Donna Gerard has a BA in sociology, a state teaching certification for K-8, an MA in Middle School Science, and state endorsements in middle school science, secondary social studies, and secondary social science. More importantly, she had 34 years of teaching experience, including K-12 substitute teaching, K-4 basic skills math and reading, grades 5-8 social studies, grades 1, 5, 6 language arts, math, science, and social studies, grade 6 health, and grades 7-8 science. She has taught students classified as special education, gifted and talented, struggling learners, ELL, and general program. Gerard was a practitioner of learning stations, project-based learning, basal readers, formal spelling programs, phonics, whole language, call and response, book learning, hands-on learning, multiple intelligences, computer-based learning, individualized instruction, and cooperative learning, to name a few. She drew the conclusion that every trend in education has merit and should be used, but none are the “answer” to how to teach students or should be used exclusively. Aside from teaching, Gerard loves every kind of water sport, from swimming laps to parasailing and kayaking. She is an avid game player, a die-hard Star Trek fan, and an aspiring world traveler. She lives with her husband and her part-time dog in New Jersey. Learn more at www.DonnaGerard.com.