Danny Fain

Teaching classes in computer programming (various levels and tools), game design, and playful math with students ages 6 - 15; emphasis on project-based and experiential learning. Teaching week-long summer workshop programs in electronic crafts, videogame design, and tabletop game design. Coordinating mentorship of the upper-school's independent passion-projects program (IMPp).

Designed curriculum, planned, and taught a 20-hour introductory workshop on videogame design and development for kids (10 - 15 years old) at a residential summer camp. Taught over 400 students during 7 summers. Supervised and coached six assistant instructors and numerous counselor-aides.

Co-teaching and developing curriculum for a weekly robotics enrichment program, using Lego Mindstorms EV3 kits, to 4th-grade students in 6 schools. This is a pilot program, part of the Excellence for All initiative within the Office of Opportunity and Achievement Gaps.

Part-time consulting for initiation and support of trial programs at Massachusetts schools and therapy centers. Performed hands-on demonstrations and conducted teacher-training of a kinesthetic-learning videogame system for children with learning disabilities.

Worked in a team to design new, wildlife-conservation focused, mobile learning games and associated media, including NGSS-compliant classroom curricula and website content. Did the level design and led the story & educational-content design for mobile game app "Turtle Trails - Save Me!", currently available in the Apple and Google app stores. Led the design of the game trailer. Led the curriculum design and development for "Save Endangered Turtles" elementary & middle-school units, facilitated pilot testing.

Assisted in outreach events, including webinars and conferences. Assisted in design of new Playful Learning platform to support use of educational games in K-12 contexts. Coached teachers and students in 3 summer Game Design Boot Camp programs.

Provided input at all stages of game design & development, especially with regard to curriculum integration, classroom integration, and usability for students and teachers.

School serves students with various learning disabilities, primarily language-based.

Game-Based Learning Facilitator, 2013 - 2014

Working with academic teachers to:

·Effect curriculum integration of GBL: research appropriate games & tools; determine standards compliance; provide training; assist with lesson planning.

·Facilitate use of digital GBL: coordinate acquisition and availability of necessary devices and software, while minimizing cost; aid with installation, configuration, and other technical tasks.

·Assess effectiveness of GBL: help create, conduct, and analyze pre- and post-tests and surveys.

High School Tech Design (Games & CAD) Teacher, 2012 - 2013

Teaching elective classes in simulation-game design and computer-aided design.

High School Assistive Tech Specialist, 2012 - 2013

Installing, maintaining, and trouble-shooting Kurzweil 3000 and Google Sites for class use, along with some associated hardware & software. Training and supporting teachers and students in use of Kurzweil 3000 text-to-speech software.

High School Science & Engineering Teacher, 2002 - 2012

Taught Engineering, Biology, Earth Science, Physical Science, and 8th grade General Science. Consistently earned praise from students, parents, and supervisor. Integrated use of digital simulations, games, and collaborative tools. Facilitated participation of 8th grade science classes in two game-based learning research studies.

High School Science Department Head, 2006 - 2010

Primarily responsible for curriculum development and coordination. Promoted and facilitated increased use of computer-based instruction in science classes. Evaluated, selected, and assisted with implementation of various software products, including assistive technology. Trained and supported 9 new science teachers with widely-varying levels of classroom experience.

Taught general science and multi-level mathematics to students in grades 6 - 8. Designed curriculum. Organized and led the annual school Science Fair.

Taught general science to 4 sections of students in grades 5 - 8. Designed curriculum. Organized and led the annual school Science Fair.

Taught general physical science to 5 sections of 9th-grade students. Fully responsible for lesson plans, grading, administering tests, etc.

Student-Teacher (practicum for certification):

Taught general physical science to 8th-grade students.

Instructional Aide:

Assisted part-time with 7th- and 8th-grade general science classes.

Tutored a broad variety of students at the Tutoring Center, in subjects including math, science, social studies, and language arts. Assisted in 9th-grade "Principles of Science and Technology" classes.

• Managed a group of 15 software engineers, including 4 group leaders. Supervised software modification activities of several on-site technical consultants and representatives of PTC’s hardware partners.

• Engaged in all phases of employee recruitment and hiring for my group: resume screening, interviews, compensation negotiation, and offer preparation (with Human Resources). Participated in on-campus recruitment at several major universities. Primarily responsible for hiring 8 of the software engineers in my group.

• Instituted several mechanisms and procedures within my group to measure and improve the working environment, encourage teamwork and cooperation, and reward initiative. Participated in in-house management training seminars. Provided progressive coaching and support to my group leaders. In last 2 years, my employee retention rate was higher than average for PTC Development.

Technical development of product features including UI, database management, license enforcement, inter-process communication, process control, internationalization and localization.

Partial completion of online program.

Teacher Education Program, with focus on math & science teaching

Visualization Tools for Math & Science

Workshop for science teachers: team-based design of multimedia visualizations for biology classes.

Videogame Design fundamentals

Workshops for science teachers and students: team-based design and development of digital games.