MOUSE Announces Carole Wacey As Executive Director; MOUSE Appoints 3 New Board Members- Fischer, Holloway, and Kirschner
At Historic Crossroads for NYC Public Schools, Non-Profit MOUSE Working with City to Build Long- Term Technology Strategies and Solutions
New York - March 3, 2003 -- Carole Wacey, a former appointee at the U.S. Department of Education and recently a Markle Foundation executive, has been named Executive Director of MOUSE, a six year-old New York City-based non-profit organization. MOUSE--Making Opportunities for Upgrading Schools and Education--has built a reputation as a catalyst for the integration of technology and learning in the New York Public School System by empowering students and schools to succeed in the Information Age.
“New York City’s public school system is at a historical crossroads,” said Gene DeRose, MOUSE’s Chairman. “In Carole Wacey, MOUSE has found someone who can communicate the benefits of technology training and efficient, student-driven technology support that we bring to schools. But just as important, in Carole, we believe New York has found an eloquent voice to add to the dialogue as the city strives to bring fresh and seasoned thinking to the task of reinventing public education. Carole has worked at the highest levels of education in government and the foundation world, and she understands the realities of navigating through these worlds.”
In 1997, MOUSE was founded by a group of New York City entrepreneurs to bring technology resources to the local public schools. MOUSE's premier initiative, MOUSE Squad, is a student-run technical support program currently running in 33 middle and high schools in all five boroughs. Plans are underway to expand the program to Connecticut and Michigan in the fall. Long-term plans include expansion to urban school districts across the country.
MOUSE, in partnership with the New York City Department of Education and the non-profit Center for Children and Technology, is developing a research initiative--TechSource. TechSource will gather data on school technology usage--looking specifically at how it is being used as a teaching and learning tool--providing rich information to educators and schools that will ultimately increase the quality and prevalence of effective technology practices in the classroom.
"I am excited about the opportunity to join MOUSE--an organization that has established itself as an educational technology leader in New York City," Wacey said. “Working closely with children, the schools, the Department of Education, the City Council and the funding community, MOUSE is poised to help provide students with 21st century learning environments."
Carole replaces Sarah Holloway, MOUSE's founding Executive Director. During her tenure, Sarah transformed MOUSE from a small, grass-roots organization that wired schools to one that is widely recognized as one of the premier non-profits working in educational technology in New York City. While at MOUSE, Sarah was able to attract thousands of hours of in-kind services and millions of dollars to support the organization's programs.
MOUSE founder, Andrew Rasiej, reflects that “MOUSE was very fortunate to have Sarah Holloway as its founding Executive Director. Because of her dedication and leadership, MOUSE has been able to change the lives of thousands of NYC public school students and teachers and develop programs that are being replicated nationwide. We are happy she will continue to support our organization as a member of our Board of Directors.”
Carole Wacey comes to MOUSE with an extensive background in running national programs in education, technology and interactive media. Most recently, she was the Director of the Interactive Media for Children program at the Markle Foundation. Prior to Markle, Ms. Wacey was the Deputy Director of the Office of Education Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. There, she provided leadership for the Clinton Administration on the development and implementation of national educational technology policy and programs, telecommunications, the digital divide, Internet safety, privacy, and e-commerce. Carole received her B.A. from The American University and her J.D. from Vermont Law School.
MOUSE's programs are generously supported by the New York City Department of Education, the New York City Council, Citigroup Foundation, UBS Warburg, Credit Suisse First Boston, AOL Time Warner Foundation, The New York Times Company Foundation, Vivendi Universal, Verizon, the American Express Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Reader's Digest Scholarship and Leadership Fund, the Rockefeller Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, the W.T. Grant Foundation and the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, and many others.
The following individuals recently joined the MOUSE Board of Directors: Peter Fischer, Managing Director for Global Technology at Salomon Smith Barney; Sarah Holloway, former Executive Director of MOUSE; and Ann Kirschner, president of Comma International, a management consulting firm specializing in education, media, and technology.
