CURRICULUM VITA
JANE M. GANGI, PH.D.
60 WHIPPOORWILL ROAD BETHEL, CT 06801 203-791-0181
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
EMAIL: gangij@mville.edu WORK PHONE: 914-798-2713
EDUCATION
1990-1995
Ph.D., New York University,
School of Education, New York, NY
Department of Culture and
Communication
1988-1989 Courses in Gifted Education: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT;
Sacred Heart University,
Fairfield, CT; Western
Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT
1980-1981 Connecticut College, New London, CT
Teacher certification, English, grades 7-12
1974 M.A., Northwestern University, School of Speech, Evanston, IL
Concentration in Educational Theatre
1968-1971 B.A., Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO
Major: Fine Arts with Drama Concentration
Completed all course work for elementary certification except student teaching
HONORS AND AWARDS
2004 Faculty Scholarship Award, Sacred Heart University
Nominated for the Final Four Award for outstanding teaching
2003 Teaching Excellence Award, Sacred Heart University
2002 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2002, 7th ed.
nominated by Sacred Heart University students
Awarded sabbatical for the fall semester
2001 Awarded tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, Sacred Heart University
“Unsung Professor Award,” Sacred Heart University
1992 School of Education scholarship, New York University
1970 Drama scholarship, Colorado College
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: HIGHER EDUCATION
2005 Associate Professor, Manhattanville College, School of Education Literacy Program
Courses:
Methods I
Emergent Literacy
Literacy Development in Grades 3-6
1995-2005 Associate Professor, Department of Education, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT
Director,
Teaching Opportunities for Paraprofessionals Program (TOP), a program for
future
teachers of color (1997-2001)
Courses Taught:
Adolescent Literature Seminar in Historical
Literature
Children’s Literature Education in the United States
Creative Drama in the Classroom Education of Special Needs
Storytelling Early
Childhood Literature and Oral Tradition
Creative Play, Movement and the Arts Observation and Case Studies of Learners
Master’s Projects Models
and Methods in Early Childhood Programs
Role of the Teacher Developmental
Reading in the Middle Grades
Guided Independent Studies in an Opera Project and
Teaching Theatre Arts at the Secondary Level.
Supervised master's degree projects and capstone courses.
Curriculum Development
In consultation with over a dozen experts,
developed a Children’s Literature Bibliography designed to help teachers as
readers and as curriculum planners.
This 120-page bibliography, infused with multicultural literature, is
posted at http://faculty.sacredheart.edu/gangij.
To fulfill the state requirement of six reading
credits for preservice teachers, incorporated Connecticut’s Blueprint for Reading Achievement into Children’s
Literature, devising a document for students on children’s literature and the
teaching of reading.
Connecticut
Literacy Specialist Program (CLASP).
Successfully solicited small publishers of multicultural literature for
contributions to our “designated” space.
Another university asked to use this collection, which I continue to
develop, in the summer of 2004.
Wrote a 36-credit master's degree program, Artistry in Teaching (1995-1997). Collaborated with Dr. Mark Child on the
design, philosophy and rationale.
Gained endorsements for the program from:
Maxine
Greene, Professor Emerita, Columbia University
Mihaly
Csikszentmihalyi, Professor of Human Development, University of Chicago
Developed Landscapes of Schooling, a
dramatic event that brings together passages from international and
multicultural literature on schools and schooling, including the work of
Richard Wright, Nicholasa Mohr, W.E.B. DuBois, Seamus Deane, and Belinda
Acosta. Through readers theater, oral
interpretation, and acting, participants gain insight into the schooling
experience.
Developed new certification and master’s degree
courses: Storytelling, Creative Drama
in the Classroom, and Observation and Case Studies of Learners. Revised existing courses by adding Service
Learning component to Education in the United States and Education of Special
Needs. Collaborated with Rebecca
Abbott, professor of Media Studies, to offer Special Topics in Media. Redesigned foundations courses to include
the performative aspects of teaching.
Have contributed to restructuring the master’s degree program.
