Professional Development Staff Biographies
Margaret Schooling, Ed.D. — Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development
Margaret (Peggy) Schooling currently serves as Director of Professional Development Services for Learning Sciences International. Dr. Schooling holds a doctoral degree and Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Immaculata University. She has 29 years experience as an educator working in a variety of public and private settings with diverse student populations from birth through high school. Dr. Schooling has served in a number of roles as classroom teacher, speech pathologist, staff developer, elementary assistant principal, elementary principal, central office administrator and educational consultant. Her responsibilities and expertise include: systems change efforts, curriculum and instruction, design and evaluation of professional development, federal programs, early childhood and K-12 literacy. She has been active with the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a member of the Governor’s Early Learning Task Force and has served as a grant reviewer. Dr. Schooling has contributed and authored several professional publications and video productions. She serves as Adjunct Graduate Professor at Alvernia College and Immaculata University, and does present at local, state, and national conferences.
Tiffany Lowery — Sr. Technical Trainer/Professional Development Coordinator
Ms. Lowery offers over seven years of extensive hands on and managerial experience in the areas of customer service, training, and product management. Ms. Lowery enjoys translating and learning new software products and creating straightforward training programs and materials. Along with serving as the Professional Development Coordinator, Ms. Lowery also is an essential part of LSI’s research and development team for the iObservation system. She excels at collecting feedback from customers and working with the team to create new, exciting features and functionality for the iObservation system.
Laura Motchenbaugh — Technical Trainer/Professional Development Coordinator
Laura holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education specializing in Community Programs for Americans with Disabilities from Slippery Rock University. Prior to joining LSI, she created and implemented programs for membership as a Program Director for Girl Scouts of Talus Rock Council as well as recruiting, training and supervising seasonal staff and volunteers.
Highly Qualified Staff Developers: Each of our staff developers fulfill the minimum requirements determined by LSI.
- Master's Degree in relevant area
- Minimum of 10 years experience in any/all of the following areas:
- Staff Development
- School Administration
- Central Office Administration
Christine Kingsbery, M.Ed. — Sr. Professional Staff Developer
Christine Kingsbery is currently serving as the senior professional developer and Facilitator of Online Learning at Learning Sciences International. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Richmond, her Master’s of Science degree in Supervision and Curriculum Development at Fordham University, and her Master’s of Education degree in Middle School Education from Rosemont College. Prior to joining the Learning Sciences team, she studied and worked in the field of education with a variety of responsibilities. For over 25 years Christine has worked as an educational consultant, professional developer, and administrator. Christine has served as an Adjunct Graduate Professor at Rosemont College and Lehigh University. She has also served as a Coordinator for Education, Science Curriculum Coordinator, Service Learning Project Coordinator, and a Community Coordinator. Christine believes that commitment to continuous learning by all members of a community is the key to its success and the success of its students.
Mary Laverty Bigelow, Ph.D. — Professional Staff Developer
Dr. Mary Laverty Bigelow has over 35 years experience in education and has a passion for lifelong learning. She was a middle and high school science teacher, a district technology coordinator, and a faculty member at Penn State Harrisburg. Most recently, Dr. Bigelow served at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit as an Evaluation Specialist for federal and state projects involving early literacy, science partnerships, school reform, strategic planning, curriculum, and technology. Currently, in addition to her work with LSI, Dr. Bigelow does writing and consulting work with the National Science Teachers Association. Her doctoral degree in Instructional Systems and her administrative credentials are from Penn State. She is well versed in a variety of technology applications and has a wealth of experience in conducting professional development for educators in both on-site and on-line environments. She has presented at regional, state, and national conferences.
Cheryl Champion, M.Ed. — Professional Staff Developer
Cheryl Champion is the Principal of Harding Elementary School, part of the Lebanon School District in Lebanon, PA. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Lock Haven University and graduated with a Master’s of Education Degree in Special Education from Temple University. She has been at her current post for the past 10 years. In addition to her duties as a principal, Cheryl co-wrote and won a Comprehensive School Reform Grant, piloted the iObservation tool for Learning Sciences International, spearheaded the Exchange City summer program, as well as implemented a soccer program for students to promote the resiliency concept. Prior to her assignment at Harding, Cheryl gained 16 years of Special Education experience through a variety of teaching positions. Cheryl is an active member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Education Association, and has served on the Board of the Lancaster Lebanon Elementary Principal’s Association since 2006.
Christine Bunce, Ph.D. — Professional Staff Developer
Christine Bunce has worked in small town, rural, and urban school districts as a teacher and administrator with experience in literacy, special education, English as a Second Language, pupil services, data analysis and school improvement planning. Through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Distinguished Educator Program, she has provided capacity building services by mentoring principals, school leadership teams, and central office administrators in schools and districts working to meet the expectations of No Child Left Behind. Dr. Bunce has a B.S in Secondary English and MEd in School Counseling from Millersville University. Her PhD was earned in Educational Leadership from Penn State University with a focus on school culture. She also currently serves as an adjunct instructor in the Penn State Ed Leadership Program.
Frances A. Miller, Ph.D. — Professional Staff Developer
Fran Miller holds a doctoral degree in Education Administration from Immaculata University and Principal Certification through Penn State University. She has 27 years experience as an educator working in a variety of public settings with student populations from elementary through higher education. Dr. Miller has served in a number of roles as fine arts teacher, administrative intern, elementary assistant principal, elementary principal, district fine arts coordinator and educational consultant. She is also an adjunct faculty member for Cabrini College and Penn State University. She has presented in local, state, and national conferences, is presently the Co-President Elect of the Pennsylvania Staff Development Council, and most recently has been published in Principal Magazine.
Nancy Mast, M.Ed. — Professional Staff Developer
Nancy Mast has over 35 years of experience in education and during 2005-2009, she served as a Reading First Technical Assistant for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English education from the University of Virginia and a Master’s of Education degree in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University. Nancy completed additional graduate work in English, reading, and educational leadership at James Madison University and the University of Virginia, resulting in supervision/administration and reading specialist endorsements. Prior to her current assignment, she spent over 30 years in public education in Rockingham County, Virginia. In Rockingham, she taught kindergarten and first grade. After 15 years of classroom teaching, she served in various central office administrative assignments: Title I coordinator, ESL supervisor, Remedial Education Supervisor, Preschool Supervisor, Director of English, Language Arts, and Foreign Language. Nancy served as adjunct faculty at Eastern Mennonite University, where she taught courses in early literacy and children’s literature. During her educational career, she has presented at state and national early childhood conferences (VAECE and NAEYC) and reading conferences (VSRA and IRA).