Dr. Howard Pitler
INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING / CURRICULUM AND EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST / INTERNATIONAL ADMINISTRATION EXPERT / TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
About Me
My passion for learning and the energy I receive from watching educators grow is what keeps me going.
I am an author of Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed., Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, and A Handbook for Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed. and have worked with teachers and administrators internationally for over a decade to improve outcomes for kids.
I am an author of Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed., Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, and A Handbook for Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed. and have worked with teachers and administrators internationally for over a decade to improve outcomes for kids.
Short Bio
Howard Pitler, Ed.D. is an international speaker, coach, and facilitator with a passion for improving education for all learners. Dr. Pitler has been recognized as a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary Principals, and is an Apple Distinguished Principal and a Smithsonian Institution Laureate. He is the author of numerous articles on the topics of instruction and technology and co-authored Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed. (ASCD, 2012), Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, (ASCD, 2007, 2012)and the Handbook for Classroom Instruction that Works, 2d. ed. (ASCD, 2012). He works nationally and internationally on classroom instructional practices, instructional coaching and technology integration. Dr. Pitler holds a BA from Indiana State University and an MA, Ed.S. and Ed.D. from Wichita State University. In addition to his role as a school administrator in Wichita, Kansas, he was a 29 year member of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra percussion section. During that time he performed with amazing artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Sarah Chang, Itzhak Perlman, and Mel Torme.
Long Bio
Howard Pitler, Ed.D. is an international speaker, coach, and facilitator with a passion for improving education for all learners. He was the Executive Director and Chief Program Office for McREL International from 2003 to 2015. Prior to working at McREL, Dr. Pitler spent 29 years in K-12 education as a teacher, assistant principal, elementary school principal, and middle school principal in Wichita, Kansas. Under his leadership, his elementary school was featured as an innovative program by WIRED Magazine, recognized as one of the Top 100 Schools in America by Redbook Magazine, and named an Apple Distinguished Program.
Dr. Pitler has been recognized as a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary Principals, and is an Apple Distinguished Principal and a Smithsonian Institution Laureate. He is the author of numerous articles on the topics of instruction and technology and co-authored Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed. (ASCD, 2012), Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, (ASCD, 2007, 2012)and the Handbook for Classroom Instruction that Works, 2d. ed. (ASCD, 2012). He works nationally and internationally on classroom instructional practices, instructional coaching and technology integration. Dr. Pitler holds a BA from Indiana State University and an MA, Ed.S. and Ed.D. from Wichita State University. In addition to his role as a school administrator in Wichita, Kansas, he was a 29 year member of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra percussion section. During that time he performed with amazing artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Sarah Chang, Itzhak Perlman, and Mel Torme.
Howard lives in Aurora, CO with his wife of 42 year. He has two grown children and two wonderful grandsons. When he isn’t working with educators or playing with his grandkids, he and his wife love riding his Harley Road King through the Colorado mountains and across this great land.
Dr. Pitler has been recognized as a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary Principals, and is an Apple Distinguished Principal and a Smithsonian Institution Laureate. He is the author of numerous articles on the topics of instruction and technology and co-authored Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed. (ASCD, 2012), Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, (ASCD, 2007, 2012)and the Handbook for Classroom Instruction that Works, 2d. ed. (ASCD, 2012). He works nationally and internationally on classroom instructional practices, instructional coaching and technology integration. Dr. Pitler holds a BA from Indiana State University and an MA, Ed.S. and Ed.D. from Wichita State University. In addition to his role as a school administrator in Wichita, Kansas, he was a 29 year member of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra percussion section. During that time he performed with amazing artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Sarah Chang, Itzhak Perlman, and Mel Torme.
Howard lives in Aurora, CO with his wife of 42 year. He has two grown children and two wonderful grandsons. When he isn’t working with educators or playing with his grandkids, he and his wife love riding his Harley Road King through the Colorado mountains and across this great land.
