Neil graced the cover of American Teacher Magazine for his stewardship of an Annenberg grant funded arts education program that married interdisciplinary Humanities planning with team teaching and teaching artists from such esteemed arts organizations as New York City Opera, Guggenheim Museum, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Neil was Lead Mentor of Region 9 in New York City and designed and facilitated professional development for 40 master teachers/mentors while he mentored first year teaches in 15 varied schools. He was extensively trained by the nationally renowned experts at the University of California Santa Cruz's New Teacher Induction program and presented at their National Conference on the topic of Mentoring Resistant Teachers.

Neil taught Global History, Economics, English, and Arts Appreciation for ten years in New York City before becoming a staff developer.

Description:

Differentiated Instructional Strategies That Work - This workshop begins with the development of a common vision/definition of DI in the classroom. It then moves into Success Analysis/Give One-Get One sharing best practices protocol. The three areas of DI (Content, Process, and Product) are explored through a Strategy Sort. Then a video is shown that allows participants to deconstruct the elements of DI in action using a graphic organizer. Self analysis and reflection ensue, followed by the introduction of cutting edge DI strategies. Participants then brainstorm next steps to infuse these strategies in their own classrooms in order to meet the needs of all learners.

Differentiated Instruction For The Language Arts Classroom – This workshop begins with the development of a common vision/definition of Differentiated Instruction For The Language Arts Classroom. It then moves into Success Analysis/Give One-Get One sharing best practices protocol. Implementation will be explored through the lens of the three areas of DI (Content, Process, and Product). Differentiated Literacy Strategies will be introduced through student work samples and participants will become familiar with how they can be used to formatively assess our students and adapt and differentiate our instruction. . To that end, specific cooperative learning strategies such as think-write-pair-share, cubing, jigsaws, peer editing, role playing, literature circles, and group investigation will be explored.

Differentiating with Student Data - Data Driven Instruction is high prep differentiation. An effective teacher is one who deftly uses data gleaned from both formative and summative assessments to identify student areas of strength and growth and subsequently provides targeted support through differentiated instructional strategies to meet the needs of all students and improve learning. This workshop provides teachers with research proven methods with which do this. Teachers will take an in depth look at both formative and summative differentiated assessment along with various protocols for the analysis of student work. Participants will also gain familiarity with a number of engaging differentiated instructional strategies they can infuse in their lessons as a result of said data analysis. Cooperative learning, accountable talk, informal "low stakes" writing strategies, leveled questioning through Bloom's Taxonomy, and addressing students' multiple intelligences are just a few.

Engaging Students through Multiple Intelligences/Learning Styles - This workshop examines how to use this approach as an effective instructional strategy that turns your students into self-directed responsible learners. Participants begin by discovering their preferred learning style and how it impacts their teaching, and subsequently, student learning. They will share personal successes through a Give One Get One protocol and also explore new ways of incorporating student predilections and strengths into their lessons through differentiated and engaging strategies that meet the myriad learning styles in their classrooms. Much of the workshop is grounded in Howard Gardner's research on Multiple Intelligences. Participants will also have the opportunity to collaboratively create a content specific, project oriented activity that addresses the various intelligences. Methods for assessing these eight intelligences will also be explored.