VITA

Diane DeMott Painter
dpainter@su.edu (W)
Shenandoah University
1460 University Dr. Winchester, VA 22601

EDUCATION

• Doctor of Philosophy (Special Education Technology/English Writing Process), George Mason University, 1994

• Master of Education (Perceptual Impairments), University of Maryland, 1978 

• Bachelor of Science in Education (Elementary Education), George Mason University, 1974

EMPLOYMENT 

• Associate Professor of Education, Adjunct- Curriculum and Instruction (2017-present)

• Associate Professor of Education – Special Education (August 2011-2017); Assistant Professor of Education (August 2008-July 2011), Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA.  Chairperson, Curriculum and Instruction and program head, PSC and MSE-Special Education (2008-2016).

• Assistant Professor of Education (Sept. 2005-Aug. 2008) and Program Director for the Curriculum and Instruction Masters Graduate Program (Feb. 1. 2006-Aug. 2008), Hood College, Frederick, Maryland.

• Technology Resource Teacher, Deer Park Elementary, Fairfax County Public Schools, 1996-2005.

• K-12 Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools, 1979-1996. 

• Special Education Teacher, K-6, Prince Georges County Public Schools, Maryland, 1974-1979.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

• Trainer, CASE Renewable Energy Academy, James Madison University, June 24028, 2024.

• Participant, ReCharge Academy, July 18-21, 2022, KidWind Mentor Training, Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM.

• Participant, Praxis Series Standard Setting Study, Feb. 20-21, 2013, Educational Testing Service, Richmond, VA.

• Co-Leader, Fairfax County Public Schools Teacher Research Network, 2000- 2005.  Co-Chairperson Fairfax County Public Schools Teacher Research Conference, April 2003 and April 2004.

• Completer, PBS TeacherLine ISTE NETS* Certificate Pilot Study completed April 28, 2004, National Educational Technology Standards for Educators.

• Adjunct faculty member, Graduate School of Education, George Mason University, 1990-1997; 2002-2005.  Taught graduate level courses in the special education and Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (ASTL) programs related to technology for special educators, action research, and assessing teaching and learning.

• Editor for the Virginia Society for Technology in Education Journal from Fall 1998- Spring 2000 and Managing Editor, Fall 2000 through Spring 2002. 

AWARDS, GRANTS and RECOGNITIONS

Google Data Center Grant Recipient (November 2022). Supports Engineering and KidWind activities at Makersmiths, Inc. 

Outstanding Educator nominee (June 2021). Recognized by Repowering Schools. 

Virginia KidWind Challenge Coach of the Year (June 1, 2020). Awarded by the Center of Advancement of Sustainable Energy, James Madison University.

100Women Strong Foundation Grant (March 2019). Supports educational initiatives related to developing technology and manufacturing skills at Makersmiths.org for under-served Loudoun County, VA students to support school-related projects. 

Outstanding Research Presentation Award recipient (June 24, 2015). Awarded by the International Association of Special Education at the 14th Biennial IASE Conference in Wroclaw, Poland for the presentation, Understanding and Advocating for IEP Accommodations.

Innovation in Higher Education Award (Spring 2015). Awarded by Lumos Networks.

Claude Moore Literacy grants (FY 2012-2013 and FY 2013-2014). Funding supports the Computer-based Writing Program (July 2012-2014) for ineffective writers entering grades 4-8, sponsored by the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) at Shenandoah University. 

VFIC/Verizon Foundation Teaching with Today’s Technology Grant recipient (2010-2012). Funding supported the training of College of Arts and Sciences and SEDH faculty and pre-service teaching candidates to use Thinkfinity.org resources and Softchalk software to create interactive, web-based lessons for K-12 learners.

Teacher of Honor for 2010 (awarded June 4, 2010).  Kappa Delta Pi is the International Honor Society in Education.

Teaching Excellence Award for graduate studies, Hood College, May 17, 2006.

Teacher Research Commendation from the Association of Teacher Educators- VA, for conducting outstanding action research in Cyber Ethics, Fairfax County Public Schools, 2003-2004, April 7, 2005, Sweet Briar College, Virginia.

Outstanding Alumni Award, George Mason University, Graduate School of Education, May 15, 2004.

Cyber Education Champion Award, Business Software Alliance, March 10, 2004. Refer to:

Mentor Teacher of the Month (The Learning Project, WETA TV) July, 2002. 

FCPS Best of the Web for Outstanding Web Site Design and Excellence in Communication (Nov. 2002) and Best Practices Web Site Excellence Award (Nov. 2001).

FCPS Commendations for Teacher Excellence (Nominations for Teacher of the Year, 1995 and 1999).

Impact II and Matching Technology Grants supported teacher research and technology initiatives at Deer Park Elementary School, Centreville, VA, in 1997, 1998 and 2004. 

Teacher-Research Grant, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), 1998.

Exemplary Technology Project Award, Virginia Department of Education, 1993.

Computer Educator of the Year, Virginia Educational Computing Association, 1992.

Recognition Certificate for promoting democracy and freedom through telecommunications projects, Freedom Light’s Foundation, 1992.

Leadership Training Grant, George Mason University, 1986.

PUBLICATIONS

Painter, Diane. “Students Explore Real-World Energy Projects.” ISTE, 19 Apr. 2022, https://www.iste.org/explore/computer-science-and-computational-thinking/students-explore-real-world-energy-projects. 

Painter, D. (2016, Spring). The computer-based writing program: A clinical teaching experience for education interns to develop professional knowledge and skills in effective instructional writing practices. The Teacher Educator’s Journal, 9, 112-135.

Painter, D. (2012, June 27). Using thinkfinity and softchalk resources to create web-based 

lessons. International society for technology in education 2012 annual conference, San Diego, CA. 

Painter, D. (2009). Providing differentiated learning experiences through multi-genre projects. Intervention in

School and Clinic, 44(5), 288-293.

Painter, D., Ambrose, J., & Garrett, C. (2008). Using technology to create effective co-teaching partnerships in

inclusive classrooms. Focus on Inclusive Education, 5(3), 1-8.

Painter, D., Ritchie, G. & Fox, R.  (2007, Spring). The growth of reflective practice: 

Planting the seeds. The Teacher Educators Journal.  

Fox, R., Kidd, J., Painter, D., and Ritchie, G. (2006). The growth of reflective practice: Teachers’ portfolios as windows and mirrors. The Teacher Educators Journal.  

Painter, D. (2006, April). Instructional planning for differentiated learning. Learning and Leading with Technology, 33(7), 32-33.

Painter, D. (2006). Teachers as researchers. In G. Morrison (Ed.), Teaching in America (p. 21). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

Painter, D. (Oct. 21, 2006). Instructional planning for differentiated instruction in a technology-infused classroom. Paper presented at the International Conference on Learning Disabilities, McLean, VA.

Painter, D. (July 14, 2006). The growth of reflective practice: Planting the seeds. Paper presented at the British Education Research Annual Meeting, July 13-14, 2006, St. Mary’s University College School of Education (Twickenham, UK).

Painter, D. G., & Wolters, B. (2005). The use of an interactive whiteboard in promoting interactive teaching and learning. VSTE Journal, 19(2), 31-40. 

Painter, D. and Ritchie, G. (April 17, 2005). What does it take to build and sustain a teacher research network? Paper presented at the International Teacher Research Conference, La Jolla, CA.

Painter, D. (2004, August 1). What do they need to know about cyber safety? Technology and Learning. 

Painter, D. (2004, August 1). What do you mean copyright dies not mean I have the right to copy? Technology and Learning.  

Painter, D. (2003). Teacher research could change your practice. National Education Association. 

Painter, D. (2003). The reflective teacher: An action research primer. The VSTE Journal 18(1), 21-31. 

Painter, D. (2002). What happens when students use text-to-speech and word predict programs to compose text? LD Online.org. 

Painter, D. (2001, October 1). The cyber citizen partnership.  Tech & Learning. 

Painter, D. (2000, April). Engaging in teacher research as a means to assess the effectiveness of technology in the classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 27(7), 10-27.

Painter, D. (1999). What happens when students engage in peer interaction during the writing process? In MacLean, M.S. & Mohr, M.M., Teacher-Researchers at Work. Berkeley, CA: The National Writing Project.

Painter, D. D. (1994). A study to determine the effectiveness of computer-based process writing with learning-disabled students under two conditions of instruction: Peer collaborative process model and non-peer collaborative process model. (Order No. 9421433, George Mason University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.

PRESENTATIONS 

“The ATLAS Pilot: Lessons from Accomplished Teachers,” presented at Digital Learning Day at the 2015 Teaching and Learning Conference, March 13, 2015, Washington, DC.

“Bright Life Buddies: Creating Opportunities for One-to-One Friendships and Leadership Development for All Students,” co-presented at the International Pacific Rim Conference on Disability and Diversity, May 19, 2014, Honolulu, HI. 

 “Teacher Research is a Habit of Mind,” presented at the Teaching and Learning 2014 Conference, March 14, 2014, Washington, DC. 

