 Professor of Education, Niagara University Contact email: pjv@niagara.edu | Dr. Paul Vermette has been a professional educator since 1971, teaching and supervising at the secondary level in both New Jersey and New York. He has been at Niagara University in a full-time capacity since l985. He has authored (or co-authored) four texts on learning from teaching and is the author of over 3-dozen articles on the topics of constructivism, cooperative learning, character & social-emotional learning and concept learning. Dr. Vermette has been a highly visible advocate for teacher professional growth, conducting hundreds workshops and serving as an international consultant, most recently in Italy during the summer of 2013. Vermette has served in various capacities for external agencies and organizations and is currently a member of the Board of NYACTE and the Character Council of Western New York. He is Past President of the Executive Board of New York State ATE, and has served on several Catholic School Boards of Trustees. He has also deeply involved in the activities of the Institute for Learning-Centered Education, The NYS Middle School Association, The NYS Council for Social Studies, the Great Lakes Association for Cooperation in Education (Toronto) and the Partnership for Smarter Schools. At Niagara University, Dr. Vermette teaches courses in instructional methods, curriculum planning, and teaching for diversity. He has played a crucial role in both the creation of, and the continuing development of, the CCTL, a University committee that has been instrumental in the creation of the “active & integrated” philosophy that marks the institution’s commitment to quality teaching. Most recently, he has been appointed to the role of Lead Faculty Member for CASTL where he is pivotal in supporting his colleagues in the Center for the Advancement of Scholarship, Teaching, and Learning. |
 International Educational Consultant CASTL Volunteer, Niagara University Contact email: cmckline@roadrunner.com | Following a 20-year career in business, Ms. Cindy Kline is an international professional development consultant specializing in instructional and organizational improvement for the 21st Century. She has presented on topics including maximizing classroom effectiveness, Cooperative Learning, Social–Emotional Development and Learning, process improvement, character development, and implementing NYS education regulations among others. She currently volunteers her time at Niagara University in the Center for the Advancement of Scholarship, Teaching, and Learning (CASTL) and is on the Western New York Character Council Board of Directors. She has served on the Executive Board of the Institute for Learning-Centered Education, and is actively involved with The NYS Middle School Association and the Great Lakes Association for Cooperation in Education (Toronto). Cindy came from a business background in sales, training management, and quality improvement with an international Fortune 500 company. After a company downsizing, she attended Niagara University graduating in 2003 with an MS in Education, and has taught for nearly a decade at the secondary level. She and colleague Dr. Paul Vermette have developed a unique collaborative educational planning model that maximizes teacher effectiveness and student achievement. Cindy’s unique blend of talents positions her as an asset in both the public and private sectors. She welcomes interest at cmckline@roadrunner.com. |
 Contact email: rgoacher@niagara.edu | Robyn Goacher joined Niagara University as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in Fall 2012. With a BS in Chemistry and a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Robyn teaches Analytical, Environmental and Inorganic Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, and a senior seminar course that builds career and communication skills. Alongside Chemistry research developing instrumental methods to study the degradation of solid wood for biofuels applications, Robyn is dedicated to the scholarship of teaching and learning. Her current focus is on increasing student engagement in content-heavy courses, using classroom and lab activities to strengthen student interest in the material and to make meaningful connections between class content and the real world. |
 Chemistry Education Student, Niagara University Contact email: atargus@mail.niagara.edu | Ms. Alexis Targus is a senior undergraduate student at Niagara University. Alexis plans to graduate in May 2014 with her degree in Chemistry Education with Special Education and Physics certifications. For her University Honor's thesis project, Alexis is acting as a student-researcher with Dr. Robyn Goacher and Dr. Paul Vermette to assess changes implemented in the Analytical Chemistry classroom to make a more engaging student experience. Alexis provides unique insights as a student who took the original version of the class, and who is observing the revised class with the eyes of a future teacher. In spring 2014, Drs Goacher and Vermette will observe Alexis' classroom to deepen the collaborative exchange of ideas between teaching in the high school and college classrooms. |
 Assistant Professor of Accounting, Niagara University Contact email: caquino@niagara.edu | Chris Aquino graduated from Niagara University in 1985 with a BBA in accounting and a BS in information sciences. After working in the corporate world for more than 20 years, he returned to Niagara in 2009 to pursue his life-long dream of teaching. Since his return, he has collaborated on numerous SoTL research projects with his colleagues. Most recently, Chris has been working to further the recommendations of the Pathways Commission Report issued by the American Accounting Association (AAA), AICPA and IMA in the summer of 2012. Please see http://commons.aaahq.org/groups/2d690969a3/summary for information on this critical initiative and how it will impact teaching and learning in higher education. |
 Instructional Support Specialist, Niagara University Contact email: dmoore@niagara.edu Follow on Facebook and Twitter @CASTL_NU | Ms. Danyelle Moore received her B.S. in business education as well as her M.S. in special education from Niagara University. She holds a certification in Online Course Design through the Sloan Consortium. Danyelle is excited to use her educational background and passion for the pursuit of engaging teaching in her role as the Instructional Support Specialist at Niagara University. She is a resource in supporting faculty efforts through workshops and events held at the Center for the Advancement of Scholarship, Teaching, and Learning (CASTL). Danyelle is also developing and supporting online and blended programs in collaboration with faculty and administration. She enjoys introducing others to technology and finding new ways to incorporate it into existing curricula. |
Please Contact Us | Where is Niagara University located? |