Products
Presentations
Unleashing Creativity in the Classroom
Humans are born curious. Watch a a toddler for any period of time and you will see her touching, tasting, and experiencing everything in her environment. It seems the longer kids are in school the less curious and creative many become. There is a process teachers can use within their curriculum to help reawaken their students’ (and their own) curiosity and foster creativity. This one-day workshop will show the way.
Enhancing Instruction Through Technology
Learn about effective ways to enhance learning with appropriate technologies directly from the author of the popular ASCD book,Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed. This very hands-on workshop will engage educators in creating learning activities they will be able to use the next day with their students. In addition, Dr. Pitler will share hundreds of free web resources on a Google site for staff to use after the workshops are over. This workshop can be an introductory one-day session, a three-day intensive workshop, or the springboard to instructional technology coaching and mentoring.
Improving Instruction in Today’s Classrooms
As the author of Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed. and Using Technology that Works, both published by ASCD, I bring high quality, relevant, and useful resources to schools at every level of performance. Workshops are customized to your needs and range from one-day introductory sessions to three-day or longer intensive work over a period of time.
Building Academic Vocabulary
According to Dr. Anne Fernald from the University of Chicago, five-year-old children of lower socioeconomic status (SES) score two years behind on standardized language development tests by the time they enter school. The gap only widens as students move through the grades. One of the best ways to help close that gap focuses on building background knowledge for those students. This one-day workshop introduces the 5-step systematic approach to learning vocabulary.
Comprehensive Technology Audit
Districts regularly conduct curriculum audits to insure they have a scope and sequence of instruction that aligns with their adopted assessments. Before launching into a new technology initiative or major technology purchase it makes sense to conduct a technology audit. How is technology currently being integrated into instruction? How prepared and willing are teachers? What does instruction really look like in the classrooms, not just during planned visits, but also on a day-to-day basis? These are just a few of the questions my six-step technology audit will answer.
Instructional Coaching
Many districts have a group of teachers who serve as instructional coaches. They usually are great teachers who were moved into a coaching position and told to “go forth and coach”. I work with a district’s coaches to provide them a framework to use as coaches.
Topics include the following:
Humans are born curious. Watch a a toddler for any period of time and you will see her touching, tasting, and experiencing everything in her environment. It seems the longer kids are in school the less curious and creative many become. There is a process teachers can use within their curriculum to help reawaken their students’ (and their own) curiosity and foster creativity. This one-day workshop will show the way.
Enhancing Instruction Through Technology
Learn about effective ways to enhance learning with appropriate technologies directly from the author of the popular ASCD book,Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed. This very hands-on workshop will engage educators in creating learning activities they will be able to use the next day with their students. In addition, Dr. Pitler will share hundreds of free web resources on a Google site for staff to use after the workshops are over. This workshop can be an introductory one-day session, a three-day intensive workshop, or the springboard to instructional technology coaching and mentoring.
Improving Instruction in Today’s Classrooms
As the author of Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed. and Using Technology that Works, both published by ASCD, I bring high quality, relevant, and useful resources to schools at every level of performance. Workshops are customized to your needs and range from one-day introductory sessions to three-day or longer intensive work over a period of time.
Building Academic Vocabulary
According to Dr. Anne Fernald from the University of Chicago, five-year-old children of lower socioeconomic status (SES) score two years behind on standardized language development tests by the time they enter school. The gap only widens as students move through the grades. One of the best ways to help close that gap focuses on building background knowledge for those students. This one-day workshop introduces the 5-step systematic approach to learning vocabulary.
Comprehensive Technology Audit
Districts regularly conduct curriculum audits to insure they have a scope and sequence of instruction that aligns with their adopted assessments. Before launching into a new technology initiative or major technology purchase it makes sense to conduct a technology audit. How is technology currently being integrated into instruction? How prepared and willing are teachers? What does instruction really look like in the classrooms, not just during planned visits, but also on a day-to-day basis? These are just a few of the questions my six-step technology audit will answer.
Instructional Coaching
Many districts have a group of teachers who serve as instructional coaches. They usually are great teachers who were moved into a coaching position and told to “go forth and coach”. I work with a district’s coaches to provide them a framework to use as coaches.