Focusing on model programs, made connections for
Sacred Heart students to carry out field work in the K-12 schools in innovative
programs such as the following: Full
Option Science System (FOSS); a Higher Order Thinking Skills through the Arts
program (HOT School); the Community of Teachers Learning (COTL); a Comer-Zigler
magnet school (COZI); a Waldorf School; "The Reading Room" in the
Comer School Development Essentials of Literacy project; a Reggio Emilia
school; and, Connections, an art and literacy program.
Departmental
Responsibilities:
Collaborated with the department for NCATE
preparation. Collaborated with
department members for the 1998, 2003, and 2005 Connecticut State Department of
Education and Department of Higher Education accreditations; in both
accreditations, received special recognition in the acknowledgements from the
author of the self-studies. The
Connecticut State Department of Education awarded the department marks of
distinction in the area of articulation with other instructional departments,
calling “laudatory” my collaboration with Arts and Sciences professors. Since 2000, have piloted every semester
materials (syllabi, rubrics, performance criteria) that give evidence of
performance-based outcomes as guided by NCATE Program Standards, and Connecticut’s Common Core of Teaching
(CCCT); these materials are shared with others, including adjunct faculty, in
the department.
Contributed to the design of Project TEACH, a
program for pre-service teachers of color.
Wrote proposals, assembled and met periodically with an advisory board
of educators of color.
Prepared, and continue to update, Guidebook to the Department of Education at
Sacred Heart University for new administration and faculty and Career Search to help students find
employment.
Service to
the Department of Education at Sacred Heart University:
Coordinator Children’s Literature (coordinators work with adjunct faculty to maintain consistency in addressing Connecticut’s Common Core of Teaching standards)
Co-coordinator Education in the United States (until 2005)
Co-coordinator Elementary Methods and Curriculum: Social Studies, Health, and Physical Education
Liaison Library (1998-present)
Member Advisement Committee
Member Field Experience Committee
(2003, secretary)
Member Curriculum
Committee (1996-1998; 2000-2003, secretary in 2003)
Member NCATE
Planning Committee (2003-present)
Chair Self-Study Task, General Requirements, including beginning to develop a conceptual framework (2001-2002)
Coordinator Upward Bound Education Department Work Studies (2002-present)
Team leader Course Competency Review Team for Children’s Literature (2001-2002)
Team leader Course Competency Review Team for Education in the United States (2001-2002)
Team leader Course Competency Review Team for Elementary Methods of Teaching Social Studies, Health, and Physical Education (2001-2002)
Member Search Committee (1996, 1999, 2002, Chair in 2005)
Member Self-Study Task, Facilities (2001-2002)
Chair Catalogue Committee
(1995-1997)
Chair M.A.T. Revisions
(1999-2000)
Chair Waiver Committee for
Observation and Case Study course (1996-1998)
Member Workgroup for the 2003
Competencies (1999-2000)
Member Standards Committee (1997-1999,
2003)
Member Revision of Plans of Study
Committee (1997-1998)
Member Sacred Heart University
Department of Education Advisory Board (1997-1998)
Member Project TEACH Advisory Board
(1996-1997)
Member Admission Review (1995-1999,
2003)
Member Early Childhood Education
Program Committee (1997-1998)
Member GPA Waiver Committee
(1995-1997); Secretary (1995-1996)
Member Scheduling Committee (1995-1996)
Mentor New faculty (1996-1998;
2002-present)
Service to
Sacred Heart University:
Chair Sabbatical Committee (2005)
Member Focus Group on Faculty Diversity
(2005)
Member Academic Integrity Committee
(2003-present)
Member Endowed Scholarship Committee
(2000-present)
Member Teaching Excellence Award Committee
(2004)
Member Faculty Development Committee
(2000-2002)
Senator Faculty Senate (1996-2000)
Member Faculty Senate Steering Committee
(1998-2000)
Member Faculty Senate Faculty Affairs
Committee (1997-1998)
Member Faculty Senate Subcommittee on
Rank and Tenure (1998-1999)
Member Faculty Forum on Mission and
Identity (1998-2000)
Member Search Committee for the Dean of
the College of Education and Health
Professions
(1996-1997)
Member Enrollment Planning Council
Survey (1997)
Member Academics for Creative Teaching
(1996-1998)
Panelist New
faculty orientation (1996, 1997)
Advisement:
Since 1997, advising load ranged from 100-150 students. Initiated and developed a Group Advisement
procedure for incoming initial certification graduate students
(1996-1998). Regularly attend Majors
Fairs and Open Houses. Make connections
for students with the professional world, for example: one Haitian student published a book review
in MultiCultural Review and another
student’s children’s book is under consideration by a publisher.
