It’s not often that we see someone with a UX background head a flourishing startup, which makes Cynthia Morneweck a talented techie we’re excited to have on Georgia clay. Morneweck’s award-winning company, GPA Learn, wants kids to love learning through positive reinforcement and gamification. The strong design elements of the GPA Learn software and the company’s thriving sales are reflections of Morneweck’s ability to act as a liaison between the technical and business team. We recently chatted with Cynthia and GPA Learn’s Media Specialist, Alphonzo James, to learn more about the team’s design talent and what makes the company tick.
Founded by Morneweck and Mark Buffington, “GPA LEARN is helping to close the STEM gap and unite disparate communities through a K-5 math program, which incorporates games and rewards to lead students through a full year of math curriculum,” explains Morneweck. “We stand out from our competitors like Kahn Academy, Think Through Math, etc., because we are more than math drills. GPALOVEMATH leads students through math lessons with animated ‘learning coaches’ and an ‘I do,’ ‘We do,’ ‘You do,’ approach. Additionally, GPALOVEMATH has a private social network (Engage) which allows for collaboration among parents, students and teachers. GPALOVEMATH also has a rewards platform (Motivate), which allows parents the ability to determine timing and type of reward. Rewards in the system include at-home rewards such as extra TV time, as well as rewards from Georgia organizations such as the Atlanta Braves and Stone Mountain Park.”
Cynthia Morneweck (pictured above), Chief Experience Officer (CXO)
How has your past tech experience lent itself to your success in leading a startup?
I have lead teams in design and development for over 15 years. The teams have been in many different types of company environments from higher education to large and small consulting groups. The one thing they all have in common is the very fluid nature of technology. It is a moving target and forces you to be open-minded and poised to pivot. That is very good preparation for a startup.
What tech/tools are essential to you?
As a designer, my mac laptop loaded with omnigraffle, snag-it, Adobe Suite is my best friend as well as Google Tools.
What are your best technical or creative skills?
I would say that one of my strengths is translation. I spend a good deal of time translating technical concepts or obstacles to the business team or design team and vice versa. We have such different types of expertise at GPALearn and we need to understand each other.
How does ATL weave into your story?
I am a native Atlantan. I know we are a rare breed, but I do hope to contribute to this city that is my true home.
Alphonzo James, Media Specialist
What tech/tools are essential to you?
As a Media Specialist, the tech/tools required for me to deliver professional quality work falls under a wide umbrella. The basics would be pens, pencils and paper, a Mac computer, Cinema 4d and Maya 3d softwares, Adobe Master Suite, recording equipment, camera equipment, and Wacom Cintiq for digital drawings. Basically, a small media studio. Let’s not forget the talented voice actors either.
What are your best technical or creative skills?
My ability to adapt. I’ve worked in the world of Motion Media, marketing and advertising, and animation. Each of those areas require different softwares, perspectives, and understandings. I’ve been able take those different experiences and apply them to different challenges and projects for GPALearn.
How does ATL weave into your story?
I moved to Atlanta for school. During that time, I met and networked with a lot of people that offered me opportunities that some feel are only possible by moving to L.A. or New York. I didn’t have to leave ATL and the city has become my home.
Follow GPA Learn on:
Facbeook: https://www.facebook.com/GPALEARN
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gpalearn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/great-parents-academy
