Degree/graduating year: Harvard Graduate School of Education: MAT in social science education; CAS degree, both in 1965
Washington University, St Louis, MO: PhD, curriculum development and design
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Current job: Currently an educational advocate for public school education, author, and part time educational consultant and professional developer.
Last job was as Director, Curriculum/Instruction Services, Bucks County Intermediate Unit, Bucks County, PA
Also was on the ASCD Faculty as a professional development trainer for Understanding by Design.
3 fun facts
Married for over 50 years with two children and two grandchildren.
Have lived in the same house in Philadelphia for over 50 years.
Long time accordionist, playing and performing since I was eight years old.
Why did you join HAEd?
As an alum, I thought it would be a great way to connect with other Alumni across the country and the world
How did you get involved in education?
Began my career when I became a summer camp counselor and enjoyed being with kids
First education degree was my MAT degree from Harvard; then started teaching in Freeport NY as a middle and high school social studies teacher.
What is something that inspires you?
So many people to admire and that inspire, that do great work in the world; educators who work with students who are “at-risk”.
What is the most memorable experience you remember from your time at Harvard?
Working with my advisor at Harvard, Don Oliver, and a graduate student at the time, Fred Newmann, on the Public Issues series - a wonderful set of high school books around various topics and themes in American History.
What advice would you give someone wanting to enter into the field of education?
My advice for anyone entering the field of education today is to listen to experienced teachers and administrators whom you think are excellent at their jobs, and advocate for educational experiences that foster lifelong learning.
What are some of the things you’re researching the most right now?
How to organize school programs that provide students with the knowledge and tools that support a lifetime of learning (e.g. 13 years of K-12 schooling vs the potential of 60-80 years of learning beyond K-12).
To contact Elliott Seif and learn more about his newly published book, you can visit his personal website. Click on the link below: