Inspiring a New Generation
of Teaching and Learning

Massachusetts Educator License:

Academic Teacher, Social Studies, 9-12

Academic Teacher, English, 9-12

Educational Practice Expertise:

Gamification of Curriculum, Digital Literacy, US History; English Language Arts

Shaun Moriarty is an experienced Social Studies and English teacher with a diverse background in both rural and urban education. Throughout his career, he has taught in a variety of settings, giving him a unique perspective and the ability to connect with students from different backgrounds. He is dedicated to promoting a positive learning experience and encouraging students to think critically and creatively. A Woodrow Wilson Institute HistoryQuest Fellow, Shaun currently runs a gamified middle school classroom in suburban Central Massachusetts.

Join Shaun as he helps teachers use gaming strategies to increase student engagement and improve academic performance.

Connecticut Educator License:

Guidance, K-12

Educational Practice Expertise:

Animal-Assisted Therapy and Counseling, Psychology, and Humane Education

Following the school tragedy at Sandy Hook, Denise created a school curriculum to offer animal-assisted therapy to the school community. She and her dog, Kodiak, served in the Crisis Counseling Center and later in the local intermediate school. It was there Denise witnessed the healing and teaching powers of therapy dogs. She and her American Eskimos – Kodiak and McKinley - have been active in therapy-dog work since then, bringing these wonderful dogs to students for the purpose of educating them in respect, reverence, and kindness. Join her “Beyond Books” series to see how to build these skills in your students, supporting their Social Emotional Learning.

Denise is a career educator who has served as a school counselor specializing in animal-assisted therapy, a high school and college Psychology instructor, and a school administrator. She holds a Sixth Year Certificate in Humane Education.

“Only when we understand can we care; only when we care shall we help; only if we help will all be saved.” - Jane Goodall

Massachusetts Educator Licenses:

• Academic Superintendent K-12
• Vocational Superintendent K-12
• Principal/Assistant Principal K-12
• Academic Teacher, English 5-12

Educational Practice Expertise:

Digital Literacy, Early College, Visual Rhetoric

Dr. Cormier began Compass Rose in 2012 with a belief that teacher professional development needed change.  She is committed to offering PD that is meaningful and relevant.  In her 25+ years as an educator, she has been an Assessment Specialist, a Curriculum Director, and an English teacher in public, private, and vocational K-12 school settings.   She is an Visiting Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Worcester State University and an Adjunct Professor at Quinsigamond Community College.  Bethann is passionate about Early College programming—she implemented EC programs at several secondary schools, and she teachers EC courses at the college level.  She earned her doctorate from Northeastern University in Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership.

Compass Rose PD:  Building Social Emotional Skills Through Therapy Dogs, Implementing Early College Pathway programs in secondary schools, Digital Literacy, and English Language Arts.

"Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world,"  - Nelson Mandela

Massachusetts Educator License:

Academic Teacher, Social Studies, 9-12

Educational Practice Expertise:

Facing History and Ourselves, Social-Emotional Learning, and US History.

Donna has been a Social Studies Teacher in grades 5-12 for over 30 years and is a volunteer with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections and the Worcester County Jail.  Donna believes that all students matter, teachers are our greatest asset, and building relationships is goal number one.

Donna is a leader in the practice of Restorative Justice, Social Justice and Mentoring, and Social Emotional Learning.  Join Donna in her Social Emotional Learning program where she helps teachers implement SEL into their daily curricula in meaningful ways.

"When you walk in the footsteps of a stranger, you learn things you never knew you never knew."  from the Disney film Pocahontas

Massachusetts Educator Licenses:

Academic Teacher, English 5-12

John Ruiz Pineda is a lifelong learner who is passionate about using technology in his teaching practices. He loves to explore and teach about Spanish-speaking culture. John was born and raised in South America, so Spanish is his first language. He has taught world languages in South America and the US for over 22 years. As a result, he has built an outstanding professional skill set to navigate our ever-changing teaching world successfully.

John’s professional experiences include:  teaching English as a second language to adults and high school students in South America and the US; working as a professional medical interpreter at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA; teaching medical Spanish at UMass University; training professional medical interpreters at Quinsigamond Community College; and teaching Spanish classes to high school students in the US. John holds a Master’s Degree in education and a professional 5-12 teaching license. Join John in his Cultural Exchange series where he pairs teachers from the US and Colombia so that their students may experience virtual cultural exchanges with one another.

Massachusetts Educator Licenses:

Library Science, K-12

Academic Teacher, English 9-12

Special Educational Practice:

Humanities Teacher in grades 9-12 for 25 years. 

Bethany Dunton is both an English teacher and a Librarian.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Education and is dual licensed in both English (grades 9-12) and Library Science (grades K-12).  She has taught at the college level in partnership with Compass Rose, focusing on remote teaching and learning.  Her 25 years in the classroom has afforded her the opportunity to teach children of all learning styles and academic levels.  Join Bethany in her specialized PD programs, Teaching the Graphic Novel and Teaching The House on Mango Street as well as workshops in Digital Literacy and Safe, Supportive Learning Environments.