Education

M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, 2007                                                                           
  • Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor MI
  • Thesis: The Influence of Track Placement on Students' Perceptions of Abilities
                                                           
                                                                                                                              
B.A. in Education, 1999 



Professional Technology Training

Completed Quality Matters Courses -- July 2016
  • Learned to use and apply the Quality Matters K-12 rubric to assess quality of online courses
  • Practiced using the QM K-12 Rubric in online class, focusing on alignment of standards, assessments, instructional materials, activities, and tools
4T Virtual Conference Lead Presenter Training, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor -- March-May, 2015
  • Learned and practiced techniques for producing and delivering high quality professional development in online webinar setting
  • Participated as a lead presenter using Blackboard Collaborate to deliver interactive and engaging webinar on "Backchanneling for Formative Assessment and More"
Michigan Virtual Schools, Lansing, MI  -- August - November, 2014
  • Completed training to earn certificate for teaching online
  • Began instructing courses in AP Psychology and Psychology using Apex and Blackboard Learning Management Systems
MACUL, Grand Rapids, MI - March 12-14, 2014
  • Attended The Chromebook Classroom pre-conference with John Sowash, focusing on Google Chrome, Google Drive, and Google Sites
  • Attended sessions on Digital Tools for Reading and Writing, Creating a Genius in Every Hour: 20Time in Education, iTunesU, Gadgets, Developing Student-Centered Learning Activities Using Camtasia, and more
Blended Learning in the Classroom, Jackson ISD - September-December, 2013
  • Participated in blended course to teach educators various methods for blending online elements into instruction
  • Created course materials for online and blended lessons
miGoogle Educators Conference, Brighton High School - November 4-5, 2013
  • Attended sessions on Chromebooks (and How to Manage Them), Connecting Students with Blogger, Collaboration isn't Cheating, and the Best Chrome Apps and Scripts 
  • Learned how to use Google Drive and Forms to create blended learning opportunities
  • Used Google Scripts to manage files and decrease paperwork

iBooks Author Hackathon, Wayne State University – June 18-19, 2013
  • Learned and practiced techniques for teachers to create their own textbooks using iBooks Author and iPads

Screencast Camp, TechSmith in Okemos, MI – August 2-4, 2013
  • Gained skills for using Camtasia and Snagit to create educational videos for courses

Connected Educator Un/Conference, Jackson ISD - April 20, 2013
  • Learned and applied techniques for Bring Your Own Device, Standards Based Grading, and iBooks Author

Flipped Classroom Training, Jackson ISD – June 12-13, 2012
  • Studied and implemented flipped lesson design for high school courses
  • Used Edmodo and iPad apps, like Explain Everything, to create course content instructional videos

Teaching and Learning Online, Jackson ISD – Summer, 2011
  • Learned pedagogical skills for teaching online or in a blended classroom, leading to the creation of the first completely online economics course at Jackson High School using Moodle