Building Learning Communities 2011

Jennifer Beine has been the director of November Learning’s BLC Professional Development Conference since 2008, while also serving as the technology coordinator for various school districts since 2003. In her director role she shows tremendous work ethic, excellent interpersonal skills and incredible proficiency in organizing over 55 presenters, 1000+ attendees and a staff of 25, which included 12 middle-school students. Teachers who have attended her workshops hold her in high esteem. In her role as a coordinator she was invaluable in building mutual respect by showing educators how to integr…

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About Seth Bowers
Director of Information & Instructional Technology, CCSD 62 Des Plaines, IL
Seth Bowers has been an educator for fifteen years on the South Side of Chicago and in the northern and western suburbs. Over the past decade he has focused on a variety of educational issues: integrating technology into curriculum, writing district K-5 Technology Benchmarks, launching and supporting various district blog and wiki sites, using modern web tools to put students in touch with primary sources and collaborating for service learning.
 

Chris has been an 8th grade English and Reading teacher as well as Department Chairperson with the Mount Clemens Community Schools for 14 years. She has been involved with distance learning programs promoting authentic audiences since March 1999. Her blog “The Clem” www.theclem.org has been an avenue for her students to publish their writing to an authentic audience. Chris was awarded the Pioneering Partners Award for her programs She has also presented at state and national conferences.

Mike is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University’s. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations and foundations. Past experience includes overseeing the Integrated Solutions Block, a 21st century program serving 1050 students integrating technology with core standards, at Woodside Middle School near Fort Wayne, Indiana. He currently serves as the One to One Laptop Initiative Coordinator in Southwest Allen County Schools in Fort Wayne.

Mike is also a consultant for Discovery Education and Novemb…

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About Pat Kyle
Deputy Secondary School Principal, KIS International School, Bangkok
Pat Kyle has had a unique and varied career in business and education. Her experience spans a diverse range of communities, cultures and continents. She most recently worked in Washington, D.C., as a secondary teacher and media specialist, where she had the pleasure of working with students and teachers in both international and public schools. Pat has particular interests in media center design and in making the world a smaller place through encouraging community and global understanding.
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Angela Maiers is an award-winning educator, speaker, consultant and professional trainer known for her work in literacy, leadership and global communications.

She is an alumnus of The University of Iowa and has her masters degrees in educational supervision and reading from the University of Iowa and has spent 22 years working in elementary, middle and university settings as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, coach, special programs facilitator and university professor.

Today, Angela is at the forefront of New Literacy and Web 2.0 technologies. An active blogger and social media evange…

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Described as having an infectious enthusiasm and incredible depth of knowledge, Brian shares a powerful vision for teaching and learning with administrators, teachers, parents and students. He focuses on critical thinking, motivating students through authentic tasks and developing collaborative partnerships. His varied experiences allow him to present this information in logical and thoughtful ways.

 

Brian prides himself in being an engaged, lifelong learner. He was named as one of Google’s first 200 certified educators, and he has developed a professional network of global peers who contin…

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Often found urban exploring, hiking, skiing or sailing, he is always looking for a good adventure. As an enthusiast of soccer, he is almost always tracking scores, watching live matches or playing the game. Global travel has helped give him a better understanding of different cultures, grounding as well as motivating him to help improve the status quo.

About Lorraine Orenchuk
English Teacher and Graduation Project Coordinator, Buncombe County Early College, Asheville, NC
Lorraine Orenchuk is a National Board certified teacher of English working in one of North Carolina’s Innovator Early Colleges. Lorraine has a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and is currently on the advisory committee for the MAT at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC. A veteran teacher, Lorraine has been named Teacher of the Year in both the elementary and secondary classroom as well as being named District and County Teacher of the Year in two states.
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Marcy was Conference Chair for MassCUE's state-wide technology conference for many years. She joined the BLC Staff during the early years of Building Learning Communities, and has been an active volunteer at BLC each summer since BLC's debut at Roger Williams College! She is Technology Coordinator at Ellington High School in Ellington, CT where she teaches Graphic Design, Communications and Programming. This year, she joins BJ Selenkow as Conference Co-Director.

...left handed, right brained, well, maybe whole brained, athletic, creative, multitasker, lifelong learner... entrepreneur... and willing to stand up to bullies!


I have worked as an Instructional Technology Specialist at the Elementary, Middle School, and High School levels for the past twelve years. I am always looking for ways to engage students in lessons rooted in constructivist theory and pedagogy. I have a good grasp of how technology integration enhances the learning experience for students while preparing them to work and live in this globally connected world.


K-12 Integrat… Read more

Carolyn is a curriculum and professional development designer for technology and Internet-based projects, including directing several projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Carolyn is especially intrigued with allowing students to collect real-time data with portable sensors and probes attached to handheld computers and microcomputer-based lab (MBL) systems. She has designed professional development that includes implementation of technology into the classroom curriculum, teacher and student utilization of existing software, design of tailored activities and manipulation of…

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Paul is an English teacher in St. Johns County, Florida where he's lived and taught for 14 years.

Before joining the November Learning team, Jim was a teacher, Technology Director and Interactive Media Consultant at Macomb Intermediate School District in Michigan. As a consultant with our team, he works with districts in providing teacher and administrative trainings and conducts curriculum evaluations at a school and district level.

Jim has presented keynotes and workshops at local, state-wide and national conferences, including the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) and our annual Building Learning Communities Conference (BLC). He has also received awards for curriculum in…

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