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Trainers
Helene Alalouf
has over 30 years teaching experience in urban middle level, secondary, and higher education. As the differentiation and cognitive coach, she presents engaging workshops with collegial conversations in literacy, active student engagement, standards, assessment, and leadership. She guides collaboration with teachers and administrators for sustainable change to support student achievement by closing the gap and building capacity. Since attaining National Board Certification in 1995, Helene has mentored National Board candidates and new teachers. Her professional development contributions include designing and facilitating courses for teachers and teaching assistants and consulting for several Holocaust and human rights organizations and museums.
Beth Ardell
has over 25 years combined teaching and professional development workshop experience. She has designed graduate level classes in Math for Early Childhood and has recently been working in K-4 classrooms mentoring classroom teachers in implementing mathematics reform. Beth travels to schools throughout the country providing support to teachers. Beth is coauthor of Every Day Counts® Calendar Math, Partner Games, and Summer Success:® Math.
Kelli Trainer Barnett
A primary instructor with experience teaching and training Singapore math strategies, Kelli has joined a network of educators who pursue a fresh approach to teaching math. In 2005, Kelli pioneered the implementation and professional development of one of Colorado's early adopters of Singapore math strategies on a school-wide basis. Schooled in the use of personalized instruction plans, Socratic methods of teaching and parent education, she has come to share her practical experience and expertise with teachers around the country. Kelli is an author and guest blogger for multiple educational resources online and has moved towards new model of educating the educator and has embraced the innovations of sharing learning via digital media. She believes in the value of whole-family education and presents at Parent Universities. Kelli looks forward to future opportunities to train, present and invent in 21st century education.
Sherrill Bennington
has been a middle school math teacher since 2002. She has led workshops for teachers new to her district's middle school curriculum and has been a member of district professional learning communities that focused on closing the achievement gap and increasing student learning in math and science. She has participated in and facilitated both school and district professional learning communities, for a 3-year NSF grant involving middle and high school teachers that focused on closing the achievement gap and increasing student learning in math and science. She has led workshops for teachers new to her district's middle school curriculum and she evaluated and selected math test questions for state testing in Oregon. She has written math curricula both for Portland Public Schools and for Great Source and has been a professional development trainer for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt since 2008. She was a contributing writer for Summer Success® Math and has been a trainer for Every Day Counts® since 2008. She believes that learning involves questioning, conjecturing, exploring, and refining ideas, and she is passionate about math and helping students extend and deepen their mathematical knowledge.
Giselda Bloom
is a 45 year veteran teacher who has used Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games since they were first written in 1991. Giselda has traveled the United States for the past 15 years training teachers in Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games. In workshops, Giselda demonstrates her classroom knowledge and enthusiasm for teaching Every Day Counts®.
Karen Buesing
is an educator with over 30 years experience as a classroom teacher, department chairperson, curriculum director and assistant superintendent. As an independent consultant, she has worked with many school districts in her home state of New Jersey in the areas of reading, writing, vocabulary instruction, flexible grouping, learning styles, leadership, and curriculum development. Karen has guided and coached several school districts in developing balanced literacy programs as the framework for teaching reading, writing, and word study. Karen's enthusiastic and interactive approach to professional development results in educators enjoying themselves while learning student-centered strategies built upon researched-based best practices.
Cori Carr
is an educator with more than ten years classroom experience as a teacher, teacher-leader, parent liaison and coach. As an independent consultant and a fellow of the National Writing Project, she has worked with school districts throughout the country in the areas of reading, writing, vocabulary instruction, flexible grouping, standardized test development, formative assessment and integrating technology into the classroom. Cori has worked with many school districts and state departments of education on crafting essential benchmarks and implementing social and emotional learning programs. Cori's hands-on approach to professional development allows teachers, administrators, curriculum specialists and school support personnel to put their new learning into immediate use in their classrooms and schools.
Brad Cawn
is an educator and education consultant with experience and expertise on adolescent literacy, formative and summative assessment, teacher efficacy, 21st Century Learning, and college readiness. As an independent consultant, he has worked with many school districts and institutions in the Chicagoland area in the areas of curriculum development, disciplinary literacy, instructional and leadership evaluation, and education research. Brad also has contributed to and/or composed instructional materials for many of the most prominent educational publishers; he is currently writing an instructional guide for English teachers on teaching 21st Century literature to secondary and postsecondary students. His approach to professional development is participant- and learning-centered, synthesizing the instructional culture of each individual school site with researched-based best practices to ensure practical and meaningful application of staff development concepts.
Julie Cibbarelli, MAE
has over 30 years of teaching experience working with schools and teachers as well as with professional development. As a county teacher leader of an early intervention reading program, Julie trained and coached hundreds of teachers. Julie was an Adjunct Professor of Reading for graduate level reading classes for both Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. In this capacity Julie was able to focus in on improving teacher understanding of successful reading skills. Julie has a great sense of humor which has led to many successful and happy Professional Development workshops and Institutes.
Andy Clark
is a former elementary and junior high school teacher. He recently retired as the K-12 Math Coordinator for Portland Public Schools, an urban district that outperformed the state of Oregon and closed the achievement gap. Clark is coauthor of a number of math programs, including Every Day Counts®: Calendar Math (Pre-K-6), Algebra Readiness (6 & Up), and Partner Games (K-6), and Math in Focus: The Singapore Approach (K-5).
