UA Little Rock Consultant Information and Course Descriptions for July 7-10, 2025

Kevin McDonald – Edmond Memorial High School, Edmond, OK

AP English Language and Composition for teachers New to AP

Kevin McDonald is currently in his 28 th year of teaching, the last 21 being at Edmond Memorial High School in Edmond, OK. He is currently the English Department Chair and is an assistant band director, focusing on percussion.

Kevin began reading for the AP Lang Exam in 2002. In that time he has been a reader, a table leader, a question leader, and a sample selector. He started consulting for College Board in 2004.

He was also the High School Co-Chair of the AP English Language Course Development and Curriculum Committee and the AP English Language Course and Exam Development Committee from 2014-2021.

Course Description
This course for New Teachers to AP English Language and Composition will focus on using the Course and Exam Description to help guide our understanding of rhetorical instruction and course development, develop an understanding of the exam questions and philosophies that guide those questions (so that you can free yourself from the test!), and provide an overview of the suite of resources College Board provides for classroom support. Intended for teachers with up to three years of experience teaching AP Lang, we will also focus on best practices for individual lessons and unit development, as well as discuss scope and sequence options for the course.

Daniel O’Rourke – Riverside Brookfield High School, Riverside, IL

AP English Language and Composition – Combined (both New and Experienced teachers)

Dan O’Rourke earned his MA in English Literature at Villanova University and has taught high-school English since 1989 at four very different schools in and around his hometown, Chicago. He currently teaches English at Riverside Brookfield High School where he’s worked for the past 21 years. Dan, who loves sharing ideas with colleagues, has been a National Board Certified Teacher since 2010, a College Board consultant since 2016, and a College Board Mentor for AP English Language & Composition since 2021. Dan’s experience serving as a Reader, Table Leader, and Question Leader at the AP Reading since 2003 and participating on the College Board’s AP English Language Instructional Design Team has provided him with valuable insights into assessing and teaching reading and writing. His academic work has been published by Bedford, Freeman and Worth in the 3rd edition of The Language of Composition (2018) and in the 2nd edition of Ideas and Argument (2025). In addition, Dan has presented at various national conferences and webinars–most recently NCTE’s 2025 Conference in Boston, Marco Learning’s 2020 Pop-Up PD session, “Teaching for Transfer,” and the College Board’s 2019 National Forum in Washington, DC.

Related websites: LinkedIn link: linkedin.com/in/daniel-o-rourke-nbct-04083436

Course Description

This session is dedicated to enhancing educator’s proficiency in teaching AP English Language and Composition. This course centers on the fundamental skills outlined by the College Board, offering practical insights and resources for effective course instruction.

Throughout this course, participants will engage with the following key components:

– Curriculum Exploration: We will explore the goals, framework, and examination format for AP English Language and Composition. This will provide educators with a comprehensive understanding of the course, from initial planning to teaching strategies and assessment techniques.

– Student Engagement Strategies: Educators will gain valuable strategies for engaging students and accelerating their progress. These techniques are tailored to prepare students to tackle the challenging texts and writing tasks presented in the AP exam.

– Resource Abundance: Teachers will receive a wealth of resources to enrich their teaching practices. These resources include publications from The College Board, guidance on pacing and scheduling decisions related to offering the course, and effective methods and models for delivering a successful course.

– Comprehensive Assessments: Educators will have access to model composition exercises and assessments, along with a comprehensive overview of online AP resources, including question banks and progress checks.

Teachers will emerge well-equipped with the knowledge, strategies, and resources needed to guide their students towards success in AP English Language and Composition.

Christine Carson – Legacy Academy, Albuquerque, NM

AP English Literature and Composition for teachers New to AP

Christine Carson has been a teacher in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area for the last 21 years, teaching AP and Pre-AP English Language Arts in grades 9-12 for the last 17 years. She holds a B.A in Secondary Education with endorsements in English and Social Studies from the University of New Mexico and an MS in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University.

