Professional Development Workshop

Dr. Barbara Sylvester, Assoc. Prof. of Education and Direcotr of the Austin Teacher Program at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and Breana Dacy, Ph.D. candidate in Education Psychology at UT Austin led a development workshop for Harmony School teachers in May 2009. Sylvester and Dacy grouped teachers according to grade levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, HS) to discuss student survey results on issues of class community and safety. Methods were discussed for the enhancement of classroom learning environment and the building of a sense of community among students. With these issues in mind, goals were established for improved student learning for each teacher group.

Presenter Bios

Dr. Barbara Sylvester is an Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Austin Teacher Program at Austin College in Sherman, Texas.  Dr. Sylvester has taught at Austin College for the past twenty years and specializes in mathematics instruction and supporting pre-service teachers in their field experiences. Prior to receiving her PhD in Education from the University of North Texas, Dr. Sylvester was a classroom teacher, working with learners from elementary through post-secondary levels. 

Breana Dacy is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Her area of specialization within Educational Psychology is in Learning, Instruction, Cognition, and Motivation. Prior to attending the University of Texas at Austin, Mrs. Dacy received her Bachelors of Arts, and Master of Arts in Teaching from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. Mrs. Dacy’s research centers around teacher career satisfaction, teacher attrition, and supporting teachers’ professional development need