I am a published author of six books that are focused on literacy and teacher development. Since the publication of my last book, I have obtained my doctoral degree, completing research on coaching, teacher development and student achievement. My dissertation focused on the effects of coaching on teacher efficacy, individual academic optimism and student achievement. This nationwide research studied the connections between professional development of teachers and student achievement. In fall 2012, I will be an assistant professor at California State University Fresno. In addition to my doctoral work, I have worked for three years as Assistant Superintendent for Fresno Unified School District, the fourth largest school district in California. I worked with fifteen middle schools in coaching principals and vice-principals, implementing school reform, and creating staff development opportunities for teachers. I have walked hundreds of classrooms and noted what works and doesnt work in teaching practices and teacher professional development opportunities.

Prior to this position I held various positions which significantly expanded my repertoire as an educational leader. While working in Fresno Unified, a large urban school district with over 100 schools, I have additionally held a position as a grant coordinator in school leadership and as a curriculum and professional development leader. In these positions I worked with leadership teams from 66 elementary schools, 15 middle schools and eight high schools on lesson design, and school reform strategies. Additionally, I have directed the work of over 150 literacy and math coaches, specifically providing training for them in adult learning and effective literacy and teaching practices. I worked closely with a cohort of literacy coaches who delved deeply into their practices at eight elementary schools and eleven middle schools to ensure the improvement of teaching expertise by the teaching staff they worked with. Many of these coaches have now become principals and change leaders. I have also had the joy and reward of teaching pre-service teachers. I taught two courses at California State University, Fresno for three semesters.

One course, titled, Teaching Literacy and English Language Development, Grades 4-8 , for two semesters and another course, Literacy in the Content Area, Grades 9-12, for one semester. This experience deepened my ability to guide teacher development and understand the needs of teachers prior to entering the classroom setting. I hold an elementary teaching credential and a teaching specialist credential for Bilingual Education, grades K-12. I also have a specialized teaching certificate for teaching English Learners. I have practical hands on experience with students who traditionally struggle in school as I have worked over twenty years as teacher and principal in schools which receive Title I funding due to the economic backgrounds of the students. I have taught in bilingual classrooms at the elementary level for several years, and I have provided teacher in-service for many years on meeting the needs of English learners in the classroom. In addition to my writing, teaching and work experience, I present nationally on various topics throughout the nation. During the last nine years I have presented more than 30 times in a variety of states.

All of these speaking engagements have been by invitation of school districts or conferences, and I have been a featured speaker and/or keynote speaker in all circumstances. I have expertise in teacher development, school reform, change, and literacy instruction. I have a deep understanding of the variety of ways teachers approach their own learning and teaching and how school administrators implement change processes.