Mrs. Carson has been serving as an AP Literature and Composition reader for 15 years, and is currently a Question Leader for the exam. As a consultant, she has facilitated APSIs for the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Texas Tech University, the University of Arkansas Little Rock, and institutions in the Kansas City, San Francisco, San Diego, Albuquerque, and Atlanta areas. In addition, she has authored assessment materials for AP English Literature for a renowned textbook company. She describes herself as a diligent, enthusiastic educator who seeks genuine, authentic connections with students to encourage them to grow into mature readers, writers, and thinkers.

Course Description

This workshop explores the world of teaching AP® Literature and Composition for New AP English Literature and Composition teachers. Some of the areas that will be covered will include the Course Framework, passage analysis strategies, close reading methods and practices, drawing inferences, and importance of purpose or effect in analysis as well as novel unit organization suggestions and activities. Creation of challenging analytical tools for major works, teaching and scoring student writing, creative discussions, strategies for multiple choice testing, Lesson simulations in poetry, short fiction and longer works of fiction, and simulated AP® exam grading will be included. Participants will also have opportunities to share best practices as well in this asynchronous and synchronous interactive workshop.

Nichole Wilson – William Mason High School, Cincinnati, OH

AP English Literature and Composition – Combined (New and Experienced teachers)

Nichole Wilson has taught Advanced Placement English Literature and English 4 at William Mason High School in Cincinnati, Ohio for 25 years. She is the Grade 12 ELA Team Leader at Mason, a Teacher Leader Liaison/Ambassador for the state of Ohio, and a co-chair for the Ohio Teacher Leadership Summit (2021, 2022, 2023). She continues to serve on the Summit Committee. She is an AP English Literature Consultant, Mentor, Exam Reader, and Exam Table Leader and has spoken about best practices at a number of conferences, including the Advanced Placement Annual Conference, the College Board’s National Forum, and the National Council of Teachers of English. Additionally, she was an organizer and speaker for Mosaic 2020 and Mosaic 2021, the unofficial AP English Literature & Language Conference. Nichole has also reviewed and contributed to a number of literature textbooks, including the third edition of the Bedford Literature and Composition Teacher Edition (2022). She’s also passionate about fostering global connections, having taught in England through the Fulbright program. She worked as a journalist for a daily newspaper, and as a Public Relations Director and adjunct instructor at the university level. When she’s not working with students and teachers, Nichole attempts to stay active, travel, read, maintain her 1020-day Duolingo streak, and spend time with her family and friends.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

E-mail: nichole.wilson.apsi@gmail.com or nichole.wilson@fulbrightmail.org
LinkedIn: nichole-l-wilson22
Twitter/X: @N_L_Wilson

Course Description

As AP English Literature teachers, it may feel overwhelming as you navigate the many resources available through the College Board, the online communities, and your own peers. At the end of this workshop, I want you to feel you have your own voice and presence in your classroom as you determine which resources work best for you and your future students. Chef Thomas Keller said that “A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.” None of the resources have “soul” unless you bring yourself into the mix.

•  Participants will engage with useful resources and activities that deepen their understanding of the content and structure of the Advanced Placement English Literature course.
• Participants will develop strategies to address issues of access to and equity in the AP Lit classroom.
• Participants will develop a plan to identify and address district, school and classroom-level policies and practices that enhance or restrict student opportunities to participate in AP.
• Participants will demonstrate knowledge of the AP Lit Course and Exam Description and Curricular Requirements.
• Participants will develop a long-term instructional plan that incorporates all units, topics, and skills from the College Board’s Course and Exam Description.
• Participants will demonstrate understanding of how AP Classroom can be used to develop the skills and practices for the course and develop plans that reinforce connections.
• Participants will demonstrate understanding of digital testing techniques.
• Participants will be able to interpret data in AP Classroom and other College Board resources (i.e. Instructional Planning Report) and use it to reflect on implications for instruction.

