INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP GLOBAL

Developing STEAM Learning with Intentionality and Purpose: A Practical Guide to Meaningful Learning

“Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system.” –Sidney Hook

Educational Background

Dr. Leslie A. Birdon is an award-winning twice National Board Certified educator with over 25 years of experience which includes both rural and urban settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry, a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Science Education from the University of Texas and a doctorate from American College of Education in curriculum and instruction with a STEM emphasis.     

Dr. Birdon advocated at the school, district, and state level to write and implement standards and curriculum as a District Lead Science Teacher and State Science Teacher Leader Advisor for the Louisiana Department of Education for three years.  

She has presented over 20 times throughout the United States on various topics related to scientific inquiry, literacy, Response to Intervention, effective data analysis, professional learning communities, instructional coaching/mentoring, and school improvement for such organizations as the National Science Teachers Association, NBCT Louisiana Leadership and American Research Educational Association.  

Her greatest joy of education is “to teach students to see the vitality in themselves.”  

Professional Development in Research Writing

2022 Peer Institute- Professional Development for Emerging Educational Researchers-Chicago, Illinois  DePaul University (National Science Foundation)

Example Presentations

2024 “Teacher Perception on Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning to Underrepresented STEM Population” Rayma Harchar Outstanding Research Paper SRERA Presentation- American Educational Research Association National Conference- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2023 “Hooking Key Concepts for Below Proficient Readers using Anchor Texts” National Science Teacher Association Conference- Kansas City, Missouri

2023 “Increasing Sense making in Gender and Minority Populations through Innovative Learning Communities” National Science Teacher Association Conference- Kansas City, Missouri

2023 “Teacher Perception on Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning Approaches” American Educational Research Association National Conference- Chicago, Illinois

2023 “Developing a Reading Literacy Initiative through STEAM” Louisiana ACT State Summit- Baton Rouge, Louisiana

2023 “Teacher Perception on Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning to Underrepresented STEM Populations” Louisiana Educational Research Association Conference- Lafayette, Louisiana

2022 “Engaging Students with Digital Notebooks” LACUE Conference- New Orleans, Louisiana

2020 “Developing a Reading Literacy Initiative through STEAM” National Science Teacher Association Conference- Boston, Massachusetts (Cancelled due to Covid-19)

2019 “Creating Culturally Diverse Classroom for All Student in Science”  National Science Teacher Association Conference-St. Louis, Missouri

2018 “Understanding the Science Scope and Sequence to Plan Daily Instruction 6-8: Full Day Session”  Louisiana Department of Education-  2018 Teacher Leader Summit- New Orleans

2018 “Embedding Literacy into Scientific Content” SmartBrief STEM Education- New York

2018 “Webinar Series on Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom for Student Achievement”  Louisiana Association of Educators- Statewide

Our Ministry Scriptural Pillars- The Three P’s