Cycles of Learning

Curriculum Vitae

Ramsey Musallam, EdD

Full-time high school science teacher and college instructor, keynote speaker, and author of Spark Learning. Two decades of teaching, research, and speaking on curiosity, inquiry, and the pedagogy of great teaching.

cyclesoflearning.comramsey.musallam@gmail.com@ramusallam
Speaking & consulting →

Education

  • EdD, Learning and Instruction — University of San Francisco
  • MA, Education — University of San Francisco
  • BS, Biological Sciences — University of California, Davis

Certifications

  • Google Certified Teacher — Google Teacher Academy
  • YouTube Star Teacher — YouTube Teacher Academy
  • Leading Edge Certified Teacher — CUE

Teaching

2016–PresentSTEM Instructor, Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, CA
2017–PresentProfessor of Education, Concordia University, Irvine, CA
2020–PresentProfessor of Education (FLAGS), Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
2021–PresentSTEM Program Instructor, Woven Learning and Technology
2016–2021FIRST Robotics Team Coach, Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, CA
2012–2016Coach, VEX Robotics Team, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA
2012–2015Host, The Infinite Thinking Machine, San Francisco, CA
2003–2018Science Camp Director, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA
2016–2020STEM Slam Science Camp Founder, Petaluma, CA
2000–2016Science Instructor, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA
2010–2013Professor of Education, Touro University, Vallejo, CA
2011–2012Professor of Education, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
2000–2001Science Instructor, Elk Grove High School, Elk Grove, CA
1997–1999Organic & Inorganic Chemistry Tutor, University of California, Davis
1997Biochemistry Professor's Assistant, University of California, Davis

Leadership

2021–PresentInstructional Designer & Curriculum Developer, Woven Learning and Technology
2021–PresentCurriculum Developer, Concordia University, Irvine, CA
2017–PresentFIRST Lego League (FLL) Lead Mentor, McNear Elementary, Petaluma, CA
2016–PresentFIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Lead Mentor, Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, CA
2014–PresentDreamCareers Advisory Board Member, Redwood City, CA
2018–2020Head of School Search Committee Member, Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, CA
2017–2019Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Mentor, Sonoma County, CA
2016–2019Summer Programs Director, Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, CA
2014–2016TEDxYouth@SHC Director, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA
2012–2016Director of Inquiry and Innovation (I²), Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA
2008–2014Science Department Chair, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA
2004–2011Chemistry Team Leader, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA
2004–2008Ed. Tech. Committee Chairperson, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA
2013–2014Advisory Board, E3/WASC, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA
2013Physics First Instructional Coach, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA
2012Curriculum Development Coordinator, LEC for the Digital Educator, CA
2012Dissertation Review Committee Member, Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC
2011–2012Principal Search Committee, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA

Publications

  • Musallam, R. (2017). Spark Learning: 3 Keys to Embracing the Power of Student Curiosity.
  • Musallam, R., & Tucker, C. (2014). Creating a Google Apps Classroom.
  • Musallam, R. (2013). A Pedagogy-First Approach to the Flipped Classroom. On CUE.
  • Musallam, R. (2011). Should You Flip Your Classroom? Edutopia.
  • Bennett, B., Spencer, D., Bergman, J., Musallam, R., & Sams, A. (2011). The Flip Class Manifest. The Daily Riff.
  • Musallam, R. (2010). The Effects of Screencasting on Cognitive Load. Doctoral dissertation, University of San Francisco.

Selected Keynotes

  • A Pedagogy of Curiosity — Huether Conference, Chicago, IL (2023)
  • TED Talks Education: 3 Rules to Spark Learning — Brooklyn, NY (2013)
  • Sparking Learning — QUDWA, Abu Dhabi, UAE (2017)
  • Curiosity and the Hero's Journey — Wyoming Innovations in Learning (2018)
  • The Mess of Teaching and Learning — Battelle for Kids, Columbus, OH (2016)
  • Curiosity and PBL — PBL NY, Syracuse, NY (2016)
Complete presentation archive — 100+ talks, 2008–2023 →

2023

  • A Pedagogy of Curiosity — Huether Conference, Chicago, IL

2021

  • Inquiry Learning and the COVID-19 Pandemic — Aula Technologies

2020

  • Teaching During the Pandemic — De La Salle, New Orleans, LA
  • Online Teaching During the COVID-19 Pandemic — St. Joseph's, Buffalo, NY
  • Online Teaching During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Justin-Siena, Napa, CA