Aaron Mathieu –  Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Acton, MA

AP Biology – Combined (New and Experienced teachers)

Aaron Mathieu is an award-winning AP Biology and Science Research Teacher at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Acton, Massachusetts.  Throughout his 29-year teaching career, Aaron has worked to broaden student access to rigorous, engaging, and authentic science learning experiences.  Aaron was named the 2015 Outstanding Biology Teacher for the state of Massachusetts.  He has been an AP Biology Reader since 2017 and became an AP Biology Consultant in 2022. Aaron served on the 2006 MCAS standard setting committee for the Massachusetts grade 10 biology exam, and has developed and written curriculum as an American Association of Immunology research fellow, as a BioBuilder Teacher leader, and as a consultant for the Amgen Biotech Experience and LabeXchange, from 2016-2022, he hosted the Life of the School Podcast where he interviews life science teachers about their teaching practices and goals.  He has also been featured in Quanta Magazine and as an AAAS Featured teacher.

Course Description

In our 4-Day AP Summer Institute, you’ll develop a toolkit of effective, ready-to-use strategies and pedagogical techniques to integrate into your teaching practice immediately. We’ll begin with an overview of the course, breaking down the course and exam description (including unit guides) making connections to the course requirements. This includes planning your AP course within your school’s academic calendar (with shared pacing guides for various schedule types) and, for new teachers, resources to assist with AP Audit approval. We’ll explore both formative and summative assessment items to identify key content and skill pairings, building lesson plans that reinforce these connections. This includes utilizing AP Classroom resources, along with data from AP Classroom, Instructional Planning Reports, and the Chief Reader’s Report, to focus on areas needing instructional emphasis. We’ll also discuss AP Exam scoring, including how to use rubrics from past FRQs and practice applying the latest scoring guidelines to student work. Additionally, we’ll cover the AP Reader experience. In our sessions, we’ll also introduce engaging, ready-to-use strategies and materials, including labs that let students actively explore the six science practices integral to AP Biology. Finally, we’ll exchange valuable resources as a group, establish meaningful connections, and discuss ways to connect with the broader AP Biology community.  If you would like more details, check out the 4-day Agenda.

David Wentz -retired, Fayetteville, AR

AP Chemistry – Combined (New and Experienced teachers)

David Wentz taught public high school science and math in Arkansas for twenty-six years, including twenty-two years in AP Chemistry and eight years in AP Calculus AB. He holds a BSE in Secondary Education from the University of Arkansas. David was the National Math and Science Initiative’s Science Teacher of the Year for Arkansas in 2012. Along with consulting for the College Board, he has consulted for National Math and Science Initiative as a presenter to AP Chemistry teachers at summer workshops and mock readings, to Pre AP Chemistry teachers at Laying The Foundation workshops, and to AP Chemistry students in NMSI’s Initiative for Military Families. In addition to consulting, he has been an AP Chemistry Reader for ETS since the 2012 reading. David has been married for thirty-eight years and has one daughter and one granddaughter.

Course Description

This course will focus on preparing students for the AP chemistry exam.  Participants will learn chemistry content and ways to teach in a face to face or online environment.  Content from all nine units will be addressed. Participants will perform lab and non-lab activities, with a focus on discussion and analysis.  We will explore the construction of the AP exam and scoring rubrics giving teachers a deeper understanding of how to prepare their students for it. Participants will score practice exams questions and have an opportunity to construct their own AP type questions.

Kimberly Shawver –   Dearborn Center for Math, Science, and Technology,  Dearborn Heights, MI

AP Computer Science A (New and Experienced teachers)

Kimberly Shawver is an instructor of computer science at the Dearborn Center for Math, Science, and Technology (DCMST.) DCMST is a specialized secondary education center with a four-year advanced, research based, science and math curriculum located in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Since 2004, Kim has taught AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles and has served as program Lead Teacher for the past four years. Kim was selected as Michigan’s 2017 Aspirations in Computing Educator Award Recipient by the National Center for Women in Information Technology (NCWIT) Michigan Chapter. She has served as a table leader and reader for the AP CS Principles Exam from 2017present. An avid exercise enthusiast and boater, Kim lives in Plymouth, Michigan with her husband, Rich. The Shawvers love to travel and spend time with their daughters, Lauren (27) and Haley (24).

