As a veteran classroom teacher for over 25 years in Pre-K through 6th grade, Linda Sims brings a wealth of experience to her roles at the Center – both as an elementary Teacher Collaborator and as the Interim Director of Operations.  In addition to her classroom experience, Linda has extensive experience as a presenter of math and literacy workshops, an advisor to teacher learning groups, and as a writer and editor of professional development materials.  She has also taught numerous courses for pre-service teachers in mathematics, early childhood education, and school-community partnerships. Linda can be reached at lmsims@illinois.edu.

Carol Casbeer joined the Center in 2011 as a Secondary Teacher Collaborator. She has had more than twenty-five years experience teaching both middle and high school English in Corning, NY and Urbana, IL. In addition to her classroom experience, Carol’s experience includes her position as the Coordinator of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Corning East High School. Her responsibilities included the development the diploma program, as well as the recruitment of teachers and enrollment of students. She served as a liaison between students, parents, teachers and the International Baccalaureate organization as well as teaching the Language A course. When her husband’s career took him to Illinois, she accepted an English teaching position at Urbana High School, and, eventually, a position as the Literacy Coach at UHS responsible for the focus and articulation of professional development in her building. Carol works with students, teachers and administrators to deepen and support literacy across all disciplines. Carol can be reached at ccasbeer@illinois.edu.

Dr. Brad Thompson brings his expertise in mathematics education to the Center as an elementary Teacher Collaborator.  He has taught for over nine years in both elementary and middle schools. Brad has served as a K-8 mathematics professional development consultant for numerous school districts in Illinois for over eight years.  In his teaching experiences, Brad has been guided by an on-going belief that learning is a personal experience that occurs most effectively when instruction connects at a personal level. He is particularly interested in using children’s literature to frame mathematics lessons.  Brad can be reached at blthomps@illinois.edu.

After ten years of teaching high school students at Joliet West High School and Champaign's Central High School, Phillip Wilder joined the Center as a secondary Teacher Collaborator. Phil specializes in content area literacy, meta-cognitive strategies, and multiliteracies. In his role as Teacher Collaborator, Phillip works with teachers and administrators to promote a deepened understanding of what responsive teaching means in all areas of instruction, and to develop school- and district-wide supports for ongoing professional learning. Phil can be reached at pwilder@illinois.edu.

Haeny Yoon joined the Center after teaching seven years in Unit 4 as both a fourth grade and second grade classroom teacher. During her tenure in Champaign, Haeny led several staff development activities related to literacy, including teaching board-credit courses district-wide, mentoring teachers, and modeling lessons for both teachers and administrators. As an Elementary Teacher Collaborator, Haeny works with teachers to further sustainable, comprehensive, and effective literacy instruction in grades K-5. She specializes in the workshop approach to teaching literacy, with a particular interest in children's writing development and the use of digital media to foster creative narrative story-telling in all students. Haeny can be reached at haeny@illinois.edu.

Anne Butler joins the Center as a doctoral student in the Department of Special Education. Prior to attending the University of Illinois, Anne was a special education teacher in the Chicago Public Schools for many years. Anne continues to maintain her dedication to ensuring high quality instruction for students with disabilities.  As a part-time Teacher Collaborator at the elementary level, Anne is excited about the opportunity to blend her years of classroom teaching with her current doctoral studies to enhance her work with local teachers and students. Anne can be reached at abutler4@illinois.edu.