We appreciate our teachers…
KEVIN EVANS
Kevin was born in the Tottenham area of North London and moved to rural Hertfordshire in 1958. He started work as a computer operator in 1966 and did this for 3 years. After that, he moved on to what was then called “computer programming”. Over the years, this became better known as “software engineering”. Kevin moved to the USA in 1977. He spent the next 36 years in the software engineering field where he worked on the 2nd generation of ATMs for NCR Corporation, multiple contracts for military communications projects at Harris Corporation and the last 20 years working on the FBIs National Crime Information Center (NCIC). He retired as the lead software engineer for the NCIC system. Kevin has developed software in 10 different computer “languages”.
JOHN RILEY
John Riley originates from suburban Boston; he received his BS in Engineering from Lowell Technological Institute in 1960. During a 35-year career in Aerospace starting with the Apollo program he specialized in metrology, operating standards laboratories, and managing the KSC calibration program, he served two terms on the Board of Directors of the National Conference of Standards Laboratories. John has been active in SAIL for more than ten years teaching courses ranging from Roman Technology to Cosmology. He uses Teaching Company Great Courses videos supplemented with material from a variety of sources for his SAIL classes.
RABBI SANFORD(SANDY) OLSHANSKY
Rabbi Sanford (Sandy) Olshansky was ordained in 2011, after 4 years of intensive study at the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York. Prior to his rabbinic studies he worked in sales and marketing for 35 years in the consumer electronics and advertising industries. Rabbi Olshansky served for 5 years at a large synagogue in New Jersey where he led bi-weekly adult Bible study. After moving to Florida in 2013, he led a congregation in Seminole County for 3 years. Since 2014 he has taught Jewish History, Hebrew Language, Bible as Literature, Biblical Archaeology, and Judaism and Science in the Judaic Studies Program at the University of Central Florida (UCF). He has lectured publicly on Religion and Science in Florida and New Jersey and has taught that subject twice at SAIL.
DICK DAVIS
Dick Davis earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in U.S. History and served for 27 years as a U.S. naval officer. His primary interests are military, diplomatic, and political history. Dick learned to teach from briefing the Joint Chiefs of Staff on strategic nuclear weapons reductions negotiations in the 1980s.
FAHIM (FRED) AHMED
Born in the Indian Subcontinent, where he received a BSEE, and then earned a MSEE from the UK. Mr. Ahmed has lived and worked I several countries covering 3 continents. Started his work career in the UK and rose to senior positions in Canada and the US, while working for large multi-national corporations. He came to USA in the 80’s and served as VP of Engineering before starting his own business in the field of Telecommunications. As CEO he created a global sales and engineering network spanning over 50 countries. He moved to Florida in 2004 and retired in 2011. He has many varied interests including wood working, aeronautical design, model airplanes, big game fishing, pool, and CAD.
ROBIN LEA
I moved from Dallas to Florida in 2011 to provide care-giving for my parents. Now that my care giving duties are over, I am enjoying living at Heritage Isle in Viera. Like so many people here, I find plenty of activities to keep me busy. One thing I particularly take pleasure in is chairing a mystery book club. As far as my work background I worked in the aerospace industry, the legal field, and as a professional interior designer associated with Ralph Lauren. I have a life-long interest in past eras and cultures, so I enjoy both taking and teaching history classes.
JUDY CARR
On July 12,19??,( not tellin!) Rose and Ernie Melone had a baby girl, Judith! We lived in an all-Italian neighborhood in N.J. Everyone was my “aunts and uncles”. We moved to North Arlington, N.J. where I went to high school. This is also where I met my Jimmy Carr. Jim and I wed the yr. after high school and moved to Bricktown, N.J where we bought a house and raised our 2 sons. Once they were out of school, Jim and I said goodbye to the snow, black ice roads and the term” wind chill factor”! On to sunny Florida, yes! We both loved it here. I followed my mom’s footsteps in learning to line dance and play Mah Jongg! I always enjoyed teaching, so I volunteer at several places to help people enjoy this wonderful, fun game. I hope to see you sitting across the table from me one day and yell…MAH JONGG!!!!!!!
CHRIS BRYANS
Chris Bryans was born in Enid, Oklahoma and grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1973-2000. Mr. Bryans received his B.A. in History from Cal State San Bernardino and an M.A. in Military History from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. From 2000-2018 he taught middle school and high school history, German, and Bible courses in Orlando and Melbourne. From 2008 to 2021 he served as Adjunct Professor of History at Eastern Florida State College (EFSC). Mr. Bryans taught U.S. History, Western Civilization, and developed courses in African-American History and Holocaust Studies at EFSC. His hobbies include strategy games, guitar, and electric bass, and singing. He has been married for 41 years.
