University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
Science teacher educator supporting preservice and inservice K-16 teachers. Educational research is focused on teacher knowledge development and practice in the science classroom. Experienced in designing and implementing curriculum for middle-level through undergraduate science including earth science, biology, and chemistry.
Conducts research and teaching in the area of science and math education with special emphasis on secondary and post-secondary science teacher education as well as elementary science and math teacher education. Research focuses on secondary and post-secondary science teachers' development of pedagogical content knowledge and elementary preservice teachers' science and mathematical knowledge for teaching. Education courses taught include elementary science methods, secondary science methods focusing on selected content areas, two-course series of mathematics for elementary teachers emphasizing content and pedagogy, middle level education, and human development. Science courses taught include geology, environmental geology, and geographic information systems (GIS), which are required for environmental science majors.
Curriculum Developer and Lead Instructor: Developed curriculum and served as lead instructor for “Scientific Teaching” course designed for biology graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) in the School of Life Sciences. The course emphasized biology GTAs developing knowledge in the areas of innovative instructional strategies and student understanding in science. The science education curriculum was designed specifically for the Active Learning Classroom, which is designed to facilitate collaborative learning with the use of technology. Created syllabus, facilitated class discussions and activities, and administered grades.
Taught laboratory for an introductory-level biology course designed for non-biology majors. Lab activities provided undergraduate students with opportunities to explore and discuss biology concepts prior to lecture. While the curriculum was set for the lab course, my pedagogical approach emphasized collaborative learning through small group investigations and whole group discussions. In addition, I regularly incorporated important elements of the history and nature of science into the curriculum.
Chemistry, Life Science, and Earth Science Teacher: Developed curriculum and taught science at the middle-school (life science and earth science) and high-school (chemistry) levels; initiated and coordinated TPA 1st and 2nd Annual Science Fairs, served as teacher-coordinator for eight to ten Odyssey of the Mind student teams with primary role of preparing teams for spontaneous problem solving events.
Biology and Earth Science Teacher: Developed curriculum and taught science at the high-school level (biology and earth science); served as teacher-coordinator for BCHS Astronomy Club and NASA Mars PSIP Team Teacher.