  In 2005 Ryan began his doctorate (part-time) at Teachers College Columbia University. During his four years in New York City he mentored teachers in all disciplines, coordinated curriculum and collaborated with the entire staff to develop professional learning communities at Banana Kelly High School in the South Bronx. Ryan's work has been featured in publications like Teacher Magazine, The Boston Globe and The Detroit News. He frequently blogs at the Making Curriculum Pop Ning and has written for publications including the Journal of Staff Development, Journal of Media Literacy and the New York Times. Mindblue and Making Curriculum Pop evolved from Ryan's extensive background in the entertainment industry. He worked in marketing for Virgin Records, was a DJ at NPR in Detroit and worked at E! Entertainment Television in Los Angeles. This unique background led Ryan do develop classes that led students to meet with people like actors Robin Williams and Julianne Moore, writer William Goldman (The Princess Bride & All The President’s Men) and director Spike Jonze. Ryan's favorite quote from a former student? "Despite the fact that we learned things, we had fun in Mr. Goble's class." This quote resonates because Ryan has always focused on designing learning experiences that allow students and teachers to have fun while learning. When Ryan presents for teachers he uses highly differentiated and participant centered techniques to make learners' needs and interests a priority. His consulting specialties include systemic school improvement, best practices, curriculum mapping and design, literacy, assessment and technology & popular culture across the curriculum. Ryan has taught practicing teachers graduate courses in Education since 2003. In 2009 Ryan and his wife moved home to Chicago where he trains K-College teachers as an adjunct professor for Aurora and Roosevelt Universities. In 2010 he will complete a six year term on the National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE) Media Commission and plans to complete his dissertation on "cultural connectivism in schools" by early 2012.  Before joining IMSA, Nicole was a Professional Development Advisor for the National Academy (NAfET) for Excellent Teaching at Teachers College Columbia University. As a NAfET advisor, Nicole worked in small public high schools in Harlem and the Bronx as a teacher mentor, principal coach, interdisciplinary curriculum coordinator and literacy coach. Nicole began her coaching career with the Secondary Literacy Institute (SLI) at Teachers College. At SLI she worked with secondary school faculty in the Bronx to develop literacy practices across the curriculum. Ms. Trackman is an adjunct professor at Benedictine University, where she teaches graduate courses in education and at DeVry University, where she teaches undergraduate research and writing. She has taught 6-12 grade English, speech, and journalism in urban, suburban and international settings. In 2007 Nicole began her Doctoral studies in English Education at Teachers College Columbia University. In New York City she co-produced, and co-taught the Teach, Think, Play course/conference at Teachers College Columbia University from 2006-2009. Ms. Trackman is on the National Council of Teachers of English Poetry Commission and has presented at their national conference for the past six years with the Poetry Commission and Mindblue. Nicole holds a Master's degree in English and Education and a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Iowa. During Nicole's tenure in Iowa City she was involved in the prestigious Iowa Writer's Workshop. She also served as poetry editor at the University of Iowa's literary magazine Earthwords. Nicole enjoys working individually with teachers, principals, and full faculties; she has been presenting her work in curriculum design, differentiation and interdisciplinary constructivism at national and state conferences, district-wide professional development conference and school community teaching conferences since 2004.   |
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