As a former corporate leader, executive, and employee for several decades, I know what employers seek. As a current career coach in higher ed at Boston University, I work with MBA students to guide them towards fulfilling career paths. I also draft curricula and teach classes regularly. I've also been a corporate trainer for many years.

As someone who needs to keep up to date with CE/CPD with limited resources, I have been using online resources for quite some time now. As an online TEFL/TESOL tutor I create lessons and learning experiences that my students can access online. Having spoken to friends, colleagues, students etc., combined with my own personal experience, I feel that I have an insight into many of the issues that arise with online learning that many people do not have. Most of the people that I connect with, both professionally and personally, come from a wide variety of countries from around the world which gives me knowledge and experience not just locally but internationally. Needs change according to access, language barriers, culture, profession and finance just to name a few. I'm very open minded and both a creative and a critical thinker. I love to find new ways of doing things but also to find the most efficient and effective ways of doing things. Having traveled and lived abroad I have built a large network of connections, both professional and personal, many of whom need CE/CPD. Online learning is very important to me and I would love to be part of a panel that may help to shape the future of online learning and providing greater access to education for all.

I am a certified teacher in foods/nutrition and marketing. I taught at the high school level for over 5 years. I was also a teaching assistant at Cornell University while I was completing my Masters degree. Finally, I am a professional ski instructor and have taught for over 10 years. So I have experience in a variety of educational systems and believe I could bring a unique perspectiv to this panel.

My career has always been "out of the box" or "against the odds". I like to think about the "what if" and "is there another way of doing something". I did this for 18 years in the U.S. Army as an Engineer Officer. I retired and went into Project Management in the local telecom industry. One day, I decided to quit because I felt like I was not making a difference in the world. Two co-workers asked me what I wanted to do, and I said I always wanted to teach math (I was a Math Major in College) and maybe teach a college class in computers (I got my Masters from Boston University in Computer Information Systems). Within 30 days I was hired to do both. I have been teaching mathematics since 2001 and certified in the State of Texas (8-12) along with Technology Applications (EC-12). I have taught at 5 different schools, and taught students from grades 4th-12th (along with 4 years as an adjunct part time professor teaching a computer class.) Three of these Five schools were Title 1 schools. I have been fortunate to work with a population of students (all types, low performing, general, a few high performing, special education, english language learners, 504, etc.), but I am usually teaching those students who struggle with mathematics. I have a way to teach math to help build their confidence in their math ability and have seen some dramatic changes. I have a student this year who has a low IQ and inability to retain information for a long time. I gave her the same Geometry Test that I gave to a Honors Student and she received a 100% on it (I had to reduce some of the questions and she needed more time). This was the FIRST time in her life she got a 100 on any math test (She later got another 100!). I have also tutored and helped students with passing their state exams in math. A few years ago a student failed his exit level Math TAKS test at a very large local school in Plano for his 4th attempt. He was unable to graduate. He had one more chance. My Principal tasked me to tutor him over the summer. He went to New York over the summer and I had to do SKYPE and video tutoring sessions with him. I gave him 7th-11th grade math material before he left. He came back after the summer and passed his MATH Exit Exam! I had another student who was a former graduate and had trouble getting into college and needed to pass the accuplacer exams. I had to give him some quick lessons and he later passed. I had a student last year, who used to be the foster care system and moved from different schools and had a lot of gaps. Her new Mother told me that she would just score in the 70's. I told her that I can't guarantee anything, but I know she could do better. She ended up getting a 90! My School Founder introduces me to new students and parents as the teacher who can work with those students who don't get math or who struggle with it. I guess I have a gift for working with students.

As an entrepreneur who went through public school, received a university degree, known many people who went through private education, and have received extensive certifications outside of formal education as I have developed my own business as an entrepreneur, I have been faced with many different realities that have given me very strong opinions about the current state of our educational system as well as a desire to impact the industry at a higher level so that the next generation does not have to endure the constant struggles that I've seen from people coming out of our current educational system.