Karen Bachman,
Common Core and Formative Assessment Trainer

Karen Bachman, wife, mom to two grown children, and owner of Torre the lovable therapy dog, has devoted 33 years of her life to public education. During this time, she has worked as a classroom teacher for 16 years, developing her expertise in teaching children to read while teaching first, second, third, fourth, and seventh grade classrooms. She also has been an elementary principal for 17 years, spending the last 4 years in a pre-K through first grade building.

Karen has had extensive training and experience in English / Language Arts, being selected as a member of the Ohio Principals' Literacy Network. She has also been trained in the implementation of professional learning communities, formative assessment, response to intervention, and brain-compatible classroom instruction. She has most recently completed Ohio Teacher Evaluation System training as a qualified observer.

An adjunct professor for 7 years at an Ohio college, Karen has taught Reading and Writing in the Content Area. She has received positive feedback from her students in her ability to present information, engage students in lively discussions, and target the needs of adult learners. The past five years, Karen has been working on her doctorate and dissertation on the implementation of professional learning communities. During this process, she has extensively researched the Common Core, formative assessment, and intervention strategies that are brain compatible. The dissertation will be completed in August of 2012.

Karen loves gardening, cooking, walking Torre, biking, and yoga. She and her husband enjoy travel, attending sporting events, and visiting their children.