Elaine Santelmann, M.S., M.Ed

Elaine is an accomplished curriculum designer and professional development provider with 28 years of experience in education.  Her primary area of interest is inquiry-based learning, and she has been trained by Kathy Swan, the originator of Inquiry Design Model, on how to write inquiry-based social studies units focused on compelling questions, rigorous investigations, and summative performance tasks that lead to civic action.  She has also applied inquiry-based learning to create science units that engage students in an anchoring phenomenon to stimulate curiosity about the natural world.  That curiosity drives students through hands-on investigations designed to help students discover the scientific concepts that explain the phenomenon and eventually answer their own questions.

After 20 years in the classroom, Elaine became the K-5 Science and Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator for Westford Public Schools in Westford, Massachusetts.  In that role, she created standards-aligned science and social studies curricula and provided professional development to teachers on new content and practices, inquiry-based learning, and standards-based grading.  That work expanded when Elaine took on the role of K-12 Science and Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator in Lowell; a large urban district in Massachusetts with a diverse population of learners.  Working with teams of teachers, local universities and community partners, Elaine created inquiry-based units with strategies for remote learning.  She has trained teachers in both virtual and in-person settings, in small and large groups.  Her trainings emphasize collaborative protocols and small group reflections designed to engage teachers in experiential learning and inquiry-based practices.  Elaine has worked with teachers as both an evaluator and a coach, and enjoys listening and learning about their specific interests and needs and providing workable solutions.

Elaine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Botany from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Science degree in Ecology from the University of Minnesota, and a Master of Education degree from Lesley University.  She holds a professional Supervisor/Director license from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Elaine is also proud to serve on the Littleton School Committee where her background in education helps inform policy and provide guidance to the district.