Diann Cohen
is a certified Supervisor/Director and Literacy Specialist. During her career in a large urban school district she served as director of Reading K-12, Supervisor of Title I, Reading Recovery Site Coordinator, and Consultant teacher of Reading. In these positions Diann was recognized for her high level of professionalism and commitment. These positions involved Professional Development at local, national and state levels, curriculum development and alignment, and program coordination and implementation development for over 45 schools. Diann had extensive work experience with the Special Education and ELL populations in literacy achievement including summer school and in- class interventions. Presently, as an independent consultant she works with districts in areas of school improvement, leadership, classroom practice, and program implementation. Diann has created a Learning Walk protocol that allows principals, coaches, and teachers to observe classroom practice with thought provoking questions and reflection and then to collaborate for planning improvement in teaching and learning. Diann's energy and enthusiasm is contagious and children's smiling faces keep her continually involved in education projects. Diann resides in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and in addition to her work enjoys travel, golf and grandchildren.
Maria Magdalena C. Connell
is a bilingual educator with over seven years experience as a classroom teacher, dual language Spanish teacher, dual language liaison, language facilitator and multicultural committee chair. As an independent consultant, she has worked with different corporations developing workshops in the areas of cultural diversity, language instruction, translations and interpretations. Maria has developed and presented professional development training in collaborative teamwork and dual language instruction. Her passion for teaching and learning and her approach to professional development to colleagues has led her to conduct successful trainings that impact instruction.
J. David Cooper
is an educator who can motivate teachers and translate research into practice. He is a highly sought after speaker and workshop leader. He has spoken in all 50 states and eight countries. Dr. Cooper was Professor of Education and the Director of Reading at Ball State University. He taught elementary and secondary schools in Louisville, Kentucky, before completing his doctorate in Reading Education at Indiana University. He has served as a consultant for the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., numerous state departments of education, and school systems throughout the United States.
Dr. Cooper has authored and coauthored more than 20 books. His popular book Literacy: Helping Students Construct Meaning is now in its seventh edition (2010) and Literacy Assessment: Helping Teachers Plan Instruction, is in its Fourth Edition. He is coauthor of The Struggling Reader: Interventions that Work (2006) published by Scholastic. He is completing a new book for Scholastic on RTI and the classroom teacher.
Dr. Cooper has served as a guest reviewer for The Reading Teacher, The Journal of Reading, and the yearbook of the National Reading Conference. He was a coordinating author of Houghton Mifflin Reading, 1986-89 and a coauthor of Houghton Mifflin Reading Language Arts, 1989. He was the senior coordinating author for Houghton Mifflin Reading: The Literature Experience, 1991, 1993. He was consulting author for Houghton Mifflin's Spanish reading program Celebremos la Literatura, 1993. Dr. Cooper was one of the Senior Authors of Houghton Mifflin's reading program from1999 - 2011. He is an author on Early Success: An Intervention Program. Dr. Cooper is an author on the new Houghton Mifflin Harcourt reading program, Journeys, 2011.
For the last fourteen years, Dr. Cooper has been actively involved in developing an upper-grade intervention program. His research with Project SUCCESS has shown that it is possible to close the gap for struggling readers in the intermediate grades. The research from Project SUCCESS has served as the foundation for Soar to Success, the reading intervention program published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Dr. Cooper is one of the Senior Authors of Soar to Success, Grades K—8.
He has been honored by several states for his contributions to literacy learning including Kentucky in 1991 where he was made a Kentucky Colonel and Arkansas in 1995 where he was designated an Arkansas Traveler.
Dr. Cooper recently retired from his university position. He now resides in Coconut Grove, Florida. He continues to write and works as a consultant for numerous school districts and state departments throughout the United States.
Betty Craig
is an educator with experience as a classroom teacher, professional development supervisor, peer coach, district administrator, and state and national consultant and presenter. In Tucson, Arizona, Betty served as the supervisor of Career Ladder, a pay-for-performance program for over 500 teachers. She was a peer coach for K-12 teachers, as well as a district evaluator providing instructional reinforcement and improvement suggestions. At the district level, Betty supervised elementary and middle schools, and the gifted, special education, ESL, and Native American programs. She was a member of the district's four-person core team on curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development. Currently working with K-12 teachers across the country, Betty presents workshops, coaches, and models effective instructional practices through classroom demonstration lessons. She is the co-creator of the Writing Classroom and ACCESS workshops.
Andrea Crawford
is an educator with a diverse background. She has been an English-Spanish bilingual teacher, Spanish foreign language teacher, director of education, and educational consultant with over 10 years researching and practicing in the field of education. She has presented at several California conferences including Reading by 9 and the California Reading Association. Andrea participated on the Voices of African American Students committee that lobbied the state government of California to include instructional support for speakers of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) into the textbook criteria. She has partnered with dozens of school districts in California to create and present customized in-services and workshops based on best practices. Andrea has a masters degree in Spanish linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles, and is currently earning a second masters degree in Dual Language Development from California State University, Long Beach.
Sheila Hoza Cunningham, EdD
is an educator with over 34 years experience as a classroom teacher, curriculum director and mathematics leader at both the state and national levels. As an independent consultant, she has worked with many school districts in her home state of Texas in the areas of mathematics, problem solving, teaching students from diverse backgrounds, learning styles, leadership, and curriculum development. Sheila has guided and coached several school districts in developing district-wide programs as the framework for teaching mathematics. She has been selected to serve as the program chairperson for both national and state mathematics conferences where professional development was provided to more than 9000 mathematics educators across the country. Sheila's enthusiastic and interactive approach to professional development results in educators enjoying themselves while learning student-centered strategies built upon researched-based best practices.
