About Us

• Co-Producers
• Consultants

Learning First is co-produced by Patsy Kollen, writer and adapter, and Shirley Cooper, editor and business manager.

Shirley is a University of Michigan Professor Emeritus. She did a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Miami in educational psychology. Her doctoral and master’s degrees are from the University of Iowa in education and physical education. Her bachelor’s degree is from Illinois State University in physical education and math. Shirley developed, taught, and administered the innovative teacher preparation block program, supervised student teachers, and worked with doctoral candidates at the University of Michigan for 20 years. Prior to this, Shirley taught K-12 movement education for nine years at Bent J.H.S. in Bloomington IL, the University of Iowa Lab School, and LaDue Public Schools in St. Louis County.

Patsy did post-doctoral work in philosophy at Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois at Springfield). Her doctoral and master’s degrees are from the University of Michigan in education, curriculum and instruction, and special education, social and emotional maladjustments, and she completed the coursework for a master’s degree in educational psychology. Her bachelor’s degree is from Bowling Green State University in health, physical education, and recreation. Patsy served as the educational consultant at a charter school and developed curricular materials in history. She taught part-time in teacher preparation and psychology programs at Purdue, University of Illinois at Springfield, Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois, Indiana University at South Bend, and Southern Illinois University, and served as an administrator at University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse. During these years, she developed, field tested, and wrote about the ideas that are now part of this program. Prior to this, Patsy taught health, sports appreciation, and physical education classes, coached, and served as athletic director for 19 years in Michigan at Bentley H.S. in Livonia and K-12 in Ann Arbor Public Schools. Kollen had the good fortune of learning to use the rapport techniques that are part of this program at The University of Michigan Fresh Air Camp when Wineman, one of the developers of the techniques, was the Clinical Director. She used these techniques throughout her career with kindergarten through graduate students.

Elementary School

Sharon Phillips field tests with 2nd-5th graders at two southeastern Ohio rural public schools in science, writing, contemporary art, and photojournalism units. She has been teaching K-5 for 18 years and is certified K-12 in reading, art, and gifted education. Her undergraduate degree in fine arts and master's degree in curriculum and design are from Ohio University. Sharon's enthusiastic and on-going field testing reports and collaboration move this project steadily forward.

Randi Combs has taught K-5 for 23 years in Kentucky and Ohio public schools and is a reading specialist. She is currently teaching kindergartners in a small town near Columbus. Her bachelor's in elementary education and master's in education degrees are from Georgetown College. Randi's willingness to have her kindergarten classroom be observed and to bounce ideas around for using this program with early elementary students is always instructive.

Middle School

Beckie West field tested with 7th-graders in a small-town public school in southern Illinois with an autobiographical writing project. She has just retired after teaching language arts for 33 years. Her undergrad degree is from Southern Illinois University, and her master's degree is from Rockford College. Beckie's pilot-testing questions, doubts, and suggestions prompt on-going reality checks.

Molly Gage field-tests with 6th-graders in northern Kentucky. She is a social studies teacher who has been teaching in public schools for 7 years. Her bachelor's degree is from Marietta College in history and political science and her master's in education is from Mary Grove College. Molly's quick and insightful reactions lead to easy adjustments that are more teacher-friendly.

High School

Curt Shaw left retirement to return to Clermont County Public Schools in Cincinnati. He is currently teaching 8th-grade science at Amelia Middle School. During his 30-year career, he taught science at Amelia High School where he was also involved in behavior management issues as an administrative assistant. His bachelor's in secondary science is from Cumberland College and his master's in education from northern Kentucky. Curt's feedback early on led to a significant clarification of PACKAGE-IT. His on-going pilot-testing reactions always zero in on the broad implications and lead to improvements that are more logical in terms of the overall approach.

Sales & Marketing and Secondary Education

Mike Phillips has helped develop this project from the sales & marketing perspective. His 20-year career in sales and marketing includes the positions of vice-president and consultant in the boating industry. He is a former secondary science and math teacher and assistant principal. He taught for 8 years in Cincinnati at the West Clermont Schools, Lockland H.S., and Lakota J.H.S. His bachelor's degree is from Cumberland College in secondary education. His master's degree is from Xavier University in education and secondary school administration.

Higher Education

Brian Phillips has worked for Ohio University for 26 years. He is currently the director of information technology at the College of Medicine and teaches a course in communication systems management for the College of Communications. His work includes distance education using videoconferencing. His degrees are from Ohio University: B.A. in communication management, M.A. in instructional technology, and doctoral work in cybernetics ethics. Brian is a quick-study, and his terse but on-target "rattling" keep things moving in the desired direction.

Behavior Management & Higher Education

Al Roberts, Mike Kollen, and Bill Moy worked with David Wineman for many summers at the University of Michigan Fresh Air Camp. They served in both clinical and training positions and worked directly with campers using the rapport techniques and with teachers to help them learn to use them. They all taught at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan.