About Me

I have to start with a note that I am actively seeking a position as a trainer, team builder/leader, professional developer, curriculum developer, educational media content producer, or other topics inside or outside of education. As I develop this website I will point out that experienced educators can make good business people.

If you would like a quick look at my talents (advanced skills) they would include:

Professional Development and Training
Critical Analysis
Conceptualization
Non-technical Project Management
Organizational Development
New Business Development
Facilitation and Coordination
Needs Assessment
Cost Avoidance
Quality Improvement
Operational Infrastructure
Consensus Building
Policy Research
Videoconferencing
Public Speaking
Executive Presentations
Board Relations and Relationship Management
Team Leadership

I didn't want to make this entire blog about finding a job so I thought I would just list other sites that have a lot of information about me. Here is the list:

Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/in/ldennischristopher
Foxjob http://www.jobfox.com/people/LDennisChristopher
Xing https://www.xing.com/profile/LDennis_Christopher
4Jobs http://jobsearch.4jobs.com/ChristopherDennis
CBWork Space: Career Builder http://www.cbworkspace.com/ldchristopher

L. Dennis Christopher is a native of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania and currently resides with his wife and two sons in Tualatin, Oregon. He has a BS in Education/Earth and Space Science from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and a MS in Natural and Applied Sciences from Oklahoma State University.

Recently Mr. Christopher was a Science Content Specialist for the Northwest Evaluation Association. In this capacity he developed formative assessments for school systems. These tests are designed to give an indication of the student’s understanding of the curriculum that they have been exposed to. This allows the teacher to better target the individual student' needs. He is searching for an organization/group/company that enjoys energy, professionalism, and out-of-the-box thinking.

Mr. Christopher was a Senior Support Scientist for Education and Public Outreach with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and their contractor Level-3 Communications. SOHO is a joint NASA/European Space Agency spacecraft designed to uncover the inner workings of the sun. SOHO's information has been printed in numerous scientific and public journals and has been featured in the news on every major network. As a Senior Support Scientist for the spacecraft he is responsible for coordinating educational programming involving the mission of SOHO. Mr. Christopher works extensively with the Pennsylvania State Department of Education, Pennsylvania State Team, Intermediate Units and Local Districts to help enhance the Science Frameworks and current curriculum as it applies to solar physics.

Prior to working with SOHO he was an Aerospace Education Specialist with the Aerospace Education Services Program and their contractor Oklahoma State University. As a specialist he was the NASA Education Liaison to Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

Before being selected by NASA, Mr. Christopher taught middle school for the Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Annapolis, Maryland. He was also active with volunteer ambulance services in Pennsylvania as an emergency dispatcher and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and as a volunteer Cardiac Rescue Technician (Paramedic) in Maryland. In the capacity of EMT he volunteered with the US Olympic Committee in Emergency Services during the 1984 Olympics at the soccer venue in Annapolis, MD.

During his NASA experience, Mr. Christopher was the guest for nineteen live interactive television programs for Lower Bucks Cablevision near Philadelphia. In 1998 these programs were nominated for a Cable Ace Award and received a Cable Beacon Award from the Cable Television Public Affairs Association. They also received the Connolly Award from the Pennsylvania Cable and Television Association. He has also been a guest and associate producer for 5 live interactive programs in Lockport, NY with Lockport Cable Television.

Mr. Christopher and Mr. Ron Ernst were selected as primary investigators for fluid dynamics experiments onboard the NASA KC135 Aircraft known as the "Vomit Comet" (the plane used to film Apollo 13). Mr. Christopher flew 160 parabolas in 2 days for the equivalent of 80 minutes of microgravity (zero-g). He has developed a video and classroom activities involving these experiments.

Mr. Christopher is a recent graduate of the National Staff Development Council Academy 13. This program is a two and one half year research based experience in how to develop best practices models for professional development leading to student learning.

Mr. Christopher and his former Aerospace Education Services Program Team at the Goddard Space Flight Center were the recipients of the NASA Public Service Group Achievement Award. This award was given in recognition for outstanding educational programs in the northeastern United States over three decades.

--------------------------------------------------------

Personal stuff:
* married and have two sons
* family does not care if we relocate

Business Philosophy: The client, the organization, the team, and then me.

Management Philosophy: Managers hire professionals. It is the job of the manager to support the needs of the professionals and set the boundaries under which they work. (Unknown author)

About me from Saville Consulting.

Best Working Environment
* inspirational leadership is valued and sought after, numerous opportunities for motivating, inspiring and encouraging other people
* emphasis is on identifying business opportunities
* making new contacts and developing relationships and good networking is seen as a key to success
* teamwork is encouraged and all relevant parties are involved in the decision-making process
* emphasis on analyzing and solving problems, problem solving is really valued
* creativity and innovation are encouraged, radical ideas and solutions are welcomed

My Leadership and Change

* Creates a sense of purpose and mission and thereby gains buy-in to plans and strategies
* Engages team members and peers in lively debate and likes to get straight to the core of a problem in pursuit of solutions
* Motivated by results and delivery focused, while flexibly accommodating unforeseen changes
* Right things get done in the right way and further the work of the team by pursuing these aims
* Focuses on action and outcomes to deliver results and very much enjoys change as a constant part of working life
* Dislike having to work in isolation for long periods of time
* Powerful change agent and like to lead major change projects
* Can inspire a team to follow a change plan.
* Communicate skillfully and pursues goals tirelessly
* Suited to manage change in a variety of contexts because I take care of people as well as task issues
* Thrives on roles that involve major challenges and responsibilities
* Likely to make a strong impact and may come across as a charismatic leader

Specialties:

Proficient in Mac and PC Platforms
Proficient to Expert in MS Office
Proficient in Photoshop
Expert in public speaking
Expert in team building
Expert in facilitation
Expert in conceptualization
Beginner at Flash Technology
Expert at Visio

---------------------------------------------------------

Recommendations

I hired Dennis to head up our educational outreach efforts because I'd worked with him in the past and liked what I saw. Dennis is very people-oriented, knows the field, and can take charge and get things done. He is reliable, intelligent, skilled, personable, and hard-working. I would whole-heartedly recommend him.” November 13, 2007

Dr. Steele Hill, Media Specialist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

-----------------------------------------------------------

Dennis and I worked on several projects when he was NASA Regional Educational representative. He is tremendously knowledgeable about curriculum, instruction and assessment. He continuously demonstrates incredible innovation. He was the lead developer on projects and programs that brought authentic science to so many students in our geographic region. He is able to see the big picture and identify key players needed to see projects come to fruition. In addition, Dennis is a very personable individual. He works extremely well with colleagues and is very well respected by everyone he comes in contact with. His numerous talents, and enthusiasm would be a benefit to any educational institution.” November 11, 2007

Dr. Mike Speziale, Dean of Graduate Studies, Wilkes University

Posted on: November 15, 2007 3:22 PM

I designed this weblog to discuss the basics of professional development, training, team building, and organizing volunteers. There are people that believe that all fo these topics are separate. I can assure you that they are not.


	This Isn't Rocket Surgery © Copyright (2007) L. Dennis Christopher