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Meet Arturo, our newest family member

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Meet Arturo, our newest family member

Just in time for the new school year, we couldn’t be more excited to introduce the newest Move2Learn family member, Arturo Yaggia! As our project manager, Arturo works with the whole team—in particular Jen Wiser, our director of programs—to expand movement opportunities within Alexandria public schools in the areas of Move2Learn’s Social, Emotional and Academic Learning lessons, Active Seating Packages and Out of School Programs.

His primary role is bringing a holistic, wellness experience to Hispanic youth and their families in collaboration with community partners, including Alexandria City Public Schools, INOVA Healthy Plate, Neighborhood Health, Casa Chirilagua and Mind the Mat. We bring the movement, and our partners offer education in healthy eating, hygiene and mindfulness. We’re super excited to have Arturo lead this effort! 

Arturo was drawn to the role, he said, because Move2Learn’s vision and mission resonates deeply with him.  He’s excited to participate in creating a positive impact on students’ lives and is thrilled to be able to contribute to a transformative educational experience for all students!

Arturo comes equipped with the passion, drive and energy that have quickly made him an integral part of the M2L team. He has an MBA and law degree and is trained for Mental Health First Aid, a program administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that prepares people to recognize the signs of—and respond to—mental health challenges. 

He brings a fresh, new perspective to our work and invaluable experience working with the Hispanic immigrant community. He’s a native Spanish speaker and is fully proficient in English. 

In other words, he’s perfect for his role as project manager! Please join us in welcoming Arturo!

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Brooke Sydnor Curran

President and CEO

Brooke Sydnor Curran was that student—the one who couldn’t sit still, couldn’t focus, and disrupted the classroom. Nicknamed “The Mosquito,” she bounced off the walls while traditional education tried to box her in. Today, she’s flipping that model on its head as the President and CEO of Move2Learn, an award-winning nonprofit that transforms how students learn by bringing movement into every part of the school day.

Based in Alexandria, VA, Move2Learn uses the Science of Movement to improve focus, engagement, behavior, and well-being—helping students learn better and inspiring the teachers who teach them. Brooke founded the organization in 2009 and has since become a recognized voice on reimagining education.

A lifelong athlete with asthma and exercise-induced asthma, Brooke has completed over 200 marathons, including all six World Marathon Majors, races in every state and on all seven continents—including one just six months after surviving a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 2018. You may have seen her in The Washington Post, Runner’s World, and on NBC.

Her personal resilience mirrors her professional mission: to boldly question the old rules, ignite a vision for what school can be, and lead the change students need.

Brooke lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband. When she’s not running marathons, you can find her playing moderately competitive tennis, reading anything she can get her hands on, or visiting her flown children in NYC.

Danielle Seiger

Director of Operations

As Director of Operations, Danielle provides administrative and logistical support, ensuring a professional, proactive organization focused on fulfilling its mission and vision. She works closely with the president and CEO on fundraising, donor activities and promoting a donor-centric culture. She also works with the Board of Directors to ensure they’re well prepared to serve as ambassadors and advocates for Move2Learn.

Prior to joining Move2Learn in 2017, Danielle spent 20 years as a Forensic Document Examiner for the FBI. She conducted forensic examinations of evidentiary material and provided testimony as an expert witness in federal, state and local courts. She brings the same diligence and attention to detail to Move2Learn.

Danielle grew up in Conshohocken, PA, and is a proud Philly sports fan. She now lives in Springfield, VA with her husband, two very active almost-grown sons and two dogs. Go Birds!

Jen Wiser

Director of Programs

Our director of programs, Jen, is passionate about bringing movement to ACPS schools. Teachers across the district rely on her to support them as they transform their classrooms with active seating, brain boosting movement videos, Move2Learn SEAL Lessons and outside the classroom movement programs. She loves to collaborate with teachers and staff to cultivate new movement ideas or to improve upon existing programming.

Prior to joining Move2Learn in the spring of 2021, Jen worked for ACPS, primarily at Charles Barret and then as the Safe Routes to School Coordinator where she collaborated with PE Teachers to support biking and pedestrian safety. Jen spent most of her early professional life in the health care setting as both a social worker and registered nurse. She is most proud of founding a 501(c)3 non-profit in coastal North Carolina for families who have a child with Down syndrome.

Jen is originally from Wisconsin and lives in Alexandria with her husband, two teenagers, and dog, Larry.

is now

Brooke Sydnor Curran, president and CEO of Move2Learn and the former “runner” of RunningBrooke, shares the story behind our new name and look.

Hecho de la diversión

Tararea tres notas de la mayoría de las canciones de rock/pop en la radio entre 1965 y 1983 y ¡lo nombraré!

Brooke Sydnor Curran

Presidenta y CEO

Empecé a correr cuando era padre de tres niños pequeños para pasar un tiempo a solas. Todavía corro porque es una buena carrera y es una excelente manera de comenzar mi día: pienso mucho durante esas primeras horas de la mañana. Cuando termino, me siento concentrado y listo para enfrentar el mundo.

Hoy en día, la ciencia respalda la evidencia de que correr y el ejercicio en general mejoran no solo la salud emocional, sino también el flujo de sangre al cerebro, lo que facilita concentrarse en la tarea y aprender mejor. Esto es especialmente cierto para los niños en edad escolar, que pasan gran parte de su tiempo en las aulas y se espera que presten atención y hagan su trabajo.

Sin una salida para dirigir positivamente la energía y aumentar el flujo sanguíneo para apoyar la función cerebral, la concentración se resiente, lo que puede ser desastroso para muchos niños.

Mis años de primaria y secundaria

Sé lo que es ser el estudiante que no puede quedarse quieto, tiene dificultades para concentrarse y escuchar al maestro. Ese era yo de niño. Siempre me llamaban por interrumpir el salón de clases. No fue hasta que fui adulto que entendí la relación positiva entre el movimiento y el aprendizaje.

Miro hacia atrás a esos años y los efectos persistentes con empatía por esa niña, pero sé que no estaba, y no está, sola.

Kurt Huffman

Strategic Engagement and Education Consultant

Kurt Huffman brings over 33 years of diverse experience in the field of education, spanning public schools, higher education, nonprofits, and museums. His 25 years in public education include roles as a teacher, principal, and executive director, giving him firsthand knowledge of what schools, students, and families need to thrive.

Kurt’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to student engagement, innovation, and equity – values that align closely with our mission. He believes in the power of movement and connection to drive student success and sees Move2Learn as a vital partner in reshaping how schools approach learning, wellness, and whole-child development. His role in supporting school and district alignment with our programming reflects his passion for meaningful, systems-level impact.

Kidist Square

Out of School Time Program Manager

Kidist Square is a dedicated middle school counselor at F.C. Hammond Middle School, entering her 13th year in the role. A lifelong resident of Alexandria and proud ACPS graduate (class of 2005), Kidist is deeply committed to serving the community that raised her. She brings passion, empathy and a strong sense of purpose to her work with students and families. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, working out, and getting lost in a good book.