Andrea Dabbs
is a teacher with several years of experience working in urban middle schools, focusing primarily on working with second language learners. She specializes in working with ESL students who have oral fluency but need focused attention in reading and writing. Andrea coordinated ESL programs in Oakland, California and is currently the coordinator of an ESL program for a middle school in Oregon. She holds a B.A. in English and a M.A. in English as a Second Language from St. Mary's College in Moraga, California.
Nicole M. Davenport
is an educational professional development consultant and has mentored school administrators, literacy coaches and teachers in schools across the country. Nicole has collaborated with administrators and teachers to create rigorous, standards-based curricula and presented at staff development seminars focusing on literacy education and helping English language learners succeed in K-5 classrooms. She has conducted numerous workshops on implementing structures to support school-wide reform. Her workshops are interactive, rigorous and standards-based. Prior to becoming a literacy coach, Nicole served as a lead teacher, a curriculum specialist and an at-risk intervention provider at a large school in New York City. Nicole received her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Communication from Syracuse University. She has also earned a Master of Science in Education from Pace University.
Candace Derr
has an education career that spans elementary and middle school teaching. Beyond being a classroom teacher, she has also taught as a Title I Reading and Math Teacher, ELL teacher, and Teacher of the Gifted and Talented. She has been an educational consultant for over five years, assisting teachers in their classrooms with modeling and coaching. Recently, she spent nearly two years helping schools implement RtI (Response to Intervention) models to move schools toward a preventative approach, rather than allowing students to "wait to fail." Using data to drive instruction, she guided data analysis sessions to empower teachers to customize and target instruction to meet student needs. She has been a presenter at both state and local reading conferences, and is a former President and Vice President of her local reading council. She is presently an Educational Consultant for the Professional Development division. Candace lives in northeastern Ohio and is currently a doctoral learner working toward an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction.
Efrain Diaz
is an educator with over 25 years experience as a classroom teacher, teacher trainer and university professor. He has worked as an ESL resource specialist, curriculum writer and trainer of trainers. Efrain has presented his work at international, national, state and local conferences. Throughout his career, Efrain has taught ESL at all levels of education (K-12, adult education, graduate and undergraduate college levels) and has conducted extensive ESL K-12 teacher certification training throughout the state of Florida for the Florida Department of Education. He also participated in the evaluation and implementation of Florida's "Empowering ESOL Teachers" and Josten Learning Corporation's Project TEACH ESL teacher certification courses as well as being filmed and featured by Josten's for best teaching practices. He has worked with public schools in bilingual, Title VII and Title I migrant programs and has been an independent ESL consultant for school districts across the country and abroad. He was the keynote speaker at the 2008 Centro Dominico's Annual ESL Conference in the cities of Santiago and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. As an English Language Specialist for the US State Department, he conducts ELL training and workshops for US Embassies countries.
Shelly DuBose
realized early in her career that nothing had more impact in the mathematics classroom than the confidence and expertise of the teacher. Motivated by this knowledge, she has spent the last 15 years working to refine the art of mathematics instruction and assisting others in this pursuit. Shelly has worked primarily with students at grade levels 3-8 in addition to developing a differentiated curriculum for pre-service teachers. Currently, she serves as the mathematics department chair and instructional coach at Graland Country Day School, Denver, CO. Her experience includes presentations at various state and national conferences on topics related to reform mathematics, interdisciplinary instruction, service learning and technology implementation. Presently she is training to become a SMART Exemplary Educator. Shelly and her family enjoy the many outdoor activities Colorado has to offer.
Maria Dwyer
has experienced an exciting and challenging career as an American and international educator. She began her career as a middle and high school English teacher in San Diego, California. More recently, she has taught grades four through eight at various American schools abroad in cities such as Monterrey, Mexico; Mumbai, India; and London, England. Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Science in K-12 Educational Counseling. Maria is delighted to be back in the United States presenting to educators throughout the country.
Melanie Eisen
has been a kindergarten, first and second grade teacher for the past 18 years in Virginia and Canada. She teaches in both English and Hebrew and uses Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games in her classroom. Melanie has been traveling across the country for the past 8 years teaching teachers how to use Every Day Counts Calendar Math in their own classroom. Teachers attending her workshop say that Melanie is a teacher's teacher.
Esta Elizondo
has been a teacher, math specialist, and intervention teacher in Alief Independent School District in Texas for over 20 years. For the past 11 years, Esta has provided professional development training within her district as well as across the United States for Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games. Esta is a contributing author for Summer Success:® Math Club, Afterschool Achievers: Math Club, and Every Day Counts® Partner Games. She is a former Teacher of the Year. Esta is a life long learner who says that Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games truly make every day count in the math class.
Shannon Farmer
has 10 years of teaching experience. She has been in the language arts arena as a reading teacher, as well as in the creative arts, teaching art and consumer family services. She has served on leadership committees in the Central Unified School District in California to provide support to the principals and better access for students to the administration. Shannon has taught students from 2nd grade to adult. Shannon holds a B.A. in Interior Design from California State University, Fresno, graduating with honors.
