Cambridge educators selected for national leadership initiative
Congratulations to two of CPS’s outstanding teachers, Karyn Grace and Dan Monahan, who were among 150 teachers selected by the National Education Association (NEA), Center for Teaching Quality, and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to participate in the national Teacher Leadership Initiative.
Inclusive Instructional Specialist Karyn Grace has been a special education teacher at the elementary and middle school level for the past 18 years. Her current role within CPS focuses on working with classroom teachers and special education staff on teaching and practices that support the inclusion of students with disabilities across school settings. Other examples of Karyn’s leadership within CPS include developing coursework for the CPS licensure program and contributing to our mentor program, serving as a Cambridge Educators Association representative and leadership on Positive Behavioral Intervention Systems and Response to Intervention programs. She also currently serves as adjunct faculty at Lesley University, Endicott College, and Fitchburg State University. A current doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership, she recently presented on the use of iPads in assessment at the Literacy for All Conference in 2013, and on the Common Core for 170 educators at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Dan Monahan is also an educator with 18 years of experience, and formerly an electronics engineer and farmer. For the past eight years he has been a district-level instructional coach in science, supporting CPS teachers to enhance and improve science instruction. Prior to this leadership role, Dan taught 7th and 8th grade science for eight years at a CPS K-8 school, where he helped to implement their middle school program. Dan holds National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Mathematics and has served on state and national level MCAS Assessment and Development Committees, MPAKS (Massachusetts Performance Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) committees, and has contributed to the writing of the National Board for Professional Teachers Standards in Early Adolescent Science. Dan has served as Cambridge Education Association Secretary, Vice President, and member of the contract negotiating committee and has been an active member of TURN (Teachers Union Reform Network) at the regional and national levels. Dan also contributes to NEA Foundation Union/District collaboration.
Karyn and Dan join 148 other educators from Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Mississippi for interactive professional development and leadership training aimed at activating teacher leadership in school districts while shaping the vision of the National Education Association.
Congratulations, Karyn and Dan! Thank you for your service to CPS students and your commitment to excellence in teaching and leadership.
Read the full press release from the NEA >>