Sue Cusack

Sue is the director of the Lesley STEAM Learning Lab (and Makerspace). Sue’s work involves designing maker learning experiences and supporting the systemic adoption of the maker mindset; using technology to facilitate and amplify meaningful, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning opportunities; and modeling and advocating for universal design and accessibility. She also teaches technology courses and directs the educational technology programs in the Graduate School of Education.

In the fall of 2017, Sue was appointed by the Superintendent of Cambridge Public Schools and the City Manager of Cambridge to sit on the Cambridge STEAM Advisory Committee, along with representatives from Harvard, Microsoft, Google, Cambridge Community Foundation, Biogen Foundation, MIT, Harvard, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Science Festival, Cambridge Arts Council, Cambridge Innovation Center, and administrators from the Cambridge Public Schools.

Education: BA, Skidmore College; M.Ed., Emmanuel College

Publications

Cusack, S., (2017) Contributor, Technological Communication Continuum in Fountas, I and Pinnell, G. S (2017) The Fountas & Pinnell literacy continuum: a tool for assessment, planning, and teaching. (pp 348-356). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Cusack, S., Advisory Committee, (May, 2011) An Imperative for Change: Bridging Special and Language Learning Education to Ensure a Free and Appropriate Education in the Least Restricted Environment for ELLs with Disabilities in Massachusetts by Dr. Maria de Lourdes B. Serpa, Lesley University. Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy.
Cusack, S. (2006) Assistive Technology. In I. L. Rubin and A. C. Crocker (Ed.), Developmental Disabilities: Delivery of Medical Care, (pp. 548-556) Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.

Presentations

Cusack, S., & Edelman, J. (2018, July). Making Space for Student Voice. Hands-on presentation at CAST's 4th Annual UDL Symposium: Empowering Learners, Cambridge, MA.
Edelman, J., Pimprikar, R., & Cusack, S. (2018, July). Micro:bit and Scratch 3.0: Physical Computing for All Learners. Hands-on presentation at Scratch@MIT Annual Conference, Cambridge, MA.
Cusack, S. (2018, July). Making Your Way to Mathland and Making our Way to Language and Literacy. Two Quick Share sessions at Better Learning Communities Annual Conference, Boston, MA.
Cusack, S., Edelman, J., Pimprikar, R., & Gutierrez, R. (2018, June). Making Our Way to Equity: Designing Makerspaces for All Students. Hands-on presentation at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
Cusack, S. & Shinas V. (2018, March) Literacy through Making: Language & Learning in the Makerspace. Hands-on presentation at Making Learning Meaningful Conference, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
Cusack, S., Edelman, J. & Kreisberg, H. (2018, March). Making Your Way to Mathland, Hands-on presentation at the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in New England Annual Fall Conference, Marlboro, MA.
Olson, N., Kennemer, L., Cusack, S. & Edelman, J. (2018, February). Extending the Reach: Making through a Maker Mindset. Texas Computer Education Association Annual Conference, Austin, TX.
Cusack, S., Edelman, J. Suchindran, D. & Gonio, B. (2017, November). Sparking STEAM Learning: Merging Making, Robotics, Coding and Wearable. Hands-on presentation at Learning & the Brain Annual Conference, Boston, MA.
Tosches, L., Burch, M., Cusack, S., & Edelman, J. (2017, October). Animated Learning with Stop Motion. Hands-on presentation at Literacy for All Annual Conference, Providence, RI.
Cusack, S., Edelman, J. (2017, October) Setting the Scene for Green Screen. Hands-on presentation at Literacy for All Conference, Providence, RI.
Cusack, S. & Edelman, J. (2017, October) Maker Mindset in Education? Bring It On! CUELand Playground session at Massachusetts Computer Using Educators & Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Fall Conference, Foxboro, MA.
Edelman, J. & Cusack, S. (2017, September) Constructing Visual Literacy Through Making. International Visual Literacy Conference, Cambridge, MA
Shinas, V. & Cusack, S. (2017, July) Making and Literacy: Language and Learning in the Makerspace. Hands-on presentation at the International Literacy Association National Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.
Edelman, J., Hanning, K, & Cusack, S. (2017, July). Scratching the Physical World: Wearables & Interactive Devices. Hands-on presentation at the Scratch@Bordeaux Annual Conference. Bordeaux, France.
Hanning, K., Edelman, J., & Cusack, S. (2017, March) ScratchX: The Next Frontier for Scratchers. Hands-on presentation at South by Southwest Education Annual Conference, Austin, TX.
Edelman, J. & Cusack, S. (2016, November). Artists as Maker/Maker as Artist. Hands-on presentation at the Massachusetts Art Educators Association Annual Conference. Cambridge, MA.
Cusack, S., Edelman, J., & Tosches, L. (2016, November). Sparking the Maker Mindset. Hands-on presentation at EdTeach Teacher Innovation Annual Summit, Boston, MA.
Cusack, S., Edelman, J., McQuillan, R. & Ciambrone, D. (2016, October). Power-Up your Maker Mindset. Massachusetts Computer Using Educators & Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Fall Conference, Foxboro, MA.
Cusack, S. & Shinas, V. (2016, August). Making and Meaning Making. Keynote at Massachusetts Computer Using Educators & Massachusetts School Library Association, Better Together 2016: Collaborating to Build Great Project Annual Conference hosted at Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
Hanning, K., Edelman, J., & Cusack, S. (2016, August) Extension Mash-Up: Taking Scratch to the Next Level and Arduino: The Next Frontier for Scratchers. Two Hands-on presentations at Scratch@MIT Annual Conference, Cambridge, MA.
Cusack, S., Edelman, J., & Hanning, K. (2016, July). Makerspace Mash-up: Imagine-Play-Make-Create.Building Learning Communities Annual Conference, Boston, MA.
Cusack, S., Edelman, J., & Hanning, K. (2016, March) Unschool Your Creativity: A Maker Mentality. Hands-on presentation at the South by Southwest Education Annual Conference, Austin, TX.
Cusack, S., Edelman, J., & Hanning, K. (January, 2016) Makerspace Mash-up: Imagine – Play –Make –Create, Hands-on presentation at the Florida Educational Technology Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.

Webinar

Mahoney, K., Cusack, S., Edelman, J., Tosches, L., and Burch, M. (January 25, 2018) How to Use Tinkercad for Project-based Learning. Webinar sponsored by Autodesk.

Graduate Educational/Instructional Technology Programs

Master's Degrees with Initial License

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (5-12)

License Only (Non-Degree)

In the Media

Sue quoted in EdSurge article: Maker Culture Has a ‘Deeply Unsettling’ Gender Problem.

In the News

EdSurge

Sue Cusack, director of Lesley's STEAM Learning Lab, emphasizes the need for equity after a report finds gender bias in many makerspaces.

Teaming up with teachers to enhance math & science

Partnerships broaden access and opportunities for Cambridge and Somerville schoolchildren

University among six nonprofits benefiting from neuroscience pioneer’s $10M grant for support of science teaching.

Sue imagines a world where classrooms are inclusive and engaging for every student.

A school year like no other

Lesley educators find innovative ways to support their students and each other as they adapt to remote learning.

Read how educators adapt to remote learning.

Sue Cusack

Publications

Presentations

Webinar

In the Media

In the News

Maker Culture's ‘Unsettling’ Gender Problem

Teaming up with teachers to enhance math & science

Biogen boosts Lesley-led teacher development

Sue Cusack

A school year like no other