Linda S. Farruggia
has over thirty-eight years of experience in the education field. She has been a teacher, Director of Curriculum, Director of Professional Development for an Educational Service Center, Director of Title I and Federal Programs, elementary school principal, adjunct university faculty member, and Director of Training. While serving as President of the Illinois Reading Council, she worked with the Illinois State Board to train teachers in literacy and gifted education. During her work in the educational consulting, she has run trainer of trainers sessions, managed the acclaimed National Urban Alliance's "Teaching for Intelligence: Believe to Achieve" conferences, trained teachers in areas of literacy, differentiation, RtI, strategies for EL students and supported the implementation of Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment in schools across the United States.
Linda has trained teachers across the United States and Canada in balanced literacy, gifted education strategies, effective use of assessment tools, differentiation for success for all students and positive discipline techniques. Linda's focus is to support teachers and administrators as they review current research, learn new skills and strategies to improve academic achievement and improve their craft.
Joan Gil
is an educator with experience as a classroom teacher, district program coordinator, professional development facilitator, grant writer, program evaluator and technology innovator. Joan has facilitated professional development to teachers ranging from K through higher education in the United States and Mexico. Joan has vast experience in developing and delivering mentoring programs to empower teachers and students. Joan uses technology as a tool to focus on instruction, curriculum and collaboration.
Connie Gray
is an educator with over 27 years experience as a classroom teacher, mentor teacher, computer teacher, district wide trainer and curriculum writer, technology grant implementer, and a grant director. As an independent consultant, she has worked with many school districts nationwide in the areas of classroom technology integration, coaching, leadership, and curriculum development. Connie currently works with professionals on developing implementation plans for their businesses. Connie's enthusiastic and passionate approach to teaching results in people enjoying themselves while learning a wide variety of research based topics.
Barb Guthrie
has over 21 years experience in education as a classroom teacher, math specialist, district math interventionist, and Math Recovery leader. She has been in many classrooms modeling and coaching PreK-4 teachers in best practices of mathematics teaching. She has been an independent consultant to school districts, focused on building the mathematical foundations students need in order to succeed. Barb has conducted TEXTEAM Training for Grades 1-5. Barb is a trainer for Math In Focus and Math Expressions. Barb has been a trainer for Every Day Counts Calendar Math and Every Day Counts Partner Games for the past 12 years. Barb helps teachers in her workshops understand how to implement the programs with ease and how to help young children develop number sense using Every Day Counts.
Karen Hardin
has been immersed in the field of education for over 20 years. Karen started her career as a classroom teacher and then as a K-5 math specialist in Alief Independent School District in Houston, Texas. Karen won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching in1993. Karen has authored TAKS Mathematics Preparation and acted as a TEXTEAMS Professional Development Leader. Karen is a contributing writer for Every Day Counts® Partner Games and Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and a co-author of Summer Success:® Math. For seven years, Karen has been a PreK-6th grade trainer for Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games. Karen says that she loves teaching Every Day Counts® to children and teachers because of the excitement it generates for mathematics and the positive impact it has on children's confidence in math!
Chayvonne Harper
is an educator with 15 years experience as a principal, talent development teacher, classroom teacher and mentor teacher. She has presented at state and local conferences. While in New York, Chayvonne was a classroom teacher for 10 years. She also served as a mentor teacher to new teachers, which allowed her to differentiate professional development to meet the needs of 19 teachers. As a principal of a large Pre-K-8 school for three years, her focus continued to be differentiated professional development which translated to increased student performance. Chayvonne has worked with teachers at all grades levels K-12. She is presently a National Consultant and shares her enthusiasm and expertise with teachers around the country. Chayvonne currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, has a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and is certified in Supervision and Administration.
Carol Havemann
has been in education for over 30 years. She has served as an elementary school teacher and primary math specialist. She was named Teacher of the Year and has presented on a variety of mathematical topics within her district as well as at the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teachers. Carol has been a presenter for Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Partner Games for 3 years and says that Every Day Counts® is her students' favorite part of the day!
Jeff Hicks
has over 18 years teaching experience in grades two through nine. Jeff taught seventh and eighth grade English and math on a two person teaching team focusing on the reading/writing connection through 6-trait writing activities. Jeff is a co-author with Vicki Spandel of the Great Source Write Traits® Classroom Kits, the Write Traits® Advanced Notebooks , Levels I and II for high school students, and the new Write Traits® Kindergarten. Jeff also serves as an elected member of the Beaverton School Board in Beaverton, Oregon. Currently Jeff is a full time writer and presenter.
Mary Landry
has been working in early childhood education for the past 25 years. She is currently a teacher at Truman Montessori School in Lafayette, Louisiana where she was awarded the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Teacher of the Year. Mary has served as both a classroom teacher and a special education teacher. Mary has been a trainer for Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Partner Games for the past 5 years.
Leah LeComte
is an educator with over 10 years of experience as a classroom teacher and educational consultant. An established staff member of an elementary school ranked within the top ten of Pennsylvania, Leah refined her understanding of curriculum and delivery of instruction. A Master's degree in Applied Technology aided Leah in delivering content in a variety of formats. Years of experience teaching several grade levels and all areas of the elementary curriculum had given her the expertise to make the transition to teacher trainer. Upon leaving the classroom, Leah became an educational consultant and currently works with school staffs. Conducting workshops, conferencing with teachers and assisting with curriculum planning are her current endeavors. Leah observes lessons, models instruction and coaches teachers in best practices. She shares feedback and guidance then assists in gauging success. A love of the classroom and an immense respect for educators drives Leah's interactions with the teachers and administrators she meets.
