PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

• Sensitivity to variations in learning style across age range, economic and cultural background enhanced by international living experience, including developing countries.
• Committed to progressive and alternative approaches to education focusing on child-centered learning that foster critical thinking.
• Focuses on students' strengths and interest so that failure and behavior problems are averted.
• Encourages use of computer as a motivational tool to develop thinking skills, as a graphic organizer for study and as a scaffold for weaknesses.
• Has extensive knowledge of educational software; develops own customizable programs for language development.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Learning Styles Variation & Disabilities
• Language & Study Skills Acquisition
• Macintosh Consultation‹Parents/Teachers
• Computer as a Personal Productivity Tool
• Educational Software for Home & School
• Keyboarding & Word Processing
• Teacher Training on the Macintosh Computer
• Computer for Self-Coaching and as a Scaffold
• Learning Software Design and Customization
• FileMaker Pro Database as a Graphical Organizer

SELECTED CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

At the Children's Storefront in Harlem, New York , NY

• Demonstrated need and benefit of a reading/resource room at the Children's Storefront School. Co-directed this remedial reading program that focused on early intervention.
• Instigated the Macintosh computer program for both teachers and administrators resulting in a self-supporting "User Group" geared to ongoing training and growth. Empowerment versus specialist control.
• Incorporated computer use in the early language program for children "at risk." Created a network in a "Reading Resource Room" with customized access to selected software for students with special needs.
• Directed plans for new school computer lab: researched hardware and networking and tested a wide range of educational software for use in this setting.
• Ran Teacher Training Workshops to motivate teachers to use the Macintosh as personal tool before using it in their classroom. Ongoing discussion and training in educational applications.

In Private Practice, New York , NY

• Established successful tutoring practice for kindergarten through twelfth grade (specializing K-6).
• Created Macintosh Studio for students, teachers and parents. Evolved effective training method for computer keyboarding. Developing new methodology for learning through using the computer as a tool for student and teacher productivity and organization. Researching ways to coordinate the use of the computer across school, tutoring and home settings.

EXPERIENCE

Private Practice, New York, NY (1984 - Present)

• Tutor/Macintosh Software and Training Consultant
• Working with a range of children K-12 with learning differences, incorporating use of Macintosh as a teaching tool.
• Specializing in teaching Macintosh Computer Skills and software to all students.
• Teaching Keyboarding & Word Processing to individuals and small groups of all ages.
• Teaching Organizational and Study Skills.

Children's Storefront School, New York, NY (1984 - 1992)

• Developed the use of computers as an educational tool.
• Planned, budgeted and developed computer program and training for teachers.
• Coordinated early language tutoring program.
• Early identification of children at risk of failure.

International Living/Graduate Study (1971 - 1983)

• Observed comparative child rearing and educational practice in London, East Africa, Athens and New York.
• Ran preschool playgroup in expatriate setting in Athens, Greece.

• Researched and Developed Products/Mail Order Catalogue for Parents and Playgroups.

• Classroom Teacher in London Public School: British Open Classroom "Integrated Day."
• Sole responsibility for 40 students in family grouping age 4 -7 years.
  

EDUCATION

Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY

• Interdisciplinary graduate study of literacy in the family, school and community.
• Master of Education, Department of Family & Community Education, 1983
• Master of Arts, Department of Educational Psychology - Remedial Reading, 1983

University of London, Froebel Institute, London, England

• Diploma of Education - Certification for Primary School Teaching, 1967
• Distinctions in Theory of Education and Graphic Arts.

Further GRADUATE TRAINING

• Bank Street College, New York, NY
  • Designing Educational Software for the Curriculum 1991
  • HyperTalk: A Computer Programming and Design Course for Educators 1990
  • Big Books and Whole Language 1989
  • Computers and Learning Difficulties 1988
• Harvard University (CAST) Cambridge, MA
  • New Tools (Advanced): Educational Use of MultiMedia for Students with Disabilities 1990
  • Macintosh Tools for High School, College and Life-Long Learning 1995
  • Symposium on Multiple Ways of Representating and Expressing Knowledge via Computers 1997
• Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
  • Computers and Reading and Learning Difficulties, Students at Risk 1989
  • Introduction to HyperCard 1989
• University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Directed by Dr. Melvin Levine
  • A Developmental-Descriptive Approach to the Learning Disorders of Adolescence 1988

Workshops & Presentations Given

• Introduction to the Macintosh (Learning Studio/Private Workshop) 1990
• Educational Software For The Macintosh (Learning Studio/Private Workshop) 1990
• Using the Macintosh as a Tool for Whole Language (TRLD) 1991
• The Electronic Word Bank as a Tool for Dynamic Vocabulary Development (TRLD) 1993
• The Macintosh Environment as a Studio for Creativity for Students and Teachers (TRLD) 1993
• Teaching 3rd-5th Graders Typing and Word Processing in the School Setting (Brearley School) 1993
• Tutoring with the Macintosh (Learning Studio/Private Workshop) 1994
• How the Computer Helps the LD Student (Churchill Parent Center & Ethical Culture Parents) 1994
• Electronic Word Banks and Scrapbooks; gathering children's language experience (ICTE London) 1994
• Accelerated Interactive Computer Keyboarding for Those Who Need It Most (TRLD & National Orton) 1994
• Harnessing the Collector; Co-Creating Illustrated Word Banks and Books (NECC 3 hour Workshop) 1994
• The Common Ground; Computer Templates for Book Making and Word Banks (National Orton) 1994
• Computer Keyboarding for Learning Disabled Students (West Morris High School-Workshop) 1995
• Using the Computer as a Graphic Organizer for Thought and Language (John Hopkins, School of Education) 1995
• Using the Computer as a Tutoring Tool and Learning Aid (Learning Studio/Private Workshops) 1995
• Computer Keyboarding: Learning How to Learn (New Jersey Orton and National Orton Societies) 1995
• Using the Computer as a Multisensory Tool to Accomplish Verbal Learning Through Visual Representation 1996
• Using Edutainment Story Software to Make Books as a Way to Teach Reading Through Writing (TRLD) 1996
• Computer Keyboarding; Learning How to Learn (TRLD) 1997
• Graphic Organizers to Develop Hierarchical Thinking; Database Templates for Note Taking and Study 1997
• A Personal Touch to Typing: Teaching QWERTY Keyboarding to Moderately Disabled Students (CTG) 1997
• Using the Computer to Promote Productivity for Students with Visual Spatial Difficulties, Dysgraphia and Attention Issues (TRLD) 1998
• Keyboard Coaching for Dyslexic, Dysgraphic, ADD and One-Handed Students (TRLD) 1997

PERSONAL

• Dual Nationality - New Zealand and United Kingdom, Green Card, U.S. Permanent Resident
• Married with grown children

© Elspeth Sladden 1997