Introductions

=Introductions=

Please take time before we begin class to introduce yourselves to one another. You may select "edit" above and write your name followed by a few sentences. Then hit "save."

Hi, My name is Lindsey Cafarella. I teach at Peachtree Ridge High in Gwinnett County and am going into my 5th year. I hope to use my PhD in teaching and learning to design social studies curriculum, particularly for students who struggle in traditional environments. I am excited to learn about curriculum design and to learn from you! Hi, My name is Nakia Salam. I currently teach math at Pebblebrook High School in Cobb County. I am in my third year of teaching, so I am very "new". The implementation of the recent curriculum (GPS) has increased my interest in curriculum design and implementation. I hope to learn as much as possible from all of you over the next 6-7 weeks.

Hi Everyone,

I am Isaac Gitonga. Curently teaching Mathematics at Marist School in Atlanta, GA. I have been teaching Mathematics & Physics for the last 20 yrs, 10 of which have been at my current school. I am in my 2nd year of a PhD program in the MSIT departments (Mathematics Education). I believe in being informed about Curriculum and the powers that infuence decisions made in designing and implementing curiculum. I am looking forward to coming out of this course as a well informed student on curriculum issues.

Thanks Isaac

Hey,

I am David Alexander. I was a French, German, & TAG teacher before transitioning into my current position as the assistant administrator (teacher on administrative assignment) at Centennial High School. Curriculum is at the heart of so much of what we do in education, and I am looking forward to using this course as a vehicle to broaden and to deepen my understanding of curriculum. Best regards, David Alexander

Hi Everyone, My name is Margaret Guernsey. I currently work as a technology integration specialist in private K-12 school. Prior to this job I worked in the Atlanta Public Schools teaching 5th grade and 3rd grade. I am pursuing my master's degree in Instructional Design and Technology so this class is a requirement, but also something that I am very interested in pursuing. At my school I work very closely with the Coordinator of Instruction and Studies, who focuses on curriculum design and implementation. I believe that technology can not be successfully integrated into lessons/units/etc unless there is a solid foundation and purpose for using technology; therefore, I believe having a structured curriculum makes integrating technology more meaningful and easier. With that being said, I am hoping to strengthen my knowledge of curriculum design through this class and acquire some new tools to take back to school and begin using at the beginning of next school year. I look forward to working with and getting to know you over the summer. Margaret

Hi, I am Lee Nicholson. I teach Computer Science at Independence High School in Fulton Couty and I am the CTE Dept. Chair. I just completed my 5th year of teaching. I really enjoy the alternative education setting and love to have the opportunity to help teenagers who haven't been successful with school to this point. Best regards, Lee

Hey, I am Kathy Everett and I teach at New Prospect Elementary School. I currently team-teach and also teach resource as a special education teacher. My heart and soul is in special education. My goal is to use whatever strategies I can think of or learn about to help all children learn to their full potential. Having never taken an "on-line" course before, I am somewhat apprehensive but excited about this class. Kathy

Hi, I'm Lynn Johnson and I am currently the Assistant Principal at Mimosa Elementary in Roswell. Recently, I was selected as the new princial at Mimosa as our current principal is retiring. I am looking forward to digging into curriculum because assistant principals at the elementary level (at least in Fulton County) don't get the opportunity to work with curriculum very much! I loved teaching, and talking about teaching, so this should be a great class! Lynn

Hello, My name is Nick Cassidy. I am just finishing my second year as an Assistant Principal at Spalding Drive Charter Elementary in Fulton County. I taught middle school social studies for 5 years prior at Haynes Bridge Middle. With so much emphasis placed on what is being taught and how schools are being held accountable, I think all administrators need to have a firm grasp on curriculum. As Lynn stated, elementary APs usually don't have much time to work with curriculum, but it is something that I need to learn if I move into a middle school position or feel the need to move into a principalship like my idol...Lynn Johnson. -Nick

My name is Jamie Fergerson. I am jointly enrolled in both the Social Foundations of Education and Womens Studies graduate programs. My research interests lie generally in the educational policy arena, and I am specifically interested in the experiences of LGBTQ families within public school systems. I'm looking forward to learning more about how choosing and implementing curriculum can affect the school environment. I have never worked in the public school system, but I have worked in non-profit and community-based youth programs for nine years.

