Profile

Mr. Leon I. Gordon

Biography

Leon Gordon completed his undergraduate studies in 2007 at the University of Chicago as an English (Pre-Med) major.  Putting off his pursuit of medicine, he joined the national movement Teach for America in which he committed his career path to education.   For two years (2007-2009) Leon taught high school English and Integrative Science II  at Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men.  His interest in the Learning Sciences stem from his first-hand experience in the classroom. His interests include the art of using technology to guide the apprehension of methods of metacognition for struggling/under-served students. Much of his experience in the classroom guided him to focus on developing template formatting for teaching skills to students who are significantly behind, such as writing the five-paragraph essay. He hopes to explore the conversion of formatted learning structures into web based or software programs.  Aside from further developing best practices, methods, and interfaces that access technology (to help under-served students with deficits engage curriculum), he wants to further research the effect that the design and arrangement of physical space has on student investment and success in the classroom.

Another primary interest he has is analyzing and improving mechanisms that impact teacher quality of life in Chicago Public Schools (more specifically: recruiting/creating top-notch,  effective educators, media representation of teachers in America, educational policy: how to ensure that qualified and capable administration is installed, monitored, and held accountable for effectiveness).  He has recently developed a web-based non-for profit where he facilitates professional developments geared toward helping secondary teachers tweak their systems for effectiveness: http://pedagogiclogic.wetpaint.com    He looks to enter into the PhD program in the Learning Sciences in hopes to hone in on the research interests listed above.

Websites

Pedagogic Logic Innovations, Inc.

Awards/Honors

2009 - Teach for America Alumnus

Research/Scholarship
Education

Year		Degree		Institution
2010		MA, Learning Sciences Learning Sciences		Northwestern University
2009		Secondary Education Certification (English Language Arts)		National-Louis University
2007		Bachelor of the Arts (English-Premed)		The University of Chicago

Professional
Employment History

2007 - 2009

English Language Arts Instructor/Asst. Track & Field Coach, Urban Prep Academies 6201 S Stewart AVE Chicago IL 60621 United States of America (773) 535. 9724            Teacher, Football & Indoor/Outdoor Track Coach- March 2007- June 2009 Taught freshman English and sophomore level integrated science in 2007-2008 school year. Taught as lead freshman English Instructor for the 2008-2009 school year. Developed long-term plans based off of Illinois curricular standards, and create lesson plans for both English and Integrated Science.  Create & facilitate very promising investment plan for all my students called “B or Better” where they work toward the goal of 80% mastery in all they do.  Also served as an advisory leader.