Marie Gleason-Tada
NASA
NASA Headquarters, Office of Education
Massachusetts, Middle School Technology
Marie Gleason-Tada has extensive experience as an educator in both the United States and overseas. She spent over 20 years as a classroom teacher and Technology Integration Specialist and Coordinator in Japan. When computers entered schools in the 1980s, Gleason-Tada earned an advanced degree in Instructional Technology and moved from the classroom to establishing programs for technology integration across the K-12 curriculum. Since 1996 she has pursued that role in the Chelmsford, MA public schools.
Gleason-Tada has earned a B.A. in Sociology/Psychology/Education from Emmanuel College; a M.Ed. from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell; a M.A. in Educational Administration from California State University, Northridge; and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Degree in Instructional Technology from Lesley University.
In 1994 Gleason-Tada received a grant from the Japanese Government that provided internet access to her international school in Tokyo. As an early web pioneer, she integrated internet resources into the curriculum through web publishing. Under Gleason-Tada’s guidance, her students went on to win an internationally recognized award for their web based CyberFair entry portraying life in Tokyo from the eyes of international high school students. Gleason-Tada has also worked with Mitre Corporation on the introduction of NASA’s EarthKAM initiative allowing her eighth grade students to request photos be taken from the Space Shuttle and International Space Station as part of their Earth Science investigations. Recently, Gleason-Tada received a Research Experience for Teachers supplement for an interdisciplinary National Science Foundation project at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell entitled “Performamatics” that explores the intersection of computers and music. She adapted some of the techniques developed by UMass professors to introduce many programming and recording opportunities to middle school music and technology students.
Marie has taught at all grade levels and believes that educators have formative influence on students’ present and future. Gleason-Tada’s work as Technology Integration Specialist has focused on channeling students and teachers into uses of technology that promote learning while engaging students in lessons and activities that promote higher order thinking skills.
“Having personally lived the excitement of the space program from an early age, I am eager to learn more about NASA’s extensive commitment to education and hope to compile standards-based activities and programs that will engage students and teachers in ‘thinking and doing’ science, technology, engineering, and math in meaningful ways.”
Gleason-Tada is serving her fellowship at NASA Headquarters, Office of Education.