“iBook Author: The Basics,” presented at the Bridging the Gap: Differentiating with Digital Technology Conference, July 19, 2013, at Shenandoah University, Ashburn, VA.

“Using Softchalk to Create Interactive Web-based Lessons,” presented at the VABug Conference, Sept. 21, 2012, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.

“Using Web-based Interactives to Engage Students in Active Thinking,” at the i-Pads in Education Conference, July 20, 2012, Shenandoah University, Ashburn, VA. 

“Creating Web-based Lessons Using Thinkfinity and Softchalk Resources,” presented at the ISTE Annual Conference, June 27, 2012, San Diego, CA.

“Using Thinkfinity and Softchalk Resources to Create Interactive Web-based Lessons,” presented at the VSTE Annual Conference, December 6, 2012, Roanoke, VA.

“Using Thinkfinity and Softchalk Resources to Create Interactive Web-based Lessons,” presented at the Council for Exceptional Children Virginia State Conference, November 18, 2011, Lynchburg, VA. 

“Creating Web-based Differentiated Learning Activities to Support Special Needs Learners,” presented at the Council for Exceptional Children Convention, April 28, 2011, National Harbor, Md.

“Using Web-based Interactives to Engage Learners in the Literacy Lessons,” presented at the 26th Annual Children’s Literature Conference, July 1, 2011, Winchester, VA.

“Creating Web-based Differentiated Learning Activities Using Softchalk,” presented at the Training & Technical Assistance Center Sharefare, October 23, 2010, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. and Sept. 17, 2010 at the Blackboard User’s Group Conference at Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA.

“Creating Web-based Differentiated Literacy Lessons,” presented at the 2010 Children’s Literature Conference, June 29, 2010, Winchester, VA.

“Using Softchalk- A Web-based Lesson Building Experience to Inform, Engage, and Inspire Your Students,” presented at the ATE-VA and VACTE Spring Conference, March 18, 2010, Sweet Briar College, VA.

“Creating Differentiated Learning Experiences Through Technology-Infused Multi-genre Research Projects,” presented at the 11th Biennial Conference of the International Association for Special Education July 14, 2009, Alicante, Spain.

“The Role of Technology in Improving Co-Teaching Effectiveness,” at the Virginia Society of Technology in Education Annual State Conference, Feb. 24, 2009, Virginia Beach, VA.

“Co-Teaching Collaborations,” presented at the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference, April 3, 2008, Boston, MA.

“Growing and Supporting an International Teacher Research Network through a Networked Collaborative Environment,” presented at the International Conference for Teacher Research, April 13-14, 2007, National Louis University, Chicago, IL.

“Co-teaching in the college classroom,” presented at the TED/TAM 2006 Conference, Nov. 10, 2006, in San Diego, CA.

“How to Build and Sustain Action Research in Schools,” presented at the PDS in Action: Impacting Student Achievement and Teacher Retention Through Improved Teaching and Learning Conference, April 2, 2006, Towson University.

“The Growth of Reflective Practice,” co-presented with Gail Ritchie at the 2005 AERA Annual Meeting, April 14, 2005, Montreal, Canada.

“Program Portfolios: From Reflection to Reflective Practitioners,” co-presented with Gail Ritchie and Rebecca Fox at the 2005 AERA Annual Meeting, April 14, 2005, Montreal, Canada.

 “Dialogue on Portfolios in Teacher Education: A Program’s Approach to Measure Learning and Document Program Effects,” co-presented with Rebecca Fox, Julie Kidd, and Steve White at the AACTE 57th Annual Meeting, Feb. 22, 2005, Washington, D.C.

“The Growth of Reflective Practice: Teachers’ Portfolios as Windows and Mirrors,” co-presented with Rebecca Fox, Julie Kidd, and Gail Ritchie at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, April 15, 2004, San Diego, CA.  

SERVICE and WEBINARS

KidWind Middle School Coach for Makersmiths.org (Oct. 2018-present). 

Membership Chairperson, Technology and Media, Council for Exceptional Children (Jan. 1, 2007-present). Newsletter editor for the Tech Connector, Technology and Media, Council for Exceptional Children (May 2009-present). 

Conference Committee member for the International Teacher Research Conference (Chicago, Illinois March 15 & 16, 2007 and New York City, NY March 28 & 29, 2008).

Investigating Our Practices (IOP) DVD project contributor (2007-2008). This DVD highlights the work of teacher inquiry practitioners from all over the world. The DVD is produced and distributed by The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada).

MEMBERSHIPS

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

Fairfax County Education Association (Life-time member)

National Education Association (Life-time member)

Makersmiths.org (Loudoun County, VA)