Dr. Jan Hasbrouck

On Friday, January 29, 2010, I had the exciting opportunity to hear Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, a Treasures author speak. I was in Chicago conducting an early morning sales presentation. Susan Leitao, one of the Chicago Public Schools sales reps told me that she had arranged for Dr. Hasbrouck to come to Chicago to speak to a group of Chicago teachers. Susan gave me the address and after my sales presentation I went to hear her speak. Dr. Hasbrouck worked as a reading specialist for 15 years and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses as a university professor. Her research in reading fluency, academic assessment and interventions have been widely published. She is a dynamic speaker and a very knowledgeable educator. I really learned a lot from her and was excited to have the opportunity to get to meet her. Since I was flying out of Midway Airport and so was Dr. Hausbrock, I offered to give her a ride. On the ride to the airport I had the opportunity to learn more about her background in the field of education. I also heard the story of how she met and began to collaborate with her educational partner, Dr. Vicki Gibson, another Treasures author. I shared with Dr. Hasbrouck that I was an ABD at Saint Louis University and that I was interested in completing my PhD. She said that it saddens her to see individuals come so close to completing their PhD and never do. She is also sad to see individuals with potential never go after a PhD. She told me she has encouraged PhD candidates who are having difficulty completing their dissertations partner with a professor who has a pile of research they are unable to get to. She told me that I shouldn't worry what the topic is on, rather, I should get the degree completed and begin my own research. I was energized by Dr. Hasbrouck's words and I am going to take some steps this week towards my goal.

Rosalyn Johnson (Glencoe Rep), Susan Leitao (Chicago Sales Rep, Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, and me.

Dr. Hasbrouck and me.

Foldables

Teachers use Foldables to enhance the study of concepts in their classrooms. After learners have been introduced to a concept, the teacher facilitates the construction and application of these three-dimensional organizers. As with all strategies, the creation process must be modeled.

Matchbook Foldable, Layered Book Foldable, Three- Tab Foldable

Learners use Foldables to create tangible containers for their new learning in a useable and hands-on format. Of course, the strategy does not end with the construction. The Foldable must be used in some format to show application.

Four-Door Foldable, Pyramid Foldable, Shutter Foldable

Foldables...
...quickly organize, display and arrange data making it easier for students to grasp concepts, theories, processes, facts, and ideas, or to sequence events as outlined in the content standards.
...result in student-made study guides that are compiled as students listen for main ideas, read for main ideas, or conduct research.
...provide a multitude of creative formats in which students can present projects, research, experiment results, and inquiry based reports instead of typical poster board or science fair formats.
...replace teacher-generated writing or photocopied sheets with student-generated print.
...incorporate such skills as comparing and contrasting, cause and effect, and similarities and differences into daily work and long-term projects. For example, these graphic organizers can be used to compare and contrast student explanations of inquiry based questions to explanations currently accepted by scientists.
...continue to "immerse" students in previously learned vocabulary, concepts, generalizations, ideas, theories, etc. providing them with a strong foundation upon which they can build with newly learned knowledge, observations, and concepts.
...can be used by students or teachers to easily communicate data through graphics, tables, charts, diagrams, models and Venn diagrams.
...allow students to make their own journals for recording qualitative and quantitative observations.
... can be used as alternative assessment tools by teachers to evaluate student progress or by students to evaluate their own progress.
...integrate language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science. Note: Dinah has developed a publishing center that encourages the use of time lines,maps, graphs, tables, charts and measurement tools (such as beakers, rain gauges, and thermometers) to be incorporated into student communication--written, oral and research based computer projects.
...provide a sense of student "ownership" or investiture in the curriculum.

Dinah Zike is known for designing these hands-on manipulatives that are used nationally and internationally by teachers, parents, and educational publishing companies. Dinah Zike has a partnership with Macmillan-McGraw-Hill and her Foldables are found in all of our programs.

