Author: Cynthia Sistek

Cynthia Sistek-Chandler, Ed D. has worked in education for four decades, 30 years in higher education working primarily with pre-service and in-service educators. Currently, she is the Academic Program Director for a fully online Master of Arts in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and a full Professor at the Sanford College of Education for National University in San Diego, CA. She is the recipient of a Presidential Scholar Award from NU and has developed curricula for online instructional programs. In 2019, Dr. Sistek led the development of the accredited MA in SEL program designed with 10 graduate-level courses focusing exclusively on SEL. Since September 2020, five years later, she has guided over 400 graduates through the successful completion of the Action Research conducted throughout the program. Cynthia is passionate about SEL and believes that SEL is every minute, every day, everywhere, and with everyone. Her work in SEL began as an elementary educator where she adopted SEL programs and strategies to develop the whole child and to personalize instruction in the classroom. Cynthia recently (2022-23) served as the Chair of the SEL SIG for the American Education Research Association. Research and writing in SEL include co-authoring over 100 Action Research studies with her graduates along with presentations. She with her co-author have investigated the intersections of SEL across the curriculum. Her new book co-authored with Dr. Dee Fabry, Professor Emeritus, “Assessing through the Lens of SEL: Tools and Strategies” published by Corwin, January 2024. In addition to a recent focus in the SEL field, Cynthia holds many certifications and distinctions including a 30-year Fellowship for the SD Area Writing Project. She is also a recognized leader in the field of Educational Technology. In 2020, she was awarded EdTech Digest’s Higher Education Technology Leader of the Year. In 2019, she earned the prestigious ISTE and CUE Award for *Making IT Happen* as well as earning a Gold and Platinum Disk (CUE) for lifetime achievements and service to the educational community in California. Teaching online since 1999, she has authored many publications connected to online learning pedagogy and has trained over 1000 educators in the use of learning management systems (ie. Blackboard, Moodle, eCollege,). Exploring Online Learning through Synchronous and Asynchronous Methods (IGI Global, 2020) https://www.igi-global.com/book/exploring-online-learning-through-synchronous/233693 Leadership and service includes: San Diego Classroom of the Future Foundation, SEL4US (Higher Education Committee), SEL4CA, SEL4NM, CLRN (CA Learning Resource Network), Past President of SCUE, and past Edcamp Advisory Board.