JOEL STURMAN
Joel hails from New York City and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Columbia University respectively. He received his Ph.D. from Cornell University in Computer Science and holds the first Computer Science degree ever granted by Cornell and the third nationwide. Joel spent a number of years as a research scientist and Supervisor of Advanced Software Technology at Bell Telephone Laboratories. He served as a Director of Software Technology at Harris Corporation and as Manager of the Computer Science Research Program at the General Electric Research and Development Laboratories. Since his retirement from GE he has served as a visiting Professor at the State University of New York at Albany and as an Adjunct Professor at Union College in Schenectady, New York. He has served three terms as an elected member of the Board of Education in New Providence, New Jersey, and has been an appointed member of the Union County School Boards Association. He was appointed by the NJ State Legislature to the “State Task Force on Business Efficiency of the Public Schools” where several of the Task Force’s recommendations have resulted in significant changes to NJ State Education Law.
LEE ROSENKRANZ
Lee Rosenkranz, CTC is a second generation travel agent and International Tour Guide. He is a travel writer, travel teacher, and travel lecturer and has hosted the Travelin’ Man Radio Shows in both Central and South Florida. Lee currently operates Florida Greeters and the Dayaway Travel Club which are IATA (International Air Traffic Association) affiliated with the same approval number since 1977. He is a CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) which is designated for professional training through the Institute for Certified Travel Agents.Florida Greeters is a Visit USA inbound tour operation and the Dayaway Travel Club uses the slogan “if you’ve got a hobby we’ve got a tour”. The travel agency, Florida Greeters has twice been voted the best in Brevard by the readers of Florida Today. The tour company division of Florida Greeters was the only tour operator listed in the United States on the official 2008 China Olympics website for ticket purchases.
HELEN BENNETT
I am a poet/writer from Brooklyn, NY, who has written eight books. My family, including two sons and four grandchildren, came to Florida from New Jersey in 1972. My degrees are from Brooklyn College, The University of Wisconsin, The University of California at Berkeley, and Florida Atlantic University; I have worked as a librarian, an editor, and a high school and university English teacher. I have been teaching various courses at S.A.I.L. since 2005, including Shakespeare, Romantic Poets, Women Writers, Great Lovers, Joan of Arc, King Arthur, and Greek Drama and Mythology. My newest course is a comparison of ancient Greece and Rome.
JIM NELSON
James R. Nelson is an award-winning author who has published 14 mystery novels and a collection of short stories. He is the former treasurer of the Space Coast Writers’ Guild, a founding board member of The Brevard Author Society, and is on the board of the Melbourne Beach Friends of the Library. He has a Master of Education degree. He belongs to several author critique groups and has frequently appeared as a guest speaker on various author panels and book signing events in Florida, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
GINA ALM BARDY
Yoga has been a part of Gina’s life for over 15 years. Her practice has helped her grow stronger, more flexible & fearless- both on and off the mat. Yoga inspires her to live each moment more mindfully and she hopes to share that with her students. In her classes, she loves to combine safe, accessible sequencing, a spirit of playfulness and a dose of inspiration to help you deepen your practice!Gina’s vision is to spread good health, energy, kindness and fun wherever she can. Her 15 years as a coach and fitness instructor has helped her understand that exercise isn’t a one size fits all approach, and her classes offer options for all levels and abilities. She’s certified as a Health Coach by ACE (American Council on Exercise) and as a Group Fitness Instructor by NASM National Academy of Sports Medicine. Gina is the owner of Treat Yourself Well Health Coaching, helping people to make positive changes in their lives, attitudes and expectations so they may sustain healthy lifestyles.
LENORA CORBETT
Lenora Corbett has been a registered physical therapist since 1977. She is currently retired but provides occasional work coverage in outpatient orthopedics and balance training. She has been a resident of Brevard County since 1994, is married with two daughters and two grandchildren. She is a long-time advocate for greyhound adoption and has served as a foster care instructor for the local Greyhound Pets of America chapter. Current interests include line dancing, tai chi, golfing, and Mah Jongg.
STACEY HERRINGTON
Stacey Herrington is a Certified Master Yoga Instructor with other certifications including Chair Yoga, Plus Size Yoga and Trauma Informed Yoga. She considers her “job” a get-to and a privilege to help others reach their full potential through the power of movement and breath work. Stacey believes that movement is important for everyone, regardless of age or ability. She likes to challenge her students to play in their poses and go deep but also keeps her classes very light-hearted and fun. Stacey recently relocated from Rhode Island where she taught for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island at the “Your Blue Stores” and at various senior centers in Rhode Island and on Facebook Live. During the summer months, Stacey got the pleasure of joining Yoga at the Point in Warwick, Rhode Island and teaching Slow Flow classes at Conimicut Point Park in Warwick. Now living in Melbourne, Florida, Stacey hopes to continue to inspire others to be the best version of themselves.
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