[…]wonderful way of looking at the natural world, and ought to be accessible to anyone capable of asking questions of βhowβ and βwhy.β As a teacher, it is my goal and challenge to uncover that capability within each student.β Kaylaβs Story The curiosity of a scientist and the careful work of a teacher have been part of Kayla for as long as she can remember. As the daughter of a music teacher, Kayla grew up appreciating the dedication of great teachers firsthand; through father-daughter stargazing, hiking, and mountain biking adventures, she also grew up with an appreciation for nature and […]
[…]University. Upon completion of the program, she taught chemistry full time in Atherton, California before relocating to Oregon, where she taught chemistry at McKay High School in Salem and South Albany High School in Albany. Since leaving the K-12 classroom, she has worked with student teachers as an instructor and supervisor at Oregon State University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Science and Math Education at Oregon State. Her research focus is on how and why teachers integrate professional learning into their teaching practice. Hobbies When Melissa isnβt teaching, she is spending time with her three kids, hiking in […]
[…]I gain the skills and insights needed to be a science teacher leader in my school, district, and community.β Meganβs Story Megan developed a strong interest in outdoor education while studying marine biology and environmental science at the University of Oregon. Through participation in an environmental education initiative, she collaborated with other students to write and implement curriculum about the salt marshes, estuary, and tide pools located near the southern Oregon coast. While visiting Mexico and Costa Rica, Megan taught informal science lessons to elementary school students. These experiences helped to shape her perspective on working with English Language Learners […]