Meet Our Board

Susan J. Kovalik, Honorary Chairman

Founder of the ITI (Integrated Thematic Instruction) model (1986), precursor to HET (Highly Effective Teaching) model
CEO/President of Susan Kovalik & Associates and Center for Effective Learning (1988-2015)
Member of initial planning team for two HET public charter schools; also their science teacher and staff developer (2012-2016)
Developed the ITI Model Teaching Week format; attended by more than 30,000 teachers
Produced and directed numerous videos to support implementation of the ITI/HET model
Hosted the Summer Institute at Lake Tahoe for 27 years
Supported Czechoslovakia's development of an educational model appropriate for a democratic society for seven years
Publications: author of ITI the Model, translated into Czech; coauthor with Karen Olsen of Exceeding Expectations: A User's Guide to Implementing Brain Research in the Classroom, translated into Arabic; author of Teach for Success; produced 13 videos illustrating how to implement the ITI/HET model
Awards: Recipient of the Gold Apple Award for outstanding video ("Division in a Day"); recipient of the Silver Apple Award for outstanding video ("Building a Class Family"); recipient of the Red Apple Award for Outstanding Video ("Orchestrating Learning")
NASA Women of Achievement (1998)
National Acclaim: ITI model selected by the American Youth Policy Forum as one of 28 educational models in the U.S. that supports service learning; one of 11 rated highly compatible, 2002
ITI model selected as one of 32 entire-school education models in the U.S. for the federally funded Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Program (CSR), 2000
ITI model selected for inclusion in the college text Instructional Design Theories and Models: A New Paradigm of Instructional Theory edited by Charles Reigeluth, Indiana University; one of 56 educational models considered comprehensive for both curriculum and instruction, 1999
ITI model funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for 10 years to improve science education; the Mid-California Science Improvement (MCSIP) included more than 500 teachers in seven counties (1987-1996)
International Honors: Gold medal from the Slovak Minister of Education for helping the country create an alternative to the communist system of education model following the Velvet Revolution
Gold medal from Trnava University acknowledging creation of the ITI model and its adoption as the basis for teacher certification
Translation of two ITI/HET model books—Tools for Citizenship and Life into Czech and Arabic and Science Continuum of Concepts, K-6 into Slovak and Arabic

Linda Jordan, President

E.D. Candidate, Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL (May, 2017)
M.A., Elementary Education with science emphasis, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI (1993)
ITI/HET master teacher and trainer of brain compatible practices around the world, Susan Kovalik & Associates/Center for Effective Learning (1994-2015)
Senior Implementation Advisor: International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) (2012-present)
Co-director: Center for Effective Learning (2010-2015)
Program Advisor, board member, staff developer: Clayton-Bradley STEM Academy, Maryville, TN (2013-present)
Adjunct Professor, Hope College, Holland, MI, creating and teaching on-line courses: Student Engagement-Developing 21st Century Skills, Neuroplasticity Design for the New Generation of Learners (2012-present)
Senior Consultant: Successful Practices Network (2008-present)
Institute Creator/Planner: Midwest Brain and Learning Institute Creator and Instructor, On-line Professional Certificate Graduate Program (2001-present)
Associate Professor, Hope College, Curriculum & Methods, Classroom Management, Educational Psychology, and Physical Geography; Field Placement Director (1997-2012)
National Peer Consultant for Service Learning: East Lansing, MI Trainer/Consultant on implementation of Service Learning (1993-2000)
Curriculum Coordinator: National School, Jakarta, Indonesia Developed a brain-compatible school for Indonesian students, consultant on physical plant, created a personnel training program, developed curriculum (1997-1998)
Consultant: Everyday Learning Corporation, Chicago, IL Trainer/Consultant for implementation of Everyday Mathematics to school districts (1996-1998)
Teacher-in-Charge, Assistant Principal: West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI (1992-1994)
Teacher: grades preschool, 1, 2, 4, 5, and substitute teacher, K-12, Michigan and Texas
Author of articles for ICLE (2008), STEM (2009), Service Learning Flagship (1994, 1997); co-author and contributing author of several research works
Co-author and contributing author of several research and recommendations works
Keynote Speaker: Model Schools Conferences (GA, DC, TX, FL, HI, TX, OH, NY); STEM Conferences (NC, TN, NV); Leadership Symposium (TN, NV); Schools Exceeding Expectations and Best of the Best Invitational National Conferences (TN, OK); HET Summer Institutes (CA, WA); Pacific Northwest Brain Conference (WA); Harvard, MT Brain Conference (MA); CTE National Conference (GA)
Honors: Who's Who Among American Teachers (1998 and 2005); National Points of Light Recipient (1995)

