Our People
Meet the People of ACASE
Jason Brechko
Director, Professional Development
Jason brings nearly thirty years of science teaching experience, a deep understanding of Practical Educational Science, and a dynamic personality to ACASE. Inspired by the impact, relationships, and communities he builds through his work at ACASE, his mission is to bring Practical Educational Science to life through the teachers, schools, and organizations he works with. Jason enjoys his family, and spending time in the mountains.
Paul Zachos, Ph.D
Director, Research & Evaluation
Dr. Paul Zachos is the founder of ACASE. He has been working in the field of education since the 1970s as a teacher, researcher, policy analyst, and program evaluator. His special area of interest is in helping teachers to develop innovative alternatives to destructive testing practices. He is currently working with teachers designing ways to find out what their students are actually learning…and what they are not learning.
Colleen Vignola
Institute Facilitator
Colleen has been teaching Earth and Space Science at the high school level for nearly 13 years. For the past four years, she has been implementing the principles of Practical Educational Science in her instruction and assessment practices. Colleen enjoys working with teachers across grade levels to deepen their understanding of NGSS, enabling them to create fully-aligned instruction and assessment that is accessible and engaging for all students.
Leah Cozzolino
Office Manager
Leah Cozzolino brings a balance of structure and approachability to her role as an office manager. Detail-oriented and organized, she creates efficient systems, while fostering a positive, team-centered workplace. She values strong relationships, clear communication, and consistency, and enjoys building genuine connections with those she works with. In her free time, Leah enjoys family time and gardening.
Unpacking Team
Jason Brechko
Mike Delmont
Lisa Fort
Meagan Hughes
Jessica Narkiewicz
Sonal Patel Dame
Christina Prokopienko
Derek Srygley
Colleen Vignola
IPES Mentors
Jessica Narkiewicz
Susan Pienta
Christina Prokopienko
Judy Seleg
Derek Srygley
Research
Tom Hick
Anoopa Singh
PanPan Yang
Chrono Content Support Specialist
Heather Brechko
Content Editor
Lexy Fowler (Blue Dot Writing)
Graphic Design
Caroline Bracken
Engineer
Sol Vitkin
Web Systems/Data Specialist
Hunter Johns
UX
Kirsten Segeren
A note from the Founder, Paul Zachos
Paul Goodman showed me that education did not have to be what I myself had experienced. The work of Mauritz Johnson continues to redirect my thinking to the essential elements of educational processes and products. Will Doane joined me in refining that thinking. I learned assessment from Jean Piaget and Barbel Inhelder. Cindy Sargent showed me what education could be. Jane Capiello, John Delano, and Monica De Tuya recognized the value of this work, and applied it productively. Jason Brechko and I collaborated to create Practical Educational Science. Deborah Newlen joined us to imagine and launch the Institutes in Practical Educational Science. Tom Hick and Robert M. Pruzek lit the way to the creation of Educational Data Science. John Dewey and Rudolf Steiner inspire me. Maria Montessori awes me with her love.
ACASE 