Examining Reasoning

Tracy Ocasio, EdD, was a successful assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and a principal before joining Learning Sciences International. With more than 25 years in education that includes experience as an English as a Second Language teacher, reading specialist, English teacher, instructional support teacher, elementary classroom teacher, and preschool teacher, Dr. Ocasio is able to relate her experience in early childhood education through grade 12 to her work as a staff developer. Dr. Ocasio also incorporates this background into her writing for the Learning Sciences Marzano Center blog. Her professional career includes teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as working as a crisis intervention/emergency services unit supervisor. Her educational background includes a doctorate in Reading and Language Development and Educational Leadership. Her graduate level education includes a master's degree in Public Administration. Robert J. Marzano, PhD, is a nationally recognized education researcher, speaker, trainer, and author of more than 30 books and 150 articles on topics such as instruction, assessment, writing and implementing standards, cognition, effective leadership, and school intervention. His practical translations of the most current research and theory into classroom strategies are widely practiced internationally by both teachers and administrators.

Robert J. Marzano is senior scholar at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) in Aurora, Colorado, associate professor at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and president of Marzano & Associates in Centennial, Colorado. He is the author of 25 books, 150 articles and chapters in books, and 100 sets of curriculum materials for teachers and students in Grades K-12. His works include What Works in Schools: Translating Research Into Action, School Leadership That Works, Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement, Classroom Management That Works, Classroom Instruction That Works, Classroom Assessment and Grading That Work, and A Different Kind of Classroom: Teaching With Dimensions of Learning.

During his 35 years in public education, Marzano has worked in every state multiple times as well as in a host of countries in Europe and Asia. The central theme in his work has been translating research and theory into practical programs and tools for K-12 teachers and administrators.