Michael R. Cogliandro | Winston STEM Leadership

Cover Letter

Michael R. Cogliandro

(617) 791-4347

mikecogs@me.com

Dear Dr. Milam,

The Winston School’s focus on bright kids who learn differently isn’t just a philosophy I admire, it’s our family’s reality. As you know, Nora joined the community in 4th grade and is now a successful 6th grader. As her parents, we’ve watched first-hand how Winston provided the safety and specialized instruction she needs to reach her potential. After witnessing the school’s impact first-hand for several years, I am writing to express my interest in the Lester Levy, Sr. Chair of STEM Innovation and Teaching.

I’ve spent my career as a "technical polymath." Whether I was managing enterprise data centers for Iron Mountain or overseeing solar designs at SolartimeUSA, I’ve always been driven to understand the "how" and "why" behind a system. At ESD, I turned that curiosity into a teaching framework. I actually moved from a staff role to a faculty position because I found my real passion was helping students understand that their unique way of looking at the world is actually their greatest strength in a maker-space.

The vision for the STEM-D2 program lines up perfectly with my own beliefs about curriculum and radical differentiation. As the Lester Levy, Sr. Chair, I will build a program where students aren’t just users of gadgets, but creators who understand how design and engineering intersect with community impact.

I’m comfortable in high-challenge, high-support environments. My background in maker-spaces, Design Thinking, curriculum design, data centers, solar, and entrepreneurship allows me to provide a 360° view of STEM for students in grades 6-12. While my recent classroom focus has been with grades 1-4, the "maker" mindset is universal. It scales. I have direct experience leading older students, having served as lead faculty for a high school project to build an augmented reality sand table (Topobox.co) and providing ongoing technical mentorship for middle school robotics teams. To me, the transition from elementary to secondary STEM isn’t a change in philosophy; it’s just an increase in technical complexity that I’m uniquely qualified to lead.

I believe that students with learning differences are often the most natural "Design Thinkers." They already live in a world that wasn't made for them, which makes them very good at finding creative solutions. I want to help them channel that creativity into STEM. Though it is from 2013, I’ve included a recommendation from Doug Fodeman at Brookwood, which touches on the reliability and "tinker" mindset I’d bring to your leadership team.

Thank you for the time and the chance to share my story. I look forward to discussing how my background in tech, education, and entrepreneurship can help lead the STEM-D2 program into its next era.

Sincerely,
Michael R. Cogliandro

Personal Statement

Process Over Product

Opening the Black Box

To understand how I teach, you have to see my commitment to making abstract ideas concrete. Too many students see technology as a "black box", just magic happening behind a screen. I want to break that box open and let them walk around inside it. I do this through three things: Empathy, Iterative Design, and Kinetic Logic.

Empathy and Iteration: The Design Thinking Journey

While I was at the Episcopal School of Dallas, I looked for ways to pull in what students were doing in their other classes. For example, science class was doing the standard circuit lab with wires, a light bulb and a battery. It’s a classic, but dry. I turned it into an empathy-driven design challenge.

A video game controller is really just a collection of switches and wires, so I challenged the class to build a working NES controller using cardboard, copper tape, and a MakeyMakey board. The twist was that it had to be for someone with only one hand. Since the students had two, they spent weeks empathizing with limited mobility, ideating, and building prototypes that actually worked.

NES Controller Project — One of many controllers made for empathy driven design challenge

Tracey Shirey, Head of Lower School, testing a student-built controller

Kinetic Logic

Whether rapid prototyping paper structures to see how much weight it can hold, building marble powered computers with Turing Tumble so they can see the logic, or teaching computer science with CSUnplugged - no computer required, for a neurodivergent student this hands on approach gets them physically engaged and able to see their logic in action. These lessons are about process over product. I tell them their first five failures are just data points on the path to success.

Rapid prototyping with just paper and tape

Kinetic Logic in Action: Turing Tumble

The Spectrum of Differentiation: Seeing the Individual

Real differentiation is more than just adjusting a workload. It’s about finding specific talents, regardless of a diagnosis.

Leveraging Artistic Strength

At ESD, I worked with several kids where we had to totally rethink their roles. One boy with learning differences was struggling with class participation, especially on the technical side of things, as well as social isolation. He happened to be a really good artist. I made him the "Art Director." He chose the aesthetics and designed logos for the whole class. Suddenly, he was essential. It didn't just help his work, it also changed how the class saw him. He started getting invited to lunch for the first time.

Stealth Differentiation for the Whole Class

Then there was a girl with profound dyslexia who had pretty much given up on school. I reworked the lessons for her entire class so she could participate without looking "different." I didn't want her to feel singled out. I made lessons and activities with as little reading as possible. I would often make her the “Teacher” to highlight a natural ability I saw in her as a leader. By shifting the delivery for everyone, she led from her strengths without the stigma of a modified assignment.

Challenging the Advanced Learner

Differentiation isn’t just about kids who are struggling. It applies to the other end of the spectrum as well. There was another student, affectionately known as "Smalls", who was probably the highest naturally achieving student in 4th grade overall. He was also a coding prodigy who finished a two-month curriculum in three weeks. Instead of giving him more "busy work," I made him my Assistant Teacher. Teaching his peers kept him engaged and solidified that he really knew his stuff.

