Gabor Zsuppan Email & Phone Number

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Provide leadership for Discovery Place Science and Discovery Place Nature on STEM Learning in program and exhibition development. - Created a new learning philosophy and strategy for STEM Learning across DPI sites - Own the implementation of this new STEM Learning philosophy, including staff training, development of SOPs, and design of new experiences, both virtual and in-person.- Led the development of two Educator Guides for SK Films and BBC Earth IMax films, Antarctica and Wings Over Water.- Contributing to the design and planning of the new Discovery Place Nature museum, set to open in 2023.- Project Manager for Rooted in Community, an IMLS grant to expand Discovery Place’s capacity for diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

In this role, I:• Designed a company-wide implementation plan for professional development of employees targeting a cultural shift• Worked closely with design firms, external consultants, and internal teams to create content and design new experiences for all four Discovery Place museums• Served in a leadership role during the organization’s Covid-19 operations, including managing the development of content for online experiences, creating and developing revised policies and procedures for reopening, creating staffing plans, and writing curriculum the museum had been contracted for pre-pandemic. • Managed multiple museum partners simultaneously, including clients, advisory boards, and university partners

Charlotte, North Carolina

As the Director of Professional Learning Implementation for the Southeast and South Regions for Discovery Education, I was responsible for leading the regional strategic management and growth of the paid professional learning implementation for five states in the south (FL, MS, AL, AR, and LA) and five states in the southeast (NC, SC, TN, KY, and GA). I worked closely with senior school district staff to ensure all aspects of paid professional learning exceed customer expectations by flawlessly planning, delivering, and merchandising all purchased professional within Discovery Education. Additionally, I was responsible for contributing to the leadership, management, training, and logistical details associated with growing the professional development business within Discovery Education in conjunction with our digital services as well as an independent line of business.In this role, I have:• Recognized $28m in revenue over two years, by far the most prolific region for professional development implementation nationally• In collaboration with other Professional Learning Implementation Directors, designed systems and processes for highly successful implementations which drive product usage• Regularly provide recognition, guidance, and support of the South and Southeast team’s work with partners• Coordinate with other regional and national teams to ensure constant feedback, intentional planning, and consistent improvement of implementations.• Recruit, hire and manage the performance of the PL Managers to ensure they are fully supported, well equipped to be successful, and communicating effectively to various internal and external stakeholders.• Managed a portfolio of accounts directly to ensure successful implementation that led to customer success, renewals, and high usage of DE products.

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

As the Manager of Professional Learning, I managed successful and high caliber implementations of teacher development partnerships with school districts around the country. Roles and responsibilities included:• Coordinated resources among various departments, including marketing, content development, sales, and evaluation to ensure successful implementation• Worked with colleagues in PD and other teams to explore opportunities for best practices in teaching and learning, especially as it relates to the use of digital tools• Provided guidance, framework, and input for independent contractors implementing professional development plans for partners• Managed relationships with district partners to provide the best possible partnership experience and outcomes around DE’s professional development and digital products

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

• Participated in institutional strategic planning to determine goals and scope of education programs for institution.• Developed and managed department budgets and expenses, and collaborated with management to identify funding sources to support education activities, programs, and materials.• Supervised Manager of Labs and Manager, School Programs in preparing schedules and content of classes to determine number and background of instructors needed.• Contacted and coordinated services of guest lecturers from academic institutions, industry, and other establishments to enhance education of staff members through professional development.• Assisted Educators in preparation of course descriptions and informational materials for marketing or distribution purposes.• Directed the research, development and application of new educational programming and manages the design and production of all school programs, onsite and in the community through ScienceReach. • Worked with other staff members to plan and present programs, museum experiences and other special activities including but not limited to professional conferences and meetings, educator professional development opportunities, and volunteer opportunities in the field.• Worked with community groups, organizations, school systems, and others to increase awareness of the institution as an educational resource.• Developed community collaborations and partnerships to develop and extend organization programs and audiences.• Developed and submitted program and activity grant proposals and applications and implements programs funded as a result of successful applications.• Oversaw production of all education material produced by the museum to ensure compatibility with overall mission of organization.• Coordinated with other DPI departments, including marketing, exhibits, DPK, CNM, Ed Studio, Guest Services, and sales to define, refine, and implement processes to ensure the success of DP experiences

