People

Our consulting group brings a wide range of experiences and unique talents to the implementation of Thinking Maps® and Software as a team or individually.

David Hyerle, Ed.D.
Present Focus: Research on Learning
David is the developer of the Thinking Maps model and author of the primary training resources for implementing Thinking Maps. Presently, David is the Director of Research and Development for DFT and facilitating new applications of Thinking Maps in the field. He is a frrequent keynote speaker, author of two A.S.C.D. books focused on visual tools, and developer of a new online course: Visual Tools for Literacy. David is also co-author with Larry Alper of the new leadership guide and training ... Thinking Maps: Leading with a New Language.
More on David
Contact David at designs.thinking@valley.net

Larry Alper, M.S.
Present Focus: Leadership
Larry is Director of Projects for DFT, leading implementations of Thinking Maps in whole schools while also supporting schools and school systems in developing long term plans for implementing these tools. In the last fours years of an 18 year career as an elementary school principal in Brattleboro, Vermont Larry facilitated the successful implementation of Thinking Maps and Software and Write From the Beginning. He also investigated how he and his colleagues could use Thinking Maps as collaborative tools for building leadership capacity. This process led him to co-author the new guide and training, Thinking Maps: Leading with a New Language.
Contact Larry at lalper@sover.net

Sarah Curtis, M.Ed.
Present Focus: Literacy/Standards
Sarah is a former elementary school teacher who used Thinking Maps in her classrooms for over seven years. As a classroom teacher she was featured in the Video Journal series Visual Tools: From Graphic Organizers to Thinking Maps. She is now Director of Consulting for DFT and is one of a select group of nationally certified Trainer of Trainers for both Thinking Maps and Write From the Beginning. Sarah is also the author/editor of the new Mapping the Standards CD, a database of Thinking Maps activities correlated to the national and state standards and activated by Thinking Maps Software.
Contact Sarah at teachcurtis@aol.com

Dan Cherry, M.Ed.
Present Focus: Technology
On the way from elementary teacher to district technology director to specialist for the State of New Hampshire, Dan always focuses on best teacher practices for student learning. While a technology director in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Dan supported the implementation of Thinking Maps and Software with teachers, students, and parents. Presently, Dan is the Director for the NH School Administrators Leading with Technology initiative (funded by the GATES foundation). Dan also works closely with DFT as a consultant and brings keen insights to implementing Thinking Maps and Software a cross whole schools and systems while also applying Thinking Maps to building leadership capacity.
Contact Dan at dcherry@cyberportal.net