Susan Beth S. Purifico
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
Susan Beth S. Purifico has been immersed in the field of education her entire life. The daughter of two educators and coaches, she grew up surrounded by students, faculty, athletic teams and campus-life year-round. Accordingly, education became her career choice as she went on to receive a B.S. in Elementary Education and M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Memphis State University, and her M.S. in Library Science from University of Tennessee. She served as a kindergarten teacher for many years, 4 & 5 year-olds’ extended-day program coordinator, transition level teacher, grades 1-5 reading teacher and grades pre-kindergarten through grade 12 school librarian. Developing curriculum and creative units of study have always been products of Susan Beth’s love and passion for teaching and learning.
Susan Beth also served in a non-profit setting for many years as both a volunteer and staff member that became a parallel outlet for her creative energies. In that capacity, she would eventually become the International Training Director of Destination ImagiNation, Inc. and also a member of the Leadership Team for Center for Creative Learning, Inc. in Sarasota, FL. As a training facilitator for both organizations, and a certified VIEW™ trainer of VIEW: An Assessment of Problem Solving Style™, she has presented over 100 workshops throughout the United States, in England, Brazil, and Singapore about creativity, Creative Problem Solving process, teamwork, and style.
In addition to writing program and training materials, Susan Beth co-authored two publications including The Problem Solver’s Practical Toolbox and Successful Creative Problem Solving Teams: Growing, Guiding, and Celebrating with Donald J. Treffinger, PhD. She was the inspiration and editorial support for a third publication, Real Teams, by Jay G. Cone, which was written as a practical team building guide for adults working with team members in a creative problem solving format. Her published works on the topic of style include principle author for YOUr Style, and co-authoring three other booklets: Building Successful Families with Style, Creating Collaborative Boards and Committees with Style, and Leading Education with Style.
As Director of Design and Program Development, Susan Beth has worked closely with We R 3C™ Program Founder, Bart Dentino, breathing life, structure and format into the We R 3C™ curricular materials.