Carol Ann Tomlinson Professional Development

Carol Ann Tomlinson, the William Clay Parrish Jr. Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia's School of Education and Human Development, is the educator who coined the phrase 'differentiated instruction' and has spent over three decades defining and refining this transformative approach to teaching. With 21 years of classroom experience spanning preschool through high school—and recognised as Virginia's Teacher of the Year in 1974—Tomlinson brings an extraordinary combination of practical teaching wisdom and rigorous research to her professional development. She has authored or co-authored over 300 books, chapters, articles, and educational materials, including the seminal 'The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners' and 'How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms.' Since joining UVA in 1991, Tomlinson has delivered more than 700 presentations and keynote addresses to school districts and professional associations worldwide. Her work, centred on curriculum design, differentiated instruction, and formative assessment, provides educators with practical frameworks for creating classrooms where every student—from those who struggle to those who excel—can access meaningful, challenging learning experiences.