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– Jessica Alberto, MOUSE Squad Member, Thomas A. Edison Career & Technology High School
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– Anthony Barbetta, Principal, Thomas A. Edison Career & Technology High School
I recognize MOUSE for its dedication to providing our city’s schools with the technological tools and support to keep our children competitive in the information age. read more ›
– Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City
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– Gale Brewer, New York City Council Member, Technology Committee Chair
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– Duckens Durosier, MOUSE Squad Alum, George Wingate High School
Being on MOUSE Squad adds to my experience in school by making me confident about myself. read more ›
– Daniela Fernandez, MOUSE Squad Member, Sylvandale Middle School, California
Our MOUSE Squad students stand a little taller. They recognize that they have special skills and are respected for it.
– Dr. Katherine Flori, MOUSE Squad Coordinator, W.C Byrant High School, New York
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– Ally Garcia, MOUSE Squad Member, High School for Arts & Technology
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– Juan Garzon, MOUSE Squad Alum, Robert F. Wagner Secondary School for Arts & Technology,
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– Mehran Ghaffarsamar , MOUSE Intern, Baruch College
Our MOUSE Squad students are demonstrating leadership skills, learning about responsibilities and how to communicate with adults. This program is inspiring our students and giving them a glimpse of future career opportunities. read more ›
– Carla Haakma, Principal, Los Arboles Elementary School, California
MOUSE Squad students learn many skills frequently cited by employers as keys to success in the workplace, including leadership, communication, teamwork problem solving and time management. read more ›
– Jan Half, Executive Director, MOUSE Squad of California
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– Victor Herrera, Director of Technology, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Chicago
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– Seth Hubbert, Faculty Coordinator, High School for Arts & Technology
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– Danielle Jacobs, MOUSE Squad Member, Cooper High School, Abilene Texas
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– Edwin Le, Northside College Preparatory High School, Chicago
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– Ryan Mason, MOUSE Squad Alum, School of the Future
MOUSE Squad has taught me the skills I need for the future. read more ›
– Ismelda Monegro, Bea Fuller Rodgers School, New York
MOUSE brought me where I stand today and gave me real life work experience. MOUSE taught me about leadership and teamwork, and that there is no such thing as a bad idea. read more ›
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The MOUSE Squad students are very curious and want to learn. Everyone knows about the MOUSE Squad in this school. read more ›
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– Norma Perez, Principal, Bea Fuller Rodgers School, New York
MOUSE Squad has proven time and again that students who graduate after participating are more equipped for the next stage in their lives, especially in today’s vast information technology world. This program... read more ›
– Christine C. Quinn, Speaker, New York City Council
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– Rebecca Rampy, Instruction Technology Specialist, Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (ATEMS) in Abilene, Texas
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– Linda G. Roberts, National Consultant on Technology and Education
I thank MOUSE for starting my career. Without MOUSE, I would not be as successful as I am today. read more ›
– Mendy Rodriguez, MOUSE Squad Alum; Junior Analyst, IT Service Desk, Time Inc.
Thanks to efforts of MOUSE, young people throughout New York City will have the opportunity to better their lives and become productive members of our society.
– Charles E. Schumer, United States Senator for New York
I commend MOUSE for improving the educational opportunities for young people, motivating them to attend college and preparing them for high quality jobs in the future. read more ›
– José E. Serrano, Congressman, 16th District of New York
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– Kiri Soares, Principal, Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women
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– Leroy Tindi, MOUSE Squad Alum, Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy
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– Matthew Valia, MOUSE Squad Coordinator, Berta A. Drefus School
MOUSE is an excellent example of rethinking how to put students at the center of their own learning and reorganizing schools around their motivations and strengths. read more ›
– Arthur VanderVeen, Chief of Innovation Strategy and Policy, NYC Department of Education
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– Simon Vecchioni, CPS TechCrew Member, Northside College Prep High School, Chicago
I believe strongly in public education and the opportunity it can and should provide to all. MOUSE provides a valuable service, closing the gap between heavily resourced schools and those in underserved areas. read more ›
– Peter Vincent, Head of Human Resources, Time Inc.
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– Monique Williams, Chicago TechCrew Member, Tarkington School of Excellence
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– Syed Zaidi, MOUSE Squad Alum, Baccalaureate School for Global Education
