Deborah Burns

Deborah E. Burns is the K–8 curriculum coordinator for the Cheshire (Conn.) Public Schools. Her work in Cheshire focuses on the district's long-term plan to support increased student achievement for all learners through a emphasis on collegial professional development, content standards, best practices teaching strategies, a subject-based and differentiated instructional framework, and formative assessment. Prior to her work in Cheshire, Burns was an associate professor and an administrator in the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut where she taught courses in curriculum design and differentiation, talent development, and thinking skills instruction.

Burns's previous professional experience includes 11 years of K–8 classroom teaching and work as a regional program coordinator, a remedial reading and math specialist, and a presenter and consultant for a variety of school districts around the country. Burns is also the author and coauthor of numerous articles, chapters, and books related to instruction, curriculum, and assessment. Burns earned her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in 1973, her master's degree from Ashland University in 1978, and her doctorate from the University of Connecticut in 1987.

Area of Expertise: Differentiated Instruction