About Me
I am an energetic, enthusiastic, curious, life-long learner in both my personal and professional lives. I know that I can never become too educated or informed; I believe that life is an exciting journey during which we should strive to learn and grow. Consequently, I often seek professional development opportunities in an effort to continually strive to improve my teaching and classroom management skills. I have been a junior high or middle teacher since 1985 with over twenty-six years of service in the Illinois public school system. Along with experience and the invaluable observations of and collaborations with colleagues (gained while team-teaching as an inclusion teacher), my participation in the masters program that examined how we teach and how students learn has greatly impacted my practices and views of teaching and learning. Since that time, I have moved from the lecture/notes mode of presentation to an online learning environment.
Career History
- 2007-2010 employed as a middle school language arts and technology teacher.
- 1991-2007: Midwest Central School District (consolidated), Manito, Illinois, employed as an inclusion teacher (utilizing team-teaching).
- 1985-1991:
Forman School District, Manito, Illinois, employed as an instructional
special education teacher serving students with learning and behavioral
disabilities and the educably mentally handicapped.
Education
2010 University of Illinois Master of Education emphasis on curriculum, technology, and education reform (CTER program)
1984 Illinois State University Bachelors of Science emphasis on special education.
Additional course work includes:
- Eight hours of Middle Level Education including educational psychology of adolescence and middle school curriculum and instruction. These and previous course work allowed me to gain a language arts endorsement.
- Thirty additional hours of teaching related courses including those in brain research and learning.
Certification and Endorsements
1. Standard Elementary Certificate Grades K-9
- Middle school language arts
- Learning Behavior Specialist I
- Learning Disabilities
- Mental Retardation
- Social/Emotional Disorders
2. Standard Secondary Certificate Grades 6-12
- Learning Behavior Specialist I
- Learning Disabilities
- Mental Retardation
- Social/Emotional Disorders
Contact Me
Email: carlabcross@yahoo.com
Blog: Carla's Techsplorations and Techadventures
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