2019

  • Sparking Curiosity — John Johnston Institute
  • Using Modified "ICE" Tables — Sonoma State University

2018

  • Keynote: Curiosity and the Hero's Journey — Wyoming Innovations in Learning
  • Curiosity and the Hero's Journey — San Lorenzo Valley School District
  • The Pedagogy of NGSS — Hoffman Estates High School
  • Curiosity and the Hero's Journey — Merit Program, Los Altos, CA

2017

  • Curiosity and the Hero's Journey — Palo Alto University School District
  • Thoughtful & Practical Technology Integration — QUDWA, Abu Dhabi
  • Sparking Learning — QUDWA, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Keynote: Sparking Curiosity — EDU#3, Omaha, NE
  • Keynote: Students as Heroes — Fresno State University

2016

  • Keynote: Inquiry, Technology and NGSS — SJCOE
  • Keynote: Curiosity Comes First — Mill Valley Public Library
  • Keynote: Curiosity and PBL — PBLNY
  • The Mess of Teaching and Learning — Battelle for Kids
  • The Mess of Teaching and Learning — JCCASAC
  • Sparking Student Curiosity: A Hero's Journey

2015

  • Explore-Flip-Apply: Shifting the Homework Paradigm
  • Student Blogging: From Instruction to Production
  • Sparking Curiosity: A Research Based Teacher Handbook
  • Keynote: Curiosity, Technology and Reflective Practice
  • Keynote: 21st Century Skills — San Marino High School
  • Keynote: Curiosity — Grayslake Unified School District
  • Keynote: Motivation — Central Catholic High School
  • Keynote: ChemEd
  • Keynote: The Hero's Journey — PBL World
  • Keynote: Reaching & Teaching with Media — LHRIC
  • Sparking Involuntary Curiosity — Indiana University
  • Keynote: 3 Rules to Spark Learning — Indiana University
  • Community Engagement — Alamance County School District
  • Keynote — Bloomington Unified School District

2014

  • Keynote: Activating Knowledge — E Learn Symposium
  • Curiosity: Fuel for the Next Generation Science Standards — NATS
  • A Pedagogy First Approach to Technology Integration
  • Keynote: Sparking Curiosity — Eanes ISD
  • Explore-Flip-Apply: The Hero's Journey and the Learning Cycle
  • Keynote: Cultivating Curiosity — Jackson USD
  • Keynote: Cultivating Curiosity — Minnetonka Institute
  • Keynote: Curiosity and the Common Core — PSUSD
  • Keynote: The Arch of Curiosity — iPad Schools
  • A Journey in Reflective Practice — Dream Careers
  • Keynote: A Case for Curiosity — Nebraska Middle Level Academy
  • Keynote: Direct Measurements of Curiosity — TechForum
  • Keynote: A Case for Curiosity — Norfolk Senior High School
  • Keynote: Curiosity First! — Revere High School, Revere, MA
  • The Rubik's Cube and Bloom's Taxonomy — IntegratED, Portland, OR
  • Keynote: Sparking Student Curiosity — MnSTA, Mankato, MN

2013

  • Keynote: Myths of the Flipping — BAISNET
  • Keynote: Your EdTech Mission — Fall CUE Conference
  • Keynote — Lookstein Center for Jewish Education
  • Keynote: Delayed Instruction — Pleasant Valley High School
  • We Are Not Impostors — TEDxBurnsvilleED, Burnsville, MN
  • Keynote: Reverse Instruction — Global STEMx Conference
  • Using Video to Cultivate Curiosity — University of San Francisco
  • Keynote: Leadership Development Institute, Santa Clara, CA
  • Keynote: Cultivating Curiosity in the 21st Century — NCSA
  • Keynote: CanFlip13 — Kelowna
  • Keynote: FlipCon13 — Stillwater
  • Keynote — American River College
  • TED Talks Education: 3 Rules to Spark Learning
  • Using Technology to Power the Learning Cycle — Annual CUE
  • Keynote — Fresno Pacific University, Librarian Leadership Day
  • Keynote — IntegratED PDX
  • Advanced Flip Teaching — CUE Webinar

