Every person’s work is a portrait of himself or herself!  An excellent teacher is an excellent decision maker. Excellent teachers make decisions based on attaining the most positive results for their students, demonstrate flexibility in dealing with change, influence others by their actions, create a synergy among colleagues, and build consensus through teamwork. Excellent teachers develop caring, contributing, responsible, and academically successful students.

Excellent teachers have a clear vision of teaching and learning, which is like a good road map.  Without a good road map it is difficult to determine where you are going and impossible to know when you have arrived.  Teacher as Decision Maker: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment is designed to help teacher candidates develop their vision of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

This book is designed to develop an understanding of curriculum content, instructional strategies and resources, and techniques of evaluation as identified through research and demonstrated by effective school practitioners.  The topics and concepts presented will promote an awareness of the essential role of the teacher in creating and sustaining a learning environment, which meets the needs and interests of all grade levels. The book is also intended to model effective teaching strategies and practices that are exhibited in 21^st century classrooms. 

Dr. Jerry Redman is an Associate Professor and Director of Center of Assessment and Accreditation at Winona State University and CEO of Redman and Associates, LLC. Dr. Redman has been a science teacher; curriculum, instruction and assessment coordinator; instructional services director; and an assistant administrator. He has worked at various levels of education ranging from middle secondary schools to technical colleges to intermediate educational agencies to the university.

Dr. Mary Anderson is an Assistant Professor at Winona State University in the College of Education.  Prior to her years at WSU, Dr. Anderson has dedicated over 35 years to making elementary learning environments engaging, fun and productive for all. She has been an elementary principal, an executive director, an elementary teacher, and a special educator. During her career, she has provided leadership in many types of elementary school structures including multi-age, grades 3-5, birth to grade 6, and K-5.

Collectively the authors have worked with over 80 different school districts and have hosted a range of teacher professional development on the topics of curriculum, instruction and assessment. They have also collectively taught over 20 different courses at the university level.

Dr. Redman and Dr. Anderson’s hope is that this book turns your vision of teaching excellence into a reality in your own classroom!

Dr. Jerry Redman is an Associate Professor and Director of Center of Assessment and Accreditation at Winona State University and CEO of Redman and Associates, LLC. Dr. Redman has been a science teacher; curriculum, instruction and assessment coordinator; instructional services director; and an assistant administrator. He has worked at various levels of education ranging from middle secondary schools to technical colleges to intermediate educational agencies to the university.