We as teachers are the what, how, and why in learning!
"Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system." –Sidney Hook
Educational Background
Dr. Leslie A. Birdon is an award-winning twice National Board Certified educator with over 25 years of experience which includes both rural and urban settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry, a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Science Education from the University of Texas and a doctorate from American College of Education in curriculum and instruction with a STEM emphasis.
Dr. Birdon advocated at the school, district, and state level to write and implement standards and curriculum as a District Lead Science Teacher and State Science Teacher Leader Advisor for the Louisiana Department of Education for three years.
She has presented over 20 times throughout the United States on various topics related to scientific inquiry, literacy, Response to Intervention, effective data analysis, professional learning communities, instructional coaching/mentoring, and school improvement for such organizations as the National Science Teachers Association, NBCT Louisiana Leadership and American Research Educational Association.
Her greatest joy of education is “to teach students to see the vitality in themselves.”
Professional Development in Research Writing
2022 Peer Institute- Professional Development for Emerging Educational Researchers-Chicago, Illinois DePaul University (National Science Foundation)
Example Presentations
2024 "Teacher Perception on Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning to Underrepresented STEM Population" Rayma Harchar Outstanding Research Paper SRERA Presentation- American Educational Research Association National Conference- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2023 "Hooking Key Concepts for Below Proficient Readers using Anchor Texts" National Science Teacher Association Conference- Kansas City, Missouri
2023 "Increasing Sense making in Gender and Minority Populations through Innovative Learning Communities" National Science Teacher Association Conference- Kansas City, Missouri
2023 "Teacher Perception on Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning Approaches" American Educational Research Association National Conference- Chicago, Illinois
2023 "Developing a Reading Literacy Initiative through STEAM" Louisiana ACT State Summit- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2023 "Teacher Perception on Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning to Underrepresented STEM Populations" Louisiana Educational Research Association Conference- Lafayette, Louisiana
2022 "Engaging Students with Digital Notebooks" LACUE Conference- New Orleans, Louisiana
2020 “Developing a Reading Literacy Initiative through STEAM” National Science Teacher Association Conference- Boston, Massachusetts (Cancelled due to Covid-19)
2019 “Creating Culturally Diverse Classroom for All Student in Science” National Science Teacher Association Conference-St. Louis, Missouri
2018 “Understanding the Science Scope and Sequence to Plan Daily Instruction 6-8: Full Day Session” Louisiana Department of Education- 2018 Teacher Leader Summit- New Orleans
2018 "Embedding Literacy into Scientific Content" SmartBrief STEM Education- New York
2018 “Webinar Series on Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom for Student Achievement” Louisiana Association of Educators- Statewide
Linkedin Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliebirdon/
National Blog Article Link: https://achievethecore.org/aligned/welding-literacy-scientific-instruction/
NBCT Advocacy: "How She Took the LEAP" https://www.nbpts.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Leslie-PDF.pdf
Award- Winning Research Article Link https://www.leraweb.net/ojs/index.php/RICE/issue/view/18
Winter 2024 Edition Northwestern University of Louisiana Alumni Spotlight Focus
Article Link
https://northwesternstatealumni.com/
Teaching in Practice
As we collaborate through teaching and learning, reflection causes a transformation in instructional practices and techniques. In the example video, teachers are exploring how a foundational reading protocol can increase critical thinking and student engagement.
Video Link:
Professional Learning Community Purpose
In these professional learning communities, teachers refine their instructional practices so students receive the needed tools for academic success. As a school, we meet on a weekly basis to reflect and discuss the learning environment to impact learning through content, thinking, emotional support, and reflection.
Content
Teachers discuss ways to blend literacy strategies into their content area.
Thinking
Creating unique learning opportunities where collaboration is explored and appreciated for creative problem-solving.
Emotional Support
Learning how to embed social-emotional learning components is critical to teaching the whole child through such frameworks as Know Do Be .
Reflection
Educators must feel that they can reflect on educational issues to improve and refine instructional practices through discussion.