1990-1995 Western Connecticut State
University, Danbury, CT
Adjunct Lecturer, Department of
Communication and Theatre Arts. Taught
courses in Oral Interpretation, Interpersonal Communication, and Decision Making
in Groups. Initiated, produced, and
directed An Evening of Oral
Interpretation, Spring and Fall, 1993.
1990-1991 Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
Adjunct
Lecturer, Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions. Taught Creative Drama
for the Classroom Teacher. Developed course in Storytelling.
1978-1981 Connecticut College, New London, CT
Adjunct
Lecturer, Department of Education.
Taught graduate courses in Creative Drama for the
Classroom Teacher and Creative Arts in the
Classroom. For Summerscene, taught an
Acting Workshop for
high school
students and directed and toured The
Chalk Garden.
PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE: PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS
1988-1989 Bethel Middle School, Bethel Public
Schools, Bethel, CT
Teacher, the intellectually gifted
program, grades 6-8. Offered daily
enrichment programs to all students.
Initiated: Literary Journal; Storytelling program
(as part of community service component); Junior Great Books program;
Mathcounts program (through teacher exchange); participation at the Connecticut
Student Performing Arts Festival (coached students from the district's five
schools); and, mentorships for interested students.
1979-1982 Melissa Jones Elementary School and
Guilford Lakes Elementary School, Guilford Public Schools,
Guilford,
CT
Teacher, drama
program, grades 1-5. Integrated drama
with the language arts and social studies curricula. Often collaborated with music and art
teachers on interdisciplinary arts projects.
1976-1983 The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center,
Creative Arts in Education Program, Waterford, CT
Artist-in-the-classroom for seven
years and Assistant Director for one year.
Presented drama and writing programs in grades K-12 throughout the state
in public and private schools, often with special populations (mentally
retarded, emotional disorders, juvenile offenders). Participated in leading the United States Department of Education
Office of Basic Skills Improvement Project Volunteer Artists. Frequently conducted in-service professional
development for teachers.
1979-1980 New London High School, New London,
CT Directed Cheaper by the Dozen, Up the
Down Staircase, and The Skin of Our
Teeth.
1978-1980 Waterford Country School, Waterford,
CT
Residential
school for children with emotional and behavioral disorders, grades 3-12. Offered drama and storytelling
workshops, first as a volunteer, then as a paid consultant.
1973-1975 Hartford Board of Education,
Homebound Instruction, Hartford, CT
Tutor, students
with special needs, grades 1-12.
1972 St. Monica's Day Care
Center, Hartford, CT
Teacher, 3-5
year olds.
1971 Connecticut Institute for
the Blind, Hartford, CT
Teacher's Aide,
children with dual impairments and multiple disabilities.
1971 Colorado Springs Opera
Association, Colorado Springs, CO
Co-teacher,
summer creative dramatics class for 13 children who performed in Igor
Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat.
1970 Colorado College,
Colorado Springs, CO
Teacher assistant,
creative dramatics class, 12-13 year olds.
PUBLICATIONS
Books
2005 Gangi, J.M. (in-process).
One blood: A story of the Civil Rights era.
A novel for
middle grade readers.
2004 Gangi, J. M. Encountering children's
literature: An arts approach. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Book
Chapters
2000 Gangi, J. M. & Taylor, R. D. Reading dramatic texts in the electronic age: Modes of response. In H. Nicholson (Ed.), Teaching
drama 11-16. London and New York:
Continuum.
1998 Gangi, J. M. Making
sense of drama in an electronic age. In
D. Hornbrook (Ed.), On the subject of
drama. London: Routledge.
London Times
Education Supplement (12 June 1998):
“Jane Gangi’s chapter…should be required reading for those who think of
drama as a dispensable extra.”
Refereed Articles
2005 Gangi, J.M. (accepted). Inclusive aesthetics and social
justice: The vanguard of small,
multicultural presses. Children’s Literature Association Quarterly.
