Ronalyn Bingaman

State:

I teach in South Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania

PLS courses I teach:

• Discovering the Power of Live-Event Learning™
• Designing Motivation for All Learners®
• Meaningful Activities to Generate Interesting Classrooms®
• IDEAS: Brain-based Ways We Think and Learn®
• Achieving Student Outcomes Through Cooperative Learning®
• MAGIC II (coming soon to a classroom near you!)

Years with PLS:

Started in Spring 2001

Why I love teaching PLS courses:

I love teaching teachers. I love the fact that deep down, teachers in my classes love to teach, but are often frustrated with the "extras" that are expected of them, outside of their teaching realm. PLS allows me the gift of giving them fresh strategies and hands-on activities which will change their daily monotonous lessons into exciting adventures in learning.

Education

• BM, Music Education, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA. Major in Voice; Minor in Theatre Arts/Communications.
• Elementary Education Certificate, Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA
• M. Ed., Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA
• D. Ed., Middle School Focus, in the future.....

Teaching experience:

• East Jr. High School, Waynesboro Area School District
  1985-89: General music, Choir Director, Musical Choreographer
• Greencastle-Antrim Middle School, Greencastle, PA
  1989-Present: General music, Choir Director, Musical Vocal Coach
• Teacher Intern Program, Music Professor, Wilson College
  1996-2003: Taught music seminars for prospective TIP participants

Awards:

• Teacher Feature of the Month, chosen by the students, G-AMS 2003
  500 Participants Award - PLS 2004

What I love about teaching:

I love to help students think outside the box; that it's not just about music, or math, or physical ed....it is about overwhelming circumstances (which happens on a daily basis when you're in the Middle School) gives students life skills they will use for the rest of their lives!

Favorite moment in teaching:

It was during my second year of teaching that I invited an eighth grade boy to join County Chorus rehearsals. He was not even in the chorus, his brother was in jail for drugs, and his confidence level was below average. He went to the County Chorus Festival in March of 1987 and it seriously changed his life, and mine. He enjoyed vocal music for many years, even through college, and it changed my life because I realized I needed to reach ALL students, not just the ones in the 'music' and 'theatre' clicks! It was profound and still inspires me today that everyone needs a chance!

Personal Information:

I have a wonderful husband and three great kids. We all participate in our church's Praise Bands (I play Electric Bass-Rock 'on for Jesus, dude.). We have a lovely 'farmette' where we currently have one Arabian mare named Rafalla Derama, three pymy goats named Rocky, Rambo, and Riley, and fluffy cat named Rigatoni. My hobbies include creating crafts, playing games, and entertaining friends.