Millie Barnes

Millie Barnes is a second-generation educator who has worked with Project Wisdom for more than 10 years as an editor and proofreader. She is a former elementary teacher who had the privilege of working with students on a Native American reservation while doing her graduate work. Millie has more than 50 years experience in proofreading and editing. One of her most memorable projects was proofreading the galley proofs for the book Catch Me If You Can. Millie's community service has included working with the Hunger Coalition and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). When not proofreading the work of other writers, Millie enjoys writing herself, surfing the Internet, and reading, all done in the company of her beloved dog, Gracie.

Mondee Dugué, M.S., LPC-I

Mondee Dugué began her career as an educator more than ten years ago, serving first as a high school English teacher then as a high school counselor. She has written, developed, and implemented English/Language Arts curriculum for both academic and advanced-placement English classes within the public school system in Texas. Mondee currently serves on several neighborhood committees that are focused on the health, welfare, and success of both students and their families. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and is the ninth-grade counselor at LaPorte High School in LaPorte, Texas. Mondee has two children, daughter Heather, age 20, and son Laik, age 7.

Pansy Gee

Pansy Gee has been part of the Project Wisdom team for more than seven years working as a consultant, editor, and now content developer. She is an award-winning teacher at Mark Twain Elementary in the Houston Independent School District, where she works as a Language Arts Specialist. Pansy teaches grades three through five in the Literary Development Center, a program she founded in 1990. She is also a mentor for Rice University's Center of Education's School Literacy Project and Culture Project. She teaches most summers at the Creative Writing Camp sponsored by Writers in the Schools and Rice University's Center of Education. Pansy is one of those special educators who is beloved by both parents and students. She has also been a Project Wisdom narrator for more than eleven years. Pansy is married to Don Gee and has two children, Christopher, 20, and Kimberly, 22.

Kim Hart

Kim Hart brings an international perspective to the ERS team having spent most of her childhood in Europe. As a first generation immigrant, Kim did her university studies in Houston where she later spent six years working in the technology field as a Web designer. At the coaxing of a close friend, Kim eventually became a high school digital arts teacher where she particularly enjoyed working with teenagers. Kim left teaching to start her family and has since joined the Project Wisdom team. Her combined experience with technology, design and classroom teaching is a real asset to this project. In the past, Kim has served the community by teaching art to those living with AIDS. When she isn't spending time with her husband Jeremy and daughter Abbie, she enjoys crocheting baby blankets for local hospitals.

Kathy Guenther

Kathy has been part of the Project Wisdom team for more than 13 years. She came on board as one of the company's first employees and has loyally contributed to all aspects of its development from establishing bookkeeping systems to marketing strategies to customer service. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence make her a valued proofreader and editor of all the ERS content. She lives with Ric, her husband of 36 years, and has two grown sons, Stewart and Casey.

Suzanne Johnsen

Suzanne Johnsen is a true Renaissance woman who brings a multitude of skill sets to Project Wisdom. Some of these include technical guru for the company, project manager for the Educator Resource Site, and Customer Relations manager for client schools. She has 20 years of experience in technology with skills ranging from database to Website design. Along with her many other community volunteer roles, Suzanne has been a veteran public school volunteer for more than 15 years. She taught childbirth classes for ten years and coached dozens of women during childbirth. Suzanne is an expert gardener who enjoys being at home with her husband and two teenagers.

Anne Mabry

Anne Mabry is a curriculum writer and classroom teacher with more than fifteen years experience in the field of education. She has been Chair of the Fine Arts Department at Alvin High School in Alvin Texas for the past seven. Anne co-wrote a full multi-level advisory curriculum for Alvin ISD in 2001 and coordinated the implementation of the curriculum into the high school that year. She was recently awarded the Priddy Fellowship in Arts Advocacy and Leadership from The University of North Texas in Denton. Anne also received a grant from The Fund For Teachers which will allow her to tour Italy summer 2007 to view the great masterpieces there. In addition to teaching Anne enjoys reading, creative writing, making art and hanging out with her husband, friends, family and her cats.

Leslie Matula

Leslie Matula is the founder of Project Wisdom, Inc. She brings a wealth of experience to the content team as a subject matter expert in the field of character education. She created Project Wisdom fifteen years ago and today it is a leading producer of character education materials. The program has been implemented in more than 16,000 schools nationwide and reaches more than 4 million students each school day. Leslie is the lead writer of the content development team, a former veteran public school volunteer, and mentor to at-risk youth. She recently celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary with her husband Dan and has two adult sons, Zachary and Sean.

Melissa Patin

Melissa Patin is a committed educator who cares about the social and emotional development of students. She has been a school counselor for the Houston Independent School District for the past 11 years. Prior to receiving her graduate degree in counseling, Melissa was a classroom teacher in both first grade and special education. She just recently completed her principal certification. Her counseling and classroom teaching experience, coupled with her leadership training, give Melissa a valuable perspective which she now brings to our content development team. Melissa is an avid reader who loves cooking, gardening, and mountain hiking with her husband, Jim.

Elizabeth Van Auken

Elizabeth Van Auken is an educational consultant and writer with
15 years of experience in education as an award-winning ESL teacher; adjunct professor; grant director; and consultant to schools, foundations, and businesses. Elizabeth has taught every grade from pre-K through college. She is also the co-creator of the Inventors Club, a one-of-a kind-interactive book. Elizabeth's short stories and articles have appeared in The Houston Chronicle and Texas Magazine. Her unique background as an educator, writer, and consultant provides her with the expertise to envision new ways to connect with children, and to put them in action. Her children, Hannah, Aaron, and Abigail, plus their imaginary dog Yo-Yo, provide continuous inspiration for her never-ending quest to bring positive experiences to all children and to share and foster a love of learning and art.