Best Resume

STEPHEN D. BEST

3075 Riverwoods Drive Rockford, Michigan 49341 Phone: (616) 863-8778 / (734) 709-8904 e-mail: [email protected]

The University of Michigan School of Education 610 E. University, Suite 4047 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259

EDUCATION: Doctor of Philosophy Student coursework complete; on hiatus University of Michigan, School of Education, Ann Arbor, Michigan Research focus on Technology on Schools; Educational Reform Efforts and Preservice and Inservice Teacher Education. Master of Arts in Education University of Michigan, School of Education, Ann Arbor, Michigan

May 1998

Master of Urban Planning University of Michigan, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Ann Arbor, Michigan

May 1995

Bachelor of Science in Education University of Michigan, School of Education, Ann Arbor, Michigan

May 1990

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Director of Professional Development and Outreach July 1999 – Current Center for Highly Interactive Computing in Education University of Michigan School of Education, Ann Arbor, Michigan Planning and implementation of professional development programs for the Center for Learning Technologies in Urban Schools, an NSF sponsored program working with Detroit Public Schools. Coordination of individualized classroom support and teacher workshops for a group of approximately 50 middle school science educators at 18 schools. Development of documentation protocols and implementation of research programs on teacher’s classroom instruction and relation to professional learning opportunities. Creation and implementation of professional development programs for the Primary Sources Network and the Middle Start Comprehensive School Reform Program, in addition to other outreach programs. Coordination of staff communication and organization with respect to research, curriculum development, software development, and professional development programs. User testing and design input on KNOW (Knowledge Networks On the Web), a professional development web site incorporating video and artifact resources with curriculum materials and communication tools designed to create a teacher-community. Creation and design of a series of online professional development programs for middle grades science educators.. Liaison with School of Education outreach programs. Liaison with schools and school districts throughout Michigan for outreach related activities and professional development support for School of Education related projects. Consultant April 2002 – September 2003 GoKnow, LLC, Ann Arbor, Michigan Planning and implementation of professional development programs f for educational use of handheld computers. Development of documentation for professional development efforts and technology specifications for use of handheld computers in K-12 education. Coordination of professional development activities for two Learning Without Limits education projects. Development of evaluation protocols for projects and software design, including interface usability, program functionality for traditional and non-traditional educational use, and debugging. Instructor/Co-Director July 1996 – July 1999 Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) Program, Cohort A University of Michigan School of Education, Ann Arbor, Michigan Led and assisted in instruction in an intensive, interdisciplinary teacher education program. Worked with a faculty team to develop a structured curriculum to address issues of teacher preparation, including educational psychology, curriculum development, research methods, literacy, and foundations of education. Acted as primary coordinator and supervisor of intern teachers in a number of schools and disciplines. Acted as academic advisor for students to complete certification and graduation requirements. Developed and instructed a technology-based course geared toward utilizing various technologies in the secondary classroom. Developed an integrated web site for cohort use to supplement the face-to-face instruction.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Continued: Research Assistant January 1993 – January 1997 Studies in Urban Security Group University of Michigan College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Ann Arbor, Michigan Developed security and emergency response procedures for Detroit Water and Sewer Department. Completed geographic analysis of emergency response statistics for the City of Detroit for use in geographic reorganization of police precincts and EMS vehicle response. Assisted in development and training in emergency response procedures for public utilities for the City of Atlanta, in preparation for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Developed a sample site and proposal for creation of a web-based course geared toward instruction of urban history (side project with colleagues). Research Assistant September 1994 - July 1996 National Science Foundation / Project GREEN Teacher Enhancement Project University of Michigan School of Education, Ann Arbor, Michigan Documented teacher and student use of multiple communication and computation technologies in a project-oriented, interdisciplinary, environmental education program. Surveyed teachers involved in the project regarding dissemination of information regarding educational technologies. Examined technology use and application issues among culturally end economically diverse interest groups. Worked with teachers and coordinators to develop technological applications for classroom use. Instructed teachers on use of various technologies, including use of the Internet in the classroom. Consulted GREEN staff on coordination and planning of an international environmental education conference for 250+participants. Teacher of Mathematics August 1992 - August 1993 Konawaena High School, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Instructed general mathematics, geometry, and applied mathematics classes in a large high school with a diverse population. Developed lesson plans, activities, and application projects for these classes. Led faculty inservice sessions regarding use of technology and new content and methods use in mathematics education. Acted as head advisor of the high school solar car racing team during a period of restructuring. Worked with several students to design and build a solar powered vehicle. Developed community relations to promote team progress and establish team financing. Prepared budget, itinerary, and overall plan for a world record transcontinental trip of North America with the solar car by the students. Established alternative energy education programs in conjunction with activities of the solar car team. Teacher of Mathematics and Science Pittsford High School, Pittsford, Michigan

August 1991 - August 1992

Teacher of Mathematics Detroit Country Day Upper School, Birmingham, Michigan

August 1990 - August 1991

Administrative Assistant Society for College and University Planning, Ann Arbor, Michigan

April 1990 - December 1993

PUBLICATIONS: Fishman, B., Marx, R., Best, S., & Tal, R. (2003). Linking teacher and student learning to improve professional development in systemic reform. Teaching and Teacher Education. Best, S., Fishman, B., Marx, R., & Foster, J. (2000). Comprehensive professional development reform efforts: Changing attitudes and practices about pedagogy and technology for science teachers with diverse needs. In D. A. Willis, J. D. Price & J. Willis (Eds.), Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (pp. 1839-1844). San Diego, CA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Best, S., Marx, R., Fishman, B., & Peek-Brown, D. (2000). Professional development for systemic change: A strategic approach to scaling educational reform through professional development programs. In D. A. Willis, J. D. Price & J. Willis (Eds.), Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (pp. 285-390). San Diego, CA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Best, S. (1995) The Power of Their Ideas: Lesson for America From a Small School in Harlem (Book review). Journal of the American Planning Association, (pp 187 – 190) 63:536 Washington, DC: American Planning Association