LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Dan joined LEARN NC in 2008 as the Campus Liaison for The University of North Carolina Online. He is responsible for continually improving the site’s usefulness to its clients and ensuring the information listed on the site is accurate and up to date.

Before joining LEARN, Dan served as publications director for UNC’s Principals’ Executive Program (PEP) and the editor of its school law reference work, “Education Law in North Carolina.” He also developed “Efficient Writing for School Managers,” a two-hour class he continues to present to PEP participants.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Dan is the author of two novels, one of which, Worth Winning, was made into a 20th Century Fox movie. He lives in the wilds of Chatham County.

Resources created by Dan Lewandowski

Challenge-based learning: José Garcia's innovative approach to student inquiry
This article discusses the instructional strategies of Greene County Middle School science teacher José Garcia. Mr. Garcia employs challenge-based learning, which marries project-based learning with student inquiry and makes effective use of technology. José Garcia received an Apple Distinguished Educator award in 2009 and was Teacher of the Year in his school and county in 2008-2009.
Format: article
By Dan Lewandowski.
Reading comprehension: From research to practice in middle-grades English language arts
This article shares the details of a successful collaboration between UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education faculty member Leigh Hall and eighth-grade teacher Deanna Watts on a research project that greatly improved students' reading comprehension.
Format: article/best practice
By Dan Lewandowski.
Seeing, wondering, theorizing, learning: Inquiry-based instruction with Kishia Moore
In this article, first-grade teacher Kishia Moore shares some of the strategies she uses to bring inquiry-based instruction into the elementary classroom. Ms. Moore teaches in Mitchell County and is a member of the 2011 cohort of the Kenan Fellows Program.
Format: article/best practice
By Dan Lewandowski.
Staging history: Charter School Teacher of the Year John Hall brings lessons to life
This article shares some of the instructional strategies of John Hall, 2009-10 AT&T Charter School’s Teacher of the Year. Mr. Hall brings social studies lessons to life by incorporating drama and art.
Format: article/best practice
By Dan Lewandowski.
Traveling the world, virtually: Project-based learning in elementary school
Fifth-grade teacher Shannon Page shares her methods and experiences with using project-based learning in the elementary school classroom. Ms. Page's focus on taking virtual field trips, which are planned and guided by her students, helps infuse curriculum objectives with relevance and rigor.
Format: article/best practice
By Dan Lewandowski.
Using technology to teach foreign languages: Teacher of the Year Jessica Garner shares secrets
This article, the product of an interview with North Carolina's 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year, shares tips and best practices for engaging students by integrating technology into teaching. Includes links to tools, products, and websites recommended by Ms. Garner.
Format: article/best practice
By Dan Lewandowski.
Wall-to-wall project-based learning: A conversation with biology teacher Kelley Yonce
This article explains the process of project-based learning (PBL) as it is practiced by Kelley Yonce, a high-school biology teacher who uses PBL throughout the school year. Concrete guidelines for a DNA project are included, as well as rubrics, assessment criteria, and other relevant documents.
Format: article/best practice
By Dan Lewandowski.