Hello everyone, My name is Cheryl Lico and I teach math, grades 1-5, at Mimosa Elementary in Fulton County. I have experience with curriculum development and implementation at a district and school level. I look forward to learning more about curriculum through an instructional leader lense.

Hey everyone! My name is Jackie Hennings, and I am a high school math teacher at Woodland High in Henry County. My research interest is the challenges mathematics teachers are facing trying to implement the new Georgia Performance Standards. I have been teaching for 7 years and have gone through the new curriculum (Math I and Math II) these past two years. I hope to gain some valuable information about curriculum from this course, even though it is online and I would rather be in a classroom. I hope this will be an interesting class! I am looking forward to learning from you all!

Hello,

My name is Opie Blackwell. I teach English--mostly survey courses--at Alpharetta High school in Fulton County. I also run the journalism program with sophomores, juniors, and senior students in one of three journalism courses. I have been teaching for four years, all of which I have done here in Fulton County right after having moved here from Boulder, Colorado. Like many of my colleagues, I am excited about this course and tackling curriculum, especially from the lens of a school building leader. --Opie

Hello,

My name is Syreeta McTier. I just completed my first year as an Assistant Principal at Robert Shaw Elementary School in DeKalb County. I taught elementary school for 6 years prior to becoming an administrator. I loved teaching young children life principles and content. I have observed that the focus of schooling has shifted to accountability and some valuable learning experiences have been lost. I am interested in revisiting the purpose of curriculum and how it is communicated in the school environment by teachers and administrators. -Syreeta

My name is Kaylee McVeigh. I teach third grade at Birney Elementary School, and I have been at this school in Cobb County for all three years of my teaching experience. This is my final semester in Social Foundations of Education, and I am very interested in curriculum in relation to culturally relevant pedagogy.

Greetings!!! My name is Andrea Smith and I am an elementary school teacher. I am in the Social Foundations of Education program. I absolutely love education and am extremely passionate about alleviating inequities in education and hope that this course will provide me with more experience so that I can use the knowledge gained to affect change in our nation's schools.

Hey. I'm Caroline Jernigan and I teach high school social studies at Carver Early College high school. Next year will be my sixth year at Carver and I currently teach US History and Economics. I am also the varsity girl's soccer coach. At GSU, I am working on my doctorate in Teaching and Learning Social Studies. I would like to eventually train social studies teachers in curriculum and instruction and thought this class would be beneficial in strengthening my design skills.

Hello, My name is Gaurav Bhatia and I work at Georgia State University. I write newsletters, update a website, and perform administrative task for a program called After-School All-Stars. I am currently majoring in the Master of Science program in Social Foundations of Education. My interests are in reforming education to promote project-based learning and working with college students to get them involved in extracurricular activities. -Gaurav

Hello,

My name is Brett Hardin and I teach economics and US History at the Paideia School. I have also taught at North Atlanta High School and Campbell. Like Caroline I am working on my doctorate in Teaching and Learning Social Studies. I have also worked some with the Georgia Council on Economic Education with provides materials and workshops for K-12 economics teachers. I have a strong interest in how curriculum is designed and how teachers are adjusting to the GPS - especially veteran teachers.

Hello, My name is Christina Miller and I am currently the ESOL Coordinator at Meadowcreek HS in Gwinnett County. I have been a teacher here for about 7 years now, and will continue a dual role as coordinator and teacher. However, I am hoping to take on a position as an Assistant Principal.

Hello, My name is Monishae O'Neill. I am the Director of Literacy, Social Studies & World Languages in Atlanta Public Schools. I support, develop, evaluate, and guide the implementation of several curricular resources for the district and want to learn as much as I can that will help me with my work. I am towards the end of my coursework on my way to earning a doctorate in MSIT - Literacy and Language :-). On a personal note, I have 3 children under 3 - a 2 1/2 year old boy and 1 year old twin girls!