Parentella is a private digital hub for parents and educators. Parents or teachers can set up the class, invite other parents and share class news, assignments, coordinate volunteers, post events, and more.
We create a place online where parents help one another make sense of the classroom information we're given by schools and sometimes, if
we're lucky, our kids.
By sharing with other parents, we can (finally!) get a clear answer the question "what happened at school today?", compare notes about homework and school events, volunteer to assist in the classroom, and help one another get more involved in our
kids' educations.
The Team
Aparna Vashisht-Rota, Founder & CEO
Aparna is a mother of two and an accomplished professional. She received an MBA from UCLA while managing a global media licensing organization and her family. Spurred by experiences with her children Aparna conceived Parentella. Using the drive and tools she learned working in complex business scenarios, she built Parentella with both a personal touch and a global vision to bridge the gaps between parents, their children, and the people who nurture their children outside the home.
Bill O'Connor, VP of Technology and Co-Founder
Bill's background is building rich and interactive sites for companies such as Lifetime TV and FastCompany. He combines a keen eye for technology and an understanding of real-world functionality. A graduate of UC San Diego, Bill has used his degree in Computer Science in C# programming developing a wide range of PHP applications from the ground up, including browser-based Content Management Systems and robust E-commerce installations. He has contributed an impressive number of modules and enhancements to Drupal.org and developed a solid working relationship with many other key players in the global Drupal community.
Jerome Rota: VP, Product
Jerome co-founded DivX and until February 2009, was responsible for the redesign of the DivX.com website. He brings extensive product management experience to the team. Jerome J.P. Vashisht-Rota, age 34, is a co-founder of DivX and has been a member of our Board of Directors since August 2006. From February 2008 until February 2009, Mr. Vashisht-Rota served as the Vice President of Creative, Brand, and Community. From March 2007 to February 2008, Mr. Vashisht-Rota served as Vice President of Media Experience. From November 2005 to March 2007, Mr. Vashisht-Rota served as Director of Community Initiatives. From January 2005 to November 2005, Mr. Vashisht-Rota served as Product Strategist. From February 2004 to January 2005, Mr. Vashisht-Rota served as Product Manager. From March 2002 to February 2004, Mr. Vashisht-Rota served as Codec Team Leader. From September 2001 to March 2002, Mr. Vashisht-Rota served as DivX Guru and Digital Video Specialist.
Mr. Vashisht-Rota received a B.A. in Entertainment Arts, Picture, Cinema and Audio-Visual from the Paul-Valery University, Montpellier and an Associate Degree in Electric Engineering and Industrial Computing from the University Institute of Technology, Montpellier.
Lindsay Maines: VP, Content Strategy and BD
Lindsay Maines is responsible for content strategy and business development at Parentella. A writer and mother of three, Lindsay's background in print journalism led to creation of a successful personal brand and blog www.rockandrollmama.com. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post and Brain, Child Magazine, as well as many business trade publications.
Lindsay also has extensive experience in social media and has worked on several deals and campaigns. She is responsible for putting together the successful Lifetime Moms campaign. She is a frequent speaker at social media conferences and a firm believer that the digital potential in education will be the foundation for Web 3.0.
Immersed in conversations across the board, Lindsay has the unique ability to bring together powerful strategic partnerships.
Shelly Terrell: VP, Educator Outreach
Shelly is responsible for reaching out to educators for Parentella. She is a technology teacher trainer, English language teacher, and consultant for various language institutes, online schools, and educational organizations worldwide. Shelly is also the co-founder of #Edchat conversations on Twitter. #Edchat brings together educators worldwide to discuss issues affecting Education today. Shelly is highly respected and widely connected. She has also presented at numerous conferences and seminars.
Amanda Henson: Community Manager
Amanda is the proud mama of two and owner of High Impact Mom, a socially aware mom-blog. Amanda is a contributing editor for Type A Mom, Food Mama and also a contributing author at Shamable, an up-coming no nonsense Social Media blog. While juggling the joys of parenthood and the demands of her career, Amanda also enjoys a healthy Twitter addiction and can usually be found there in her spare time. Named one of Neilsen Online's 50 Power Moms in 2009, Amanda uses her influence to help mom-owned companies garner the respect and acknowledgment they deserve. Amanda believes education starts at home and also believes parents and teachers should work together cohesively to provide children with the best chance possible.
Advisors
Evan Blackford
Evan Blackford is an award-winning digital and social media strategist whose visionary interactive campaigns have contributed to brand awareness and increased market share for a number of top media companies. As a top-producing, veteran web innovator, he has been successful in combining original content with peer-to-peer community interactions in order to engage new audiences and motivate them to action.
For the last several years, Evan has worked as a Senior Writer/Producer for TheWB.com and Lifetime Television’s websites, developing web video production and syndication strategy. Before that, Evan supervised many of Lifetime Television’s biggest digital extensions, launching award-winning promotional websites, flash games, and social media content. Most recently, Evan has developed multi-platform projects and initiated strategic partnerships among several international entertainment and advocacy organizations.
Eric Sheninger
Eric began his career in education as a Science Teacher at Watchung Hills Regional High School where he taught a variety of subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Marine Biology, Ecology) and coached several sports (ice hockey, football, lacrosse). He then transitioned into the field of educational administration as an Athletic Director/Supervisor of Physical Education & Health and Vice Principal in the New Milford School District. During his administrative career he has served as District Affirmative Action Officer and is the current president of the New Milford Administrator’s Association. Eric is an innovative leader who believes strongly in the benefits of authentic-based learning environments and providing his staff with the resources and instruction necessary that best help his students succeed. Eric has proven quite creative and innovative in raising funds to support such resources and instruction. Recently, Eric facilitated the filming of two television shows that brought in a substantial amount of money to purchase iPods, Mac Books, LCD projectors, and other essential resources. Eric is an advocate of the integration of Web 2.0 applications into the classroom and the use of Twitter as a collaboration and learning tool. Recently, Eric's role in authentic-based learning and his use of Twitter and other innovative resources has received high-profile attention, appearing in featured spots on WCBS radio and CBS-2 local news and in a featured article in The Record newspaper. Eric also served as a guest speaker at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, CA at the "140 Characters Conference" on the emerging role of Twitter in education. For more information on Eric visit http://cms.schooleffects.com/esheninger
Sign up!
Don't have an account yet? In that case please sign up!
Registration is free and will allow you see see all the great content on our site.
Join the conversations among parents, teachers, and tutors in your local community!
