Amy Louise Humphreys
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After several years in the business world, I earned my Ed.M. and worked for 15 years as a teacher and coordinator of gifted services for Pekin District 108. The need to teach my own students about Illinois history led to my first work in educational publishing. Starting 1995 I created 36 issues of ‘Illinois Windows’ for Gibbs Smith Publishing. This tabloid-sized newspaper helped students in grades 3-5 meet Illinois State Learning Standards in social studies. Through stories, activities and images they learned about our state’s political systems, economics, history, geography, culture and society. My first book for Pieces of Learning was ‘But I Only Have 45-Minutes!’ which remains in print 15 years after its initial publication. It was followed in 2003 by ‘Making Literature Circles Come Alive.’ This books was developed specifically to empower students to independently explore picture books, novels and non-fiction materials using high-level thinking skills in a variety of game and artistic formats. Descriptions of my other publications can be found at www.worldofthinking.com or on my LinkedIn profile. In addition to being an author, I travel the country supporting teachers and administrators grappling with today’s toughest educational challenges. In 2000 I was one of the 1st 100 Illinois educators to become a National Board Certified Teacher, credentials held by less than 2% of this country’s educators. In 2009 I completed the rigorous renewal process. As if that doesn’t keep me busy enough, I serve as Director of Marketing for Heartland Community College in Normal. This role offers daily opportunities to exercise very different writing chops.
But I only have 45 minutes! / | Making literature circles come alive : | Strategies for writers /