Cheryl Lyman
For over 20 years, Cheryl has been an enthusiastic educator and educational consultant working for the finest producers of educational curriculums and professional development courses on the market. She has worked side-by-side with teachers and administrators throughout her career to determine training needs and create customized educator training and professional development. Her focus for the last 12 years has been training in the areas of English Language Arts, Writing, Intervention, Science, Mathematics and Social Studies. She is presently a Professional Development Trainer. Cheryl has also worked and trained extensively with the current basal and supplemental programs currently on the market. As a Certified Professional Development Trainer, she earned the prestige of a credentialing process that recognizes the most qualified in the field. Cheryl has worked in both the public and private school sectors all over the country. She also has worked with many corporations providing training in academic and communication skill-based courses. Cheryl has a Masters Degree in Speech and Language Disorders and a teaching degree. She lives in the Los Angeles Area.
Barbara Long
has 27 years of mathematics teaching and leadership in grades K-12. She has served as a district mathematics program coordinator for Northside Independent School District and Northwest Independent School District in Texas. As a classroom teacher, she was twice nominated for the prestigious Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching. Barbara has also served in state leadership roles as a board member for the Texas Association of Supervisors of Mathematics and as program chair for the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teachers, CAMT. Barbara holds a B.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education with certification for grades 1-8 mathematics teaching, and a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Sharon Maeda
has served many roles as an educator for the past 17 years, including classroom teacher, student council advisor, coach, district trainer, state and national trainer, BTSA support provider, curriculum specialist, GATE and AVID program coordinator, and university instructor. She is currently an educational consultant for district GATE programs, an online instructor for the California State University of Fullerton, and coordinator of the Gifted and AVID programs for a K-12 school district in Southern California. She has presented at numerous conferences in various states, and continues to provide professional development in differentiated instruction to teachers throughout California. During her teaching career, Sharon represented Anaheim City School District as the Orange County Teacher of the Year Nominee in 2000 and was a Disney American Teacher Award nominee in 2001 and 2002. Sharon is also a former high school varsity basketball coach.
Craig McJunkin
With an academically and experientially diverse background in education, art, and architecture, Craig McJunkin combines his instructional talents with an appreciation of the qualities that make each person unique. His sense of humor makes Craig an educator who relates well to students, fellow teachers, and administrators. Craig taught ESL in Japan for two years, working closely with Japanese teachers of English in nine high schools with diverse English requirements. In American elementary classrooms in southern California, Craig continued his work with second-language learners, as well as native-English learners, integrating instruction across the curriculum. He challenged and aided all students–below, at, and above grade level–to exceed grade-level standards. As an educational consultant, Craig has worked successfully with fellow educators and administrators, through professional development, coaching, and classroom modeling, to implement best practices based on carefully considered research. With more than seven years as a classroom teacher and an additional eight years as an educational consultant, Craig has been helping children achieve and teachers maximize their effectiveness in the classroom for more than fifteen years.
Karen MacKinnon
has been successfully working in the field of education for the past 15 years. After receiving her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University, she was a Kindergarten teacher for several years in Carlisle, MA. She then taught first and second grades at South Grafton Elementary School in Grafton, MA. Karen's leave of absence from classroom teaching to raise her family and her lifetime commitment to the education of children has led her to educational consulting. She has presented implementation training workshops as well as workshops on all aspects of Balanced Literacy including Strategies for Struggling Readers, Instructing with Informational Text and Small Group Differentiated Instruction. Karen has worked with teachers at grades K-6 in urban and suburban environments and has visited many classrooms modeling and coaching teachers in best practice in literacy instruction. Karen currently lives in Duxbury, MA with her husband, John, and her three children, Kailin, Sean and Mara.
Terry McKelvey
is an Elementary Mathematics Resource Teacher for Portland Public Schools, Oregon. Terry has also served as a classroom teacher and special education assistant. Terry has led teachers in mathematics instruction for the past 13 years.
Lea McSherry
has been in education for over 30 years. She is an experienced early childhood and music teacher with a K- 8 state certification and endorsements in early childhood, and music. Lea is also a private tutor, teacher trainer, and classroom coach. While in Arizona she created and established a successful new pre-k and kindergarten program for an existing 1st -8th grade private school. She conducts parenting workshops and enjoys working together with teachers, students, and parents to create a united and supportive learning environment.
Lea is currently consulting with schools across the country providing curriculum and instructional support for early childhood programs. She lives in Tempe, Arizona with her husband of 32 years and her dog, Mozart.
Kim Mickle
began her second career as a first and second grade educator in Alief Independent School District in Houston, Texas educator in 1995. Kim continued as an Elementary Primary Specialist focusing on curriculum, teacher training, and coaching. Kim was a district leader for math and language arts curricula. Kim is a contributing writer for Afterschool Achievers: Math Club and Every Day Counts® Partner Games. Kim has been a trainer for Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games for the past 10 years. She travels the country sharing her love for children and mathematics.
Judy Miller
is an educator with 30 years experience as a classroom teacher, teacher trainer, curriculum specialist, and literacy coach. She has presented at international, state and local conferences. She has taught first through fifth grades, middle school, and adult learners in a graduate literacy program. As a literacy coach in Colorado, she worked with a team of coaches to develop a five year plan for Professional Development in the district. Over the past ten years she has been an independent consultant, working with teachers in their classrooms modeling, demonstrating, and coaching best practices in literacy instruction. Presently she is a National Consultant for Professional Development and shares her passion by finding practical ways to support and mentor teachers. She is author of several short stories for young adults, professional articles about literacy, and her latest book, Essentials of Literacy Coaching, was finished in 2007.
