Our Founders

Charlene and Mitch Sigman founded the non-profit School of Imagination organization to bring their vision of providing innovative educational methodology and unparalleled care to children everywhere.

Charlene Sigman, Speech-Language Pathologist, has dedicated her life to help all children achieve their full potential. Since the year 2000, Charlene's programs have served more than 2500 children from ages 18 months to 12 years. As an industry-pioneer in the field of education, in 2006, she received the prestigious Jefferson Award. The Jefferson Awards were established in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard as a Nobel Prize that honors individuals for extraordinary public and community service.

Charlene is a graduate of the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York where she received a Masters of Science in Education and Communication Disorders. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure from the California Board of Quality Assurance. Charlene has served as Director of Speech Pathology at Huntington Hearing and Speech Center in Huntington, New York, and has specialized in pediatric speech-language disorders. She has extensive clinical experience in stroke rehabilitation and neurological speech disorders, as well as the establishment of facility and home-based treatment programs.

Mitch Sigman, Co-Founder, left his career in sports medicine in 2005 to devote himself full time to the operations and development of the School of Imagination organization.  Mitch is a proud member and President-Elect (2011-2012) of the Pleasanton North Rotary club.   Pleasanton North Rotary (PNR) is responsible for making an incredible difference for many local and international non-profits, including School of Imagination & Happy Talkers, R.E.A.C.H., Pleasanton Gardens Senior Center, Cycling for Civics, El Oasis Orphanage, and many more. PNR has also raised the funds and distributed 4000 wheelchairs worldwide.

Charlene and Mitch have a son Jared and daughter Lucy.