About Us

Have you ever gotten so wrapped up in something that you look up and three hours have passed and you didn’t even realize it? What I’m talking about is not that you’re just enjoying your task, but that you’re completely engrossed. Be it a project around the house or an activity or a hobby…it’s kind of a fun experience to become so excited and engaged by something that the passage of time ceases to affect you.

Now consider this: how often does the type of situation I just described happen in K-12 education? How often are kids involved in learning activities that you have to argue with them to get them to stop? In our opinion, not often enough.

And that’s why we’re here. We believe engaged students become higher achieving students. Engaged students love going to school every day. Engaged students become more thoughtful and citizens. Engaged students are well-rounded–skilled in not just one area but many.

Simply put, we believe student engagement is the key to the 21st century. Our mission is to help teachers, schools, and school districts engage students in meaningful learning activities. Activities that are student driven, project based, and enriched by the use of technology. We want to help develop these activities and share them with educators and thus help do a better job preparing our children to excel in the fast-changing world that is the 21st century.

Ben Curran

Ben was born and raised in Pontiac, Michigan. He earned his teaching degree from Eastern Michigan University and began his teaching career in 2000. Since then he has taught, at various times grades four through eight. He is currently teaching fourth and fifth grades in Detroit. In addition, he coordinates educational technology training for his district.

After beginning to realize the power of integrating technology in his classroom, Ben earned a M.S. degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Wyoming. He is proud to have boosted his students’ achievement by using blogs, wikis, podcasts, digital storytelling, and many other technology resources.

Ben has presented at the Michigan Association of Public School Academies conference in 2008 and 2009 and at the Michigan Reading Association conference in 2011. His is a member of the International Society for Technology in Education. You can check out his blogs: The Small Nouns and Room 316.

Ben lives outside Detroit with his wife, daughter, and two sons.

Neil Wetherbee

Neil grew up in a small town outside of Traverse City, Michigan. The public school district he attended was a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools. His relationship with the educational process was significantly shaped by the high expectations, personalization, and performance-based assessments found in these schools. He earned his teaching degree from the University of Michigan and has been teaching in a school that encourages him teach the way he believes since 2005.

More and more of Neil’s teaching included the use of technology, so he sought formal training in the field of educational technology. He earned an Educational Technology Certificate, an NP Endorsement, and a M.A. in Educational Technology from Michigan State University. He regularly implements Web 2.0 technologies with an emphasis on course management systems to increase student engagement and achievement. To continue his growth in the field of educational technology, Neil is a member of the International Society for Technology in Education. You can check out his class blog: Newsletters, Links, and More.

Neil lives outside of Detroit with his wife and three daughters.