Catalyst to Critical Thinking

As a Professional Development Leader with Catalyst Learning Community, LLC, my experience with classroom instruction spans all age groups and subject matters. I have presented workshops, seminars, and feedback sessions for over 5 years. My expertise areas of Professional Development/Professional Learning Include: Embedding Formative Instructional Strategies Developing a Toolbox of Instructional Strategies The Psychology of Effective Instruction Differentiated Assessments Performance-Based Assessments Staff Development with Feedback Staff Development by Implementing Instructional Rounds State Teacher Mentor and Lesson Development Specialist, 7 years Wright State University, Education and Humanities Instruction, 7 years Public High School Teacher: History, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Mentoring, 15 years

In order to be effective in classroom instruction, I believe that students must be engaged and instruction should be based in research-based principles of learning. Teachers should be mindful of student habituation and continually working to develop instruction that is interesting, new, and engaging to students. Student curiosity needs to be tapped. Strategies should be used that routinely approach content and material from the 7 key learning types (Gardner). Most of all, that instruction should ultimately be redesigned so that students are asking more and more questions, NOT just answering questions that are continually asked To them.

Selected 7 years in a row by the state to work as mentor/coach for developing new teachers in the area of social studies. Fellowship Teacher Grant recipient, $7,000, 2009, for sociological study to develop instructional strategies. Numerous County Grants won on developing mentoring programs for underachieving students. AP Psychology Teacher

Bachelor Degree: University of Toledo,1991 Master Degree: Bowling Green State University, 2002 Northwestern University, IL: Advanced Placement Instructional Training

When I left classroom teaching to become a professional development specialist it was due to my passion for learning. I have always been passionate about learning, but equally passionate about changing ineffective practices of instruction. By enabling other educators to perfect their craft and incorporate effective teaching strategies, assessments, and different approaches to teaching, students will achieve more. Moreover, teachers will continually improve with each step toward better, more engaging instruction.