Pathways to Understanding Institute 2008

Meet the Faculty

Anne Arendt is a first grade teacher at Montague Elementary in Mt. Morris, Michigan. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, a M.A. in Early Childhood Education, and is currently enrolled in the Administrative Leadership Academy. Anne has been the school improvement chair for four years, is part of the strategic academic planning committee, and has led many district initiatives such as Writer's Workshop and Positive Behavior Support. Anne states that while teachers at her current school have different stories to tell about their classrooms, they all have one common goal: To provide opportunities for all children to be successful. Anne is committed to learning within ATLAS because she has witnessed even the youngest of children growing into thoughtful learners. Anne strives to create safe environments that foster and respect conversations and thinking among those she teaches.

Brenda G. Artwell has, for over thirty-five years, been engaged in and passionate about public education. Following successful tenures as teacher, curriculum and instruction administrator, and principal, Brenda joined ATLAS Learning Communities. Twelve years ago she began as a Site Developer working with schools across the United States, and most recently as a Regional Director and Project Director in the northeast. Beyond her work with schools and school districts, Brenda has been a presenter and facilitator at numerous conferences that include the ATLAS National Principals' Institute, the Wallace Foundation's Leadership Conference, and The Gathering of Leaders I and II: A Contemplation on the Education of Black Male Students. Brenda is devoted to family and friends and much of her love for entertaining revolves around them. Her moments away from work are balanced with her interest in reading, learning about interior design, discovering great shoe stores, gardening, and traveling.

Malia Burns has just completed her second year teaching Global History at The Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice in New York City. A beneficiary of progressive education, she is delighted to contribute to an innovative story of learning in her classroom and school through her own efforts and collaborations with others within ATLAS Learning Communities. In her classroom, Malia has taken particular interest in inviting students' voices, ideas, and thinking into significant content focused on big ideas to empower her learners. Malia is a Hawaii native with west coast sensibilities who is falling in love with New York City.

Mark Church was a teacher in both elementary and middle schools for thirteen years. His experiences have included teaching positions in the United States, Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands while being a workshop leader and presenting instructor at various conferences and institutes around the world. While in the classroom, Mark put into practice Harvard Project Zero research including both Teaching for Understanding and Visible Thinking. Mark has worked closely with teachers within ATLAS Learning Communities to focus on issues of developing understanding, thinking, and learning – knowing that when teachers are a part of a rich culture of thinking, their work with learners often mirrors the same. In addition to his work with ATLAS schools, Mark is currently serving as a consultant with Ron Ritchhart on the Cultures of Thinking Project -- helping to establish and support core groups of teachers in their efforts to create more meaningful opportunities for thinking and learning to happen among students in their classrooms.

Jan Dalman of Holland, Michigan, taught high school, counseled at middle school, served as principal of an alternative high school, served as a director of adult education, and finally worked as an assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. Now “re-treaded” as an ATLAS consultant, Jan has deepened her interest in increasing thinking and learning opportunities for students through collaborating and reflecting with teachers and principals. Jan believes strongly that when teachers and principals come together as fellow learners, new opportunities for relevance and meaning are created in their practice.

Sue Dinse resides in Michigan and brings over thirty years of experience in public education to this institute. She began her career as a Special Education teacher and has taught second through sixth grades in general education and was principal of a K-5 elementary school for twelve years. Most recently Sue has served as a Site Developer for ATLAS Learning Communities in the Flint, Michigan area and in New York City. A driving force in Sue's career has been her desire to create opportunities for all voices to be heard, so that even those who are most at-risk can create spaces for themselves as learners and leaders in our world.

Varzi Jeanbaptiste is an ATLAS Site Developer based in New York City. Varzi lives in Brooklyn and currently works with ATLAS schools engaging teachers, administrators, and school staff in the ATLAS Study Group Process and Learning from Student Work Protocols. Varzi is the proud mother of Jabari Akil and Jaire Asim, both 11 years old. Varzi's boys are her passion and inspiration. In every classroom, in front of every teacher, administrator, and school staff member, she is a parent first. Her experience at ATLAS Learning Communities has reaffirmed her belief that it really “takes a village to raise a child.”

Doris Perry is a Project Director for ATLAS Learning Communities. She co-directs the implementation of all ATLAS programs and services.  In her eight year tenure with ATLAS she continues to support teachers and school leaders in transforming schools into collaborative thoughtful cultures that focus on student success. Prior to joining ATLAS, Doris spent twenty-four years in Michigan schools as a teacher and high school administrator. She has a daughter, who teaches in Detroit, and two delightful granddaughters.

Ron Ritchhart is a Principal Investigator at Harvard University 's Project Zero where his work centers on the understanding and development of instructional environments that encourage student's intelligence, understanding, creativity and mindfulness. He currently directs the Cultures of Thinking research project at Bialik College in Melbourne, Australia. Before coming to Project Zero, Ron taught elementary and middle school for fourteen years, receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. Ron has authored numerous books and articles as well as directed videos that explore how teachers foster understanding, nurture creativity, and make thinking visible. Ron has been a longstanding friend of ATLAS Learning Communities and has been an integral part of the Pathways to Understanding Institute over the years.

Nicole Winn-Williams has been a teacher for eight years and currently teaches at the Urban Assembly Academy of History and Citizenship for Young Men in the Bronx. She holds a B.S. in Social Studies Education, a M.S. in Ed Literacy Studies, and has state certification in Social Studies, Literacy, and English. Nicole loves being a teacher and views her students as an extension of herself. With a strong sense of commitment and dedication to improving the lives of inner city youth through education, Nicole strives to improve the quality of urban education, both in her own classroom and collaboratively with other teachers also committed to this same effort.