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

As the Director of Education, I supervised all of our educational enterprises at Discovery Place, including Explore More Life& Collections Lab, Explore More Stuff Lab, Camps, Teacher Professional Development, (In)Formal Education, and Birthday Parties. In this role, I worked with the Managers in these areas to define program offerings, target audiences, marketing initiatives, evaluation, and operational logistics through data-driven decision making. I also managed Discovery Place’s volunteer program with respect to recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, orientation, and appreciation. As part of our corporate fundraising effort, I collaborated with Discovery Place’s development team on writing grant and sponsorship proposals, budgets, and reports. I also oversaw the implementation and management of all grant funded education programs at Discovery Place. Grants included: Burroughs Wellcome, PNC, Siemens Areva, Aetna, Electrolux, Faison, NC Space Grant, Triad Foundation, US Airways, Foundation for the Carolinas, and Sisters of Mercy. In the Charlotte community and beyond, I represented Discovery Place at monthly CASTLE Coalition meetings, Arts & Science Council Cultural Education Directors meetings, school district meetings and meetings with individual principals in schools across the region, High Ed partners, conferences local, regional and national, including ASTC, K-12 Science Conference, and the NSTA. During the school year, I worked with Discovery Place’s Teacher Advisory Board to continue the conversation of how Discovery Place works with and serves teachers as a community resource and partner.

In May of 2012 I was asked to design and implement the merger of the ScienceReach and In-House Education departments to form a new department that carries out Discovery Place’s exhibit-based, early childhood, and outreach educational programming. This new department became known as (In)Formal Education because it functions in both the formal and the informal arenas of education.Community-based learning is a big part of transformative education, so I spent much of my time cultivating relationships with community partners, including Sugar Creek Charter School, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s PAL program, Hemby Children’s Hospital, Sisters of Mercy, Reid Park Academy, Charlotte Hackerspace, Carowinds and others that resulted in community based, transformative, science education programs throughout the Charlotte region. In collaboration with the Development Team, I wrote grants, manage grant-funded projects, and completed grant reports to secure funding for educational programs both in the museum and through our outreach.I provided input to the Senior Team with respect to strategic business decisions for the department including developing channels for earned revenue, contributed revenue, and managing the expenses of departmental operations. Along with the Vice President of Learning Experiences and the Director of Education, I have helped to define the educational direction for Discovery Place, and implemented it with team members.Day to day, I directed both the operational and the philosophical decisions of the (In)Formal Education team in order to implement best approaches in formal and informal science education. I supervise and collaborate with the Managers-On-Duty to implement efficient, but extraordinary experiences for guests and students who visit the museum and participate in our programs.

I work with a team of educators to create and deliver engaging, wonder-filled, and inquiry based educational experiences for community organizations. We bring our programs to schools, community organizations, town festivals, hospitals, churches, daycares; anyone and everyone who is interested in learning with us. The ScienceReach team is proud of the work that we do and is always looking for opportunities work with willing and passionate partners.

I had the privilege of working on a multimillion dollar renovation project with Discovery Place in Charlotte, North Carolina. Over the course of the two years I managed and participated in the creation and development of three exhibitions, Project Build, Them, and Think It Up. I also provided writing and editing work for several of the other exhibitions, including World Alive and Cool Stuff. As lead project manager for Project Build and Think It Up, I oversaw and advanced the design process, managed the budget, and created programming for the exhibitions.

At Holy Trinity, I was the eighth grade Science teacher. I taught a physical science focused curriculum using a laboratory, inquiry based approach. In addition, I coached the Varsity Basketball Team for three seasons.

I taught a sixth grade self-contained class for two years and then eighth grade Math and Science. I also coached Varsity basketball all three years.

Master Of Arts In Teaching, Middle And Secondary Grades, 4.0

Activities and Societies: Member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor SocietyI completed 21 hours toward this degree, but was unable.

M.A., English

Activities and Societies: Phi Kappa Phi National Honor SocietyCompleted an MA in English that included course on Critical Literary.

B.S., Biological Science

Activities and Societies: Cellular and Molecular Imaging Facility, Swim ClubEarned a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Science Worked.