Karen D. Muska 
 

Qualifications Summary

  • Master of Science in Education: Instructional Technology; Bachelors of Arts in Education
  • Knowledge of pedagogy, curriculum, instructional design, and technology integration
  • Experience developing and managing educational partnerships
  • Experience developing and giving presentations, promoting programs, providing training
  • Successful in writing, implementing, and evaluating grants
  • Sales and marketing ability and experience
  • Proficient in utilizing educational and productivity software tools
  

Professional Experience		  

Georgia Department of Education, Atlanta, Georgia                                                   

Educational Technology Specialist, Georgia Learning Connections/GeorgiaStandards.Org

 

2002- 2006

Managed, evaluated, and created instructional and professional resources for Georgia educators through the Georgia Department of Education's curriculum Web sites, Georgia Learning Connections (www.glc.k12.ga.us/homepg.htm) and GeorgiaStandards.Org.

·    Collaborated with colleagues within the Curriculum, School Improvement, Professional Learning, and Instructional Technology divisions of the GaDOE and with outside educational partners to increase the quantity and quality of resources available to teachers and administrators.

·    Utilized online administrative tools to evaluate curriculum materials, organize, update, and manage database resources. Utilized productivity software and online tools to create teaching materials, planning and management templates for teachers and administrators, and Web pages for publication.

·    Trained, managed, and evaluated the work of teachers contracted to develop or catalogue curriculum resources for publication on the GLC Web site.

·    Collaborated with programmers in the planning and development of new online tools/functionality. Designed the schematic and developed the functional requirements for a new instructional planning tool, the Standards-based Unit Builder, to be completed in 2006.

·    Wrote policy and procedures for the development of Georgia Education Initiative (GEI) partnerships between the Georgia Department of Education and other agencies and programs. Developed new partnerships with state and national nonprofit agencies, programs, and foundations, increasing the number of GEI partnerships from three in 2002 to thirteen in 2004.

·    Developed training materials and professional development packages. Conducted training sessions, workshops, and presentations for school districts, state-wide conferences, and educational partners.

  

Department of Instructional Technology, Chicago Public Schools

Technology Integration Mentor/Instructor
2001-2002

·  Taught workshops and graduate-level courses on integrating technology into teaching and learning. Course objectives addressed the NETS for Teachers and culminated in the development of engaged-learning, web-based projects.

·    Collaborated with a curriculum development team to design a scope and sequence of Web-based projects aligned with reading and writing standards for 3rd– 8th grade students.  Designed an exemplary Web-based reading and writing project for 5th graders.

 		 

Greene Elementary School, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL

 1994– 2002

Science Resource Teacher:

·    Designed and implemented a hands-on science program for kindergarten to 5th grade students based upon guided inquiry and engaged learning.

·    Incorporated multimedia and technology into the program: Created WebQuests and interactive software programs; employed Internet resources and software including graphing and presentation applications.

·    Developed curriculum mapping templates for Science and Social Studies. Coordinated the science curriculum mapping to ensure consistency among the classes within each grade level and continuity from one grade level to the next.

·    Planned and coordinated annual school science fairs. Served on committees for the Region Four Science Fair: developed the judging format (rubrics) used for the Senior and Junior Fairs, designed and implemented registration/check in procedures.

Greene Technology Training Center Mentor Teacher:

·     Collaborated with team members to develop a program to train visiting teachers in the use of technology in the classroom.

·     Mentored visiting teachers, highlighting effective integration of technology.

Additional Roles and Responsibilities:

·       Chicago Systemic Initiative (CSI) Design Team chair: Curriculum Committee Member

·       Coordinated school events: Young Authors, Spelling Bee, Science Fair

·       Authored or co-authored, implemented and evaluated the following grants:

·          $10,000 CSI professional development grant: 1998

·          $5000 CSI professional development grant: 1999

·          Amoco/AIMS Grant – Integrated Math and Science Program for 4th and 5th grades

·          Chicago Foundation for Education Grants 98/99 and 99/00

  

Brighton Park Elementary School, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL                    

Middle Grade Teacher

·   Taught 5th, 6th, 7th grade Reading group; 6th grade Language Arts; 6th, 7th, and 8th grade hands-on Science; s; coordinated school science fair

 1993 –1994

Oak Lawn Toyota, Oak Lawn, IL                                                                                  
Pete Georges Chevrolet, Oak Lawn, IL
Retail Automotive Sales

 1988 - 1992

·          Assessed customers’ needs, demonstrated products, and closed sales.

·          Achieved Toyota Pride Award, 1991 and Chevrolet’s Legion of Leaders Award, 1989.

  

Toy Box Preschool, Chicago, IL                                                                                  
Kiddie Kove Preschool, Chicago, IL
 Assistant Director, Preschool and Kindergarten Teacher

 1988 - 1992

·          Developed and implemented child-centered preschool and kindergarten programs.

·          Managed day-to-day operations, payroll, and accounts receivable.

  

Education

  
Master of Science in Education:  Instructional Technology                                                  
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL                GPA 4.0		  2001

Graduate Studies:  Learning Disabilities, Science Education, ESL, Computer Applications                           
Chicago State University, Chicago, IL                 GPA 4.0

1993 –1998

 
Bachelor of Arts in Education with Honor: Elementary Education                                     
Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL                       GPA 4.0		 1988

Additional Coursework, Training, and Skills:                                                                                    
· Intel Teach to the Future- Leadership Forum                                                                          

· Becoming a Technology Mentor- National Louis University                                         

· MS Office, Photo editing/graphics

· Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

 

2005

2001-2002

Awards and Honors

  

  •  Educator of the Year Award, McKinley Park Civic Association

  •  Roosevelt University Transfer Award- full academic scholarship

2002

1986- 1988

Memberships in Professional, Educational, and Civic Organizations

·          ISTE – International Society for Technology in Education

·          ASCD- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

·          EEinGeorgia (Environmental Education in Georgia) Web Advisory Board, 2004 - 2006