Young-Innovators-Background-Paper-Airplanes-Childcare

Our
Team

A Company Built by educators focused on radically improving how children learn

Young Innovators Academy is revolutionizing early childhood education in Orlando and beyond. Our founding team of educators and academia have come together with a mission to empower childhood early education through creative curriculums that prepare them for a world of constant change. Our pioneering people-centered curriculum integrates new trends in education and takes cutting-edge learning concepts to the next level, ensuring every young learner achieves their highest potential.

Our unique value proposition lies in our mission: to empower children through an engaging curriculum and foster positive academic experiences while inspiring innovative thinking and creative problem-solving skills. By encouraging collaboration between learners of different ages, stages, and backgrounds, we aspire to build future generations of innovators with the power to change the world! With Young Innovators Academy, every child will discover their inner innovator!

Dr. Junie Albers-Biddle, Dr. Kelly Jennings, Dr. Debby Mitchell, Marnie Forestieri and Dr. Deirdre Englehart at the University of Central Florida in 2013.

A community of academia and practitioners begins working together to create the framework for design the first STEM curriculum for early childhood education in Oviedo Florida.

Dr. Edward Clapp introduces maker-learning strategies developed by Agency by Design.

Collaboration in action: Erika Seger, Donna Carruthers, Misti Castner and Marnie Forestieri.

Dr. Debby Mitchell and Marnie Forestieri.

Leadership Team

Marnie Forestieri

CEO & FOUNDER

Education entrepreneur, curriculum writer, and author. Lifelong learner and world traveler. Marnie can be found in the hallways looking for dessert after lunch.
https://marnieforestieri.com/

Dr. Debby Mitchell

VP Curriculum

Educator, curriculum writer and teacher. I blend my passion for music with my kinesthetic learning style and coffee to create fun music.

Erika Seger

VP OPERATIONS

Educator, Passionate in curriculum implementation, Operations, and Director. Responsible for keeping things in order, family fun nights, and tailgating after an UCF Football game.

Jay Zettler

VP Business Development and Acquisitions

Deal maker, sales strategist, and Air Force veteran. Devoted to faith, family, friends, new adventures, fitness and music production.

Donna Carruthers

VP of Research and Development

Education Entrepreneur, impassioned teacher, and philanthropist. Devoted to faith, family, friends, new adventures, and chocolate.

Misti Castner

School
Operations

Childcare boss, teacher and administrator. Misti can be found in Oviedo planning staff parties and school events.

Domi Maigut

Enrichment Program Director

Specialty Teacher. My expertise lies in teaching Artificial Intelligence (AI), coding, and specialty Art classes. I am thrilled to bring the wonders of technology and creativity to our young learners.

OLIVER VON TRAPP

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

Darmouth alumni, deal chaser, policy and tech aficionado, enterprise sales leader, all-around team player supporting the new wave of early childhood education (friends call him Olly)