[…]students. Maria also serves as Director of Education for BCDC. In this role, she is responsible for communicating with in-country staff, conducting annual country visits and meetings, organizing professional and school protocol development, raising funds, and managing finances for an elementary school in Kiryabicooli, Uganda. Hobbies Maria enjoys hiking, teaching yoga, baking, painting, and spending time with her nieces and nephew. Academic Background Harvard University (Master of Education in Secondary Biology; Special Education Certification) University of Cincinnati (Master of Arts in English and Comparative Literature) Bellarmine University (Bachelor of Arts in Biology and […]
[…]where she developed and ran a Science Center. Helen began teaching at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey during the 2016–2017 school year. Hobbies Helen enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, knitting, reading, and running. Academic Background University of Pennsylvania (Master of Science in Secondary Education) University of British Columbia (Master of Science in Chemistry) McGill University (Bachelor of Science in […]
[…]say realistically, many of you will not need to know how to convert from standard form to vertex form for a quadratic function, but the process and steps you learn in order to do that are going to be important for the rest of your life. To find a relationship between the A, B, C values in standard form and the A, h, k values in vertex form uses critical thinking to propose a relationship, problem solving to figure out if your proposed values make sense, and collaboration with peers to talk about the transition; all of these skills are […]
[…]seemed to hold all the answers to how life works. I remember learning how beta-carotene reacts to form vitamin A and thinking this was just the coolest. These exciting, interesting facts led me to pursue chemistry as a major in college. Then I enrolled in a physical science education teacher preparation program and found that physics presented many unique opportunities to teach about the process of science. This led to me being passionate about teaching both physical science subjects in a way that students can construct and test their own ideas.” Professional Experience While at Rutgers University, Emily worked as […]
[…]I could share or show students how to find this beauty within mathematics and the challenges that come with it.” Professional Experience Jazmine participated in the NASCENT Research Experience for Teachers program at the University of Texas at Austin during summer 2016. She also assisted a graduate student who was working on developing a way to etch a copper coated silicon wafer via ammonia oxidation. Jazmine began teaching at Manor New Tech High School during the 2016–2017 school year. Hobbies Jazmine loves running, bouldering, and snuggling up with a good book and a hot cup of coffee. Academic Background The […]
[…]Experience After graduating college, Erin worked in Guanica, Puerto Rico researching a new forest plot in the tropical dry forest. Also, she interned with a conservation biologist at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, where she assisted with several local re-introduction projects, including the re-introduction of the New England cottontail and timber rattlesnake. Erin began teaching at Blackstone Academy Charter School during the 2016–2017 school year. Hobbies Erin spends her free time rock climbing around New England and playing all types of board games. Academic Background Brown University (Master of Art of Teaching in Secondary Biology) Brown University (Bachelor of Science […]
[…]seniors. Two other teachers propose literacy strategies for increasing student comprehension and making thinking visible. It makes so much sense that I gather up all the resources they’ve brought to share. In every presentation, I jot down notes and leave with scrawls of ideas, unsure of how I will implement them all on Monday morning. Similar to many of the teachers attending the conference, I approach my practice of teaching with a growth mindset, recognizing that there are always ways to improve my pedagogy, classroom culture, my relationships with kids, behavior management, my use of scientific practices, assessments, scaffolding—the list […]
[…]Fellow A large fraction of my students are immigrants and many are undocumented. Each new piece of news sends small shock waves through our student population, and I feel unprepared to help them cope as I’m not even sure how to cope with it myself. Many students try to make jokes about it, but behind the jokes are real fears about what will happen to their peers, their families, and themselves. Other students have lost motivation; they ask, “Why should I take AP Chemistry next year when I’m just going to be deported?” I’m still trying to find my […]
[…]environment (among others; I could spend a whole page listing them)—the broad issue of “science” or “STEM” seems slightly out of place. And while a march can bring people together, as we saw with the Women’s March on Washington and the myriad satellite marches in January, it also often raises the question of “what next?” As of late, the next step has involved contacting governmental representatives, monetarily supporting action groups, and writing on blogs or social media with the goal of educating others. All of these are worthy efforts, but as a science educator, I know that experiences are what […]
