Rebecca C. Itow is a Learning Scientist and public high school English teacher. She earned her PhD in Learning Sciences from Indiana University under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel T. Hickey. Rebecca researches and designs participatory approaches to professional development, focusing on contemporary assessment practices. These techniques help teachers adapt new pedagogical techniques that support connected, networked learning into their curricular designs. She works primarily in technology-rich environments for both teachers and students. Rebecca also studies the implications of assessment practices in classrooms and open digital badge systems. Rebecca has been a high school English at public schools in Southern California since 2007. Interests outside of education include directing theatre, choreographing, aerial circus arts, origami, and glass blowing.