One of the greatest joys in my school-improvement consulting role is  knowing that I not only touch the hearts and lives of educators, their  schools and districts, but that I ultimately touch the hearts and lives of  the "next generation," who have been entrusted to our care.
--Janet Hale

I have had the great pleasure of consulting, training, coaching, and mentoring teachers, support staff, and administrators, nationally and internationally, since the 1980s.

I have been told that I am motivational and inspiring, while at the same time practical and to the point. My ability to take the latest research-based strategies and designs and entwine them with quality practices that are presently in place within a school or district has proven an asset to my clients.

If you are interested in surfing my site, please feel free to choose from the links listed on the left sidebar. If you would like to learn a little bit about my personal teaching odyssey, please feel free to read on.

The Journey Begins
I actually started teaching when I was 12 years old. I was living in Seoul, Korea, at the time (my father was in the Army). My first job title was Summertime Volunteer and I was responsible for teaching mentally challenged students to swim. During the next school year, I took on the role of Library Tutor for the early elementary students. And, on Saturday mornings I enjoyed helping Korean children who were blind learn English at the Korean Lighthouse for the Blind. Needless to say, I was hooked!

I continued my newfound love by working with severely mentally challenged young adults during my high school years. Those years proved priceless. The responsibilities I had enabled me to learn how to break down tasks and concepts so that they are easily understood--an important component to school-improvement planning and quality inservicing, training, and coaching.

After high-school graduation, I attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education with dual majors in Elementary Education and Special Education. My first certified teaching position was at Sunnyside High School in Tucson, Arizona. I then surfed through a few grade levels due to the Low-teacher-on-the-totem-pole Syndrome, which again proved invaluable as it taught me to adapt quickly to my students' needs. Switching grade levels also provided insight and understanding into the pains, frustrations, and joys of teaching within a variety of grade-level and school-site dynamics. Now, with 24-plus years of official teaching under my belt, I have become an in-the-field expert in adaptation and change--and continue to love every second of it! Since I believe in the philosophy, we never stop learning, I went on to receive my Masters, with Honors, in Curriculum Development and Educational Leadership (also from Northern Arizona University). The best memory while earning my Masters was my course instructors. They were all actively "in the field," including superintendents, principals, curriculum coordinators, and even district lawyers. M-m-m-m, the stories I have heard! They truly opened my eyes to the role that administrations play within the harmony, or potential disharmony, of a school or district's life.

I played an active role on committee after committee after committee, both at the school and district levels. I was also a member of many site-based teams and enjoyed the collaboration model. I conducted a variety of intra-district workshops and trainings, which eventually led me to search beyond my district borders to explore various training opportunities.

Write On!
In the mid-1980s, I decided to try my hand at writing an educational-resource book. I submitted my manuscript to a relatively young company entitled Teacher Created Materials. (You may want to check out their Website at www.teachercreated.com, since they are now one of the top three educational-resource companies in the United States!) My manuscript was accepted and I began a wonderful writing experience that has lasted over 20 years. My published titles exceed three dozen. I still love to write when I have the time, but it's getting more difficult given my consulting schedule.

Speak Up!
Due to my connection with Teacher Created Materials, I began conducting Make It and Take It workshops around the United States in the late 1980s. I approached TCM with the concept of presenting one-day seminars, and as they say, "The rest is history!" I have now developed and presented a myriad of seminars, workshops, and trainings, both nationally and internationally. Due to my personal desire and need to stay current with educational methods, frameworks, and philosophies, my current role as a school-improvement consultant blossomed.

Your interest in my consulting services is what may have brought you to my website. Please feel free to browse my site to discover how I may be of service to you and your school-improvement needs.

A Few Testimonials

I have included a wide range of testimonials from educators and administrators whom I have serviced in a variety of capacities. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed working with those who wrote them!

I hate giving 5's (5 = Best possible rating score)... It goes to the presenter's head!! Anyway, I had to give Janet a 5. This was, by far, the most useful session so far! Excellent!!
Participant--Turning Standards into Essential Questions Session
National Standards and Assessment Conference 2004

I'm going to change my way of teaching-thanks so much!
Participant--Stimulate Learning through History Simulations for Middle and High School Students Workshop
ASCD, New Orleans 2003

Janet-I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your workshop and that I learned lots!! As a new library media teacher I am struggling with teaching my middle schools the how's and why's of research. Your information was so useful-not lots of theory, but good solid stuff to take home and put to use.
Joanne Ligamari, Media Specialist
St. Michael's Episcopal Day School, Carmichael, CA

Janet Hale is an inspiring presenter and has had a definite impact on raising student achievement in writing at Edwards Elementary. We were fortunate to have Janet teach best practices in the Six Traits of Writing several times per year over the last three years. Through her modeling lessons, presenting inservices, and coaching staff and students, not only did writing abilities improve, but also everyone has a new excitement about writing.
Jane Snyder, Principal,
Edwards Elementary School, Ames, Iowa

First off … WOW! This has been a FANTASTIC experience for me. I am going to be able to take an incredible amount of ideas from your workshops and REALLY be able to apply them in my room. This past year was my first year of teaching and you might say, I was clueless. I was even contemplating a career change. However, you have really reaffirmed my prior thought about how great this job is! THANK YOU! The excitement and enthusiasm you presented each day was great. You have made this week a true blessing for me and I'm sure for others as well.
Molly Hurd, SIRI Training,
Preble/Darke County, Ohio

I wanted to let you know personally how wonderful Janet Hale was at our Reading Institute in Miami last week! She was a real trooper and the ultimate professional. Even though parts of the week were terribly unorganized--it never once bothered Janet. And she is a delightful person!
Keith Garton, Co-coordinator,
Miami Summer Nonfiction Reading/Writing Institute, Miami, FL

Janet is succinct. She knows educational practices and laws and what teachers need to think about in these modern days of teaching. She is fast moving, which keeps your mind alert and engaged. She is a joy to listen to, and her message is real and practical. She is well worth the money spent!
Carol Apt, Reading Intervention Teacher,
Lincoln Elementary, Lynwood, California

Janet Hale is very motivational. I thoroughly enjoyed all of her presentations and learned much from her. Janet has so many creative ideas and activities that can be used in the classroom. I highly recommend anyone to attend her trainings because you will walk away inspired!
Kelli Raudles, Second Grade Teacher
Sawyer Elementary School, Ames, Iowa

Janet Hale's educational enthusiasm is highly contagious for teachers and students. Observing her dynamic teaching style and creative strategies with my students has motivated me to continue to strive for excellence!
Janet Collins, Fifth Grade Teacher
Desert Willow Elementary, Tucson, Arizona

Thank you for two dynamite workshops! They were the best I've ever been to in years! You're presentation was an A+!
Margaret Ryan, Math and Science Hands-on Inservice
Rhode Island