Gangi, J.M. (submitted). Childhood readers of the classics: A biographical account.
National Council of Teachers of English: Women in Literature and Life Assembly Journal (WILLA).
2004 Scroggins, M. J. & Gangi, J. M. Paul Laurence Who? Invisibility and
misrepresentation in children’s literature
and reading and language arts textbooks. MultiCultural Review, 13.3, pp. 34-43.
2000 Gangi, J. M. Barbara Reed: Visionary
storyteller and dramatist. Stage of the Art, 2.4, pp. 19-23.
1999 Gangi, J. M. First year teacher:
Remembering Mrs. Callahan. Teaching K-8. September, pp. 62-63.
1998
Gangi, J. M. Philosophical perspectives on dramatic
art. Youth Theatre Journal, 12,
pp. 75-83.
1990 Gangi, J. M. Higher level thinking skills through drama. Gifted
Child Today, 13, pp. 16-19.
Book
Reviews
2005 Gangi, J.M. . In the eyes of the
beholder: Critical issues for diversity
in gifted education, Diane Boothe and Julian
C. Stanley, eds. MultiCultural Review, (Spring),
p. 83.
2004 Gangi, J.M. Walking the road: Race,
diversity, and social justice by Marilyn Cochran-Smith. MultiCultural
Review, 13.4, p. 74.
Monograph
1999 Gangi, J. M. A
capacity to see: Memories of Aurand
Harris. In O. Corey (Ed.), Aurand Harris remembered: A monograph celebrating America's giant
playwright for little people. New
Orleans, LA.: Anchorage Press.
Newsletter
2004 Gangi, J.M. New residencies in the CSC Schools Programs: A timely and important addition.
HearSay: The Newsletter of the
Connecticut Storytelling Center, Summer.
(http://www.connstorycenter.org/hearsay.html)
Reprint
2004 Gangi, J.M. New residencies in the CSC Schools Programs: A timely and important addition. The Museletter:
A Project of LANES, the League for the Advancement of New England
Storytelling, 16.4 (October).
Dissertation
1995 Gangi, J. M. An
examination of interpretive discourse in selected theories of media ecology and
educational theatre. New York
University. UMI #: 9528289.
Curriculum
materials
1980 Gangi, J. M. Mime lean and six chairs.
Waterford, CT: Croft-Nei Publications/Prentice-Hall.
1979 Gangi, J. M. Adverb pantomime.
Waterford, CT: Croft-Nei Publications/Prentice-Hall.
1978 Gangi, J. M. Department store.
Waterford, CT: Croft-Nei Publications/Prentice-Hall.
1977 Gangi, J. M. Ingenuity. Waterford, CT:
Croft-Nei Publications/Prentice-Hall.
General
The following reflect
educational advocacy on behalf of children:
1999 Gangi, J. M. Bethel's children deserve a 'yes' vote. (May 7). The Bethel Beacon.
1998 Gangi, J. M. Slashing education has harsh results. (May 22). The Bethel Beacon.
1997 Gangi, J. M. Challenges critic of teachers to 'shadow.' (November 25). The Bethel Beacon.
1996 Gangi, J. M. Appreciates efforts to teach Bethel children. (November 1). The News-Times and
The Bethel Beacon.
1994 Gangi, J. M. Continuing concern about pre-1 program. (May). Bethel Home News.
1993 Gangi, J. M., & Ackerman, C. Handbook
for Parent Leaders of the Junior Great Books Program in the Bethel Public Schools. Bethel Public Schools.
1992 Gangi, J. M. Library has information on pre-one. (June 26). Bethel Home News.
1991 Gangi, J. M. Studies question use of pre-1 programs. (April 24). Bethel Home News.
1990 Gangi, J. M. A look at pre-1 program.
(May 2). Bethel Home News, pp. 4A-5A.
1987 Gangi, J. M. We're pushing our children.
(November 29). The North Jersey Herald and News.
2005 Gangi, J.M. “Laurie
Brooks’s Devon’s Hurt: Enactment as
Transformation.” Children’s Literature
Association’s 32st Annual Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Gangi, J.M., & Peloso J.M. “Storytelling: An Ancient Art for Contemporary Reading Instruction.” International Reading Association 50th Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX.
