EDUCATION - MENNTUN
2015 Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/Educational Psychology. Virginia Tech
2007 M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. University of Akureyri (Unak), Iceland
2002 Post-graduate teaching certificate (social sciences and music) Unak
1996 – 2004 Vocal performance/Piano performance
1988 - 1989 Music Education, BA/MA level. Indiana University, Bloomington, IA 1981 B.S. in Social Work/ Community Service and Public Affairs University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
1978 Matriculation/ Stúdentspróf. Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík
1971- 1976 Piano performance and music studies. Tónlistarskólinn í Reykjavík
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PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT -
July 2021 - currently Associate Professor and Director for Educational Development
Feb. 2016 – July 2021 Assistant Professor and Director for the Development of Teaching and Learning. Department of Health Sciences, University of Iceland
Aug. 2017 - currently Educational Adviser . The Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Iceland
Aug. 2014 – May 2015 Graduate Assistantship: Research Assistant Virginia Tech School of Education, Blacksburg, VA. Department of Teaching and Learning
- Worked with Dr. Trevor Stewart on research regarding issues such as place-based learning, literacy, standardized testing, teacher retention, school reform initiatives, and issues in rural schools in preparation for literature reviews
- Worked on research regarding mentoring, more specifically, the mentor/mentee relationship, and different models for supporting preservice and beginning teachers. This research was in preparation for article literature reviews
July 2014 –Aug. 2014 Co-Instructor of EDEP 5154/EDEP 5114, Learning and Cognition, graduate, online course. Virgina Tech School of Education, Blacksburg, VA
- Taught and managed the organization of this online course with Dr. Brett Jones, corresponded with students, advised and graded assignments
Aug. 2013 – May 2014 Graduate Assistantship: Co-Instructor of EDEP 5154, Psychological Foundations of Education for Pre-Service Teachers, graduate, online course. Virginia Tech School of Education, Blacksburg, VA
- Taught and managed the organization of this online course with Dr. Brett Jones, corresponded with students, advised and graded assignments
- Assisted in updating the course for the latest textbook version
Aug. 2013 – May 2014 Graduate Assistantship: Research Assistant Virginia Tech School of Education, Blacksburg, VA
- Worked with Dr. Bonnie Billingsley on an analysis of the research literature in teacher retention and attrition with a focus on special education in preparation of literature reviews for articles
- Worked on identifying factors in teacher motivation
Aug. 2012 – May 2013 Graduate Assistantship: Research Assistant Virginia Tech School of Education, Blacksburg, VA
- Research on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Research, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis under the leadership of Dr. Brett Jones, PI
- Conducted Motivation Research in Middle Schools in a STEM - After-School Program
- Designed/developed instruments, collected data through interviews/observation, analyzed data, wrote reports, developed posters and wrote journal article drafts
Jan. 2011 – May 2013 Graduate Assistantship: Project management, research, and reports for the School of Education, Central Office. Virginia Tech School of Education, Blacksburg, VA
- Managed the application and the award process for the Excellence in Education Awards both years. The SOE recognizes outstanding programs in education in Virginia
- Prepared drafts for yearly SOE reports based on the Faculty Activities Reports (FAR)
- Drafted surveys for committees or polls, data analysis
- Conducted literature reviews
- Managed and coordinated webpage update
- Coordinated meetings and follow-ups for various committees
Aug. 2007 – July 2010 Assistant Principal/Department head Smáraskóli, compulsory education, 1 - 10th grade, Kópavogur, Iceland
- Managed and organized teaching and activities, selected curriculum for the middle school (5th – 7th grade), wrote reports, solved disciplinary issues, hired staff, conducted crisis intervention, assumed Principal‘s duties in the principal’s absence
- Some teaching, including substitute teaching
March - June 2009 Interim Principal Smáraskoli, compulsory education, 1 – 10th grade, Kopavogur, Iceland
- Performed all the duties of the Principal, including financial planning and banking, attended meetings
Aug. 2004 – June 2005 General Education/Classroom teacher (5-6th gr.) Suðurhlíðarskóli, comp. education, 1-10th grade, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Various subjects taught such as Icelandic, English, Danish, Math, Social Studies, Music, Life Skills
Aug. 1996 – June 2003 Subject Teacher Egilsstaðaskóli, Egilsstaðir, Iceland
- Music Education in 1st – 7th grade
- German in 10th grade
- Special Education (taught reading, social studies and music to severly handicapped students)
- Substitute Teaching
Aug. 1996 – June 2004 Music Teacher. Egilsstaðir Music School, Egilsstaðir, Iceland
- Piano Instruction
- Music history for adults in the vocal department
Aug. 2000 – July 2004 Manager of the Music Festival, Bright Nights in June, and the East-Iceland Opera Studio Performers, Iceland
- Director/Project manager (top position), funding applications, contracts with artists, organization of concerts and opera performances, program development, advertising, travel, lodging and canteen organization for participants (80 people), management of volunteers for canteen, a little store, and cleaning. Daily management of the group activities during the three week stay at the boarding school where rehearsals were held and the majority of participants stayed
Aug. 1998 – June 2001 Teaching and Advising Egilsstadir Jr. College (11th – 14th grade), Iceland
- Served as Interim Student Advisor/guidance counselor (one year)
- Taught Music Appreciation for severly disabled, one on one
- Taught Music Appreciation I (from 2000-2001, elective course)
1989 – 1992 Social Worker. Reykjavik Central Office for the Disabled, Iceland
- Conducted social work with families of disabled children, assisted them in finding services/help needed, financial assistance, supportive family programs, big brother/big sister program, assisted living
1984 – 1987 Director for Social Work /Employment Office Reykjavik Employment Office, Department for the Disabled, Iceland
- Conducted social work and directed rehabilitation in a protected work environment
- Searched for employment and provided continued support for the disabled in the common work market
- Coordinated services with hospitals and organizations for the disabled
- Managed the department and its employees
1986 – 1987 Adult Education English Teacher. Mosfellsbær Adult Education.
1981 – 1984 Social Worker. Iceland Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Reykjavik
- Directed rehabilitation in a protected work environment, searched for employment and provided support; coordinated services with hospitals and organizations for the disabled
Earlier employment includes caretaker services in assisted living environments for the disabled, service in the department of bonds in a bank, managing a factory canteen, preschools, and summer camps.
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