2012

  • Video and the Learning Cycle — e Learning Symposium
  • Video and the Learning Cycle — Fall CUE, Napa, CA
  • Keynote: Superhero Tech Camp — Brainard, MN
  • Keynote: Pseudo Teaching — CV CUE, Visalia, CA
  • Video as an Instructional Device — CETPA, Monterey, CA
  • Explore-Flip-Apply — Global Chemistry Department
  • Using Video to Fuel Inquiry — Krause Center for Innovation, Los Altos, CA
  • Explore-Flip-Apply — CalStateTEACH Urban Boot Camp, Oakland, CA
  • Panel: The Flipped Classroom — ISTE, San Diego, CA
  • Bloom's Taxonomy, Business, and Video Instruction — Macy's
  • Flipped Learning Network Podcast, Episode 3
  • Explore-Flip-Apply: Using Video in the Context of Inquiry — Touro University
  • The Pre-Training Effect — University of Marburg, Germany
  • Using Video to Fuel Inquiry — East Bay CUE

2011

  • Explore-Flip-Apply — CLMS/CLHS, San Diego, CA
  • Shifting the Instruction Paradigm — CETPA, Long Beach, CA
  • Cognition and Learning — SHCP Open House, San Francisco, CA
  • Shifting the Instruction Paradigm — Fall CUE, Napa, CA
  • Technology in the Classroom — Henry Gunn High School, Palo Alto, CA
  • Using Google Forms as an Inquiry Device — EdCamp SFBay, Oakland, CA
  • Video as an Instructional Tool — Google Teacher's Academy, Seattle, WA
  • Video as an Instructional Tool — YouTube Teacher's Studio, Seattle, WA
  • Screencasting for Learning and Instruction — Sacred Heart Preparatory
  • TabCasting for Better Learning and Instruction — Annual CUE

2010

  • Screencasting for Better Learning and Instruction — CUE
  • Screencasting for Better Learning and Instruction — CETPA
  • Video Podcasting for Better Learning and Instruction — CUE
  • Video Podcasting for Better Learning and Instruction — CLMS/CLHS

2009

  • Vodcasting in the Classroom — ISTE (with J. Bergman & A. Sams)

2008

  • Learning and Instruction — San Francisco Archdiocese

Selected Teacher Workshops

  • Strategic Planning Development — The Spring Hill School, Petaluma, CA (2023)
  • Video as an Instructional Device — Merced High School, Merced, CA (2018)
  • 5E Learning Cycle / NGSS Training — Jurupa Vista Elementary, Fontana, CA (2017)
  • Curiosity and Lasallian Pedagogy — Duncan Mills, CA (2017)
  • Just-in-Time Teaching — GAFE Summit, Palo Alto, CA (2014)
  • TPACK — Minnetonka Institute, Minnetonka, MN (2014)
  • Google Workflow 2.0 — Schools of the Sacred Heart, San Francisco, CA (2014)
  • No More "Pseudo Teaching" — MCOE, Mariposa, CA (2014)

Recognitions

  • Spotlight Professor, Education — Sonoma State University (2023)
  • Commencement Speaker — Sonoma Academy Graduation (2021)
  • Featured Professor, Educational Technology — Concordia University (2020)
  • Featured on Mill Valley Public Library Radio Show: "Eight Books that Made Me" (2017)
  • Featured educator — EdSurge (2017)
  • Featured TED speaker — Business Insider (2016)
  • UC Davis Picnic Day Parade Marshal (2016)
  • Top 10 Education Tech Blogs — Brainscape (2016)
  • ChemEd Reg Friesen Lecturer (2015)
  • Featured educator — Buck Institute for Education (2015)
  • Featured educator — What Works for Teachers (2014)
  • Best K–12 Education Technology Blogs Honor Roll — EdTech Magazine (2013)
  • TED Talks Education Speaker — Brooklyn, NY (2013)
  • TEDx Speaker — Burnsville, MN (2013)
  • Iron CUE Champion — Fall CUE, Napa, CA (2012)
  • Top 20 Educators to Watch — TechSmith (2011)
  • Google Certified Teacher — Google Teacher Academy (2011)
  • YouTube Star Teacher — YouTube Teacher Academy (2011)
  • Leading Edge Certified Teacher — CUE (2011)
  • TEDx Speaker — Minarets School (2011)
  • Voted Best of CUE Speakers — National Conference (2010)
  • San Francisco District Lasallian Educator of the Year — Huether Conference (2009)
  • Educator of the Year — Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (2009)
  • Disney Award for Creativity in Teaching Nominee (2007)

Affiliations

  • FIRST Robotics (FRC)
  • American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT)
  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
  • American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA)
  • California Science Teachers Association (CSTA)
  • Computer Using Educators (CUE)

References

Available upon request.