Gangi, J.M.
Leader of Festival Opening Panel, with Pam Muñoz Ryan, Brian Selznick,
James Ransome, Lesa Cline-Ransome, and Linda Sue Park. “The Many Faces of Children’s
Literature.” Fifth Annual Rabbit Hill
Festival of Children’s Literature, Westport, CT. Because she had created a
collage response to Park’s The Kite Fighters, Catherine Haist, a Sacred Heart
University graduate student, asked several questions to Park during this panel.
Gangi, J. M. “Reading Achievement, the Arts, and
Multicultural Literature.” New England
Reading Association Conference, Nashua, NH.
Gangi, J.M.
“Gold Mines of the West: Small
Presses.” Children’s Literature Association’s 31st Annual
Conference, “Dreams and Visions,” Fresno, CA.
Gangi, J. M. “The Arts and Multicultural Literature: Critical Components of Evidence-based Comprehensive Reading Instruction.” International Reading Association 49th Annual Convention,
Reno, NV.
2003 Gangi, J. M. “Active Learning as Part of Comprehensive, Multicultural, and Evidence-based Reading Instruction.” 52nd Annual Connecticut Reading Association Conference, Literacy Makes the Difference: Teach…Reach…Lead!, Cromwell, CT.
Gangi, J. M., Esposito, M.,
Hallowell, A. and Hutchinson, A. “An
Arts Approach to Sharing Newly Published Multicultural Literature.” 8th
Annual Connecticut Conference on Multicultural Education, Farmington, CT. Co-presenters were SHU graduates and
graduate students.
Gangi, J.M. “Arts Approaches to Multicultural Literature: Opening Up Possibilities for Children, Teaching Them to Read, and Meeting NCATE, IRA, and NCTE Standards.” Children’s Literature Association Annual Conference, “Of Rainbows and Dream-Catchers: The Diversity of Childhood,” El Paso, TX.
Gangi, J. M. “Exploring Storytelling through Creative Dramatics. Or, Vice Versa.” Connecticut Storytelling Festival, Connecticut College, New London, CT.
Libby, L.A., Gangi, J.M., & Giarratano, M. “Getting Serious about Follow-Up Data to Improve Elementary Teacher Education.” American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education 55th Annual Meeting and Exhibits, “The Future of Our Profession: Transcending Traditional Boundaries,” New Orleans, LA.
2002 Gangi, J. M. “Forty Years After Civil Rights: A Look at Ethnicity in Children’s Literature.” Bucknell University Conference, “Color, Hair, and Bone—The Persistence of Race in the 21st Century,”
Lewisburg, PA.
Gangi, J. M. “Landscapes of Schooling: An Interpretive Event.” Children’s Literature Association Annual Conference, “Education in Children’s Literature,” Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Gangi, J. M. “An Arts Approach to Children’s Literature: Addressing Standards for Diversity, English Language Arts and the Arts.” American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education 54th Annual Meeting and Exhibits, “Accountability in Teacher Education: Expanding the Concept,” New York, NY.
2001 Gangi, J. M.
"Service Learning in Educational Foundations Courses: Developing Reflective Practitioners, Writing
Across the Curriculum, and More."
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Annual Meeting,
"Caring, Competent Educators: A
Common Goal, A Shared Responsibility," Dallas, TX.
2000
Gangi,
J. M., Alpert, A., Shapiro, A, & Carrom, M. "Storytelling and Reading:
What Happens When Children Become Storytellers?" Connecticut Reading Association's 49th
Annual Reading Conference, "Literacy:
Legacy for a Lifetime," Waterbury, CT. Carrom was a Sacred Heart
University graduate student.
Gangi, J. M., Lescoe, B., Parker, J., &
Joaquin, J. “Service Learning in
Educational Foundations Courses:
Developing Reflective Practitioners, Writing Across the Curriculum, and
More.” Connecticut Campus Compact and
Connecticut Department of Higher Education Third Annual State Conference,
“Linking Learning and Civic Engagement to the 21st Century,” Sacred
Heart University, Fairfield, CT. Lescoe, Parker and Joaquin were Sacred Heart
University undergraduates.
Gangi, J. M.
"Dramatic Art and Reading:
Two for the Price of One."
