they're done by a team of people.
Welda Simousek, Founder
Welda comes from a background of success: success in her educational experiences and training and in creating enthusiasm, team-building, and values in the educational process. She started out her educational career in a one-room school and believes that much of the philosophy of a one-room school should be carried into the future. She has taught at all grade levels, K-12, and at the university level. Welda is an author of three educational books.
Professional Experience
Gifted & Talented Coordinator,
Madison Metropolitan School District
Key Skills
Student-driven Differentiation
Social-Emotional Learning
Virginia Pickerell, Consultant
Virginia’s background includes teaching at an inner-city school, directing a county Head Start program, doing counseling work K-12, teaching at both public and private universities, starting several gifted and talented education programs, working as Title I District Coordinator and Title I parent liaison for an urban school district. In addition to creating a program, she has done the staff development for urban teacher training, and has been trained in systems-thinking.
Tom Childers, Consultant
Tom Childers has over 40 years of experience working in the education field. Tom started his career in the New York City school system. Tom moved from the classroom to administration and then into the field of consulting. Tom is currently based in New Jersey. Tom has worked with multiple school districts across the United States, Canada, and the Virgin Islands.
Beverly Winders, Consultant
Beverly has over 25 years of experience in the educational field, serving as an elementary level classroom teacher, specialist, literacy coach, mentor, principal, and administrator for public school systems in Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Colorado. She has also served as an adjunct professor in California, Colorado and Oregon. With a Master Degree in Reading and Literacy from the University of Colorado, Boulder, she is accomplished in the areas of literacy processes and interventions with English Language Arts. Beverly specializes in facilitating the development of professional learning communities within schools and districts, the implementation of Common Core State Standards and effective instructional practices based on data.
Articles
5 Questions to Examine for Revolutionizing Professional Development
As a classroom teacher I have endured many professional development days during a school year. Please note I used the word “endured” to describe my experience: professional development that was boring, irrelevant, repetitive, and, in [...]
A Twist Upon a Concept Map
I’ve often used a concept map with students (and teachers) to pre- and post-assess their knowledge of a topic. Usually, I just put up about four large chart paper sheets around the room, each having [...]
The Difference of Opinion Chip
“Oh, that’s stupid.” Or “That’s dumb.” Or, worse comments still. This is verbal bullying in the classroom. These types of comments keep some students afraid of offering answers in the classroom or participating in small [...]