Topics include the following:
- Where does the coach fit in the overall organization?
- How does a coach establish the right working relationship with teachers AND administrators?
- How do coaches provide support for teachers to grow regardless of where they are on the mastery continuum?
What They Are Saying About Me
“The keynote featured Dr. Howard Pitler, who introduced his audience to the day with his enlightening presentation. The “Three Imperatives of Teaching” was an element he continually referred back to throughout his presentation. It describes how we, as teachers, need to be demanding (1), but supportive (2) while ensuring that our teachings remain intentional (3). As simple as it sounds, I’ve been attempting to balance those three traits for quite some time. Yet, I am still remaining persistent in the matter due to Pitler’s advice to us all; Form a commitment to use these conference ideas to change your classroom experiences. If you do not take the initiative to make some type of change within the next two weeks, you won’t experience much change in the future either.”
– Lucky Souvannarath, teacher
“Macomb County and Michigan have truly benefited from the work we did with Howard Pitler in the integration of technology and best practice. Howard Pitler has the experience and enthusiasm to provide a thoughtful reality check for educators about what today’s classrooms need to look like. Howard encourages participants to integrate best practice and technology into real life classroom applications that prompt learning, promote engagement, and prepare students for lifelong learning. As the co-author of the “Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed.” and “Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed.” books and an experienced user/trainer of the Power Walkthrough process, Howard is highly respected in the field. He prompts participants to think about more than technology for technology sake — he uses humor, shares stories, and provides meaningful examples of what the intersection of best practice and technology should look like in the classroom.”
– Dr. Jennifer Parker-Moore, Instructional Technology/School Data Consultant, Macomb ISD, Clinton Township, MI
– Lucky Souvannarath, teacher
“Macomb County and Michigan have truly benefited from the work we did with Howard Pitler in the integration of technology and best practice. Howard Pitler has the experience and enthusiasm to provide a thoughtful reality check for educators about what today’s classrooms need to look like. Howard encourages participants to integrate best practice and technology into real life classroom applications that prompt learning, promote engagement, and prepare students for lifelong learning. As the co-author of the “Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed.” and “Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed.” books and an experienced user/trainer of the Power Walkthrough process, Howard is highly respected in the field. He prompts participants to think about more than technology for technology sake — he uses humor, shares stories, and provides meaningful examples of what the intersection of best practice and technology should look like in the classroom.”
– Dr. Jennifer Parker-Moore, Instructional Technology/School Data Consultant, Macomb ISD, Clinton Township, MI
Previous Engagements
Three-day workshop – SouthCentral Educational Service Center, Camden, Arkansas July 2014
Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works
Keynote – Kansas Association of Teachers of English, Nov. 2014
Three Imperatives of Teaching
Keynote – Instituto Guatemalteco Americano, National Teachers’ Conference, Nov. 2014
Students Using Technology – How to enhance instruction with technology
Instructional Coaching – Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, 2010-2015
Provided long-term support for all administrators throughout the Commonwealth over a 5 year period.
WELS National Leadership Conference – Pewaukee, Wisconsin, June 2015
Creating the Environment for Learning – 1/2 day workshop
Instructional Coaching – 1/2 day workshop
ASCD Conference on Teaching and Learning, June 2015
Creating the Environment for Learning: Implementing a New Instructional Planning Framework
Technology and the ELA Common Core Standards
Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works
Keynote – Kansas Association of Teachers of English, Nov. 2014
Three Imperatives of Teaching
Keynote – Instituto Guatemalteco Americano, National Teachers’ Conference, Nov. 2014
Students Using Technology – How to enhance instruction with technology
Instructional Coaching – Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, 2010-2015
Provided long-term support for all administrators throughout the Commonwealth over a 5 year period.
WELS National Leadership Conference – Pewaukee, Wisconsin, June 2015
Creating the Environment for Learning – 1/2 day workshop
Instructional Coaching – 1/2 day workshop
ASCD Conference on Teaching and Learning, June 2015
Creating the Environment for Learning: Implementing a New Instructional Planning Framework
Technology and the ELA Common Core Standards