International Reading Association's 45th Annual Convention,
"Reading the New World," Indianapolis, IN.
1999 Gangi, J. M., Hurley, C., Oseff, D., & Ronner, S. "Undergraduates Improve Reading: Junior Great Books as a Service Learning
Project in an Urban School." "Literacy for the Next Millennium,"
Connecticut Reading Association's 48th Annual Reading Conference, Waterbury,
CT. Hurley,
Oseff, and Ronner were SHU undergraduates.
Gangi, J. M.
"Women in Educational Leadership:
A Panel." Women's
Leadership Conference, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT.
1998 Gangi, J. M., Metcalf, S., & Niestemksi, M. "Extending the Extensions: How a Course in Children's Literature
Promotes Active Learning for Diverse Schools." Connecticut Reading Association, Waterbury, CT. Metcalf
and Niestemski were SHU graduate students.
Gangi, J. M., & Kempton, L. K. "Literature for Girls: Can They Read Brontë Now?" Women's Leadership Conference, Sacred Heart
University, Fairfield, CT.
1997 Gangi, J. M., & Juliano, J. "Making Sense of Drama in an Electronic Age." American Alliance for Theatre in Education
conference, Charlotte, NC.
Gangi, J. M.
"Media in the 90s: An
Archaeological Dig." Women's
Leadership Conference, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT.
1996 Gangi, J. M., & Collins, M. "Education Perspectives, Dragon-Fly Dynamics and
Multi-Dimensional Thinking Techniques:
The Place of Drama in School Reform." American Alliance for Theatre in Education conference, New York,
NY.
1994 Gangi, J. M., Rucker, B.. & Miller, L. Brer
Tiger and the Big Wind.
Make-A-Play-In-A-Day. Connecticut
Student Performing Arts Festival, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT. Rucker
was a WCSU undergraduate.
1993 Gangi, J. M., Glynn, C., & Hoyt, K. Make-A-Play-In-A-Day. Connecticut Student Performing Arts
Festival, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT.
Hoyt was a WCSU undergraduate.
1992 Performance host. Connecticut Student Performing Arts
Festival, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT.
1991 Gangi, J. M. "Icarus: A
Workshop." Connecticut Student
Performing Arts Festival, Wesleyan University,
Middletown, CT.
1990 Gangi, J. M., Gaylor, M., & Krause,
C. "Enriching Storytelling
Talents." Connecticut State Department of Education's Annual Update on
Programs for the Gifted and Talented, Central Connecticut
State University, New Britain, CT.
1980
Gangi,
J. M. "Studying Theme Using
Dramatic Techniques." Connecticut
Drama Association, Simsbury High School, Simsbury, CT.
1977 Gangi, J.M.
"Drama and Reading."
Cooperative Individualized Reading Program, University of Bridgeport,
Bridgeport, CT.
1975 Gangi, J. M.
"Social Skills through Drama." Gengras Center for Exceptional Children, St. Joseph's College,
West Hartford, CT.
2004 Contributed to a Connecticut Humanities
Council grant for the Yale Summer Teaching Institute at the Yale British Museum of Art.
2003 Contributed three syllabi for three new courses for the CLSP
program partnership with the Bridgeport Public Schools grant.
2002 Contributed the Organization and Program Information
Narratives to the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Organization Challenge
Grant Program FY 2003 on behalf of the Connecticut Storytelling Center's
Connecticut Storytelling Festival; Ann Shapiro, co-writer. Awarded $5,000.
2001 Contributed the Organization and Program Information
Narratives to the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Organization Challenge
Grant Program FY 2002 on behalf of the Connecticut Storytelling Center's
Connecticut Storytelling Festival; Ann Shapiro, co-writer. Awarded $7,500.
University Research/Creative Grant, Summer
2001. Awarded $2,400.
2000 Contributed the Organization and Program Information
Narratives to the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Organization Challenge
Grant Program FY 2001 on behalf of the Connecticut Storytelling Center's
Connecticut Storytelling Festival; Ann Shapiro, co-writer. Awarded $8,000.
Connecticut State Department of Education, TOP
program (Teaching Opportunities for Paraprofessionals). Awarded $12,750.
1999 Connecticut State Department of
Education, TOP program (Teaching Opportunities for Paraprofessionals).
