Meet The Team

Rich Reynolds is the Director of WorkspaceCT, a brand-new collaboration between two Regional Education Service Centers, CES, and Edadvance. Both RESCs focus on providing public school districts with support and services. The mission of WorkspaceCT is to provide educators and students of any age or ability with a unique setting to enhance learning and create educational opportunities for all. Rich began his career almost two decades ago as an engineering and technology teacher focusing on electronics, robotics, woodworking, and physics. He also facilitated the Fuel Cell Vehicle Project while serving as the Department Coordinator for grades 6-12 in the Darien Public Schools, which was awarded the Program Excellence Award and named a STEM School of Excellence by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA). DHS was regularly among the top 10 best STEM high schools as awarded by U.S. News and World Reports. 

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Rich is also the President of the Connecticut Technology Engineering Education Association (CTEEA), which hosts professional development for Technology Education and STEM teachers state-wide. Rich holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Technology & Engineering Education from Central Connecticut State University and an advanced degree in Educational Leadership & Administration from the University of Bridgeport. 

James Carlson is a passionate educator with over 15 years of experience in technology and engineering education. He holds a Ph.D. in Integrative STEM Education from Virginia Tech. He has been an Adjunct Professor at Central Connecticut State University since 2017 in the Technology and Engineering Education department, where he prepares pre-service teachers in Integrative STEM Education practices. He has been a co-leader and mentor in the CT Youth Excellence Project, a project for challenged youth in Connecticut.

 

James has a deep appreciation for the outdoors, and his hobbies include golf, flying, and boating. James lives with his wife, Lisa, and two 11-year-old children, Serenity and Gavin. James has also hosted exchange students from Ecuador, Thailand, Germany, and Belarus, giving him an understanding of different cultures and the importance of inclusivity. He has been an active member of the Boy Scouts for over 15 years, teaching wilderness survival skills and leading camping trips. He is committed to helping today's youth become tomorrow's innovators and leaders through the power of STEM education. 

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Leland Williams has been a professional actress and theatre educator for over 20 years. She graduated from the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic, winning the Gelliger award for Best Actress. She worked in Region-12 in special education and as the theatre director while simultaneously running the Drama and Musical Theatre Department for Fineline Theatre Arts in New Milford for 16 years.

 

You may have seen her performing at the Nancy Marine Theatre at the Warner. She spends 2 weeks a year rejuvenating her creative soul teaching with Broadway professionals at the Vineyard Arts Project, an artist residency program in Martha’s Vineyard. For the past two years she has studied with the esteemed Patsy Rodenburg from the Guild Hall School in London and received her Master teacher Certification in Voice and Speech. Leland resides in New Milford with her husband David and dog Ms. Rose. She has two daughters and two of the most adorable grandchildren ever!

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Dr. Charles “Chip” Dumais is the Executive Director of Cooperative Educational Services in Trumbull, CT – one of six Regional Educational Services Centers established by statute to serve Connecticut school districts. A native of Connecticut, he began his career in education more than three decades ago as a science teacher in Higganum, Connecticut. He has proudly taught physics and calculus, chaired a science department, served as an assistant principal in Westport, Connecticut, led Newtown High School in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, as its principal from 2008 to 2014, and served as superintendent of the Amity Regional School District. He has earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, advanced degrees and certificates from Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Central Connecticut State University. He is currently attending Quinnipiac University School of Law.

 

Chip is an active member of the National Heads and Principals Association, serving as an Executive Board member, and is a Governor appointee to the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology. He is committed to building capacity in school leaders and is currently an instructor in the University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program and Sacred Heart University’s superintendent preparation program, as well as serving as External Advisory Board Chairman for Southern Connecticut State University’s College of Education. Having served as Chairman of the Connecticut Association of Schools Principals’ Center Board of Control, Chip stays active in the work of administrators as the superintendent consultant to the CAS Board.

 

Chip is active in supporting the community through his work as President of the Connecticut Zoological Society’s Beardsley Zoo, a member of CT Governor’s Region 1 Long-Term Recovery Steering Committee, the Commission for Remote Learning, and the Connecticut Educator Evaluation and Support Council.You may have seen her performing at the Nancy Marine Theatre at the Warner. She spends 2 weeks a year rejuvenating her creative soul teaching with Broadway professionals at the Vineyard Arts Project, an artist residency program in Martha’s Vineyard. For the past two years she has studied with the esteemed Patsy Rodenburg from the Guild Hall School in London and received her Master teacher Certification in Voice and Speech. Leland resides in New Milford with her husband David and dog Ms. Rose. She has two daughters and two of the most adorable grandchildren ever!

Paul is from Birmingham, England, with a background in both Hospitality and Audio Visual Management. He has a degree in Catering and Hospitality from the prestigious Birmingham College of Food. During school, he was the assistant manager of a 2,200 capacity performing arts venue in the city center. He was Banquet and Audio Visual manager at The Saybrook Point Inn and Spa, a 4-diamond resort on the Connecticut coast, where he managed over a thousand weddings and special events. Prior to his arrival at Workspace, he was Audio Visual Manager at Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk, CT.
 

As the Facilities Director for Workspace Education, Paul Help develop and maintain the unique 32,000 square foot facility and assists with events, and is also an educator on his passions; audio visual and lighting design, woodworking, trail running, and tap dancing. (Fun fact: Paul has tap-danced at some of London’s West
End theaters.)

 

When EdAdvance & CES acquired the building , Paul was asked to stay on and continue his role. He is now the Facilities and Technology manager. Along with his previous tasks he has rolled out a new audio visual program to help schools with audio visual consulting,
training and rental equipment.
 

When he finds some rare spare time, Paul participates in obstacle course races, rock climbing, and of course endless home improvement projects.

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Chef Kevin Bennett has over 30 years of experience in Culinary Arts. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College NYC and Culinary and Pastry Arts Certification from Norwalk Community College in CT. In 1990 he started KB’s Catering Company servicing private and corporate events. In 2000 he received his Educator Certificate in Culinary Arts.

 

He began working with students in the Connecticut Technical High School System at Henry Abbott Technical High School in Danbury, CT. Currently, he is working with ACCESS High School at WorkspaceCT in Bethel, CT. Chef KB enjoys daily interaction with students of all ages and abilities. He continues to operate his catering company and even has a food truck called the Mexicali Blues Taco Cart. He lives with his wife Lauren in New Fairfield Ct. They love to travel, play tennis and, of course, eat good food.

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