Check Out Dr. Susan Taffer’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Susan Taffer.

Hi Dr. Susan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
COLLEGE for WORLD CONNECTIONS: The story recognizing the need during the C-19 crisis, the World Connections Foundation Faculty Board Members and Volunteers created a technological ER of Education learning platform for all educators and students to have free, safe access to continue their teaching and learning process via access to online teaching experts. Our leadership team of seasoned online professors and researchers creatively responded to the needs of K-12 leaders, teachers, parents, and students to engage in ongoing learning modules on virtual instruction methods. These rapid response workshops on technologies, deliverables, and virtual instructional protocols were developed and provided a FREE global platform. Word-of-mouth messaging allowed for a continuous flow of teachers, parents, and administrators in the K-12 systems of education worldwide seeking practical information, hands-on instructions, resources, tools, and important know-how in using technology within the classroom. Producing, at times, 10 workshops in a single day over 5 months helped to alleviate the sudden educator stressors and parenting panic of keeping children and teens engaged in learning. This emergency project is now a sustainable solution through the College for World Connections partnership with Joticle LMS, our innovative IT Platform currently under expansion and integration. As partners, College for World Connections and Joticle are developing a transformative solution to the persistent educational challenges. We leverage insights from the learning sciences teaching and learning experts in psychology, education, and business administration through technological advances. College for World Connections will research to inform the development of our Pre-K to Gray solution and prepare for scaling following product-market fit, the needs of users, and how variability in the local context affects how the solution is implemented. Joticle will conduct and provide high-quality technological access to new product development as we create a high-reward, scalable solution to the science of education. Both partners and principal investigators will continually reassess objectives and outcomes to ensure we meet project goals. Based upon data-informed strategic flexibility, we will be prepared to alter plans to meet our project aims.

PRE-K TO GRAY MODEL
The Pre-K to Gray education model, also known as the lifelong learning model, emphasizes the idea that learning is a continuous journey from early childhood (Pre-K or pre-kindergarten) to adulthood. This model promotes the concept that education and learning should not be limited to specific age ranges or stages of life but should be available and accessible to individuals of all ages throughout their lives.

College for World Connections and Joticle align with the value of safety first, then Teaching and Learning. We accomplish this through knowledge acquisition, application, transfer, and integration – meeting every Learner where they are and providing stacked learning pods that respond to Learning needs and styles, Pre-K to Gray. Scientifically proven cognitive learning experiences are promoted in a psychologically safe, tech hybrid environment, where holistic learning can occur while developing social and emotional skill sets. Introducing rich cultural content, self-exploration opportunities, and individual life preparation modules creates a unique learning environment. This environment is conducive to learner success and personal development at an individual’s pace – a nurturing knowledge ecosystem. Due to the life-threatening challenges facing our children and school faculty today, technology and hybrid educational environments are in high demand. To better prepare for 21st-century life and leadership challenges, our children must forge ahead confidently with technological deliverables, fundamentally and safely guiding them for their future careers. Once ready, Learners can prepare themselves for either employability or any level of higher educational goals they choose. The adult Learning opportunities provided by the College for World Connections can prepare Learners for leadership, job training, college prep, and entrepreneurial endeavors. In addition, businesses can provide a platform for specific training, and our K-12 Learners who are interested can prepare themselves for particular training opportunities as they complete their K-12 educational tracks.

In addition, this model is unique for adult Learners seeking specific job skills, career exploration, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities. Training modules in these adult learning courses are affordable and easily accessible and provide the Joticle JOTS FREE for our K-12 Learners. The core curriculum designs align with academic excellence in the adult education model; therefore, the JOTS translates to the K-12 level without challenges for knowledge-based learning. The innovative partnership between College for World Connections and Joticle has developed a Pre-K to Gray model that is holistic, life-long learning in an eco-friendly environment that is accessible anywhere.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
There have been numerous challenges and struggles with the project’s development. C-19 limited the opportunity to proceed with the WCF Documentary Project and the development and launch of CWC. No one was funding these projects. However, we still need to provide workshop events to help alleviate teachers’ and parents’ ongoing, rising stress levels. We are currently in the midst of grant writing and fundraising efforts to scale our model of interest.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Dr. Susan Taffer is a widely recognized educator, humanitarian, transitional strategist, and social entrepreneur. She is President and CEO of College for World Connections and Founder of World Connection’s Foundation, an educational platform for permissionless education Pre-K to Gray. As a Doctoral Chair and Professor at a renowned University, she mentors and educates doctoral candidates in their research in their Psychology, Education, and Business Administration disciplines.

Dr. Taffer’s humanitarian work includes serving on the National Committee for Global Women’s Peace Network and USA and education assistance for refugees. Her dynamic instruction and impressive multi-course knowledge have made her a top educator and speaker in doctoral studies, women’s leadership forums, and leading organizations, such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Arizona Board of Education, and Arizona Interfaith.

Dr. Taffer has served on the Athena Valley of the Sun executive committee, designing the rubric for the Athena Principal Woman’s Leadership Award recipients. Educating female leaders that attract and inspire others, recipients serve as educational coaches to a Young Athena using the Athena curricula aligned with Acacia University, a global university in education.