Quote--
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Rob Moore
is an educator with over 16 years of experience as a classroom science and technology teacher, technology coordinator, assistant principal, and curriculum director. As an independent consultant, he has worked with school districts in 5 states, including many in his home state of Texas to address a variety of educational needs including core curriculum development, infrastructure development, classroom technology integration, mentoring, and sustainability. Rob has developed and implemented technology-based instruction for Central Texas College and the University of Texas system and is recognized as a Master Technology Teacher in the state of Texas. Rob's varied interests and educational experiences – including his time as a killer whale trainer – have fostered a unique and enthusiastic style for professional development. Rob emphasizes an exciting, sharing approach and research-based, student-centered strategies to meet the challenges of today's educators.
Nena Nanfeldt
is an Education Consultant dedicated to helping teachers and administrators provide research based instruction for Literacy Teaching and Learning. Her career in Public Education includes classroom experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels. As an Alternative High School Director and later as an Elementary Principal, she also directed K-12 ELA Curriculum for her school district. Her most recent teaching experience has been as an Adjunct Associate Professor of ELA in the Quinnipiac Masters of Education Program.
Currently, she consults with school districts and provides teacher and administrator professional development based on curricular and instructional needs. In addition to Literacy Topics, Nena also provides Professional Development and embedded support for Data Driven Decision Making, CFA Design and RTI.
Nena Nanfeldt takes pride in her collaborative approach to working with school districts to design professional development that not only meets a specific need but builds on and is aligned with best practice already in place.
Leigh Palmer
has taught in New Orleans and St. Louis, Missouri for the past 16 years. Throughout this time, she has taught Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games in her classroom. She is also a co-author of Summer Success:® Math and Afterschool Achievers: Math Club. Leigh has been training teachers on Every Day Counts® for over 10 years. In her workshops, Leigh is known as an enthusiastic and thorough trainer.
Rose Palmer
is currently a teacher on special assignment for mathematics for Portland Public Schools who has taught in grades 3-6. She provides professional development for teachers in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade as well as designing curricula, implementing the district adopted curriculum which includes Every Day Counts® Calendar Math in grades pre-K-6 and presenting at workshops. She has successfully implemented Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games in grades 3-6 through her 19 years of teaching in Portland. She is currently a consultant for Great Source as she is a firm believer of the success for all children when Every Day Counts® is faithfully implemented in their math education.
Michael Parizer
has been a classroom teacher, math lead teacher, Title I resource teacher, and math coach for over 34 years. Michael has presented to the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics as well as to teachers and administrators in Fairfax County, Virginia on a wide range of mathematical topics including Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games. Michael says that Every Day Counts® Calendar Math is a vehicle through which students can demonstrate their math knowledge, communicate with other students and clarify their own thinking. He adds that it provides an opportunity for teachers to listen to their student's thinking and assess the depth of their math content.
Susan M. Parnell
has 17 years of educational experiences at multiple levels, preschool through adult literacy programs. As a Literacy Consultant for a nine county area in Southwestern Indiana, she continually provides researched based instruction, modeling of best practice, grant writing, needs assessment, on-site training of various programs or frameworks. Susan has been recognized as a candidate for Teacher of the Year for the TNT Network, Who's Who Among American Teachers and Educators, and has published articles for educational newsletters and magazines. Susan holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Troy State University in Alabama, and a M.A. from Oakland City University in Indiana, and is currently perusing her Doctorate Degree in Education.
Minnette Patton
is an educator with over 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, computer lab teacher, and technology coordinator. She has taught in New Orleans and Birmingham, AL. As a technology coordinator, she was responsible for training teachers and helping them integrate technology in the classroom. Minnette's passion for learning and her zest for getting students excited about math are contagious.
Denise Phillips
is an educator with over 25 years experience as a classroom teacher, media specialist, mentor, curriculum developer and staff development trainer. As an independent consultant, she has worked with many school districts in her home state of California in the areas of reading, writing, vocabulary instruction, flexible grouping, differentiated instruction, Gifted and Talented Education, technology integration and curriculum development. Over the last 11 years, Denise has also worked with many new and veteran teachers in improving their craft through the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program (BTSA) and the Peer Assistance Review (PAR) program. In addition she is a college instructor for the Teaching Credentialing Program of San Francisco State University and teaches Master's Level classes in Best Practices and Curriculum and Instruction. Denise's energetic and interactive approach to professional development results in educators enjoying themselves while learning practical strategies to improve their instruction built upon researched-based best practices.
Deborah Polles
is an educator with an extensive, varied background spanning over 30 years. As a former elementary Special Education and Gifted Education Teacher and Instructional Facilitator, Debbie's specializations included assessment and differentiation of instruction. She co-taught and collaborated with elementary classroom teachers and has a thorough understanding of standards-based, data-driven instruction. Debbie served on her district's School Improvement Team, Professional Learning Communities, Assessment Committee, and Response to Intervention Teams. Her success in the classroom led her to teaching courses in both Reading and Special Education at the college level. As an independent consultant, she has worked with school districts across the country in the areas of reading, writing, and assessment. She has also coached school districts in balanced literacy and guided reading instruction. Debbie's passion for teaching and interacting with other educators is evident in her style of professional development.