On January 19, 2010, I traveled to Morton, Illinois to observe my co-worker Tina Hyatt conduct an after school Foldable workshop for area teachers. Tina is a dynamic presenter and I learned a lot from her. I was amazed at how excited the teachers got when they were making the various types of Foldables! When Tina asked if they'd like to make another one they cheered as if they were on Oprah and had just been told that they were going home with Oprah's favorite things! I could tell that conducting a Foldables workshop was going to be a lot of fun. And after participating in Tina's workshop I was ready to make my own.

Tina shows off the Foldables she made.

On Monday, January 25, 2010, my mom and dad came over to my house and we made Foladbles for 6 hours! After making Foldables all day I felt like an expert and was confident that I had the knowledge to conduct my own Foladables workshop. Two days later, on January 27, I conducted my first Foldables workshop in East Peoria, Illinois. I had a group of 18 teachers to work with. I began having them make a Sentence Strip Holder Foldable to use as their name tag and I messed up the directions as I was making this first Foldable with them! We had a good laugh and I assured them that this was the most difficult Foladable we would make today, and it was. The rest of the one hour workshop went very well and everyone was excited to leave the session with new ideas to take back to their classroom. Holly, the Central Illinois sale rep, was there for extra support and I really appreciated her encouragement. Holly arranged for this Foldables workshop to be held at a local pizza restaurant and everyone went home with Foldables and a large one topping pizza! Holly and I are taking our Foldable act on the road and will be giving another Foldable workshop in her territory on February 23.

A few of the Foldables dad helped me make.

Holly Whitacker and I at the East Peoria, Illinois Foldables workshop.

Pen Pals

On Tuesday, January 26 I drove to Iowa to give a Treasures and Imagine It! sales presentation to a committe of teachers in the Center Point-Urbana School District. When I found out I was traveling to Iowa I immediatly contacted my high school pen pal, Tammy Denison, whom I have not seen since 1987! Tammy and I were in freshman band together at Belleville East High School. We both played clarinet and made a connection in that class. At the end of freshman year Tammy and her family moved to Texas. We stayed in touch as pen pals for a few years but eventually lost touch. A few months a go Tammy found me on facebook and we reconnected. I found out that Tammy and her parents were living in Iowa so as soon as I found out I was traveling to Iowa for business I immediately contacted Tammy to see if we could get together. As fate may have it Tammy was going to see a specialist in Iowa City on that day. I had to drive past Iowa City on the way to Center Point, IA. We met at the hospital in Iowa City and we were able to spend an hour together sharing photos and memories. I brought Tammy the cookbook and golf ball Ken and I gave to our guests at our wedding. I also gave Tammy some Fitzs Root Beer so she and her family could taste something made in St. Louis. Tammy brought me a bag of Iowa made Sterzing's potato chips and a homemade ornament. The best gift was the opportunity to meet with Tammy. I hope we have the opportunity to get together again in the future.

Tammy and I

Goodbye to Our Neighbors the Johnsons

Todd and Shannon Johnson moved into the house next door to us on July 5, 2007, the same day we moved into our new home. They moved into the house in St. Charles because it was close to the St. Louis Ram's practice facility in Earth City. Todd had just been signed to play football for the St. Louis Rams.

The Johnsons were the best neighbors anyone could ask for. They always greeted us with a smile when we saw them outside and they always took the time to chat and to ask us about our day. They looked after our home when we were gone and Ken got their mail and looked after their home during the off season when they left Missouri to spend time at their Florida residence.

Ken and Todd spent time working in the yard and Ken enjoyed teaching Todd to be a handy man.

This football season their house was empty when Todd was released from the Rams and was signed to play for the Buffalo Bills. They put their house up for sale and moved back to Florida. Todd and Shannon recently had a baby girl. Her name is Lyla Reese and she was born in early December. Todd and Shannon brought Lyla over to our house so we could meet her before they moved back to Florida. I wish we could have gotten to know Todd and Shannon better and had the opportunity to see baby Lyla grow up. Although Todd and Shannon and baby Lyla were in our lives for a short time we wish them happiness and success in life and we enjoyed having them as neighbors. We wish them the best and hope to keep in touch!

