change yourself change your world ™
Your Subtitle text
vocational chronicle
Founder, Mosaic of Self TM Institute, Serving students both locally and world wide. Holistic Living Education / Intuitive Arts, Madison, WI; 2004-present.
Adult Peacemaking Coach & Young Ambassadors' Children's Camp Program Director, Beloved Community, Ashland, OR, Kona, HI; 2003-2004.
Elementary Facilitator (Assistant Principal), Focused on conflict resolution, community relations, curriulum, Horizon Charter School, Chandler, AZ; 1997-2000.
Elementary Teacher, Horizon Charter School, (Multi-age classroom, grades 3-5, integrated, project-based curriculum, all students had ILP), Chandler, AZ; 1996-1997.
Elementary Teacher, Dragonfleye Charter School (Hands-on science/holistic education philosophy, all natural environment, school body began day together with yoga each morning on school lawn), Phoenix, AZ; 1995-1996.
Elementary Teacher, Whitnall School District, (Led staff development, wrote whole language and integrated curriculum, implemented multiple intelligences and hands-on science programs), Greenfield, WI; 1990-1995.
education
Graduate Studies: Arizona Department of Education; Carroll College, WI; Wisconsin Department of Instruction; Rosary Park College, Illinois; Minnesota High Success Consortium; Humboldt University, CA; University of Wisconsin - Madison, WI
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, University of Wisconsin - Platteville; 1989
continuing education
professional development
Foodie, Amateur aficionado of food for consumption, study, preparation, and news (including a food blog created with my children) -- exploring the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food for enjoyment and modeling sustainability practices, 1999-Present.
Organic Gardener, Grower of vegetables, herbs, fruits and edible flowers for home consumption, 2006-Present.
Angel Therapy Practioner®, American Board of Hypnotherapy (Irvine,CA), Global Clientele; 2000-Present.
- Integrated and Whole Child-Centered Curriculum, Child Development and Administration, Arizona DPI; 1996-2000
- Integrated Instruction, Wisconsin DPI; 1995
- Sally Ride Academy: Science & Technology Integration in Education, Wisconsin DPI; 1995
- Science Fellows III: Integrated Science, Technology &b Literature, University of Wisconsin - Parkside; 1995
- Writing Individual Education Plans for Special Needs Students in the Classroom, Wisconsin DPI; 1995
- Integrated Instruction in the Intermediate Grades, Wisconsin DPI; 1995
- A Balanced Language Program (emphasis on progressive approaches to "teaching" spelling), Patricia Cunningham; 1994
- Authentic Assessment with James Allen, University of Wisconsin - Madison; 1994
- Science Fellows II: Integrating Science & Math, Univeristy of Wisconsin - Parkside, 1993
- Pathways to Literacy with Bill Martin, Jr., Rosary Park College, Illinois; 1992
- Practitioner's Paradise I, II and III: Minnesota High Success Consortium (Transformational Outcome Based Education focus), Rochester, Minnesota; 1992
- Integrating Math and Children's Literature, Humboldt University, Arcata, CA; 1992
- Science World (Educational Leadership in Environmentalism and Science), Wisconsin DPI; 1992
- Outcome Based Education Curriculum Restructuring, Carroll College, Wisconsin; 1992
professional development
- Cooperating Teacher for Student Teachers: Carroll College, Waukesha, WI; 1994
- Cooperating Teacher for Field Students: Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI; 1991-1995
- Portfolio Assessment Consultant: Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI; 1993-1995
- Whitnall School District Improvement Education Committee, Greenfield, WI; 1994-1995
- Hales Corners Elementary School Improvement Education Committee, Greenfield, WI; 1994-1995
- Wisconsin Area Federation of Teachers (Executive Board Member, School Representative), Whitnall School District, Greenfield, WI; 1993-1995
- Whitnall School District Strategic Plan Committee (Community-School Relations Committee), Greenfield, WI: 1993
- Whitnall School District Science & Math Curriculum Committees, Greenfield, WI; 1992-1995
- Whitnall School District Integrated Curriculum Whole Language and Writing Committee, Greenfield, WI; 1991-1995
- Community Education Forum Leader (promoting awareness and support of educational environment); Whitnall School District, Greenfield, WI; 1993
- Outcome Based Education Practitioner Consultant for Education Association, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater; 1992
publications
- ”Perspectives,” Mosaic of Self™ Institute’s Blog and Internet-based E-zine, 2005-present
- "Believe...Belove," (Chapter 1) in the book Raising Psychic Children (I was an invited author), James Twyman, Findhorn Press, 2003
- Charter School Successes, Teacher Interview, the Morrow Report, Public Broadcasting System, AZ; 1998
- Outcome-Based Education Curriculum Units for Teacher Training, Minnesota High Success Constortium; 1992
- The Life of Plants, The Earth's Weather, Crazy Chemistry: Science, Technology & Whole Language Based Integrated Curriculum Units, Whitnall School District; 1991-1995
hobbies & tangents
Foodie, Amateur aficionado of food for consumption, study, preparation, and news (including a food blog created with my children) -- exploring the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food for enjoyment and modeling sustainability practices, 1999-Present.
