About Arthur Firestone
I have been a PHOTOGRAPHER for over forty years, traveling each summer with my family and cameras to, among many other destinations, our favorite cities (Paris, Lyon, Rome, and Venice) and countryside (Provence, Dordogne, and Tuscany). I am delighted that my wife and daughter share my love of photography, taking their own photographs and being patient with me as I seek the best perspective, lighting, and designs for my pictures. Photography has brought me great joy and satisfaction as well as being a wonderful way to keep the beauty and wonders of these beautiful and fascinating places close to me while at home.
As an EDUCATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONSULTANT, I have been involved with New Jersey public education for more than 40 years as a teacher, principal, and consultant. I have served as a coach and trainer for school districts through the Coalition of Essential Schools, as the Director of Innovative Programs for the NJ Principals and Supervisors Association, and as the lead coach for the NJ Department of Educationās teacher leadership project. I have also presented at state and national conferences for a variety of professional organizations including the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Middle Schools Association, the International Reading Association, the NJ Education Association, the NJ School Boards Association, and the Foundation for Educational Administration. I have extensive experience in training both teachers and administrators in the areas of curriculum development, instructional design and practices, assessment, organizational development, positive supervision, creating instructional models, observing and evaluating teachers, and instructional leadership and have provided these services to more than 100 school districts throughout New Jersey. I am the author of, THE ASSESSMENT OF TEACHING COMPETENCE: Rethinking the Observation and Evaluation of Classroom Teachers, a book that promotes asking (coaching) rather than telling (directing) as the primary approach to helping teachers improve practice.