Awarded $8,500.
University Research/Creativity Grant, Sacred Heart
University, Fairfield, CT. Awarded
$3,300.
Contributed the Organization and Program Information
Narratives to the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Organization Challenge
Grant Program FY 2000 on behalf of the Connecticut Storytelling Center's
Connecticut Storytelling Festival; Ann Shapiro, co-writer. Awarded $8,000.
1998 Contributed to the GTE Foundation grant for the TOP program
(Teaching Opportunities for Paraprofessionals) for the 1998-1999 academic
year. Awarded $12,000. Automatically renewed in 1999 for $12,000.
Connecticut State Department of
Education, TOP program (Teaching Opportunities for Paraprofessionals).
Awarded $6,800.
2005 “Constructing Meaning:
Exploring the Narrative Process through Narrative and the Visual Arts,”
with Tom Lee, Summer Institute for Teachers of Grades K-6, Yale Center for
British Art, 11-14 July 2005.
Connecticut State Department of Education, Committee member on Theater
certification.
“Storytelling
and Standards.” Professional
development workshop for the Connecticut Storytelling Center, Farm Hill School,
Middletown, CT.
2004 “Storytelling
and Lesson Plans.” Professional development workshop, Connecticut Storytelling
Center, Middletown, CT.
“Readers
Theater” and “Storytelling.”
Professional development, Colchester Public Schools,
Colchester,
CT.
2002 “Performative
Arts in the Middle School Reading Program:
Readers Theatre (Morning
Session) and Storytelling (Afternoon Session).” Whisconier Middle School, Brookfield, CT.
2000 “Arts in Education, Arts in the Lives of Teachers,”
presentation and workshop for Dr. Sue Clark’s education class, Quinnipiac
University, Hamden, CT.
1999 "Dramatic Art and Reading: Two for the Price of One," professional development
presentation and workshop at Chalk Hill Middle School, Monroe, CT.
1999 Program Evaluator, "Sharing the Stories of Our
Lives: A Curriculum of
Understanding," Side by Side Charter School, Goals 2000 grant, Norwalk,
CT. A qualitative research project that
included observations, interviews, and surveys occurred over 1998-1999 school
year.
1996
Invited
by the Chair of the Bethel Board of Education to address the role of the arts
in education,
Bethel, CT.
1993 Language arts curriculum through drama;
middle school gifted students, Newington Public Schools, CT.
1990, ISAC Day Care Center, Danbury, CT. Workshop with staff on approaching
Children's Literature
1988 through movement and drama.
1975- Workshops and presentations included the
following organizations and educational settings: Capital
1988 Region Education Council; Project Learn; Project RISE;
Traveling Artists and Performers Company; YMCA; Connecticut State Department of
Education, Bureau of Special Education; Bethel Parks and Recreation; West
Hartford Parks and Recreation; West Hartford Public Library; West Hartford
Public Schools; Newington Public Schools; Scouts; Glastonbury Public Schools;
The Master's School, Simsbury; Pickle Players, Guilford; and, Connecticut
Education Association.
LEADERSHIP IN
EDUCATIONAL REFORM
1994 Addressed limited opportunities for
Bethel High School students to take honors classes. In Bethel placement in
honors classes ranged from 7-15% in English, social studies, science and math;
in surrounding towns placement in honors
classes ranged from 15-25%. Since 1994,
accessibility to honors classes in
Bethel has improved and college-bound courses have been strengthened.
1988- In 1987 the Bethel Public Schools kindergartens
were retaining 45% of their students in pre-1 classes.
1995 After investigating educational research and professional
associations' positions on retention, I wrote persistently and made
presentations to the Board of Education and to administrators. Others in the community and in the schools
became concerned as well, and the percentages of retained students fell
year-to-year from 45% to 30% to 20% to 10-15%.
Finally, in 1996, the Board of Education eliminated the program
altogether. A large research base in
the field of pediatric medicine validates educational research opposing
retention.
1987 The Nutley, NJ, kindergarten program was a paper-and-pencil
operation, requiring five year olds to fill out worksheets; there were no
manipulatives in the classrooms. After
writing and making presentations to the Board of Education, manipulatives were
restored to the kindergarten classes and more developmentally appropriate
practices instituted.