Organic Gardener, Grower of vegetables, herbs, fruits and edible flowers for home consumption, 2006-Present.
Angel Therapy Practioner®, American Board of Hypnotherapy (Irvine,CA), Global Clientele; 2000-Present.
ADDICTED TO GROWTH & CHANGE
The Journey is more important
than the destination
The Journey is more important
than the destination
Thanks for taking interest in my story. My life has been an evolving adventure, one that is difficult to share in only a few words. This is a very condensed version. (Though many of the stories appear on the pages of this site, my blog and many articles.) It as been a path forged as a reflection of my inner journey. I think it'll give you perspective on my perspective. I've been told my approach and insights are unique. To me, they are a natural extension of the way I observe the world; a result from over two decades of experience in the fields of public education, environmental education, self-development, spiritual growth and holistic living.
My undergraduate and graduate studies prepared me in the science of teaching. Esteemed colleagues and professional organizations recognized me as a natural master in the art of teaching. Dr. Doreen Virtue, author of the book I'd Change My Life it I Had More Time, told me I was a "teacher of teachers." My personal philosophy is that we are all students and all teachers for one another. Whether formal or informal, we're engaged in a continuous, symbiotic relationship of shared teaching learning as we evolve together through our life experience. There is no hierarchy, as I see it. Learning is life-long.
My work as an elementary teacher and assistant principal focused on whole child centered classrooms (embracing the physical, intellectual, emotional and social aspects of the students) through an integrated curriculum that developed critical, creative and higher order thinking skills. Guiding themselves as individuals and a team while I played the role of facilitator, the students learned through personal and collective choice as they developed their own natural interests and abilities while typically going beyond the district, state and national standards. Addicted to learning, the students applied and synthesized skills and concepts they mastered through hands-on learning as they collaborated with peers to produce real-life projects and experiences such as a full-running publishing house and theater operated by a team of writers, builders, artists, graphic artists, narrators, curators, actors, make-up artists, sound and special effects experts, editors, tailors, financial advisors, publicists, and so on. All of which, were fourth graders!
Pursuing my own personal path, I left the public education area in 2000 to start a family and explore more fully my own inner calling. This "accidentally" led me to the work of Dr. Doreen Virtue, from whom I received the ATP certification in January 2001. A fourth-generation metaphysician, Doreen offered a mind-body-spirit approach to the life that was intriguing to me. Some of the ideas and philosophies that were new to me are actually old school in the east and have existed since ancient times and across many lands in various wisdom traditions.
Stretching my envelope further, in my next chapter of life I was invited to serve as a personal coach to nearly 100 adult students enrolled in an Internet-based school with peace activism as the core theme of the curriculum, which explored a multicultural approach to peace principles from wisdom traditions around the world, such as Native American, European, Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. Coaching people from so many diverse backgrounds and belief systems, though all centered on the same theme, inner and world peace, I learned a great deal about humanitarianism and living a service oriented life. Some of my most inspiring "students" -- yoga teachers, life coaches, classroom teachers, a mortician, authors, clergy, retreat center owners, meditation teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs and more -- were my greatest teachers.
A phenomena had been occurring in my life since I left the traditional teaching field. People were finding me on the Web and from word of mouth recommendations -- searching for guidance for self growth, positive life change and life purpose direction. People were contacting me from all over the globe -- in over half of the states in the US, Canada, the UK, Scotland, Australia, the United Arab Emerites, France, Bulgaria, Germany, and the list goes on. A bit overwhelming, I don't even recall all the countries. It touched my heart and inspired me to design curriculum to answer this call. My brainchild, Mosaic of Self InstituteTM, was founded in 2004.
