Kris Bomgarden

State:

Illinois

Testimonial from a participant

This was another outstanding course. Not only can I apply what I learned right away, I now have several strategies to use so all the students feel successful. It's not what I teach, but how I teach that matters most. Thanks, Kris.

— SC Rockford, IL

PLS courses I teach:

• Achieving Student Outcomes Through Cooperative Learning®
• Brain-Based Ways We Think and Learn®
• Building Your Technology Education and Skills®
• Meaningful Activities to Generate Interesting Classrooms®
• Merging Educational Goals and Interactive Multimedia Projects®
• Purposeful Learning Through Multiple Intelligences®
• Successful Teaching for Acceptance of Responsibility®
• Teaching the Skills of the 21st Century®
• Teaching Through Learning Channels®
• Building Communication and Teamwork in the Classroom™
• Classroom Management: Orchestrating a Community of Learners®
• Designing Motivation for All Learners®
• Differentiated Instruction for Today's Classroom™
• Reading to Learn: Comprehension Instruction™
• Classroom Management: Orchestrating a Community of Learners™ Online
• Differentiated Instruction for Today's Classroom Online™
• Teach Through Learning Channels® Online

Years with PLS:

Since 1988

Why I love teaching PLS courses:

PLS courses provide educators with useful strategies to take educational theory and put it into practice. It's exciting to see teachers creating stimulating activities with which to engage their students in the learning process. It keeps me motivated to bring out the best in them.

Education:

• B.S. in Education, Illinois State University
• M.S. in Education, Northern Illinois University

Teaching experience:

Upper Elementary grades for 33 years
Graduate Classes for 22 years

Related experience, recognition, awards, etc.:

• Gifted Education consultant for 28 years teaching coursework and presenting workshops for area school districts and regional offices
• Presenter at Illinois Gifted Conventions
• Presenter at the National Science Teachers Association Convention

What I love most about teaching:

I get the greatest joy from working with the children and seeing their enthusiasm when they have tackled a challenging project. I know they will be successful when they can accomplish a difficult task and not even be concerned about a grade being attached. They know they have done well in their own minds. That's when teaching is most rewarding.

My favorite moment in teaching:

My most memorable moment was when I was invited to a graduation party of a student I had when she was in third grade. I had moved to a different school district and had not seen the student after third grade. She wrote in the invitation that I had inspired her to do her best and she remembered all the crazy ways I created a fun learning environment. It was such a warm and wonderful compliment. She was the first of many former students who have contacted me over the years. I love teaching because I now know I have made a difference in the lives of some of my students.

Personal information:

I enjoy sailing, creating scrapbooks of family memories and travels, and needlework. I like to quilt, cross-stitch and needlepoint when I have some spare time!!