Judy Puckett
has 32 years in education. She has taught grades K-6 and has served as a vice-principal and an interim principal/superintendent. Judy served as a Literacy Specialist in Orinda, California. During that time she worked extensively with teachers on writing instruction and assessment. Over the last three years, Judy has implemented 6-trait writing in her district with hundreds of teachers and has also provided training for parents. Judy graduated from California State University Chico with a degree in Child Development.
Mary Eileen Reilly
has 27 years of classroom experience in k-12 classrooms, first as an English teacher after receiving her M.A. and then as a special educator with a M.Ed. While providing support for individual students, she also designed curricula to meet the needs of academically challenged students; co-taught classes; provided consultation to classroom teachers on modifications to their curriculum; and gave presentations to both teachers and parents. Eileen brought her skills as a communicator and teacher consultant to her role as a professional development trainer with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. As part of a three year DOE study, she initially taught classroom teachers how to implement Math Expressions in their classroom, and then returned to offer supplementary training and classroom support though materials designed to meet the needs of individual school systems. In addition, as a trained classroom observer, she was able to help teachers strengthen their teaching through recommendations on both the program and on general teaching strategies. Teachers indicate that her humor and positive attitude make her a welcomed classroom visitor. Eileen is an associate member of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners; she lives 20 miles north of Boston.
Kay Rewerts
is an educator with over 30 years experience as a classroom teacher, teacher/librarian, and technology director in Iowa. As an independent consultant, she has worked in 30 states helping teachers integrate technology into the curriculum. Kay's enthusiasm for teaching and learning with technology has enabled her to encourage reluctant teachers and students to move forward with technology integration based on research and best practices.
Nancy Rosenwasser
began her teaching career as a high school English teacher. She also provided programming for gifted and talented middle and high school students. Nancy spent the last eight of her 29 years in public education as an Educational Technology Specialist, where she trained teachers to integrate electronic tools and resources into their curriculum and professional practices. She conducted regional workshops on electronic data collection and analysis tools for science teachers through the University of Iowa and delivered remote-site training. Nancy was a presenter at state conferences, focusing on topics relating to the integration of technology in the classroom. Nancy earned her B.A. in English and History from the University of Rochester and her M.A. in Teaching Secondary English from the University of Iowa.
Kathy Ross
has been educating teachers and children for over 36 years as a teacher, consultant, and author. She has worked with teachers all over the country as well as internationally. Kathy has been awarded the Who's Who in American Education and the Outstanding Mathematics Supervisor presented by Greater New Orleans Teachers of Mathematics and has presented on a variety of mathematical topics for NCSM, NCTM, and CAMT. Kathy has been a trainer for Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games since 2006.
Betsy Shreero
has over 42 years classroom experience as an elementary school teacher, math teacher, and learning specialist. She has served as a district math trainer and staff developer in Pinellas County, Florida. Betsy was a contributing author to NCTM Journal — Teaching Children Mathematics. She was honored as Pinellas County Mathematics Teacher of the Year. Betsy enjoys sharing her expertise on Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games as she travels across the country training teachers.
Sandra Slater
brings the perspectives of teaching, business, and technology to educational consulting. She is an educator with over 25 years of experience as a special education teacher, reading consultant, computer sales consultant, and finally as Vice-President – National Consultant Services with Harcourt. As an educational consultant she has worked with school districts in Alaska, California, Texas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and New York. She supports teachers through model teaching in classrooms, coaching, and conducting workshops for teachers at all levels K-12. Sandra is dedicated to supporting teachers as they begin to implement new curriculum materials in the areas of Literacy and English Language Development. Sandra has worked intensively with educators to provide professional development in the areas of teaching English Language Learners, meeting the needs of struggling and striving readers, and implementing student and teacher laptops into the classroom. Sandra has an M.S. in Studies in Behavioral Disabilities from the University of Wisconsin, and an Ed.M. in Reading from Harvard.
Earl Snyder
has 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, and coordinator of elementary mathematics. Earl serves as coordinator of elementary mathematics in Alief Independent School District in Houston, TX. Earl has presented at the Math Recovery Conference, was a featured speaker at the Early Childhood Symposium in Scotland, and has taught graduate level classes in Primary Mathematics. Earl has led teachers in his own district as well as across the country in Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games Workshops.
Kelly Snyder
has worked with teachers and children in Alief Independent School District in Houston, Texas for the past 17 years. Kelly has served as a classroom teacher, math specialist, and math recovery leader. Kelly has contributed an article on subtraction for the Math Recovery Newsletter and has presented at the Math Recovery Conference in Winston Salem, NC. Kelly has been a trainer for Every Day Counts® Calendar Math and Every Day Counts® Partner Games for the past 7 years. Kelly feels that Every Day Counts® creates a common language for students to converse about mathematics.
Pat Swindell
is an educator with experience as a classroom teacher, school board member, consultant, teacher trainer, coach and coursework writer. She has conducted educational trainings nationwide. As a school board member helping establish school policy, Pat was highly regarded for her educational expertise at the district, county and state levels. She has been an independent language arts consultant and has modeled for and coached teachers in best practices for school districts across the country. Pat has worked with elementary teachers at all grade levels, K-6. She is presently a National Consultant for Professional Development and shares her enthusiasm and expertise with teachers around the country. Pat lives on the beautiful Central Coast of California and is currently writing trainings for professional development.
Helen Teague
is a 4th generation native Californian who surfed waves by the pier long before she surfed the Internet next to her peers. As an independent consultant, she traverses between the fields of education and small business, coordinating and conducting adult learning and professional development sessions to help participants build a strategy toolkit to achieve solutions. She believes teaching at its best Connects. It connects the learner and the guide to possibility. Curriculum is the teacher's connection plan, grounded in the methods of inquiry, innovation, research, and trial and error.
