Jeffrey J. Puhala, Ed.D.
Address Available Upon Request
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/jeff-puhala-ed-d/1b/782/648
Statement of Teaching Philosophy
I want students to be successful in a changing global economy. I motivate students by differentiating my instruction to meeting their needs and learning styles. Instruction is differentiated through classroom experiences, field trips, experiential learning, and critical thinking. I believe that students learn best when they are active participants in a class. I feel that students grow as learners and critical thinkers when they can relate theory to real life situations. Providing examples from my own life experiences to help students translate theory into practice and apply new knowledge to work and life is critical for learning.
Personal Attributes
- 3 years experience in higher education faculty/staff instructional design and professional development
- 16 years experience as a music educator in K-12 education
- 2 years experience as a K-12 faculty technology coach
- 2 years experience as a graduate teaching assistant
- 4 years experience as an adjunct online professor
- 1 semester experience as an adjunct faculty in a higher education music department
- Doctoral qualitative research background applicable to teaching higher education courses in Education, Music, Curriculum, and Organizational Change
- Successful experience obtaining competitive educational grant awards for K-12 education
- Strong Instructional Technology skills as a trainer and designer
- Fluent in facilitating online learning in the Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, and Moodle learning management systems
- Designs instruction so student’s problem-solving abilities focus on translating theory into practice
- Differentiates instruction using discussion boards, independent reading, wikis, and group projects
Professional Experience
Instructional Designer, Filippelli e-Institute and Outreach, College of the Liberal Arts, Penn State University, University Park, PA May, 2018-Present
- Partners with faculty to design online courses in various disciplines of the Liberal Arts
- Serves as the instructional design portfolio manager for the Communication Arts Sciences online program
- Participates in committees involving continuous improvement of online instruction
- Seeks to develop customized instructional solutions to meet the unique needs and challenges of online adult learners
Instructional Designer, College of Nursing, Penn State University, University Park, PA January, 2017-May, 2018
- Designed and supported resident and online undergraduate and graduate courses at 2 campus locations
- Provided technology training to faculty and staff to promote best practices and sound pedagogy in regards to teaching and learning with technology
- Participated in committees involving continuous improvement of online instruction
- Customized instructional design solutions to meet the unique needs of the College of Nursing
Online Platform: Canvas Learning Management System
Instructional Technology Training Specialist, Penn State University, University Park, PA March, 2016-January, 2017
- Instructed face-to-face and hands-on online professional development training focused on implementation of the Canvas Learning Management System throughout the 24 commonwealth campuses reaching an audience of approximately 100,000 people
- Assisted in instructional design tasks such as research, creation, and review of training materials
- Actively engaged in collaborative team meetings with stakeholders across different contexts
- Supported individual faculty/staff needs on the Canvas Learning Management System
Online Platform: Canvas Learning Management System
Elementary Music Educator, Mount Union Area School District, Mount Union, PA November, 2006-February, 2016
- Educated approximately 850 K-6 children on a weekly basis in three elementary buildings
- Authored and secured $11,100 in grants for musical equipment
- Directed elementary chorus at three buildings
- Integrated innovative instructional technology into instruction
- Designed and implemented a curricular sixth-grade guitar and African drumming program
- Improved district musical achievement by leading four students to the PMEA/ACDA All-State Elementary Honors Chorus
Online Platform: Blackboard Learning Management System
Other Service: Faculty SMARTboard trainer
Adjunct Faculty/Assistant Course Coordinator, Morningside College, Sioux City, IA . July, 2015- Present
- Course author of EDUC 522: Technology Integration online in the Master of Education program to elementary, middle, and school teachers
- Answers student emails and questions quickly
- Promotes student and instructor engagement in online discussions
- Provides timely feedback on all assignments
- Assists in the evaluation of course adjunct instructors
- Serves as the lead instructional designer
Online Platform: Moodle Learning Management System
Course Designer, Lincoln Learning Solutions, Rochester, PA August, 2014-Present
- Designed kindergarten and second grade online music curriculum
- Mapped curricular content in Rubicon Atlas web-based software
- Authored curricular content in Microsoft Word
- Collaborated with other subject matter experts to refine the product
Instructor, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA August, 2006-December, 2006
- Taught saxophone lessons and mentored a first year music education student
Instrumental Music Educator, Mount Union Area School District, Mount Union, PA August, 2004- July, 2006
- Directed marching band, symphonic band, and junior high band