Course Description

This workshop provides teachers with strategies and tools to implement an effective AP® Computer Science A course. During this training, teachers will explore CED including topics, exam components, and suggested labs. Participants will understand how to use activities that organize the course content to develop students’ proficiencies in the skills identified by the curriculum framework. In addition, participants will work on a course plan that will help them decide how they will teach the skills and content of the AP® Computer Science A course. The Summer Institute agenda is supported by and mapped to the AP® CSA workshop handbook lessons and includes APSI requirements.

Rebecca Barnes – West Springfield High School, Fairfax County, VA

AP Precalculus (New and Experienced teachers)

Becky Barnes has been a mathematics teacher in Fairfax County at West Springfield High School for 10 years. Six of those years have been spent teaching AP AB and BC Calculus, and eight have been spent teaching different levels of precalculus. During her time at West Springfield High School Becky has been a mentor to novice teachers, has served on her school’s technology committee, and has been a curriculum team lead. Becky has been recognized for her exceptional instructional skills and strong relationship with students by being named Fairfax County’s Outstanding Secondary New Teacher of the Year in 2017 and West Springfield High School’s Teacher of the Year in 2018. Becky graduated with both her Bachelors degree in Mathematics and her Masters in Teaching from the University of Virginia in 2013. In addition to consulting for AP Precalculus, Becky is the moderator for the AP Precalculus Online Teacher Community and is an AP Daily instructor. Becky enjoys traveling to National Parks (Zion National Park is her favorite so far), playing board games, and curling up on a couch to read.

Course Description

“This online workshop for AP Precalculus will cover the four units (1. Polynomial and Rational Functions, 2. Exponential and Logarithmic Function, 3. Trigonometric and Polar Functions, and 4. Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices) and the three mathematical practices (Procedural & Symbolic Fluency, Multiple Representations, and Communication & Reasoning) that make up the AP Precalculus course framework. During synchronous and asynchronous sessions, participants will explore the AP Precalculus Course and Exam Description, look at different strategies and resources to support their instruction, discuss how they can incorporate graphing calculators and AP Classroom into their course, and learn about the AP Exam structure and how to help students prepare to succeed on the exam.”

Doug Tyson – Central York High School,  York, PA

AP Statistics – Combined (New and Experienced teachers)

Doug Tyson has taught mathematics and statistics to high school and undergraduate students for more than 30 years. He currently teaches AP Statistics, Intro to Statistics, and Statistical Reasoning in Sports at Central York High School in York, PA. Doug is committed to increasing the visibility and quality of statistics education around the country. To that end, he happily served on the NCTM/ASA Joint Committee on Curriculum in Statistics and Probability, worked as a Question Leader at the AP Statistics Reading, is a Professional Development/Workshop Consultant for the College Board, runs workshops and teacher training events in statistical education around the country, and is an active NCTM and ASA member.

Doug’s commitment to statistics education includes various publications: a College Board curriculum module on random sampling and random assignment (co-author), creator of AP Daily Videos for the College Board, the Teacher’s Edition for Statistics and Probability with Applications, 3rd,  4th, and 5th edition (author), media supplements to accompany The Practice of Statistics 5th, 6th, and 7th edition (author and project manager), and the Teacher’s Edition for The Practice of Statistics 7th edition (author). He has been a speaker at regional and national mathematics education conferences, including NCTM Annual and state conferences, and been nominated for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

In a perfect world, Doug would be able to teach statistics without talking. While he still hasn’t achieved this goal, he’s gotten closer to achieving it.
Outside of work, Doug likes to spend time with his family, hunt, fish, read, eat corn dogs, and make snow with his homemade snow-making machine.

