Staff

The Teel Institute maintains a small staff of dedicated and experienced professionals with backgrounds in psychology, education, research and evaluation. The principals of the organization are responsible for program development, research and evaluation, and training and education. Read on for a brief biography of each associate of the Institute.

Leslie T. Dunn, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Teel Institute and is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the organization, including advocacy in character education locally and nationally, public speaking, publication of books and articles, and consultation. Dunn was previously with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. She served as Director of Research and Development, Strategic Planning, and Training before leaving the Foundation to found the Institute, which continues the work on The ESSENTIAL Curriculum by forming a freestanding non-profit organization. Dunn earned her Bachelor's degree at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and holds both Master's and Doctoral degrees in Research Psychology from the University of Kansas.

913-766-0291, Ext.25
ldunn@teelinstitute.org

Sue N. Teel, M.A., is the founder and developer of The ESSENTIAL Curriculum, and serves as the Director of Program Development for the Institute. The creative catalyst for the development of all programming and the intellectual property of the Institute, Teel plays a key role in the design of measurement instruments, training, and program materials used by students, parents, teachers, and counselors. In addition, she coordinates and manages the production of all teaching materials required to implement the programs of the Institute. During her career as a classroom teacher, Teel developed extensive expertise in curriculum and instruction, reading, outcomes evaluation, and education reform methods and strategies. Teel holds a Bachelor's degree in French from the University of Kansas, and a Master's degree with High Honors in Reading Education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, as well as a member of national honorary French and History societies.

913-766-0291, Ext. 22
steel@teelinstitute.org

Donald E. Wilson, Ed.D., is the Director of Administration, Operations and Education at the Institute, and has primary responsibility for day-to-day operations for all administrative functions as well as program development, curriculum training, and client support for the Institute's programs. Wilson served as classroom teacher, counselor, principal, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and superintendent of the nationally recognized Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas. Wilson has served as consultant to elementary and secondary schools in curriculum and evaluation, and has received numerous awards and recognition for his leadership in public education. He earned his Bachelor's degree from the Kansas State Teachers' College and a Master's degree in Business from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, and his doctoral degree in school curriculum and administration from the University of Kansas.

913-766-0291, Ext. 31
dwilson@teelinstitute.org