Joan

Dr. Joan O'Keeffe is a dedicated and passionate educator with high integrity who believes each child deserves a personal education within a progressive, community-driven school under highly-effective teachers and leaders. After 35 years as a middle and high school science teacher and K-12 district & school leader, her goal is to continue to guide others with inspiration and innovation using research-supported theories and practices. Joan earned her science teaching credentials from Stony Brook University (B.S Biology) and Lehman College (M.A. Biology). She later continued her life-long love of learning by earning a Master's degree in School Administration & Supervision from Fordham University and her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College. Her dissertation focused on improving professional development through a study of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors. Joan's expertise lies in professional development, teacher pedagogy, curriculum & assessment development, differentiated instruction, and supervision & evaluation. As a specialist in K-12 science & design technology education, she has led many workshops and ongoing PD work on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and is familiar with both NYSSLS and NJSLS standards. Joan is also the recipient of the 2023 STANYS Champion of Teacher Development Award.