EDITORIAL AND
ADVISORY BOARDS
2003 Connecticut Storytelling Center’s Schools
Program Expansion Committee
1999 Advisor for the Stratford Theatre Festival's
application for the Connecticut Collaborations for Teaching the Arts and
Humanities Grant, Stratford, CT
1998-1999 Arts Education Project Advisor for
Professor Rebecca Abbott's documentary, Designing
Minds: The Arts in Education,
Connecticut Public Television and Radio, Hartford, CT
1996- Youth Theatre Journal, Editorial Board
1999 Stage of
the Art, Editorial Board
2005 Storyteller, Bridgeport Habitat Youth United Poetry Slam,
Fairfield, CT
2004 Storyteller, Tellebration: The Worldwide Storytelling Event, Bethel, CT
Director and
adaptor, Why the Chimes Rang, St.
Thomas Episcopal Church Sunday School Christmas performance
2003 Storyteller, Fundraiser
for the Bethel Public Library Capital Campaign, Bethel, CT
Director, Every Man Heart Lay Down, St. Thomas
Episcopal Church Sunday School Christmas performance
2002 Director, The Three Trees, St. Thomas Episcopal
Church Sunday School Christmas performance
1999 Storyteller, St. Thomas
Episcopal Church Coffee House, Bethel, CT
1998-2000 Storyteller, St. Thomas Episcopal
Church Halloween Party, Bethel, CT
1989 Storyteller, Tellebration, Chester, CT
1988 Storyteller, New Milford
Public Library, New Milford, CT
1988 Storyteller, Stony Creek
Puppet House, Branford, CT
1987,
1984 Storyteller, Buckely House
Restaurant, New London, CT
1984 Tandem storyteller;
toured, with Robyn Gangi, George MacDonald’s The Light Princess
1979 Actor, The Sign of Jonah
1978 Adaptor for the stage, director, and actor in
C. S. Lewis’s The Silver Chair;
toured in children’s hospitals and detention centers throughout Connecticut
COMMUNITY
SERVICE
1998-present Supervisor of undergraduates who perform
Service Learning in area schools.
2005 Guest speaker, Stratford High School,
Stratford, CT, on the Civil Rights movement.
Included excerpts from my novel; four classes.
2001 Guest Reader, fifth grade class at Johnson
School, Bethel, CT.
1998 Leader of a Junior Great
Books discussion group with second graders at Rockwell School, Bethel, CT, January-May.
Presenter,
"Careers for the New Millennium," John Winthrop School, Bridgeport,
CT; a careers' fair for middle school students.
Storyteller, director
of pantomime and mask-making, "Mowgli's Brothers" from The Jungle Book, Boy
Scouts, Pack 71; Bethel, CT.
1997, 1998 Judge, Third and Fourth Annual
Fairfield County Association of Secondary School Principals' Persuasive Public
Speaking Contest, Fairfield High School, Fairfield, CT.
1997,
1998, Presenter of Civil War
Letters for 8th graders, St. Mary School; 2nd graders, Rockwell
2001 School; 5th
graders, Johnson School, Bethel, CT.
1997 Leader of storytelling
and drama sessions for 4th graders, Rankin School, Mt. Holly, NC.
1996-1998 Reader, Read Aloud Day, Bridgeport,
CT.
1989-1994 Initiator and collaborator with
Principal Neal Gallub, bringing to the Bethel Public Schools the Junior Great Books program. Coordinated, led, and raised funds. Offered yearly
workshops for parents who volunteered
in the program, helping them to use drama in their sessions with children. Wrote with Chris Ackerman Handbook for Parent Leaders of the Junior
Great Books Program in the Bethel Public Schools so that the program could
continue.
1987-present Leader of movement, storytelling and drama
workshops in the Bethel Public Schools, and have coached and taken students to
the Connecticut Student Performing Arts Festival.
1985-1986 Leader of drama and storytelling
workshops for urban youth, grades 7-12, Newark, NJ.
1972 Through the United Church
of Christ, lived in Northern Philadelphia for the summer. Volunteer, drama workshops for
summer camp, grades 1-8.
1971 Volunteer, bilingual pre-scho