"Learning should not be confined, extend it in all directions and let it take you new places."
Educational Experience
I have been in education for over twenty-five years. I had the wonderful experience working with four-year-old students at a local preschool for over ten years. During that time, I worked toward my degree in education.
While my primary focus has been on general fourth and fifth grade, as a classroom teacher, I have had the opportunity to work with the 2nd-5th grade summer school students for enrichment opportunities. I have also served as a Literacy and Social Studies Coach for grades K-5.
I have taught in a rural school setting for the majority of my career, but from 2014-2018, I worked in urban schools in Texas.
My previous position was Curriculum Director for grades 3-5 English Language Arts and Social Studies. In this position, I wrote curriculum and assessments with the support of a curriculum writing team in June. I worked deliberately to create an academic calendar with good pacing, and solid-research based best practices. I managed a group of instructional coaches throughout the state of Texas, including support of the cluster offices. I created and delivered professional development in the area of Literacy and Social Studies in this position. I evaluated programs for effectiveness and implementation. Finally, I evaluated data and make judgments about curriculum and assessment based on that analysis and campus visits.
I have served as a member of the Response to Intervention team in my school. I also served as a member of the district Professional Development Committee, including one year as district chairperson. I have also had the honor of leading five student teams to world finals as Odyssey of the Mind Sponsor and coach for our district. I have had experience writing and receiving grants for technology and field trips.
I love to share my passion of learning with the teachers and students. I want to engage them in learning strategies that will lead them to success in all areas of curriculum and life. I do not believe in a “sit and get” method of professional development. I like to share strategies and then have educators actually dive into the strategies.
My resume is available upon request.
Educational background
B.S. in Education from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Missouri.
M.S. in Education with a Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction from Capella University in Minnesota.
PhD in Leadership in Educational Administration, ABD from Capella University in Minnesota. Dissertation focus will be on data driven practices by students as implemented by school leader to improve school performance.
Professional Development
As educators, we should always continue to grow. This is a list of professional development I have been a part of to grow as an educator and as a leader for the past two years.
Personal Background
I am a mom of three, legal guardian of one, and a wife of 20 years. Our family includes my 22-year-old daughter who is a young working adult, my 19-year-old son who graduated on May 2018, my 17-year-old high school senior, and our 12-year-old nephew. Joining our family, on September 1, 2017, was our first grand-baby, Isabella Jayne and on July 25, 2018 her sister Violet Marie. We have two doxies, who have been a part of our family approximately ten years and a two-year-old Chiweenie. We spend our weekends with family. We like hiking, camping, and exploring. I enjoy creating new curriculum, reading, and watching old movies in my spare time.
We purchased some property and relocated back home to Missouri to be close to our family. We are excited to start our new adventures. We have had 10 chicks join our family and we are excited about the process of creating our mini-farm.
My consulting name is BellaVi for my two beautiful granddaughters - Isabella and Violet. The goal of my consulting company is simple, to support educators in high impact instructional practices through training and coaching. I have a focus on rural schools , but support great educators everywhere. Good teaching practices are just smart practices to share globally to improve education.
I have been in education for over twenty-five years. I had the wonderful experience working with four-year-old students at a local preschool for over ten years. During that time, I worked toward my degree in education.
While my primary focus has been on general fourth and fifth grade, as a classroom teacher, I have had the opportunity to work with the 2nd-5th grade summer school students for enrichment opportunities. I have also served as a Literacy and Social Studies Coach for grades K-5.
I have taught in a rural school setting for the majority of my career, but from 2014-2018, I worked in urban schools in Texas.
My previous position was Curriculum Director for grades 3-5 English Language Arts and Social Studies. In this position, I wrote curriculum and assessments with the support of a curriculum writing team in June. I worked deliberately to create an academic calendar with good pacing, and solid-research based best practices. I managed a group of instructional coaches throughout the state of Texas, including support of the cluster offices. I created and delivered professional development in the area of Literacy and Social Studies in this position. I evaluated programs for effectiveness and implementation. Finally, I evaluated data and make judgments about curriculum and assessment based on that analysis and campus visits.
I have served as a member of the Response to Intervention team in my school. I also served as a member of the district Professional Development Committee, including one year as district chairperson. I have also had the honor of leading five student teams to world finals as Odyssey of the Mind Sponsor and coach for our district. I have had experience writing and receiving grants for technology and field trips.
I love to share my passion of learning with the teachers and students. I want to engage them in learning strategies that will lead them to success in all areas of curriculum and life. I do not believe in a “sit and get” method of professional development. I like to share strategies and then have educators actually dive into the strategies.
My resume is available upon request.
Educational background
B.S. in Education from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Missouri.
M.S. in Education with a Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction from Capella University in Minnesota.
PhD in Leadership in Educational Administration, ABD from Capella University in Minnesota. Dissertation focus will be on data driven practices by students as implemented by school leader to improve school performance.
Professional Development
As educators, we should always continue to grow. This is a list of professional development I have been a part of to grow as an educator and as a leader for the past two years.
- 2018-2019 - Harris County Department of Education Literacy Leadership Cohort
- July 2018 - International Literacy Association Conference, 3 days
- July 2018 - National Charter School Conference, 3 days
- July 2018 - Literacy Summit HMH
- April 2018 - TASA Curriculum Management Plan, 2 days
- February 2018 - TASA CMAT Training(Curriculum Management and Auditing Training), 3 days
- November 2017 - ASCD Instructional Rounds Training, 3 days
- 2017- 2018 - Harris County Department of Education Literacy Leadership Cohort
- October 2017- Texas Charter School Association Conference
- July- 2017 - Harmony Leadership Summit, with training by Peter DeWitt, 4 days
- June 2017 - TCEA Tots and Technology Conference, Attended and presented
- March 2017- Visible Learning Training by Peter DeWitt
- February 2017 - TCEA Annual Convention & Exposition
- February 2017 - Jim Knight Coaching Model Training
- February 2017 - NWEA Map Conference
- 2016-2017 - Harris County Department of Education Literacy Leadership Cohort
- November 2016- Reading and Writing Conference, Region 4
- October 2016 - Grammar and Writing Development Through the Year and for STAAR
- October 2016- Texas Charter School Association Conference
Personal Background
I am a mom of three, legal guardian of one, and a wife of 20 years. Our family includes my 22-year-old daughter who is a young working adult, my 19-year-old son who graduated on May 2018, my 17-year-old high school senior, and our 12-year-old nephew. Joining our family, on September 1, 2017, was our first grand-baby, Isabella Jayne and on July 25, 2018 her sister Violet Marie. We have two doxies, who have been a part of our family approximately ten years and a two-year-old Chiweenie. We spend our weekends with family. We like hiking, camping, and exploring. I enjoy creating new curriculum, reading, and watching old movies in my spare time.
We purchased some property and relocated back home to Missouri to be close to our family. We are excited to start our new adventures. We have had 10 chicks join our family and we are excited about the process of creating our mini-farm.
My consulting name is BellaVi for my two beautiful granddaughters - Isabella and Violet. The goal of my consulting company is simple, to support educators in high impact instructional practices through training and coaching. I have a focus on rural schools , but support great educators everywhere. Good teaching practices are just smart practices to share globally to improve education.