Todd, Ken and baby Lyla.Keeping with tradition I gave baby Lyla an SRA lion that Todd said they would name Kenny!Ken holds baby Lyla. The Johnson family.

Grease

On Friday, January 22, Ken and I and my mom and dad went to the Fox Theatre in St. Louis to see the latest revival of Grease the musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. This all-American musical is based on the sub-cultures of high school life in the 1950's. In 1978, Grease became "the word" with a popular feature-film adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The 1978 movie is one of my favorites and I have seen it more times than I can count!

A Broadway revival played from 1994-1998 and mom and dad and I saw that revival at the Fox in 1995. I was a huge Debbie Gibson fan in high school and Debbie was in the tour playing the part of Rizzo. After the show we went to the stage door and I got her autograph and a photo. Sally Struthers also stared in that production playing the part of Principal Lynch. I remember waiting at the stage door and when Sally Struthers came out of the theater instead of asking her for her autograph, I asked if Debbie was on her way outside! I think I ended up getting Sally's autograph too.

The latest Broadway production featured the Sandy and Danny that won the talent competition series, "Grease: You're the One That I Want." The musical includes the smash Jacob-Casey songs made famous by the original play including "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightning" and "We Go Together" as well as the additional film songs "Grease," "You're the One That I Want," "Hopelessly Devoted to You," and "Sandy."

In this latest revival, the 2006 American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks, plays the part of Teen Angel. He ascends from the sky in a giant ice cream cone and comes out singing dressed in a rhinestone suit. He added his own touch to the song by playing harmonica. After the show he came back on stage and sang a song from his recent album. We also got to see Ace Young, another American Idol alum, playing the part of Danny and Laura Ashley Zarkin who appeared on the show "Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods" playing Sandy. I think I have seen Grease more than any musical. I have seen high school productions, community theatre productions, productions at the Muny and several Broadway tours. Going to see any production of Grease is always a fun night at the theatre. Check out more about the tour at http://www.greaseonbroadway.com/

Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel in Grease.

Math Connects

On January 12, 2010 I gave my very first Math Connects sales presentation in East Peoria, IL. Math Connects is a vertically aligned Pre-K to Grade 8 core mathematics program. Math Connects provides opportunities for students to build their understanding of mathematical concepts by giving them ample practice to master important skills. All concepts are taught and practiced through a strong problem-solving environment. Math Connects helps students make connections to the real world and produces strong problem solvers. To see a video about Math Connects please click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1SBskUIf1w. I studied the materials and practiced presenting my presentation in front of Picasso the Cat. I received positive feedback from Holly, the Central Illinois sales rep, and from her manager Chrissie. Although I need to continue to practice and study Math Connects, I was pleased with what I was able to accomplish in a short amount of time. Below are photos of some of the little people in my life playing with Matthew Cando, the Math Connects mascot.

My friend Jennifer and her son Kevin with Matthew Cando.

Jennifer with Kevin and Emily and Matthew Cando.

Emily likes Matthew Cando.

Me and my little pal Abby.

My nephew Matthew with Matthew Cando.

Jennifer and the Matthews!

Presentation Academy

I began the new year with a wonderful professional development opportunity. On January 7 and 8, I attended Presentation Academy at the McGraw-Hill offices in Burr Ridge, IL. Above is the picture of our building. My classmates and I were given many useful tips for delivering successful sales presentations and I am very excited to use what I learned in my new role as sales consultant! This was the best professional development opportunity I have ever had during my 3 1/2 years working full time for McGraw-Hill.

After our first day of training we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant . The private dinner allowed me time to socialize and to get to know my co-workers. We had three wonderful teachers at the academy: Kathy Nauman (National Sales & Product Training Director), Cathy Allison (consultant manager for the Central Region and my manager), and Jacquie Salvator(consultant manager for the North Region). All three teachers are dynamic presenters and I learned a lot from each of them. At the end of the two days we had a mini graduation ceremony where we were presented with a graduation certificate and a beautiful Cross pen and pencil set. What a wonderful way to kick off a new year!

Kathy Nauman, me, and my manager, Cathy Allison.