Ann L. Thompson
has more than 32 years experience working with education and technology. From classroom teacher to college professor, and as an administrator, Ann has spent her working career integrating technology into curriculums and classrooms. Before she retired 7 years ago to start her own consulting and training business, her last position was the Assistant Vice President of Distance Learning with San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico. Ann has developed online courses to teach teachers how to teach online, worked with architects to design technology friendly classrooms, and created technology integration professional development programs for teachers. Ann brings to her training sessions vast experience in technology integration in P-20 classrooms along with her love of technology.
Mari Ukleya
is an educator with over 15 years experience as a reading specialist, literacy coach, literacy coordinator, teacher trainer, and principal. She has spent time in the field of staff development and presented at local conferences as well as the ASCD National Conference in New Orleans (2008). Mari has worked with teachers at all grades levels K-adult including the incarcerated population. Literacy being a passion, Mari has found a nitch as the Coordinator of Adult and Family Literacy working with and over seeing many grant funded programs. As a National Consultant for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Professional Development, Mari is able to share her enthusiasm and expertise with teachers around the country. Mari currently resides in upstate New York.
Jack Umstatter
has taught English on both the junior high school and senior high school levels since 1972. He has also taught at Dowling College in Oakdale, New York, for fourteen years, and writing and literature at Suffolk County Community College for the past four years. Jack has recently retired from the Cold Spring Harbor School District where he taught English and Co-chaired the department.
A writer for the Biography Channel, Jack also conducts teacher training workshops across the country. Jack graduated from Manhattan College with a B.A. in English and completed his M.A. degree in English at Stony Brook University. He earned his Educational Administration degree at Long Island University. Jack has been selected Teacher of the Year several times in his school district, was elected to Who's Who Among America's Teachers, and has also appeared in Contemporary Authors. His publications include Hooked on Literature (1994), 201 Ready-to-Use Word Games for the English Classroom (1994), Brain Games! (1996), Hooked On English! (1997), the six-volume Writing Skills Curriculum Library (1999), Grammar Grabbers! (2000), English Brainstormers! (2002), Words, Words, Words (2003), Readers at Risk (2005), and Got Grammar? (2007), all published by Jossey-Bass / John Wiley.
Aileen Ford Wheaton
is a Lecturer/Supervisor at The Ohio State University. She teaches reading foundations courses in the School of Teaching and Learning. Aileen has taught students preschool through adult. In addition, she served as an elementary school Reading Intervention Teacher in a suburban school district. She joined the faculty at The Ohio State University-Marion in 2003. Aileen's research in conjunction with Dr. Mary Jo Fresch has spanned a fifteen year period with a primary focus on developmental spelling and writing characteristics in the early and middle childhood learner. Their collaboration has lead to a number of articles, books, and classroom materials as well as national and international speaking engagements. Her most recent publications include Teaching and Assessing Spelling, The Spelling List and Word Study Resource Book (Scholastic), and Spelling for Writers (Great Source).
Mary White
is an educator with over 35 years experience as a classroom teacher, gifted and talented coordinator, campus technology coordinator, and adjunct lecturer. As an independent consultant, she has worked with both small and large school districts, conducting professional development on topics ranging from Web 2.0 project based learning to research based reading instruction. She believes that every group of teachers deserves individualized hands-on instruction and is determined to model effective teaching strategies. Each professional attending her sessions comes away thinking, "Now that's something I can use."
Ketura Williams
has been a classroom teacher and math coach for the past 7 years in Georgia and Florida. Ketura is a former Teacher of the Year. Ketura has been a trainer for Every Day Counts® Calendar Math within her district and now for Great Source. Ketura's love for Every Day Counts® Calendar Math is contagious as she has spread the program to every school in which she has taught.
Roberta Williams
has 35 years of language arts teaching experience in grades 7-12. She has served as the K-12 Language Arts Coordinator for the Traverse City Area Public Schools in Michigan. In 1987, the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce chose her as an Outstanding Educator. She has served as adjunct faculty for Ferris State University and has served on advisory boards for several publishing companies. In 1993, she published a book with one of her learning disabled students. The book received an Award of Excellence from the Michigan Learning Disabilities Association, the 1994 Margo Marek Award, the 1995 Book of Distinction (IRA), the New York Library's 1995 Best Book for the Teen Age, a nominee as the 1995 Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library association and selected as one of the Ten Best Children's Books by the Boston Book Review. Roberta holds a B.A. in English from the University of Northern Iowa and an M.A. in Secondary Reading from Western Michigan University.
Judy A. Wingert, M.Ed.
taught middle school for 30 years. She began her teaching career in Home Economics along with a variety of other subjects such as: typing, reading, social studies, and language arts, and she ended her classroom career with 13 full time years teaching eighth grade language arts. She left the classroom to work in the professional development department of Tucson, Arizona's largest school district. She facilitated K-12 teacher trainings in best practices, academic writing, instructional coaching, adolescent reading strategies and six traits of writing. After her retirement from the public school arena, she currently works in the state of Arizona training teachers and administrators on their new 6-12 language arts/English textbook adoptions and the technology which accompanies new literature texts. She also has K-12 teacher literacy coaching experience in a variety of schools and settings. She loves working with classroom teachers to help them improve their craft of teaching.
