BIO

BIO

Robert Lem is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BS, Entomology), San Francisco State University (MA, Special Education, MA Educational Administration) and University of San Francisco (Ed.D. Organizational Leadership).  His 33 years of professional experience includes teaching general, bilingual and special education students in grades K-12.  He has also served as principal at an inner-city consent decree school, a school for military dependents on Treasure Island Naval Base and a prestigious school that consistently ranked in the 98th percentile statewide.  As a school leader, Dr. Lem emphasized team-building and collaborative school governance to empower teachers.  To this end, he conducted team-building staff retreats at unconventional venues such as the Hall of Flowers, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and the exclusive Buck Estate on the Stanford University campus.  After returning to the classroom for the latter part of his career to pursue research interests in instructional design, Dr. Lem combined his expertise and knowledge of learning theory, pedagogy and educational technology to create an innovative, computer-based literacy intervention program designed to help the most at-risk, underachieving students.  He now devotes his time to assisting school districts, parents and teachers in implementing proven instructional strategies that can significantly impact academic achievement. Dr. Lem is available for school and district professional development training and can be reached via the Contact page.

Special skills: accelerated instructional methodology, innovative approaches to literacy intervention, interactive educational technology, mnemonics, English language acquisition/ESL, teaching special needs students (learning disabilities, physically disabled, autistic), in-service training for teachers and principals, assessment data analysis, school restructuring, organizational development, culinary arts

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In-service Training Opportunities

Put aside your preconceived notions about how children learn and experience what it is like to "think outside the box". Dr. Lem's engaging workshops are designed to teach participants innovative methods and techniques for accelerating instruction in order to steepen the learning curve. Please use the Contact page to request a customized workshop to meet the needs of your staff.

Building a Better Mousetrap: Advanced Problem-Solving

This 3-day workshop presents a practical approach to developing site-based action plans for low-performing schools - it is presented by an expert who has "been there and done that". After receiving a comprehensive overview, participants will be guided to work through a collaborative process that will ultimately result in the first draft of a workable action plan. Specific goals and objectives will be developed based on an analysis of current assessment data. Participants will learn to develop and use an action plan that shows the individuals who will be responsible for completing specific tasks in Phase 1. They will also learn to conduct subsequent action plan meetings to effectively monitor the progress that is being made and how to ensure the completion of Phases 2 and 3. Effective school restructuring is absolutely possible through this collaborative process!
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Building a Better Mousetrap: Accelerated Literacy Instruction

This participatory workshop showcases a unique approach to literacy intervention that targets students who are functioning several years below their grade level. Since accelerated learning is dependent on accelerated instruction, participants will learn about easy-to-use, accelerated techniques - originally developed for underachieving general education students - that have been found to be especially effective with students faced with a variety of different challenges including learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, autism, and those learning English as a second language.

Building a Better Mousetrap: Alternative Approaches to Language Arts Instruction

Sometimes the most challenging students require the use of unorthodox instructional strategies, especially when nothing else seems to work. Participants will learn to use child-friendly enticements such as Pokemon, Naruto, action figures and a classroom menagerie that are guaranteed to motivate disengaged students to learn to read and write.

Building a Better Mousetrap: Effective Use of Educational Technology with Special Needs Students

Optimize the use of technology (computers, SmartBoards, iPads) in your classroom by applying key principles of cognitive psychology, neuroscience and pedagogy into your lesson design. This workshop features demonstrations and hands-on training for 1:1, small group and whole-class instruction. Participants will also learn about iPad apps that have been specially selected for their versatility and usefulness in the classroom.

Building a Better Mousetrap: Elementary Classroom Management

Anyone can establish a "well-oiled" classroom with very little effort. Learn how to structure your classroom so that only minimal teacher supervision is required. Participants will learn to use positive peer pressure, intrinsic motivation, fun routines and digital helpers to streamline the learning process. Less time spent on disruptive behavior equates to more time available for quality instruction!