Extreme Learning was founded in 2002 by David Payne, a former school principal motivated by a strong desire to continue working to improve children and families’ experiences with the California education system. David crafted a new technology-driven approach to academic support designed to ignite students’ passion for learning and boost academic achievement. The first Extreme Learning Center opened that founding year in Morgan Hill, providing tutoring and enrichment services directly to families.
In July 2003, the California State Board of Education approved Extreme Learning as a Supplemental Service Provider, and the company began offering an Academic Support Program and Exit Exam preparation to school districts. Through customer-oriented, high-tech, low-cost programs and documented student success, Extreme Learning has expanded statewide.
In the 2006-07 school year, Extreme Learning served a total of 173 schools in 63 districts in Northern and Southern California. Recently, the California State Board of Education re-approved Extreme Learning as a Supplemental Services Provider under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.
Extreme is led by a team of distinguished, experienced executives:
David Payne, Founder & CEO
Mary Smathers, Co-Owner
Ben Politzer, VP & CFO
Damian Cozzi, VP Operations & Technology
David Payne, Founder & CEO
David Payne founded Extreme Learning in 2002. He is a former middle and high school teacher. He was assistant principal at Gilroy High School and principal of Homestead High School in Cupertino, a California Distinguished High School. He became a visiting Professor of Education and Business at UCLA, then founded and served as CEO of WebLearning, an online education company. David earned his degree in political science, his Master's Degree in Education and a teaching credential from Stanford University. He holds two administrative credentials earned from U.C. Berkeley. Dave is bilingual in Spanish.
David is responsible for corporate finance, strategy, organizational development, business development, and institutional sales. He is a member of the Extreme Learning Executive Team.
Email: dpayne@extremelearn.com
Mary Smathers, Co-Owner
Mary is a former teacher of high school English, Drama, and Social Studies. She was Assistant Principal at Salinas High School, and Founding Teacher and Lead Trainer of Teachers’ Curriculum Institute (TCI). She was Director of Gilroy’s Community of Caring Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and Director of Business Development at WebLearning, Inc. She was Co-Founder of the Charter School of Morgan Hill, where she served as Director and Middle School Principal. Mary earned her Bachelor’s Degree at UC Berkeley and two Masters’ Degrees, her Teaching Credential and Administrative Credential at Stanford University. She is bilingual in Spanish.
Email: msmathers@extremelearn.com
Ben Politzer, VP & CFO
Ben Politzer, Vice President of Product Development and Technology, graduated from Brown University with a degree in political science. He earned his Master's Degree in Education from Stanford University and his administrative credential from San Jose State University. He taught sixth grade in Washington State and served as technology specialist, assistant principal, and principal at Edison-McNair Academy in East Palo Alto. Ben is also bilingual in Spanish.
Ben is responsible for overseeing curriculum, product development, and financial operations of the company. He is a member of the Extreme Learning Executive Team.
Email: bpolitzer@extremelearn.com
Damian Cozzi, VP Operations & Technology
Damian’s background spans over 25 years in information technology and business application development. Damian's background involves extensive experience in the defense, banking, healthcare, and high-tech software development industry. His background includes more than 15 years in senior management positions. Damian has a Bachelors Degree in Information Technology.
Damian is responsible for overseeing IT, online operations, school-based operations, call center, and field logistics. He is a member of the Extreme Learning Executive Team.
Email: dcozzi@extremelearn.com
