Presenter Bios

Jere Beard
Jere received her M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia in 1999. She is currently working on a 2nd M.Ed. in TESOL while studying Spanish. Her research interests involve English literacy and Spanish speaking adults. Her webpage can be found at http://www.arches.uga.edu/~jbeard/.

Melissa Brown
Melissa is a seventh grade teacher at Morgan County Middle School. She has been teaching for seven years. She obtained her undergraduate and graduate degree from Georgia College and State University. She has taught all subjects in middle school except for science. This is her second year mentoring a student teacher.

Molly Efland, EdS., National Board Certified
Molly has been teaching in this area for 25 years at the elementary level. She works as an Interrelated teacher at Alps Rd. Elementary School primarily with Emotional/ Behavior Disordered students and students with Learning Disabilitites. Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts, a master's degree in Behavior Disorders, and a specialist degree in Learning disabilities. She earned National Board Certification in Nov.of 2003.

Carl Glickman (Click for full bio.)

Julie Moore
Julie is an Assistant Professor in Instructional Technology at the University of Georgia. A former high school math teacher, her primary research interests include technology integration in K-12 settings and supporting teacher learning and growth through collaborative models of professional development, including the use of online technologies. At Georgia, she teaches graduate classes in the Instructional Technology program and works as Co-General Editor and design team member of the BRIDGE- an online project especially aimed at meeting the resources, learning, and professional connection needs of beginning teachers.

Mark Roper
Mark is currently completing his student teaching at Morgan County Middle School. He has an Associates Degree from Georgia Perimeter College and will complete his BS degree in Middle School Education with specialties in Social Science and Language Arts this spring. He chose to change careers and become a educator because of his love for working with children and the rewards that it brings.

Thomas Van Soelen
Thomas enjoys creating and participating in collaborative experiences everywhere he goes: as an Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Accountability in Decatur City Schools, a National Facilitator for the National School Reform Faculty, a Music Director at St. John Neumann Church in Lilburn, and a literacy consultant for RESAs and schools working toward standards-based environments. Thomas draws on his K-12 teaching experiences in Iowa, California, and Florida as well as time spent preparing undergraduates at the University of Georgia.