Course Description

Welcome to the wonderful world of Statistics! Without a doubt, this is the most enjoyable course I get to teach. I look forward to working with you and hope that you leave feeling prepared and excited about the opportunity to teach AP® Statistics.

During the workshop we will:

•  Highlight important parts of the Course and Exam Description.
•  Participate in many classroom-tested activities that illustrate key Learning Objectives.
•  Discuss how to use resources from the College Board found within AP Classroom including Personal Progress Checks and the Question Bank.
•  Review important topics from the course, including free-response questions from the AP® Statistics exam.
•  Discuss how the AP® Statistics exam is created and how it is scored, with a focus on the most recent year’s AP® Statistics exam. We will also discuss common student errors and how to       avoid them.
•  Practice using various types of technology, including graphing calculators and web apps.
•  Discuss other important topics for running an AP® Statistics course, including textbook selection, recruiting students, assessing students, and other day-to-day issues.
•  Answer as many questions as possible!

Digital copies of my lesson plans and other resources will be shared on our course website. Please bring a laptop/tablet and a graphing calculator. I will feature the NumWorks and TI-84 graphing calculators, but any graphing calculator with statistical capabilities will suffice. You can bring your textbook if you would like, but that is optional.

Kellye S. Self -Naples Middle/High School,  Naples, Italy

AP U.S. Government – Combined (New and Experienced teachers)

Kellye S. Self teaches Advanced Placement U.S. Government & Politics at Naples Middle/High School in Naples, Italy.  She has been a classroom teacher for 33 years and has taught the Advanced Placement course for 16 years, formerly teaching at Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama.

Kellye has been involved with curriculum development and teacher professional development for numerous organizations including A+ College Ready in Alabama, iCivics/Study Edge, the Street Law Institute and the Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute.

Kellye has been an A.P. reader since 2011, and has served in a leadership role for many years, as a table leader, early table leader and question leader.

Kellye also co-moderates and co-administers a Facebook community of over 6000 Advanced Placement U.S. Government teachers from around the world.

Kellye believes that all learners are capable of growth and mastery of complex material when properly guided and inspired.  She regularly attends and leads high quality professional development sessions where teachers will walk away with classroom ready resources and hands-on practice as a student.

Kellye has a B.S. in History, with a minor in Political Science, and M.A.Ed. degree in Secondary Social Science Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Course Description

The APSI for U.S. Government & Politics will be virtual and will be participatory.  Your presenter believes that learners learn best in community and with the opportunity to discuss and practice skills through hands-on learning. While this is a challenge in a virtual environment, she will design experiences that you can work on collaboratively to learn with one another.  You will have opportunities to practice the writing and reasoning skills through both the student and teacher lens, and to discuss best practices with your presenter and each other.  You will walk away from the workshop with classroom-ready lessons and resources that have been tested and successfully used in the presenter’s classroom, and resources that you and your peers will create together during the intensive.

A daily agenda will be provided closer to the date of the APSI.  Each attendee should have a laptop or other digital device with a strong internet connection.  We will use the learning management source provided by the host institution, but each participant will also get access to a google drive folder with classroom ready resources to use in their own classroom.  The workshop will provide opportunities for both synchronous and asynchronous learning.

Maria Borsa –  Bellaire High School,  Bellaire, TX

AP Spanish Literature (New and Experienced Teachers)

Maria Gloria Borsa teaches AP/IB Italian and AP Spanish Literature and Culture at Bellaire High School, in Texas. She double majored in English and Russian Languages and Literatures at the University of Sassari, Italy, where she also studied French, and has two Master Degrees, one in Bilingual Translation from the University of Westminster in London, UK, where she studied translation from Spanish, and one in Theories And Methodologies for Teaching Italian to Foreigners from the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, Italy. She has international certifications in English, French and Spanish at the Superior Level (DALF, Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency, DELE Superior). An AP Reader since 2014, she is now part of the leadership as a Question Leader and continues her collaboration as a consultant with The College Board for both AP Italian and AP Spanish Literature. Within her roles as AP Daily Lead Instructor, AP Italian Lead Consultant, AP World Languages Lead Teacher for the Houston Independent School District, IB Workshop Leader and IB Examiner for the International Baccalaureate Organization, she enjoys sharing new strategies to empower both teachers and students with the love of learning new languages, literatures and cultures. She defines herself as a Teaching Practitioner, proud to promote equity and access for all through the teaching of language and culture.

