MCBILES, Larry (Dr.)

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Tuesday, March 15, 2011 Dr. Larry McBiles, 54, formerly of Flagstaff, died March 6, 2011. Dr. McBiles led the Center for Teacher Success in Phoenix as president and chief learning officer. His contributions to the field of education, both before and during his years with the center, were extensive. As a veteran Arizona educator, Dr. McBiles spent much of his professional time and energy studying what research and conventional wisdom had to say about teaching, learning and what it means to "understand." He held a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. His career included teaching at elementary, middle, secondary and university levels. He transitioned from teacher to district administrator to the position of Deputy Associate Superintendent of the Arizona Department of Education. Following his keen interest in science, Dr. McBiles next took on the role of director of education with the Arizona Mining Association, where he received the 2005 Medal of Merit by the American Mining Hall of Fame. He worked with Northern Arizona University's Center for Excellence in Education and has served on the faculty of Arizona State University's College of Education. He was a frequently-requested state and national consultant for training in the areas of standards-based instructional planning, performance assessment, shared instructional leadership and systemic school improvement. Dr. McBiles viewed himself first and foremost as a teacher and also as a lifelong learner. He touched the lives of thousands of teachers and students. Dr. McBiles is survived by his parents, Brad and Donna McBiles; brothers William "Bill" and Scott McBiles; as well as many friends and colleagues. A memorial service will be today at 10 a.m., at St. Francis Xavier on North Central Ave. in Phoenix. Donations in his memory may be made to the Center for Teacher Success, 141 E. Palm Lane, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85004.