Janelle Neumann

Born and raised in Brooklyn New York.

In 2014 I founded Parent Curriculum Connect to build a community of supportive parents. Student directed learning has been my passion ever since. I discovered my calling as an entrepreneur and Education Activist when I realized how empowering childhood technology is for my son and daughter. I watched my daughter become bright and articulate overnight and my son learn the songs to his favorite educational shows on instant replay. These days his motto is "There's so much to explore, when your outside..." and she is busy learning fractions.

I want them to learn in context.

When I think about education it seems focused on securing funding for new initiatives, and leveling the playing field for disadvantaged students. However, I am supporting a platform that insists students regardless of their background are at their most creative when they are engaged in project work. We can always back our way into the standards that are needed to track their progress by analyzing the projects they complete.

Traditional methods of reading and testing taking can contribute to a strong foundation, but real learning must be organic, inherent and enriching, at ever turn. Boredom is passe, and passive learning is obsolete. The Neumann Model turns every independent question or project into an academic experience that is measured by a formal standard.

I recently created the Neumann Education Project Model (NEPM), a web application to match student projects to Common Core standards. What differentiates this product is the ability to delete, or add standards to suit independent curriculum, or educational goals. Standards do change and a flexible web application is essential.

This year I will be partnering with other activists, educators and administrators to support student direct learning and Edupreneurs.

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