Cristie McClendon holds a PhD in curriculum and instruction from the University of Texas at Austin. She works as an educational consultant who serves individual graduate learners, institutions of higher education and K-12 school systems.

Dr. McClendon's passion is working with students to help develop strong skills in academic writing and believes her role in working with graduate learners is one of encourager and coach. When consulting with students, she serves as an advisor providing guidance during the stages of the dissertation or project research. During this process she helps students develop strong research questions, provides theoretical guidance as the student creates the conceptual framework of the study, and gives feedback on the organizational structure of the writing to enhance the clarity and cohesiveness of the writer’s product.

Dr. McClendon is also available to help students prepare for comprehensive exams and oral defenses. Over the past seven years, she has established successful academic relationships with learners and educators from a wide variety of disciplines and looks forward to working with new clients.

Adjunct Experience:
Walden University
Capella University
University of Phoenix
Argosy University
University of Texas at Arlington
Texas A&M Commerce

Committee Chair and Member for EdD and PhD Students:
Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
Capella University, Minneapolis, MN
Argosy University, Minneapolis, MN

Professional Experience:

Elementary teacher and administrator
Middle school teacher and administrator
Director of Teaching and Learning
Director of Faculty Development
Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Program Chair for Education
Educational Consultant

Courses Taught:

Proseminar: Teacher Leadership in the School
Qualitative Research
Doctoral Study Companion
Enhancing Learning Through Linguistic and Cultural Diversity
Habits of Mind: Thinking Skills to Promote Self-Directed Learning
Instructional Models and Strategies
Foundations of Doctoral Study
Research Approaches
Proseminar: Leading to Promote Learning
Proseminar: Leadership in Teaching and Learning
Leading Communities of Practice
Effective Teaching Using Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences
Literacy and Learning in the Information Age
Collaborative Action Research
Curriculum Development for Online Learning
Practical Applications for Online Teaching & Training
Faculty Leadership
The Principalship
Instructional Leadership and Development
School and Community Relations
Principal Intern Supervisor
Research in Education
Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education
Multicultural Education in Contemporary Societies
Current Trends in School Curriculum
Educational Leadership
Advanced Supervision of Curriculum and Instruction
Supervision of Curriculum
Leading and Managing Change in a Diverse Society
Introduction to Advanced Academic Study and Writing
Managing Human and Fiscal Resources in Education
Program Evaluation Methods
Methods and Analysis of Quantitative Research
Methods and Analysis of Qualitative Research

Other Education Activities:

Workshops Written and Delivered

• Language arts strategies
• Reading strategies
• Math strategies
• Science strategies
• Differentiated instruction
• Brain research and lesson design
• Peer coaching
• Effective mentoring
• Vertical alignment of curriculum
• Data disaggregation
• Classroom management
• Adult learning theory
• Developing learning outcomes
• Writing for academic audiences

Education

1989-1992         Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Texas at Austin
         Higher Education, Curriculum and Instruction

1984-1987         M.A. Mid-Management, The University of Texas at San Antonio
         Educational Leadership, Mid-management

1980-1984                  B.S. Elementary Education, Texas Tech University
         Minor: Biology

distance education, web-based learning, online learning, instructional design, qualitative research designs, mixed-methods research designs, research methodology, education, higher education, educational leadership, multiple intelligences theory, brain-based learning, adult learning theory, data-driven decision making, curriculum and instruction, teacher retention, teacher development.