Welcome to Learn Bright, a space dedicated to the journey of education and inclusion. Where every child shines in their own unique way.
Today, we’re proud to introduce you to some of our awesome team members.
These individuals are not only integral to our mission but also share a deep, personal connection to fostering an inclusive environment for children with special needs.
As parents and educators, they understand the challenges and triumphs that come with nurturing extraordinary young people.
The Heart Behind Our Vision: The Team’s Personal Stories
Evan and Lindsey Jones
Evan Jones steers our ship as the President of Learn Bright. He and his wife, Lindsey, our Project Manager, are the parents to three amazing boys, each with their own set of challenges and gifts.
Their eldest son navigates the sometimes difficult waves of ADHD. Their middle child brings insight into life with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac disease. Ira, their youngest, a fighter born at 24 weeks, continues to thrive despite his complex health needs.
Lindsey works from home with Ira as he participates in an online special education program provided through their school district. Ira may have Cerebral Palsy, but thrives in the virtual academy that offers many in person activities as well. Lindsey is active in helping him achieve his goals, through online learning, OT, PT and Speech Therapy.
Along with leading our crew, Evan also teaches several classes at Westminster University. His vision for Learn Bright is broadened by raising three boys with varying needs and difficulties.
This duo’s experiences instill a commitment to creating educational spaces where every child is valued and empowered.
Tim Jones
Vice President Tim Jones brings an empathetic perspective to the table, drawn from his personal life. Tim and his wife Kaitlin are raising three beautiful children. Their son Winston, age five, has down syndrome.
Tim and Kaitlin actively advocate for a world that celebrates difference and recognizes the potential of every child.
Kory Mortensen
As our Creative Director, Kory Mortensen adds color and life to our initiatives. He and his wife Viktoria did an amazing job raising three boys.
Kory’s upbringing with deaf parents has given him a profound appreciation for the diverse ways people communicate and connect.
His creative contributions are fueled by a passion for accessibility and understanding within the world of education.
Our ASL videos were made possible through Kory’s unique insights and creativity.
Maren Hill
Product Manager, Maren Hill, together with her husband Ben, juggles a busy household of four kids. With a son on the autism spectrum and a daughter with cerebral palsy, Maren’s dedication to inclusivity is as personal as it is professional.
In 3rd grade, Maren moved her son from a traditional public school setting to homeschool. She knows that there are benefits and challenges to each. She understands the challenge that parents and teachers face in educating each child according to their individual strengths and weaknesses.
One of her favorite learning moments in this journey came in the traditional public school setting. Her son received a graded spelling test back. Instead of each of the words being marked wrong, as had been done in the past, the teacher put a smiley face next to the two words he spelled correctly. When he came home from school he said, “I am a smart boy!” This experience solidified to her the huge impact that positivity makes in educating.
Her work at Learn Bright is inspired by this experience, her children’s resilience, and her desire to cultivate a nurturing space for all abilities in the learning environment.
Doug Carroll
Board Member, Doug Carroll, works professionally with special needs kids. He brings a wealth of invaluable knowledge to our discussions and decision-making.
His insights from the field are invaluable as we strive to refine and enhance our approach to inclusive education.
Before becoming an educator, Dr. Carroll worked with children with special educational needs. In the early 1990s, Dr. Carroll founded a non-profit program designed to bridge the gap between the end of the academic school year and the following year.
The program provided educational instruction, physical or occupational therapy, and medical services to children. At the time of the project’s founding, school systems did not offer services for children with special needs during the summer. Children would often regress from the gains they made during the year in the summer months.
The program was successful and still provides supplemental support to students in the summer months. A few short years later, Dr. Carroll became an educator and participated in another summer program for students with brain disorders and other academic disabilities.
He remained in education as a public school teacher for more than 25 years and is still actively educating students with disabilities.
A Conversation on Nurturing Inclusion
Our team’s personal journeys are a testament to the transformative power of understanding and acceptance. They embody the essence of what Learn Bright stands for — a commitment to an education system where every child finds a place to belong, grow, and shine.
As parents and educators, we invite you to join us in this conversation. Have you had experiences with diversity, inclusion, and special needs education? What stories and insights can you share about navigating this path?
Let’s build a community that upholds every child’s right to a supportive and happy learning experience. Empathy and shared experiences, despite diverse backgrounds, have the power to spark change.
Upcoming Series: Changing the World
To continue our exploration of diversity and inclusion, check out our upcoming “Changing the World” series. We’ll spotlight famous individuals with certain special needs who’ve made an important impact on society. We aim to inspire a deeper understanding of ability, success, and the strength in our differences.
