Pat Larson

State:

Pennsylvania

PLS courses I teach:

• Brain-Based Ways We Think and Learn™
• Teaching the Skills of the 21st Century®
• Multiple Intelligences™
• Teaching Through Learning Channels
• Designing Motivation
• Building Communication and Teamwork in Classroom™
• Achieving Student Outcomes Through Cooperative Learning™
• Successful Teaching for Acceptance of Responsibility®
• Coaching Skills for Successful Teaching

Years with PLS:

Since 1991

Why I love teaching PLS courses:

I love teaching PLS courses because they offer the most relevant and practical approach to learning in the 21st Century. Every teacher who takes a PLS course will leave with something that they can immediately use in their classroom to enhance their teaching

Education:

• UNC-G/ Bachelor of Arts in English 1975
• Gannon University/ Masters in Curriculum and Instruction 1990

Teaching experience:

• English and Speech, Grades 10-12 32 years
• PLS Graduate level Education , 17 years
• Coached debate and speech teams for 10 years

Related experience, recognition, awards, etc.:

• Outstanding Young Educator High Point, NC 1977
• Yearbook Advisor, School Newspaper Advisor, Lead teacher, Middle States Facilitator, Warren County 1988-1991

What I love most about teaching:

What I love most about teaching is the interaction with students. Every day is a new day bringing new experiences. I love the enthusiasm of students and their varied talents and skills. It makes my day to know that one or more of them have learned a new idea, mastered a new concept, or found something in themselves to value.

My favorite moment in teaching:

I was teaching a 9th grade class, and one of my students was a young girl who had been severely injured in a car accident when she was 9 years old. This 9th grade year was her first year back at school. Her injuries caused her much trouble with language and passing vocabulary tests were very difficult for her. Using PLS strategies, I helped her improve her test scores from 40's to 80's or 90's. By the end of the year, she was beaming every day. She still keeps in touch with me.

Personal information:

I love to read and play tennis. One of my current activities is volunteering as an advisor to a drug and alcohol recovery group for young women. I love listening to them and advising them as well as coaching those who are working on their GED.