Her Core Values include:
• Women’s Leadership by Principle & Integrity
• Disruptor in traditional Educational Models
• Making a Global Impact on Higher Education for Women
• Creating a Positive Shift in Educational Leadership Training for Women
• Collaborative with Non-profit Agencies & For-profit Board of Directors
• Supports the Professional Success of Her Board Members & Advisors
• International Educator, Mentor, Consultant and Speaker
• Supports and Effectively Leads International Peace Missions

Her Areas of Recognition:
• National Board of Directors for Assistance League
• Board of Directors for Joticle.com Technology
• CAYS Strategic Planning Board
• Keynote speaker at the Los Angeles Global Women Peace Network Launch
• Introduced English Language Learning/Leadership Education Models to Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages and the City of Kaohsiung, Taiwan
• Speaker at Interfaith of Arizona on As I Rise – From Fear to Faith
• Acacia University Doctoral Chair, instructing 6 Doctoral Graduates in Educational Research Projects
• GCU Doctoral Chair, instructing 15 Doctoral Learners in their Educational Research
• Facilitated Training Modules for Developing Psychological Safety in Native American Schools, ongoing Leadership, Volunteerism, and Mentoring
• Executive Leadership Trainer/Facilitator for 5 Athena Valley of the Sun Athena Executive Graduates
• International Athena Executive Leadership Developer and Leadership Trainer/Facilitator
• Volunteer Consultant for the development of the Young Athena College Mentoring Program
• Leading Master Mind monthly group As I Rise Professional Women’s Development
• Volunteer Consultant for Leadership in Schools
• Volunteer for Educational Training for Global Women Peace Network
• Mentors many graduate students in choosing their pathway from education to professional engagement.

World Connections Film Project “As I Rise.” Dedicating her life to helping others unleash their full potential and live a life of greater purpose, power, and productivity, Dr. Taffer is aligning her talents and influential connections to create a World Connections experiential learning module that will inspire girls to embrace their feminine leadership potential and ignite change within their families and communities. Dr. Taffer will work with award-winning Candee Productions and others to create As I Rise biopic films using a poetic, historical, and journalistic documentary style. These films will capture real-life stories of women who have elevated themselves from poverty to prosperity, defeat to success, and under-served to over-achievers. The As I Rise biopics will feature views from experts in their fields, from top research professors such as bestselling author Dr. Brene Brown and co-founder and Executive Director of the Kellogg Center of Executive Women, Professor Victoria H. Medvec, plus science-based professionals in physiology such as Dr. Joe Dispenza. Each story will highlight historical female archetypes that inspired each woman’s path, a subject Dr. Taffer is well versed in.

Dr. Taffer’s Professional Accomplishments and Achievements include:
• Transformational Research in Whole Brain Learning
• Facilitator Trainer in Psychological
• Safety in k-12 schools, serving Arizona Schools and U.S. Native American Communities.
• Servant Leadership
• Professor of Psychology and Education
• Performance Management
• Strategic Planning
• Executive Training and Development for Women
• Student Relations

As Academic Leader for the World Academy for the Future of Women, she scaled up the strategic model for replicating the program in other locations, creating the World Academy curriculum content, and residing on-site to facilitate the Leadership Training Module for young female students at the University level. She has served as an Ambassador for Peace for The Universal Peace Federation, volunteers her time at Phoenix Job Corps., and continues to mentor students working on their doctoral programs.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
KNOW YOUR GOALS: My career in education began in 1997 when I enrolled in a communications course and fell in love with higher education. Like many of you here, I share the passion for the success of Maricopa – 9 years later, an associate from MCC, two bachelor’s degrees from Barrett’s Honors College, a master’s from NAU, a 2nd master’s from ASU, and finally, a doctorate. Still, the most meaningful learning experiences have occurred right here. Being involved in developing a mentoring program is one more layer of learning that provided me with profound insights into how education can impact students, families, and communities.

KNOW YOUR LEARNING STYLE: I am a high achiever, a quick study, and a lifelong learner, so it was essential to find the right mentors to get who I was and how I rolled. I found a mentor who placed opportunities in front of me, allowing me to observe first-hand the responsibilities aligned with her professional level. Intellectually and socially, I learned – over lemon chiffon pie and carrot cake, my mentor listened to my future career plans, philosophy on education, and my stories of success. We discussed the personal motivations that compel us to complete a doctorate and the value of that attainment in our lives.

KNOW HOW TO MENTOR:

• Listen, don’t preach.
• Inspire learning and creativity.
• Respect cultural diversity.
• Assist with overcoming barriers & offer resources.
• Be a role model.
• Demonstrate behaviors that support success.
• Serve as an advocate.
• Encourage exploration
• Be fair and nonjudgmental.
• Encourage growth -don’t fix.
• Champion skills and successes.
• Provide a safe environment.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wcfaz.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldConnectionsFoundation/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-susan-taffer-23302516/
• Other: https://susantaffer.com/