Experiences

Honors Biology and Zoology Teacher

Basehor-Linwood Schools, Basehor, Kansas - July 2021 to The Present

•Back to my first true love: teaching Biology at the High School level! After a 30-year career in Missouri as a teacher and leader in various roles in the realm of curriculum, instruction, and professional development, the thing I wanted to do most in this next phase of my career is to get back to the core of the mission: helping young people find the wonder and awe in science.

2021 - RETIRED IN MISSOURI AFTER 30 YEARS as an educator in the roles outlined below.......

K-12 District Coordinator of Science

North Kansas City Schools, Kansas City, Missouri - July 2019 to July 2021

•Designs, organizes, and coordinates the alignment of comprehensive curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development efforts.

•Identifies, delivers, and promotes PreK-12 next practices in the area of Science.

•Provides support for school improvement through district-level and site-based training to equip staff with necessary information, skills and/or processes that allow for intentional instructional decision-making.

•Coordinates and supports content learning communities as they work with the implementation of a comprehensive curriculum.

•Leads and supports Teaching and Learning Coaches to facilitate implementation of district strategic initiatives.

•Leads and supports science-supervising building administrators to facilitate implementation of district strategic initiatives in science.

•Provides oversight for other special projects as they relate to curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development as they relate to science, instructional coaching, and the induction of teachers new to the district.

•Designs, organizes, and delivers professional development for district staff members that enables the acquisition of the Board of Education goals and district strategic initiatives.

•Supports the strategic 1:1 computing environment and the integration of technology as part of the curriculum and classroom instruction.

District Online Learning Coordinator

North Kansas City Schools, July 2015 to 2019

To provide extraordinary educational experiences for students and staff. To develop a shared vision for expanding learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom setting. To provide leadership and professional development for online/blended learning opportunities for students and staff in the district.

• Supervises online classes, course development, and course enrollment for online learning that will enhance current offerings as well as expand offerings for students.

• Coordinates the creation of blended classes and assists building leadership with implementation to extend the traditional classroom.

• Supervises the maintenance of accurate records on the progress and attendance of eCampus students.

• Communicates between building administrators and counselors on student progress and needs.

• Maintains high standards for student conduct and enforces discipline as necessary, according to district policy and due process rights of students.

• Supervises eCampus professional, administrative, and support personnel.

• Participates in the process to recruit, screen, hire, train and assign eCampus staff.

• Coordinates existing resources and works to expand potential eLearning opportunities.

• Communicates to and conducts meetings for staff as necessary for the proper functioning of the online learning program.

• Provides technology training to support district programs.

• Supervises online learning initiatives during Summer School.

• Works with outside agencies to offer courses beyond current student population in North Kansas City Schools.

• Represents North Kansas City Schools in the Northland Online Learning Consortium.

• Supervises the day-to-day operation and function of the district’s learning management program.

• Provides support for the district’s learning management system and the strategic planning and communications of upgrades and new functions.

• Assists the Professional Development department in electronic delivery of training.

District Instructional Coordinator

North Kansas City Schools, July 2013 to July 2015

•Identifies, delivers, and promotes Pre K-12 next practices.

•Designs, organizes, and coordinates the alignment of comprehensive curriculum, instruction, and assessment efforts.

•Coordinates and supports content learning communities as they work with the implementation of a comprehensive curriculum.

•Supports and develops Curriculum Council members to lead their colleagues through the understanding and implementation of district strategic initiatives.

•Provides oversight for special projects as they relate to curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

•Designs, organizes, and delivers professional development for district staff members that enables the acquisition of the Board of Education goals and district strategic initiatives.

•Supports the 1:1 computing environment and the integration of technology as part of the curriculum.

•Assists and supports administrator collaborative teams to facilitate implementation of district strategic initiatives.

•Assists and supports Teaching and Learning Coaches to facilitate implementation of district strategic initiatives.

District Instructional Technology Specialist

Saint Joseph, Missouri School District, August 2010 to June 2013

This was a newly-created position in the SJSD. The District Instructional Technology Specialist reports to the Associate Superintendent in charge of Curriculum & Instruction. The purpose of this new position is to help the district transition to an innovative approach to learning in blended and online spaces as we begin to adopt a 1:1 computing environment for all students. This position will lead an ITS team of four. Duties include:

•Planning and implementation of professional development for district administration team

•Shaping of various SJSD policies regarding technology

•Leading district teams and individuals toward technology integration projects

•Providing input into districtwide laptop “image” for staff and students prior to to 1:1 implementation

•Filling integral role on newly-formed “Technology Task Force”

•Acting as an important liaison between Curriculum & Instruction and IT

Instructional Coach

Saint Joseph, Missouri School District, Aug 2007 to June 2010

Duties as building-level generalist instructional coach include conception and delivery of large-group staff development, facilitation of professional development for departments and other small focus groups, and ultimately one-to-one reflective coaching cycles for faculty as well as some district-level professional development. As a result of personal strengths and affinities, my work during the final year of this role was shifted toward the “T” (technology) in the TPACK framework. Those experiences ultimately led to the creation of the inaugural District Instructional Technology Specialist position leading a team of four for the district.

Biology Instructor

Saint Joseph, Missouri School District, August 1994 to June 2013

Courses taught: Honors Biology, Honors Marine Biology, Honors Zoology, Honors Botany, Science Investigations (independent and original student research program). Benton High School Department Chair from 2003-2008. Selected as first district classroom & teacher to adopt 1:1 computing with laptops, 2005.

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