Home Resources Standards Inspiration About the Author
Personal Profile
About the Author
My passion is facilitating school reform in an effort to prepare our students for the 21st century while closing the achievement gap. Having a background in Business, I can identify with the need to prepare our students for the 21st century. The ability to communicate, collaborate, create, think critically and interact socially will be necessary to support our students in this global economy.
I have been teaching students from kindergarten to 11th grade for the past 25 years. Throughout my tenure, I have been involved with school reform on multiple levels. At the school site, I would identify problems and work to solve them. In the early 90’s, I assumed the role of technology mentor and wrote K-6 articulated technology curriculum that enhanced the integration and instruction of the state standards. My role was to support teachers that had never touched or turned on a computer and encourage them to begin infusing technology into their classroom instruction.
Other reform projects included working in an administrative capacity during the inaugural year of New Technology High School. Several systems needed to be developed and set into motion.
The past few years have been spent implementing a Federal Magnet Grant with the goal of implementing school reform while closing the achievement gap. As I am transitioning from this project, I have created a website that provides teachers with the support needed to maintain and enhance the arts integration program at Salvador Elementary School. I am currently pursuing a Magnet Coordinate Position for a newly funded grant in an effort to support continued school reform in 21st century instruction with the goal of closing the achievement gap.
My passion is facilitating school reform in an effort to prepare our students for the 21st century while closing the achievement gap. Having a background in Business, I can identify with the need to prepare our students for the 21st century. The ability to communicate, collaborate, create, think critically and interact socially will be necessary to support our students in this global economy.
I have been teaching students from kindergarten to 11th grade for the past 25 years. Throughout my tenure, I have been involved with school reform on multiple levels. At the school site, I would identify problems and work to solve them. In the early 90’s, I assumed the role of technology mentor and wrote K-6 articulated technology curriculum that enhanced the integration and instruction of the state standards. My role was to support teachers that had never touched or turned on a computer and encourage them to begin infusing technology into their classroom instruction.
Other reform projects included working in an administrative capacity during the inaugural year of New Technology High School. Several systems needed to be developed and set into motion.
The past few years have been spent implementing a Federal Magnet Grant with the goal of implementing school reform while closing the achievement gap. As I am transitioning from this project, I have created a website that provides teachers with the support needed to maintain and enhance the arts integration program at Salvador Elementary School. I am currently pursuing a Magnet Coordinate Position for a newly funded grant in an effort to support continued school reform in 21st century instruction with the goal of closing the achievement gap.
Reflections on the Project
As I reflect on this journey, I value my experiences at Salvador and the enhanced level of knowledge attained through the Touro Innovative Learning Program. I began the journey viewing my job as a task that needed completion, but now I view it as so much more.
Creativity and the arts are at the heart of the 21st century skills needed in the workplace today. Business leaders would agree that creativity is the basis of a successful company. Leaders from all sectors are now focused on educating and providing opportunities for creativity. IDEO is an innovation and design firm whose mission is to provide a designed-centered approach to businesses, education and other industries. 3M, Google and others give employees a day to focus solely on innovation.
Through dedicated research on the value of the arts and creativity in education, I view this area as the single most important focus in education. Students must have opportunities to develop the right-brain while engaging in communication, critical thinking and collaborative instruction integrated with core curriculum. Approaching education through the arts will engage students, increase creativity, and close the achievement gap.
Creativity and the arts are at the heart of the 21st century skills needed in the workplace today. Business leaders would agree that creativity is the basis of a successful company. Leaders from all sectors are now focused on educating and providing opportunities for creativity. IDEO is an innovation and design firm whose mission is to provide a designed-centered approach to businesses, education and other industries. 3M, Google and others give employees a day to focus solely on innovation.
Through dedicated research on the value of the arts and creativity in education, I view this area as the single most important focus in education. Students must have opportunities to develop the right-brain while engaging in communication, critical thinking and collaborative instruction integrated with core curriculum. Approaching education through the arts will engage students, increase creativity, and close the achievement gap.
Lasting Learnings from the Program
The Touro Program has provided inspiration and an elevated level of education for impacting innovation within Napa Valley Unified School District. Though I was moving forward and learning, the Innovative Learning Program has enhanced this process. Increased knowledge on innovative practices and technology integration provide the tools for continued efforts in reshaping education. Touro has also provided an opportunity to continue connecting with the educational community through the Learnovation Lab website.
Through this program, I have learned to continue initiating and supporting innovation in education. Risk taking with the possibility of failure is part of the equation when working on innovative projects. I am more willing to take risks and approach problems through a creative lens.
Through this program, I have learned to continue initiating and supporting innovation in education. Risk taking with the possibility of failure is part of the equation when working on innovative projects. I am more willing to take risks and approach problems through a creative lens.