SPECTRUM HISTORY

Sara Ashworth

Sara Ashworth Lankler was born in Miami but moved within three weeks to West Palm Beach, Florida where her childhood was spent active in outdoor sports and taking lessons in fencing, tap, ballet, and toe dancing. From her early elementary school years through high school, she was busy practicing for competitive meets in gymnastics, diving, swimming, and track.  Her family activities revolved around sports events and waterskiing.  Her parents believed in family first, strong work ethics, education, and the values of reliability, independence, and self-reliance.

She earned an MA from the University of Mississippi, an Ed.D. from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA and an honorary doctorate from the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland. From 1987 - 2008, Sara taught at Florida Atlantic University.  In the first four years of her teaching career she received every teaching award given at the university, including the University Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award.

In 1969, Sara met Muska Mosston. Meeting Muska was a life changing event. Follow the link below to read Sara's personal account of this event.

After that meeting, Sara and Muska shared a life that focused on refining, expanding, researching, and implementing the Spectrum of Teaching Styles. In 1973, Muska and Sara received a Title IV-C federal grant, which continued for eight years, to direct the Center on Teaching in New Jersey. From 1980 until Muska's death in 1994, Sara and Muska continued to present and conduct workshops throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and South America.

Sara's vision of keeping the flames of the Spectrum of Teaching Styles alive has provided the inspiration to establish the SITL. She is the catalyst behind the hope that the Institute will make a significant contribution to the future of education.

The Spectrum Teaching and Learning Institute is made possible by the loving support and generosity of Sara’s husband, Alexander (Sandy) Lankler.  His support in establishing the Spectrum Institute has made it possible for Sara's dream and vision to become a reality.