- Improved performance level of all ensembles over a two-year period
- Developed and directed a curricular senior high jazz band program
- Coordinated and instructed an instrumental lesson pullout program
- Directed musical performances at community functions
- Organized and hosted the Huntingdon County Junior High Band Festival
Music Educator, South Park School District, South Park, PA July, 2003-August, 2004
- Improved curricular offerings in grades sixth, seventh, and eight band, chorus,and general music courses
- Raised the performance levels of musical ensembles in one school year
Instrumental Music Educator, Punxsutawney School District, Punxsutawney, PA August, 2000-June, 2003
- Directed marching band, symphonic band, and jazz band
- Designed and instructed music appreciation and music theory courses
- Provided special education music instruction
- Organized musical groups that performed in community outreach efforts
- Advised the music boosters’ organization
- Designed and submitted blueprints for the renovation of the music facility
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Penn State University, University Park, PA August, 1998-May, 2000
- Saxophone Methods
- Instructed a course to undergraduate music education majors on how to teach saxophone in K-12 schools
- Studio Saxophone Instruction
- Taught studio saxophone lessons to non-music majors
- Saxophone Ensemble
- Served as the assistant conductor of the saxophone ensemble
Formal Education
Northeastern University, Boston, MA (2015)
Doctor of Education
California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA (2007)
Master of Education
Penn State University, University Park, PA (2000)
Master of Music
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA (1998)
Bachelor of Science in Education
Certifications
State of Montana, License as a K-12 Music Educator (2013-Present)
State of Pennsylvania, License as a K-12 Principal (2006-Present)
State of Pennsylvania, License as a K-12 Music Educator (1998-Present)
Scholarly Research
Puhala, J.J. Changing classroom practice: Elementary teacher experiences of a professional development program. Tech Know Learn (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-018-9370-3
Puhala, J. (2015). Changing classroom practice: A qualitative study of elementary teacher experiences of a professional development training program (doctoral dissertation). Northeastern University, Boston.
Puhala, J. (2000). A practical approach to technical development in saxophone performance (masters thesis). The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
Professional and Scholarly Presentations
Conference Presenter – Canvas Day – Penn State University – Session Title – Facilitate Collaborative Learning with Groups: Residential Course Focus
Conference Presenter – Pennsylvania Educational Technology Exposition and Conference – Hershey, PA (2014) – Poster Session: Educator Meaning Making in 21st-Century Professional Development
Conference Presenter – Pennsylvania Educational Technology Exposition and Conference – Hershey, PA (2013) – Poster Session: Adult Learning Theory Supports Technology Professional Development
Conference Presenter – Pennsylvania Educational Technology Exposition and Conference – Hershey, PA (2012) – Topic: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): From Policy to Classroom Management
Academic Lectures
Puhala, J. (2015). Qualitative Research. University of Central Oklahoma. Live Lecture. April 8, 2015 via Skype.
Cited In
Puhala, J. (2014, September 1). Who Knows Their Rhythms? Music K-8, 5-5.
Professional Affiliations
Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (2014-Present)
American Orff-Schulwerk Association (2008-2014)
National Education Association (2000 – 2016)
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (1994 – Present)
Awards and Honors
Guest Director of the PMEA District 2 Jazz Festival (2018)
Blended Learning Peer Technology Coach (2011-2016)
SMART Certified Trainer on Notebook 10 for MAC (2010-2011)
Enhancing Education Through Technology/Classrooms For The Future Peer Technology Coach – Shirley Township Elementary School (2009-2011)
Read 180 training seminar – Mount Union Area School District (2008)
Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Successful People – Leadership Seminar (2005)
Recipient of the William Nash Continuing Education Scholarship – presented by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association in Hershey, PA (2003)
Community Service
Saxophonist, Raystown Wind Ensemble – 2015-Present
Saxophonist, Keystone Society of Swing – 2009-Present
Highly Competent Subject Areas
Computer Experience
- Mac OSX
- Windows 7
- iOS and Android mobile platforms
- Microsoft Office
- MAXQDA
Learning Management System Experience
- Blackboard
- Canvas
- Moodle
- WebStudy
Curriculum Software
- Rubicon Atlas
Subject Matter Expert
- Curriculum and Instruction (K-12)
- Summative Assessment
- Formative Assessment
- Data Analysis
- Educational Leadership (K-12)
- Principal Education (K-12)
- Organizational Leadership (K-12)
- General Education
- Foundations of Education
- Instructional Technology Integration
- Instructional Technology
- Technology Integration for K-12 Teachers
- Music Appreciation
- History of Western Music
- History of Jazz
- History of Rock and Roll
- Music Education
- Elementary Music Methods
- Secondary Music Methods
- Instrumental Music Methods
- Music Performance
- Saxophone Performance
- Instrumental Music Performance
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Inductive Analysis
- Coding (First and Second Cycles)
References
Available Upon Request