Experience

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  Marian university

  Jun 1989 - now

  But briefly...I am an educational psychologist, have been a psychotherapist, author, educator in the field for over 30 years.I authored 14 books numerous articles, etc., as is expected.I help individuals and organizations transform themselves into what they need and want. I teach teachers how to be more effective with at-risk, alternative, and non-traditional learners. I am author of Fixing Public Education, How to Connect with Student At-Risk, and the originator of the January Education Model - a true learner-centered approach to reaching and teaching children at their strengths, talents, interests, and needs levels.

  • Professor of Educational Psychology

    Jun 1989 - now

  • Professor of At-Risk and Alternative Education

    Jun 1989 - now
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  Z2aart

  Jul 1989 - now

  I am the Director of the At-Risk and Alternative Education MAE Program at Marian University, AND, I am an independent visual artist.

  • Artist

    Apr 2020 - now

  • Professor of Educational Psychology, specializing in at-risk ed.; and, Visual Artist

    Jul 1989 - now
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  Doctor zest

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2015

  Owner

  I had a morning radio show for five years, but that has grown into a blog at doctorzest.com.

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  National at-risk education network

  Jan 2001 - Dec 2012

  Founder and former director for 12 years

  We began the DIAL PROGRAM MAE program at Marian University to prepare graduate level teachers to be more effective in their working with at-risk and non-traditional learners. The program is Differentiated Instruction for All Learners, and is totally online AND fully accredited. In that masters’ course of studies I teach two of the core courses, Understanding At-Risk and Non-Traditional Learners and Effective Teaching Strategies. If I had to say it, my expertise is the psychology of reluctant learners and what opportunities this provides for educators.It is not that I cannot remember. It is that I cannot forget. I cannot forget what it is like to be a kid with no champions. Each memory I have of a school blowing its opportunity to reach out to at-risk kids sticks like a thorn in my mind. When schools actually exacerbate trauma in children it embarrasses me professionally.I feel the same way about teachers! I can remember teachers just being LOST, hurt, confused, depressed, and being blind to opportunities to help. It's easy - I used to be one of those.The school can be safe, secure and fruitful - for everyone.We founded the National At-Risk Education Network (www.NAREN.info) to form a network of educators who wanted to support one another in their quest for solutions and successful programs. We began it on January 1 of 2001 and have had ten national conferences now in Panama City Beach, Florida. I feel that we see the issues and respond to them and educators respond to that by joining us.My professional hope is that NAREN can continue to grow in strength and numbers (over 40,000 educators are on the emailing list) so that we can keep kids IN school AND in successful programs that understand them and help them to find meaning and success in life.It is now housed in Baltimore at the Children's Guild and directed by the esteemed Frank Kros. Still www.AtRiskEducation.Net Show less

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  State street gallery

  Sept 2005 - Dec 2008

  Art gallery owner

  Owner, Manager, Resident Artist

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  Dz creative productions

  Jan 2015 - now

  I have trained educators to be more effective - particularly - with students and systems at-risk of not succeeding (either in the system or in life).Planning and implementation of quality educational programming for all levels of learners.I have worked with thousands of teachers and administrators to be more effective in their career functions and goals. I have also counseled Fortune 100 and 500 executives, middle managers, law enforcement, models, prisoners, parents, and musicians. Show less

  • Director

    Jan 2001 - now

  • Educational Consultant in Alternative Learning

    Jan 2000 - now

  • Star and Stage Hand

    Jan 2015 - Jan 2015