EDUCATION Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, August 1992
PhD in Educational Psychology GPA: 5.70/6.00

Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, August 1985
MA in Gifted Education/Administration GPA: 4.75/5.00

University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, April 1982
BS in Elementary/Special Education GPA: 3.52/4.00 (cum laude)
 

PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE

 Higher Education:

 1997-present Tenure-Track Instructor, Department of Education, College of Southern Nevada, teach the following courses:
"Introduction to Elementary Education" - INTERNET COURSE
"Introduction to Special Education"
"Introduction to Gifted Education"
"Survey of Computer Uses in Education"
"Educational Psychology"

Director, Learner Enrichment and Acceleration Program (LEAP),
a Saturday Gifted Program for the Las Vegas Community
and the Clark County School District sponsored by CCSN

1997-present Instructor, College of Education, UNLV, designed and instructed
courses in "Educational Psychology," "Teaching Special
Education Students in the Regular Classroom," and "Educational Research" - graduate level

1995-1997 Instructor, College of Education, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Curriculum and Instruction, National-Louis University, Evanston, IL, designed a graduate program sequence and instructed a group of fifteen graduate students through the twelve courses of their master's degree program

1994-1997 Instructor, College of Education, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, designed and instructed courses in "Curriculum Development and Learning Theories" and "Supervision" to graduate students preparing to become future administrators

1990-1991 Coordinator of High School Relations, School of Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, assisted high school students interested in becoming teachers and attending Purdue University; developed and led presentations to students and parents throughout the year

Supervisor, School of Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, supervised student teachers preparing for a degree in Elementary Education

Instructor, School of Education, National-Louis University, Evanston, IL, designed and instructed a graduate course in "Identification and Characteristics of Gifted Children"

1988-1989 Instructor, School of Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, designed and instructed an undergraduate course in "Elementary Methods of Teaching Social Studies"

Supervisor/Instructor, School of Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, supervised and instructed a practicum course for graduate students pursuing a master's degree in Gifted Education

Director, School of Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, planned and directed Purdue University's COMET Program, a one-week residential program for gifted fourth and fifth graders

1987-1988 Instructor, School of Education, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, designed and instructed a graduate course in "Curriculum Development for the Gifted"
 
 
 

PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE

Public School:

1996-1997 Interim Elementary Principal, Dryden Elementary School,
Arlington Heights School District 25

1993-1996 Elementary Principal, District Summer School Director, and After-School Activities Coordinator, Half Day Elementary School, School District 103, Lake Forest, IL

1991-1993 Elementary Principal/District Gifted Coordinator, Rensselaer Public Schools, Rensselaer, IN

1989-1990 Teacher, Eighth Grade, Language Arts/Reading/Social Studies, Nichols Middle School, School District 65, Evanston, IL

1988-1989 Paid sabbatical leave of absence from School District 65 in Evanston to pursue PhD

1987-1988 Teacher, Sixth/Seventh Grade, Language Arts/Reading, Nichols Middle School, School District 65, Evanston, IL

1986-1987 Coordinator/Teacher, Kindergarten through Fifth Grade: Developed and taught a comprehensive gifted program at Dawes Elementary School in School District 65; the program covered all grade levels and all subject areas. This successful program led to my selection as Evanston's "Teacher of the Year."

1983-1986 Teacher, Fourth/Fifth Grade, Dawes Elementary School, School District 65, Evanston, IL

1983-1985 Teacher, Sixth through Eighth Grade, Expository Writing, Northwestern University's Midwest Talent Search, Evanston, IL
 
 
 

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES

Developed District 103's Special Education Inclusion Program
Developed a peer evaluation component for staff at Half Day School

Developed an articulation program between grade levels and among teachers within grade levels to coordinate reading and math

Initiated and led Rensselaer's first PTA

Developed and wrote Rensselaer's first Gifted/Talented Newsletter

Started and advised a student council at Monnett Elementary School and Half Day Elementary School

Utilized the problem-solving process for updating and correlating Rensselaer's Elementary Curriculum

Developed and coordinated a "Celebrate the Arts" day at Monnett Elementary School and Half Day Elementary School where the entire day was devoted to the arts

Enhanced Monnett School's teacher evaluation plan to include teacher-generated goals and risk-taking activities
 
 

PRESENTATIONS

"Developing Talent in the Performing Arts," National Gifted Conference, Louisville, KY

"What is Gifted" and "Creativity and Eminence" State Gifted
Conference, Las Vegas, NV

"Developing a Summer Residential Program for Gifted Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Students," National Gifted Conference, Cincinnati, OH

"Talent Development," Parents for Challenge, Lincolnshire, IL

"Developing Creativity" and "Picture-Perfect Prose," Northern Illinois Planning Commission, Mount Prospect, IL

"Future Problem Solving," School District 65, Evanston, IL

"Using Peer Coaching in Teacher Supervision," School District 25, Arlington Heights, IL

"Cohort Scholarship Grant," Las Vegas Gambling Board, Grant used to provide matching funds for school district support personnel working toward a teaching certificate. $75,000

"On-Line Curriculum Project," Illinois State Board of Education,Grant used to integrate the Internet into the Social Studies and Language Arts Curricula. $13,000

"Art Integration," Illinois State Board of Education, Grant used to
integrate dance and drama into Half Day School's reading/language arts curricula. $10,000

"Artist-in-Residence," Indiana State Board of Education, Grant used to bring artist to Monnett Elementary School. $10,000

"Minority Summer Residential Program," Purdue University,
Grant used for the School of Education to develop a summer residential program for minority students interested in becoming teachers. $20,000
 
 
 

RESEARCH INTEREST

Talent Development in the Performing Arts (writing in progress), book developed from dissertation research and interviews with Disney, Kings Production, and Six Flags performers and production staffs

Dissertation Research (quantitative and qualitative): My dissertation is entitled Determining the Best Variables for Predicting Success in Being Hired to Perform in Kings Island Amusement Park's Live Entertainment Shows and consisted of analyzing approximately one thousand audition forms at Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio, and doing a regression analysis to determine which factors most contributed to being selected as a performer in their live stage shows. The research also included interviews with performers and production staff.

 I have strong research interest in curriculum and curriculum integration, especially in the area of the arts and technology. I also have research interest in teacher evaluation and developing leadership skills in students.
 

HONORS AND AWARDS

Honorary Mention "Illinois Teacher of the Year"
Evanston School District 65's 1986-1987 "Teacher of the Year"
Who's Who in American Education
 

CERTIFICATIONS

Elementary Principal
Elementary Teacher
EMH Teacher
Gifted Teacher
Middle School Language Arts, Social Studies, and Reading Teacher
 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Nevada Association for the Gifted and Talented State Board Member
National Association of Elementary School Principals
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Phi Delta Kappa, Northwestern University
American Educational Research Association
Council for Exceptional Children
American Alliance for Theatre and Education
National Association for Gifted Children