Who is Robert Ferguson?
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Dr.
Robert Ferguson began his teaching career in 1966 as a French and
English teacher. In August
1971, he married Sally Morley, who is also a certified teacher.
In 1972, he left teaching to work in the business world.
He worked in the real estate and insurance industries for several
years prior to returning to education in 1978.
In
April 1978, Dr. Ferguson became a certified program specialist for the
gifted and was hired to serve as Coordinator of Gifted Education for the
Bradford Public Schools.
Ferguson
began his tenure as Executive Director and CEO of the American Chess
School in April 1991. Previously, he held the position of Executive
Director of the USA Junior Chess Olympics.
Dr.
Ferguson received his Bachelor of Science degree in French and English
and his Master of Science degree in Education from Mansfield University
in Pennsylvania. He received his Doctor of Education degree from LaSalle
University.
Dr. Ferguson has a wealth of experience in the field of
education, including: As
Coordinator for Gifted Education in the Bradford Area School District,
he authored and was project director for the grant, the 4th
“R” Reasoning Program, which focused on the use of chess, as well as
other intellectually stimulating activities to develop both critical and
creative thinking skills. He
holds both elementary and secondary certification and has taught in the
K-12 sector for many years in addition to the undergraduate and graduate
levels. In 1980, the
Pennsylvania Department of Education reviewed the 4th “R”
Reasoning Program and declared it an exemplary program.
In 1986, the 4th “R” Reasoning Program was
selected by the Bradford Area High School staff and the Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools as being one of the most unique
programs in the school district. This
information is published in the Middle States Association Visiting
Committee Report based on their visit October 21-24, 1986.
Dr.
Ferguson has served as a keynote speaker and presenter at the
conferences of many local, statewide, and national organizations, among
them: the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education, the Borough of
Manhattan Community College It’s A Wise Move, The University of
Maryland – Baltimore County MindFest, the U.S. Chess Federation’s
Chess in Education Workshops, the BOCES Higher Order Thinking Skills
Seminar, the International Koltanowski Chess and Education Conference,
and the Chess in Education Reception at the Capitol Building in
Washington DC.
Dr.
Ferguson is perhaps best known for creating the Castle Chess Camps and
his extensive chess research studies.
He is considered to be the foremost expert in America on the
educational benefits of chess.
His
awards and honors include:
- Governance Award for
contributions and service on the Executive Board of the U.S. Chess
Federation
- Chess in Education Awards
from the National Chess in Education Committee for his research and
participation in numerous national workshops
- Scholastic Achievement Award
for outstanding state, regional, and national service in the area of
scholastic chess from the National Scholastic Chess Committee
- Tribute of Time Award by the
Bradford Area School District
- Who’s Who
- Outstanding Young Man in
America
- Dedicated Educator Award
from EDCOT
- Distinguished Volunteer
Award from the U.S. Chess Federation
- Leadership and Service Award
Dr. Ferguson and his wife Sally
have two sons, Robert III and Ryan.
Unsolicited comments regarding Dr. Robert
Ferguson
“Your work on chess and education is an inspiration to all of
us who play and teach chess.”
—Dr.
Peter Dauvergne
Senior
Lecturer
University
of Sydney
“The
expert in the field of chess research is Dr. Robert Ferguson.”
—FM
Tom Brownscombe
U.S.
Chess Federation Scholastic Director
“The
world’s authority on chess research is Dr. Ferguson.
He is a nurturant of his audience and open questions.”
—José
Luis Barata
Director,
Academic Outreach
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
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Copyright © 2002 by Robert Ferguson. All rights reserved.
Revised: February 23, 2002
.