanish teacher. After 12 years of teaching kids of all ages, Lindsay merged her love of words and educating others into a career in technical communication. Her focus at Hāpara is helping educators love its digital tools as much as she does. When Lindsay isn’t working she is usually spending time with her kids and hubby, playing with her two very naughty dogs or out for a run.

Lisa Monthie, Engagement Manager at Hāpara

Lisa enjoys finding innovative means of integrating technology into the classroom, with specialization in differentiation, engagement and formative assessment. Lisa has completed over 20 years in education, with experience in teaching secondary English language arts and reading. She is a Google Level 1 and 2 educator as well as an Apple Teacher, and has served many roles in instructional technology.

Beth Still, Account Manager at Hāpara

Beth is passionate about sharing the power of educational technology with teachers around the world. She is a Google Innovator and Trainer who believes technology should be used to empower students and teachers. When she isn’t working, chances are you will find her crafting, painting, cheering at her daughter’s soccer games, or hanging out with her three incredibly spoiled dogs.

Amy Miller, Engagement Manager at Hāpara

Amy Miller is an Engagement Manager at Hāpara. She spent 21 years as a classroom teacher before transitioning to educational technology. Amy works with school leaders and educators to help them create a digital learning environment in order to maximize learning, provide differentiated and collaborative instruction and create engaging learning experiences that meet the needs and interest of all learners. When Amy isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and watching reality TV. 

Dr. Meredith McNerney, Former school principal and founder of Calmer Schools

Meredith McNerney is the founder of Calmer Schools, an organization dedicated to helping educators create trauma-informed classrooms that support both student behavior and educator well-being. A former school principal, Meredith brings over two decades of experience in education leadership and professional development. She is the author of Cultivating a Classroom of Calm: How to Promote Student Engagement and Self-Regulation, published by ASCD. Her doctoral research at Northeastern University focused on the mental health and workplace experiences of Black and Brown educators in predominantly white schools. Meredith has partnered with school districts across the country to design sustainable, people-first learning environments rooted in the science of learning and healing. Her work is grounded in brain-based strategies, adult learning theory, and a deep belief in post-traumatic growth. Through Calmer Schools, she leads workshops, courses, and consulting services that reduce educator burnout and improve behavioral outcomes. Meredith’s mission is to help schools shift from surviving to thriving by building systems of support for both students and staff.

Kari Smith, Account Executive at Hāpara

Kari Smith is a former classroom educator, instructional coach, and EdTech professional with nearly 20 years of K-12 experience. With a Master’s in Learning Design and Technology, Kari excels in building relationships, leading impactful projects, and helping educators leverage technology to transform learning. Kari is passionate about creative problem-solving and meaningful collaboration. She guides schools in integrating technology to boost communication, student engagement, and digital citizenship. Central to her work is a commitment to building trust, addressing unique challenges, and delivering solutions that drive success for educators, students, and communities.

 
Scott Devore, Account Executive at Hāpara

Scott Devore is a dynamic and passionate EdTech sales professional with a proven track record of driving growth and building lasting relationships. With over 15+ years of experience, his commitment to staying abreast of industry trends ensures he is always adding value to his clients. He resides in Arizona with his wife and two teenage sons. Outside of work, Scott is an avid mountain biker and assistant coach for his youngest son’s mountain bike team. You may also find him camping or four-wheeling in his Jeep with family & friends!

Maribel Mendoza, Account Manager at Gaggle

Maribel Mendoza draws on decades of product management experience and a strong strategic vision to deliver solutions that make an impact. At Gaggle, she leads the web filter product, combining deep expertise with a focus on innovation and keeping students safe online.