Having worked as a teacher, administrator, college professor, and consultant, I have learned from all of the people with whom I have worked. Each opportunity has provided me with another set of ideas to share! I love to create new products based on the needs of the clients we serve. Every district is unique, and no two schools have ever done reform in quite the same way!

I am passionate about the work of EdFocus and our hands-on approach -- being in the schools with teachers and administrators, seeing what they encounter every day. It's so special to see educators have an “AH-HA moment,” when they do something they didn't know they could.  Seeing them feel empowered is great motivation for the work we do. The lasting friendships we've formed over the years are among the things I value the most.

One of my main focus areas is the teaching of math concepts. Given what the standards ask of students, it is critical that we teach for more than memorization of facts.  When EdFOCUS works with groups of teachers, we ask them “what is something you struggled to learn as a student?”  Without fail, most elementary teachers say they struggled with Math, and they don’t really like teaching Math.  Wow!  With that in the mix, working with teachers to build their confidence in teaching Math concepts is a BIG focus for us.  When we share released OST items and work through them, it is amazing to see the light go on for so many teachers as they see and understand the concepts involved. 

In addition, the focus on “Start – Change – Result” where problems are turned inside-out in terms of what students are asked to solve for, helps teachers see how to teach their students. In addition, students learn what to look for when solving problems as well as the importance of learning concepts and not memorizing facts.

One other big priority is in working with administrators when they observe teaching and debrief with teachers.  It is key that administrators know how to suggest strategies to teachers that yield the desired results in helping students understand concepts and master standards.  It is not about telling but about working through the concepts with students and drawing them into the learning using strategies to engage them.