About Our Team

Dawn Viñas

My journey in education spans over 30 years and began in 1993 – I graduated from Texas A&M University with a masters’ degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on content area reading. I began teaching in 7th and 8th grade in Bryan, Texas and almost became a statistic. Year 5 had rolled around – I felt like I wasn’t making a difference with my students and was a wholly ineffective teacher. I was considering walking out of education. Then I attended professional development that changed my life – literally! When I embraced the pedagogy and strategies that embody History Alive! I realized that I really could teach Social Studies – and that I loved it!! In addition to loving teaching students, I also realized that I wanted to teach teachers. I realized the power of transformative professional development and it became my life’s goal.

In the year 2000, I became a trainer for Teachers’ Curriculum Institute. I have travelled the United States, working with Social Studies teachers across the nation. This opportunity enabled me to widen my view of Social Studies instruction and the importance of quality teaching of our most important subject. It also honed my craft – I was able to work with thousands of Social Studies teachers from Florida to Alaska. The ideas they shared with me were invaluable. It is true that you learn as much from your students as they learn from you.

After thirteen years in the classroom, I transitioned into the role of an instructional coach based on a high school campus. This window into other teachers’ classrooms motivated my inner calling to improve social studies instruction. I could see the difference between master teachers and those who were struggling – but more importantly, I could see the impact of their teaching on students! I realized how important front line education is to changing the way students react to and learn from the important life lessons Socials Studies has to share.

My next step in my journey was to central office. I served a district of over 55,000 students as a Social Studies Coordinator. My goal of improving Social Studies instruction increased as I worked with over 600 K-12 Social Studies teachers to implement my vision of transformative Social Studies education. This is when my research into educational practices and field experience was able to influence program level decisions into best practices for all students. I was able to create a model of what Social Studies instruction should look like, and how to provide resources and professional development to obtain the goal of quality instruction.

In 2015, I reached for my life-long goal, one that had taken 22 years to achieve. I was able to start my own revolution in Social Studies. I created Social Studies Success® LLC, my vision of improving Social Studies instruction in multiple school districts, not just my own. I provide professional development and resources to thousands of teachers. Social media has intensified my efforts to share best practices by allowing me to share ideas and teaching strategies around the globe. I want every child to understand the importance of Social Studies in their life – and every teacher to have the tools to reach them.

Kathleen Geraghty

Kathleen Geraghty is an experienced educator with 29 years of teaching experience in grades 6-11. She has taught a variety of subjects, including Civics, Geography, US History, and American Government. Kathleen is a firm believer in the idea that all students can learn, and she is passionate about creating a learning environment that fosters engagement and success.

Kathleen has been a teacher trainer since 2003, starting with TCI and helping other educators develop their skills and knowledge to enhance their students’ Social Studies learning experiences. She strongly believes that all students can succeed, and she is committed to ensuring that her students are actively engaged in their learning. Kathleen has been training teachers for Social Studies Success® for the past two years

In addition to her teaching and training duties, Kathleen has been using Social Studies Success® resources in her classroom for five years. She has seen firsthand the positive impact that these resources have on student learning outcomes.

Kathleen is also a department head and has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She is currently teaching at an IB (International Baccalaureate) world school, where she continues to inspire and motivate her students to achieve their full potential.

Laurie Patterson

Laurie Patterson is a dedicated educator with 33 years of experience in public education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, a Master’s in Liberal Arts, and a Master’s in American History. Over the years, Laurie has taught a range of subjects in high school, including World Geography, World History, American History, AP European History, Economics, and Psychology. She has also taught college-level courses, including Dual Credit US History, Intro US History courses, Texas History, and Constitutional History.

In addition to her teaching experience, Laurie has served as an Assistant Principal at a Middle School, an Instructional Specialist, and a Director of Social Studies. As an Assistant Principal, she was able to leverage her experience and expertise to provide guidance and support to teachers and students alike. As an Instructional Specialist, she worked to ensure that teachers had access to the resources and support they needed to help their students succeed. As a Director of Social Studies, she was responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of a comprehensive social studies curriculum.

Social Studies Success®, LLC has benefited from Laurie’s content knowledge and passion. She has researched content for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade history as well as consulting in Houston area school districts.

Throughout her career, Laurie has been committed to providing her students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success both inside and outside of the classroom. Her passion for teaching and her dedication to her students have earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and students alike.

Lisa Sutterer

Lisa Sutterer is a dedicated educator with over 30 years of experience teaching middle and high school students in Oregon, California, Minnesota, and Colorado. She has taught a variety of social studies courses—including U.S. History, World History, Geography, and Civics—with a consistent focus on creating engaging, student-centered learning environments where all students can thrive.

Lisa has extensive experience working in diverse communities, including those with high populations of English language learners. She has co-taught alongside ELD (English Language Development) teachers to ensure that multilingual students have access to rigorous content and meaningful support. Her collaborative approach promotes language development and academic achievement for all learners.

As an instructional coach, Lisa has supported teachers in refining their practice and fostering professional growth across schools and districts. She has been a national trainer with Teachers’ Curriculum Institute (TCI), leading professional development for educators in Texas and Virginia. As a curriculum developer for TCI’s Geography Alive!, Lisa brought her classroom experience and instructional expertise to the creation of accessible and impactful social studies materials.

Lisa teaches at an IB (International Baccalaureate) school, where she continues to challenge and inspire students to think critically and globally. Passionate about both student success and teacher collaboration, she believes that all students can succeed with the right support and opportunities. She remains committed to equipping educators and learners alike with the tools they need to excel.

Ashley McJimsey

Ashley McJimsey is a dedicated and results-driven Instructional Coach committed to empowering educators and improving student outcomes. Beginning her career as a classroom teacher, Ashley quickly developed a passion for instructional excellence and professional development. This passion led to her transition into instructional coaching, allowing her to support teachers and students on a broader scale.

Specializing in social studies curriculum design, data-driven instruction, and differentiated learning strategies, Ashley collaborates with teachers, administrators, and district leaders to implement best practices and promote student-centered learning environments. In her current role, she facilitates professional learning communities and models lessons in classrooms to support teachers with real-time, job-embedded coaching. She also facilitates professional development workshops for Social Studies Success®, helping educators enhance their content knowledge while emphasizing critical thinking, historical understanding, and literacy.

Ashley is known for building strong professional relationships and providing actionable, meaningful feedback that helps educators grow in confidence and effectiveness. She brings a deep understanding of pedagogy, a commitment to educational equity, and a collaborative spirit to every interaction. She’s passionate about the power that social studies holds in playing a crucial role in shaping individuals and contributors to society.

Whether facilitating workshops, leading professional learning communities, or modeling lessons in the classroom, Ashley is committed to educational equity and believes that when educators are supported and equipped, students thrive.