The EdisonOS Podcast

Daniel Koffler, BS, is the President of New Frontiers, an executive functioning coaching organization that offers academic, social, transitional, and career support to individuals of all ages and abilities. New Frontiers empowers clients to maximize their potential and develop into independent, self-advocating members of society.

Inspired by his family's special education business, Daniel founded New Frontiers to address the gap he noticed in young people transitioning to post-high school experiences without adequate preparation. He holds a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from George Washington University and is a member of YPO. Daniel is married with three children, including twins.

Whitney Armstrong graduated early from her university experience after planning ahead and completing a full semester’s worth of college credits while in high school. She played varsity soccer and was the starting goalkeeper for her high school team all four years. A bit of a socialite, she also worked two jobs, participated in many extracurricular activities, including marching band and student council, and served as the student body president her senior year.

During her time in college she was the peer academic advisor for her residence hall and spent her summers running her own business and supporting other students as they grew theirs. Her love and commitment for coaching began there and has grown ever since. She is a firm believer that life is meant to be spent embracing the things that bring us joy and living in gratitude for all that we have. In support of her desire to continually learn, Whitney also is getting her massage therapy certification. In her free time Whitney spends time with her husband, Allan, traveling as often as possible, growing her own understanding of life, the healing arts, and writing.

Jason Bock is an instructional design and technology enthusiast specializing in higher education. As the founder of StuPath, he develops innovative software solutions for education, including Simuprof—a GenAI Tutor built on Microsoft Azure and MongoDB, designed to support students without providing direct answers. Simuprof is LLM-agnostic, integrating with tools like ChatGPT to help create and manage courses tailored to instructors' teaching styles.

In January, Jason joined AMDA to combine his passion for online education and performing arts, helping build fully online programs in acting, musical theatre, and more. He is also completing his doctorate in instructional design and technology at the University of West Florida, focusing on student engagement in online learning.

Jason Breitkopf is an education professional with extensive experience in curriculum development and student success. He has held key roles at Ivy West Educational Services, Sylvan Learning Center, Chyten Educational Services, and Livius Tutoring, including Director of Education and Director of Academics. As the former Owner/Operator of Tutoring Club of Danvers, Jason specialized in private and small-group tutoring focused on test prep. He holds a Bachelor's in History from Brandeis University, an M.F.A. in Directing from CalArts, and an M.Ed. in Arts & Learning from Endicott College.

Dr. Jeremy Bond is a career educator, innovative leader, and e-learning technology professional with a background in instructional and information technology dating back to 1997. A three-time graduate of Central Michigan University, he currently serves as the Director of Online Learning at Alliant International University and holds adjunct faculty appointments at CMU and Alliant. Dr. Bond's teaching portfolio includes subjects such as information literacy, business communication, computer information systems, educational technology, and even the history of the Mafia. Outside of his professional life, he is a devoted husband, father, and passionate numismatist.

Jai Flicker, founder of LifeWorks Learning Center, is a master educator, thought leader, and lecturer. His work with youth began in 1999 through The Homework Club, where he developed a unique tutoring approach that combines academic support with personal coaching and mentoring, focusing on the whole person. In 2004, he founded LifeWorks to further this integrated vision of education. Over the past two decades, Jai has refined the LifeWorks approach, drawing from mindfulness, positive psychology, and attachment theory. A certified Mindfulness in Education Teacher and Qi Gong instructor, he has also lectured internationally. Jai holds a B.A. in Philosophy from UC San Diego and lives in Lagunitas, CA, with his wife, Yea, and their two children, Aden and Amara.

Michael Mityok, holding a BA in English Literature and a BEd in Secondary Education from UBC, is a BCTF-certified teacher with over 25 years of experience. In 2014, he founded ACE Education Group, a private academy offering reading, writing classes, and elite university admissions consulting, now serving over 300 students. Before ACE, Michael spent five years at A+ Academic Writing Workshops, helping over 1,000 students from Taiwan and China gain admission to top universities worldwide. Recently, he has focused on advocating for speech and debate training, particularly for underserved communities.

Dr. Kizito Mukuni, with extensive experience as an instructional designer at public universities, holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology from Virginia Tech. As the Director of Online Education at FSU, he oversees online programs, support, and services for faculty and students, ensuring they align with FSU's mission. Dr. Mukuni is committed to expanding current offerings, identifying gaps, and proposing new initiatives. His role also focuses on implementing instructional technology to enhance the online learning experience.

Dr. Derk Riechers is a dynamic leader in higher education, blending expertise in academic affairs with a passion for the transformative power of AI. His leadership is marked by transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to student success. At the community college level, he fosters innovation and growth, preparing students and faculty for future challenges.

An expert in AI, Dr. Riechers integrates technology into education to enhance learning, streamline processes, and align with workforce needs. Notably, he led his institution to rank #1 in South Carolina for distance education and online college excellence. His AI-focused initiatives and statewide presentations highlight the importance of embracing technology in education.

Bobby Nicholson is a dedicated student development professional with over twelve years of experience in mentorship, leadership, organization building, student life, event planning, recruitment, and motivation. His career is highlighted by numerous achievements, including winning the 2010 International Student Excellence Award from Southwestern and being named one of the 25 members of Tennessee's USA Today All-USA Academic Team. Bobby has held key leadership roles, such as President of the student body at Pellissippi State and Resident Assistant of the Year at Maryville College. He played a pivotal role in building and leading two successful student organizations and led the #16 ranked team in the Southwestern Leadership Program. As a certified non-profit professional, Bobby's specialties include ACT/College Prep, Algebra tutoring, student services, event planning, public speaking, and mentorship.