Meredith Bird-Miller

Philosophy of Education:  We construct new learning through making connections among experiences; we analyze what is unfamiliar in the context of the familiar.  Social collaboration, application, and a variety of approaches to learning assist us in making these connections.  Vygotsky is one of my heroes!

Areas of Expertise:  I specialize in the interdisciplinary integration of effective literacy strategies within the content areas. I am currently researching the influence of narrative storytelling as a bridge between earth science education and literacy. The relationship of gifted education and cognitive research to storytelling as an effective learning strategy are also areas of interest. As a service-learning experience, my students implement storytelling in local schools to support a variety of science and literacy curricula.

Teaching Background:  I am fortunate in having had a wonderful variety of teaching experiences. I have spent most of the last twenty-five years as a classroom teacher, but have also worked as an environmental educator, storyteller, special education teacher, music teacher, gifted and talented educator and children’s librarian. These experiences have given me a unique perspective on education and learning. I am currently in Phase II of my doctoral program in Environmental Studies at Antioch University New England.