The expression of my life is my attempt to live my full potential. Because life is about change, each day is an opportunity to figure out what that possibility means. It keeps me thinking out of the box, and then thinking out of the next box, and so on and so on. Meditation, an amazingly supportive husband and life-partner, faith instilled by my parents, and the inspiration I receive on a daily basis while working with so many incredible individuals -- including my young daughters -- really help me keep it all together. Conscious intention and self-discipline are also key ingredients, as are fun and play!
Theresa Ann with husband and life partner, Brian. (This
picture was taken by our then four year old daughter, who
sees herself as a photographer, amongst other things.)
My undergraduate and graduate studies prepared me in the science of teaching. Esteemed colleagues and professional organizations recognized me as a natural master in the art of teaching. Dr. Doreen Virtue, author of the book I'd Change My Life it I Had More Time, told me I was a "teacher of teachers." My personal philosophy is that we are all students and all teachers for one another. Whether formal or informal, we're engaged in a continuous, symbiotic relationship of shared teaching learning as we evolve together through our life experience. There is no hierarchy, as I see it. Learning is life-long.
My work as an elementary teacher and assistant principal focused on whole child centered classrooms (embracing the physical, intellectual, emotional and social aspects of the students) through an integrated curriculum that developed critical, creative and higher order thinking skills. Guiding themselves as individuals and a team while I played the role of facilitator, the students learned through personal and collective choice as they developed their own natural interests and abilities while typically going beyond the district, state and national standards. Addicted to learning, the students applied and synthesized skills and concepts they mastered through hands-on learning as they collaborated with peers to produce real-life projects and experiences such as a full-running publishing house and theater operated by a team of writers, builders, artists, graphic artists, narrators, curators, actors, make-up artists, sound and special effects experts, editors, tailors, financial advisors, publicists, and so on. All of which, were fourth graders!
Pursuing my own personal path, I left the public education area in 2000 to start a family and explore more fully my own inner calling. This "accidentally" led me to the work of Dr. Doreen Virtue, from whom I received the ATP certification in January 2001. A fourth-generation metaphysician, Doreen offered a mind-body-spirit approach to the life that was intriguing to me. Some of the ideas and philosophies that were new to me are actually old school in the east and have existed since ancient times and across many lands in various wisdom traditions.
Stretching my envelope further, in my next chapter of life I was invited to serve as a personal coach to nearly 100 adult students enrolled in an Internet-based school with peace activism as the core theme of the curriculum, which explored a multicultural approach to peace principles from wisdom traditions around the world, such as Native American, European, Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. Coaching people from so many diverse backgrounds and belief systems, though all centered on the same theme, inner and world peace, I learned a great deal about humanitarianism and living a service oriented life. Some of my most inspiring "students" -- yoga teachers, life coaches, classroom teachers, a mortician, authors, clergy, retreat center owners, meditation teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs and more -- were my greatest teachers.
A phenomena had been occurring in my life since I left the traditional teaching field. People were finding me on the Web and from word of mouth recommendations -- searching for guidance for self growth, positive life change and life purpose direction. People were contacting me from all over the globe -- in over half of the states in the US, Canada, the UK, Scotland, Australia, the United Arab Emerites, France, Bulgaria, Germany, and the list goes on. A bit overwhelming, I don't even recall all the countries. It touched my heart and inspired me to design curriculum to answer this call. My brainchild, Mosaic of Self InstituteTM, was founded in 2004.
The expression of my life is my attempt to live my full potential. Because life is about change, each day is an opportunity to figure out what that possibility means. It keeps me thinking out of the box, and then thinking out of the next box, and so on and so on. Meditation, an amazingly supportive husband and life-partner, faith instilled by my parents, and the inspiration I receive on a daily basis while working with so many incredible individuals -- including my young daughters -- really help me keep it all together. Conscious intention and self-discipline are also key ingredients, as are fun and play!
Theresa Ann with husband and life partner, Brian. (This
picture was taken by our then four year old daughter, who
sees herself as a photographer, amongst other things.)
