Igniting Student Potential Teaching With the Brain's Natural Learning Process

Rita Smilkstein's area of expertise is teaching-learning theory based on brain research and how to teach according to the brain's natural learning process. A frequent speaker throughout the United States and Canada, her publications include textbooks for teaching study skills and grammar as well as articles on how to apply the brain's natural learning process to curriculum development and instructional methods across the disciplines. Currently, she is Professor Emerita (English), North Seattle Community College, and, as an invited lecturer, teaches educational psychology at Western Washington University's Woodring College of Education. Dr. Smilkstein has a BA in English from the University of Iowa, an MA in Speech from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Washington. She has taught in middle school through graduate school, including 28 years at North Seattle Community College. She has received a number of teaching awards, including the Excellence Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development in 1995, 1991; Outstanding Teacher Award, Washington Association of Developmental Education, 1994; Award of Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to Education Excellence, Washington Community Colleges/Vocational Technical Institutes Councils, 1991; Burlington Northern Award for Significant and Meritorious Teaching , 1990. Her professional affiliations include the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, College Reading and Learning Association, National Association of Developmental Education, and National Council of Teachers of English.Smilkstein, Rita is the author of 'Igniting Student Potential Teaching With the Brain's Natural Learning Process', published 2006 under ISBN 9781412917063 and ISBN 1412917069.