A Personal Stake in the Mission

This isn't just professional for me. It’s personal. When Nora started at Winston in 4th grade, we found a community that actually saw her. Now that she’s in 6th grade, I see every day how this approach builds the confidence neurodivergent kids need. I want to give back to the place shaping her future. I want the STEM-D2 program to be world-class because I know how much families like ours count on Winston to get it right. I will build a program where the maker-space is the heart of the school. A place where kids find the confidence to handle any challenge.

Michael R. Cogliandro

Testimonials & Artifacts

Note from Tracey Shirey from class observation

High school student using AR sand box they just built.

Teaching Scratch coding to high school students in Tanzania

Student constructed aquaponics system I worked with high school students on at ESD

Letter of Recommendation

Read the full letter from Doug Fodeman, Former Director of Tech at Brookwood.

Professional Experience

2022 – Present

Garland, TX

Technical Director

SolartimeUSA

Oversee complex engineering system design, installation, and commissioning for solar and battery storage solutions.
Conducted forensic contract audit for clients preparing for litigation, demonstrating high-level problem-solving in increasingly complex, technology-driven environments.
Educate system owners on sophisticated inverter, battery, and generator operations, translating technical data into accessible knowledge.
Maintain rigorous safety standards and equipment maintenance protocols for high-stakes technical installations.

2013 – 2022

Dallas, TX

STEM Leadership & Teaching Faculty

Episcopal School of Dallas

Design Center Coordinator (Teaching Faculty) (2018–2022)

Curriculum Innovation: Developed and implemented a comprehensive elementary STEM/PBL curriculum from the ground up, focusing on Design Thinking, coding, and engineering.
Differentiated Instruction: Taught grades 1-4, adapting complex concepts in computer science, 3D printing, and Design Thinking, to meet the needs of neurodivergent learners and diverse student populations.
Maker-space Management: Coordinated the Design Center, overseeing the safe use of 3D printers, laser cutters, soldering irons, and other creative tools.
Global Outreach: Selected as 1 of 10 faculty to participate in a 2 week trip to a sister school in Tanzania to teach computer science and design thinking.

Hybrid Role: Design Center Coordinator & Tech Specialist (2017–2018)

Co-managed the transition to the Design Center while maintaining institutional IT infrastructure.
Served as a member of the STEM Committee, driving the adoption of 21st-century instructional strategies.

Technology Specialist (Staff) (2013–2017)

Led faculty professional development on instructional technology integration and LMS database management.
Managed school-wide technical systems and provided direct support for classroom technology.

2011 – 2013

Manchester, MA

System Administrator

Brookwood School

Promotion: Hired as part-time computer repair technician; promoted to Full-Time System Administrator.

Managed a mixed-platform environment (325+ PC/Mac/iOS systems) for 500+ users.
Ensured secure and efficient digital learning environments through the implementation of network accounts, file shares, and robust web filtering/firewall systems.
Supported faculty and students in the daily application of educational technology.

2011 – 2012

Boston, MA

IT Consultant

Boston IT Services Inc.

Provided managed IT services and remote support for diverse businesses, specializing in Apple ecosystem troubleshooting and system optimization.

2009 – 2011

Salem, MA

Owner / General Manager

Café Jefferson Inc.

Purchased existing 24 seat cafe and significantly increased sales through effective community engagement.
Directed all operations, including staffing, marketing, and community relationship building, demonstrating the "all-in" mindset and resilience required of a community leader.

2006 – 2009

Cambridge, MA

Mac Genius

Apple Inc.

Promotion: Promoted from Genius Admin to Full Mac Genius.

Performed technical repairs on over 10,000 Mac and iOS devices in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
Collaborated with the Business Sales Team to provide tailored technology solutions for clients.

2003 – 2006

Boston, MA

Senior Data Center Operations Analyst

Iron Mountain Inc.

Maintained production data centers and composed extensive procedural documentation for Data Center operations.
Coordinated the high-stakes relocation of the main data center from Boston, MA to Pennsylvania.

2001 – 2003

Beverly, MA

IT Coordinator

Mobile Medical Radiography & EKG Inc.

Maintained patient databases and digital x-ray networks across satellite offices, ensuring high-availability technical support for medical professionals.
Implemented free, open source DICOM image viewer, saving thousands of dollars in annual software subscription costs.

Core Competencies

Design Thinking 3D Printing/CAD Robotics Differentiation System Admin Maker-space Mgmt STEM A/V Production Hand/Power Tools CNC Mac/Windows/Linux Former Dallas Makerspace Member

Education

B.S. Business Administration, IT Management
Western Governors University, 2017

A.S. Communications / Broadcasting
Ai New England, 2003

References

Tracey Shirey

Head of Lower School, ESD

Former Direct Supervisor

shireyt@esdallas.org

214-244-0224

Chelle Wabrek

Incoming Head of School, MICDS

Former Head of Lower School @ ESD

chelle.wabrek@lovett.org

502-381-5678

Doug Fodeman

Director of Tech, Brookwood (Ret.)

Professional Mentor/Colleague

dfodeman@gmail.com

978-395-1031

Eric Cobb

Former Director of IT, ESD

Former Professional Colleague

eacobb@protonmail.com

505-228-4158

Eric Vaughan

Former Manager, Iron Mountain

Former Direct Supervisor

1972ejv@gmail.com

781-526-0693