PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Professional Development
I am a lifelong learner. Whether I am teaching a subject for years or have been asked to teach something new, I am always looking for ways to improve. In 2019, I was asked by school administration to teach computer coding. So, I took a series of workshops hosted by Code.org during the summer of 2019. In 2019, I became a Field Ambassador for the Field Museum. As a part of that program I completed a Action Research project on "Making Thinking Visible." I have participated twice in our school re-certification with AdvancEd. For three years, I conducted a STEM special with our school's elementary students. Overall, I have over 800 hours of professional development and continue to watch webinars and attend workshops during the pandemic.
I am a lifelong learner. Whether I am teaching a subject for years or have been asked to teach something new, I am always looking for ways to improve. In 2019, I was asked by school administration to teach computer coding. So, I took a series of workshops hosted by Code.org during the summer of 2019. In 2019, I became a Field Ambassador for the Field Museum. As a part of that program I completed a Action Research project on "Making Thinking Visible." I have participated twice in our school re-certification with AdvancEd. For three years, I conducted a STEM special with our school's elementary students. Overall, I have over 800 hours of professional development and continue to watch webinars and attend workshops during the pandemic.
My Publications
I experienced a time of unemployment from 2010 - 2013, during that time I wrote and/or published the following publications. Most were based on my graduate degree and/or my experience as a Catholic school teacher. As of 2021, I have sold hundreds of copies of the prayer and catechetical resources on Smashwords.
I experienced a time of unemployment from 2010 - 2013, during that time I wrote and/or published the following publications. Most were based on my graduate degree and/or my experience as a Catholic school teacher. As of 2021, I have sold hundreds of copies of the prayer and catechetical resources on Smashwords.
- Active Catechesis (ISBN 978-1-4659-6663-6) - When it comes to teaching religion, it is more than a subject—it is a way of life! This book is written for teachers who are seeking to delve deeper into catechesis than most religion textbooks guiding young disciples by creating an active learning environment.
- Evaluating a School Library Media Program (OCLC number 35578174) - Master’s project includes a set of lesson plans for the teacher and a set of exercises for students.
- Expression of Our Catholic Faith: Using Literature to Enrich Catechesis (ISBN 978-1-4657-2319-2) - This is a teacher-to-teacher resource for religious education that discusses how to use literature to enrich Catholic catechesis. Four books are analyzed in detail. This resource includes a select bibliography and a list of alternative assessments.
- Haggadah: A Christian Interpretation of a Jewish Tradition (ISBN 978-1-4581-8850-2) - For thousands of years our Jewish brothers and sisters have celebrated Passover. This holiday commemorates their Exodus from slavery. It's no coincidence Jesus chose the Passover meal for what the Church now celebrates as the Holy Mass and Eucharist. This book is a resource for teachers who wish to teach the deeper meanings of the Eucharist in history and scripture.
- Meditation Exercises for Classroom Prayer (ISBN 978-1-4580-3806-7) - This booklet contains a series of meditation exercises. The goal is to introduce middle school and junior high students to the method of prayer known as LECTIO DIVINA. In our everyday lives, we can forget to develop our friendship with God. In these prayer times we will focus on these ordinary times in order to see God in the day-to-day lives we lead.
- Prayer Services for the Catholic Classroom (ISBN 978-1-4581-9833-4) - This booklet is a sampling of some prayer services I used as a classroom teacher in Catholic schools.
- Praying the 12 Steps & Traditions of CoDA (ISBN 978-1-4581-2224-7) - This prayer book is presented as a guide to those seeking healing through prayer and meditation. Its format is based on the Roman Catholic tradition of the Liturgy of the Hours. This small guide is humbly submitted for those seeking a loving Higher Power and spiritual support in the 12-step journey to healthy and loving relationships.
- Praying the 12 Steps & Traditions of SIA (ISBN 978-1-4580-1591-4) - This prayer book is presented as a guide to those seeking healing through prayer and meditation. Its format is based on the Roman Catholic tradition of the Liturgy of the Hours. This small guide is humbly submitted for those seeking a loving Higher Power and spiritual support in the 12-step journey to healthy and courageous living.
- Praying With Poetry (ISBN 978-1-4657-5091-4) - Poetry is a form of literature that eludes definition. It is an art form that emerges from the pure human need to express oneself. By reading and reflecting on literature, such as poetry, the reader identifies and empathizes with the writer. The shared experience is similar to that of a group therapy situation. After all, there is nothing new under the sun.