Professional Developers

I have been passionate about the Habits of Mind for 8 years. I have observed first hand the difference the Habits of Mind have made in the students I teach. The Habits of Mind are intrinsic to me now. I am very sensitive to them and tap into the essence of them daily. The Habits of Mind have given me the courage to create and build my own consulting business in New Zealand. My vision for teaching and learning is to empower as many students as I can especially those children who are disadvantaged for various reasons.

Michele's professional work for the last twelve years has focused on educational reform prioritizing the understanding of both content and leadership development within all levels of a PK–16 system. At the El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence, Michele was the Director of K–12 Math and Science Partnership and previously served as the Director for Leadership Development and Director for Literacy. During these years she provided leadership for school administrators and school-based coaches in standards-based teaching and learning.

Marie is an engaging and extraordinary presenter with experience at all level of schooling from pre-school to school leaders.

Marie has led professional development in Finland, The Neatherlands and across Norway and Sweden and is the author of five books about Thinking and Learning skills.

Marie is certified as an Associate Trainer in `de Bono Thinking´.

In 2003 Marie was awarded the Nordic School Leader Prize by the Nordic School Leaders Organization.

Karen Boyes is described as Australasia's "Mrs Education." An expert in effective teaching, study skills, learning and living, Karen turns research into practical and simple to use techniques that create success. As the Founder of Spectrum Education and an Associate Director for the Institute for Habits of Mind, Karen is an expert of teaching and implementing the Habits of Mind throughout the world.  A dynamic presenter, she inspires teachers and students around the world.

Scott Wright has been an educator for 17 years.  He has a B.S. from Syracuse University in Elementary Education and completed graduate studies in Curriculum and Design at SUNY, State University of New York State, at Oswego. He is currently working toward a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership at Syracuse University.

Paula Wilkes, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Center for Gifted Education at Pacific University in Eugene, Oregon, teaches courses in literacy and gifted education.  The Habits of Mind are infused in her courses through children’s literature, “flow” activities, modeling, and reflective practice.  Dr. Wilkes was a classroom teacher for 25 years, and the Habits of Mind were a fundamental part of the way she organized her curriculum and modeled these life-long dispositions for her students.  Dr.

Carol Lloyd recently retired after 31 years as a secondary mathematics teacher in order to pursue her passion for working with teachers.  Over the last 17 years, she has taught a variety of courses in the areas of math strategies, classroom management and the Habits of Mind.  Carol's work with the Habits of Mind has been included in the Video Journal of Education and the ASCD publications Activating and Engaging Habits of Mind and

Alan Cooper is an educational consultant based in New Zealand. As a principal he was known for his innovative/leadership role in Thinking Skills including Habits of Mind, Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences, Information Technology, and the development of the school as a learning community. He has published widely both internationally and nationally, including a chapter with Georgette Jenson in Habits of Mind Across the Curriculum (2008).

Patricia Buoncristiani is a co founder of Thinking and Learning in Concert. She and her husband Martin work as a team providing interactive, dynamic workshops and presentations tailored to address the specific needs of the groups with whom they work. Pat has spent over thirty years as an educator committed to the belief that learning how to think is the foundation for every successful learner. She has been a classroom teacher, a teachers college lecturer and, most recently, a school principal in both Australia and the USA.