Sue Pearson, Secretary

CAS, SUNY Brockport (1996)
M.S. Education, SUNY Cortland (1970)
ITI/HET master teacher and trainer for the past 23 years
CEO, Susan R. Pearson Consulting, LLC (2011-present)
Title I Supervisor/teacher for ENL students, Syracuse Schools/Diocese of Syracuse (2009-present)
Teaching: Peekskill, NY, Syracuse City School District, Onondaga Central School District, Diocese of Syracuse—Grades Pre-K, 2, 4,5,6 and ENL, self-contained, team-teaching, multi-grade, G&T (1964-1996, 2012-present)
Supervisor, student teachers: SUNY Oswego (1965-1967); SUNY Cortland (1970)
Associate: ICLE (International Center for Leadership in Education) (2011-2013)
Co-director: Center for Effective Learning (2010-2015)
Consultant: Research Works (2009-2011)
Certified Grant Writer: RA Associates (2006)
Science Mentor: affiliated with Syracuse University and NASA (1987); Utica City Schools' STEM program (2011-2013)
STEM Professional Development: Utica City School District (2010-2016)
Trainer, Math and Science Partnerships Grant, Utica City School District, (2014-present)
Presenter: New York State Staff Development Council (2010); "Research Works," New York State Non-Public School AIR trainings, Pre-K–12
Author and co-author: Tools for LIFE: Using the Lifelong Guidelines and LIFESKILLS in Your Classroom (translated into Czech and Arabic) and Character Begins at Home: Family Tools for Teaching Character and Values
Author: LIFESKILLS Activity Cards, Handbook for Student Teachers (SUNY Cortland, 1970), Handbook for Administrators and Staff (Syracuse Diocese, 1995-96)
Director and Scriptwriter, 4-part DVD series for the Highly Effective Teaching (HET) model: "Developing an Agenda," "Writing Procedures," "Enriching the Environment," and "Planning/Conducting a Being There Experience"
Facilitator: SKA ListServ and for Leadership ListServ, Susan Kovalik & Associates (1998-2013)
Honors: Inclusion in Cambridge Who's Who Honor Edition (2006, 2007, 2008);
Manchester Who's Who Among Executive and Professional Women (2005); Who's Who of American Teachers (1992, 1998, 2005); Outstanding Teacher, Diocese of Syracuse (1987 and 1995)

Terri Patterson, Treasurer

Ed.D., Baylor University, Waco, TX (2004)
Instructional Facilitator: LaVega Elementary School, Bellmead, TX (2014-present)
Executive Director of Elementary Education: Waco, ISD, TX (2006-2014)
Supervisor and evaluator, administrative interns participating in the Tarleton State University Educational Leadership Master Degree Program (2010-2014)
Co-chair: Professional Development Schools Coordinating Council with Baylor University (2002-2007, 2013-2014)
Planner: National Staff Development Council Conference Host Planning Committee (2007)
Director of Professional Development: Waco, ISD, TX (2002-2004)
Principal in Residence: Baylor University, Waco, TX (2002-2004)
Committee member: Baylor University Early Childhood to 4th Grade Curriculum Design Team (2000-2003)
Presenter: National Staff Development Council Conference (2004), Holmes Partnership National Conference (2002-2003)
Keynote speaker: Best of the Best Invitational: "Working with Children and Parents from Poverty" (2003)
Principal: Sul Ross Elementary, Waco, TX (1998-2003)
Assistant Principal: Sul Ross Elementary, Waco, TX (1994-1998)
Science Content Trainer: Mid-California Science Improvement Program (1998)
Instructor for various courses for Baylor University and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, including literature-based instruction (1991-1993)
Trainer for various program improvement and leadership models including: ITI/HET (1997-2003), Crucial Conversations, True Colors, Business as Unusual, TRIBES, Effective Schools Program, Leadership Development Process, and Literature-Based Instruction
Presenter at numerous conferences, including Midwest Brain EXPO (2001, 2002); International Reading Association National Convention (1991)
Mentor teacher: Las Vegas, Nevada (1989-1992)
Supervisor: student teachers and practicum teachers for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (1987-1992); served as grade level chair (1985-1992)
Developer: assessment tools/criteria for K-6, Clark County School District (1991)
Staff Developer: Districtwide teacher trainings in the areas of math, reading, science, writing, language, thematic Instruction, social studies, and integrated literature (1986-1993); New Teacher Orientation sessions (1989-1991), Las Vegas, Nevada
Teacher representative: one of 10 teachers serving with 50 administrators to review district's K-6 Curriculum Framework; (1989); reading textbook adoption committee (1991), Clark County School District, Nevada
Teacher: 3rd–6th grades in Texas, Nevada, and Kansas
Honors: Outstanding Principal of the Year, Waco ISD (2000); Outstanding Educator (1993); Excellence in Education Award, annually (1989-1992); Who's Who in American Education (1989 and 1990); Young Astronaut Teacher of the Year, Nevada (1989)

Karen D. Olsen, Executive Director

M.Ed., Education Administration, Columbia University Teachers College (1972)
M.A. Secondary Education, California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA (1969)
Executive Director, Center for the Future of Public Education (1990-2003, 2015-present)
Author/co-author/editor of ITI/HET publications (1986–present)
Author: What Brain Research Can Teach About Cutting School Budgets (Corwin Press) and California Mentor Teacher Role: Owner's Manual
Co-author: School Program Update, annual publication of the California Institute for School Improvement (1983-85), interpreting newly enacted laws and regulations affecting school programs, K-12
Director, North County Community Schools Program, Oroville, WA
Instructor, university extension courses, UC Davis and Chapman College
Executive Director, Mid-California Science Improvement Program (MCSIP) (1987-1996)
Executive Director, Bay Area Middle School Program (BAMS) (1990-1994)
Consultant, mentor teachers, schoolwide planning, program evaluation, adult learning, designing staff development programs, systemic change, mentor teacher role, and grant writing (1983-1994)
Program Director, California Institute for School Improvement (1983-1986)
Administrator, field consultant, planning and development staff, legislative assistant, California State Department of Education (1971-1983)
Teacher: 7-12 English and remedial reading and 4-6 remedial reading (1968-1970)
VISTA Volunteer (Volunteers in Service to America): Assistant Director, Iron River Community Schools Program (1966-67)