Course Description

The AP Spanish Literature and Culture Summer Institute provides an in-depth exploration of the AP Spanish Literature and Culture curriculum, covers key literary works from a wide variety of genres and historical periods, and encourages critical analysis of texts within their cultural, social, and historical contexts. Participants will gain strategies to develop students’ interpretive skills and deepen their understanding of literary devices, themes, and stylistic elements.

Throughout the course, teachers will:

● Explore the AP Spanish Literature and Culture curriculum framework, including the required reading list and key objectives and engage in text-based discussions and activities to encourage student engagement and develop critical skills.

● Learn to make the most of the Course and Exam Description, AP Classroom, AP Daily videos, to integrate them in their lessons and promote rigorous planning and instruction.

● Discuss strategies for incorporating cultural perspectives and contextual information to enhance students’ comprehension of each literary piece.

● Review assessment methods, including scoring guidelines and sample exam responses, to understand the expectations of the course.

● Collaborate with colleagues to exchange best practices, teaching resources, and effective classroom activities that foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This program equips AP teachers with the resources and strategies necessary to confidently guide students through the rich and diverse world of Spanish literature and culture, promoting a deeper understanding of literary analysis within an immersive cultural context.

Ashley Veenema –  Lebanon High School, Lebanon, NH

AP Environmental Science – Combined (New and Experienced teachers)

Ashley Veenema has been teaching all levels of Chemistry, as well as Environmental Science, including AP, for nearly a decade at Lebanon High School in New Hampshire. Her love of education, as well as her interest in all things science, began in high school, when she competed as the representative from VT, at the International Science and Engineering Fair. She followed her passions and earned her undergraduate degree from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), in Secondary Science Education, followed by her Master’s degree in Sustainable Development from the School for International Training (SIT).

In addition to being a high school teacher, Ashley is an adjunct professor at River Valley Community College through their Dual Enrollment Program. She has served as a mentor in her district for many years, participated in AP readings, and contributed to the review and editing process of a recent edition of a well known AP textbook. As an AP Consultant she integrates her love for the art of education, her knowledge of Environmental Science, and her experience as a mentor to inspire and facilitate learning for both educators and students alike.

Ashley’s other interests include any activity that supports lifelong learning and pushes her outside of her comfort zone. She also enjoys developing and facilitating personal growth retreats, traveling the US in her converted school bus, producing her podcast “Seeking Joy”, and enjoying quality time with her family and friends.

Course Description

This workshop is suitable for both new and experienced teachers.

Throughout our time together, we will dive into all nine units in depth, exploring various instructional strategies, laboratory investigations, innovative projects, and creative activities to enhance classroom engagement, learning outcomes, and course content interconnection. We will submit a course audit, familiarize ourselves with the CED, explore AP Classroom, go over recent FRQs, as well as other AP resources and best practices, in order to maximize planning, learning, and collaboration across participants.

The intention during this workshop is to offer collaborative and supported time for participants to share their insights, experiences, challenges, and solutions. We will work together to understand expectations, develop aligned curriculum, and better our courses for future years, as we bring our passions, best practices, and novel ideas to the forefront. Discussions of equity, access, and affordability, as well as reaching and supporting students with diverse backgrounds and various learning needs will be present. There will be some schedule flexibility to ensure that the individual needs of the participants are met during our time together.

Please be prepared to actively participate in discussions, activities, labs, and more. In addition, please bring a laptop or similar device, as well as any and all resources that you’d like to share with the group!