Informal Education ExperienceCertified Interpretive Trainer from the National Association for Interpretation
* Black Hills National Forest * Taught "Leave No Trace" and park ecology to visitors. * Riverside Zoo * Curriculum development * K-12 classroom programs and day camps * Professional development for teachers and train volunteers * Exhibit interpretation * Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor * 4-H Summer Intern for Broomfield, CO * Curriculum development for K-2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade * Summer camp and special events presenter * Develop literacy totes for area teachers Formal Education ExperienceSince 2012 I have been the 7/8 science teacher at Excel Academy in Arvada, CO. I taught Core Knowledge curriculum for 10 years which included physical science, biology and earth science. In 22/23 my school adopted McGraw-Hill Inspire Science which I blend with OpenSciEd and PhET simulations.
In addition to core science classes, I have also taught: * Citizens of the World (6-8) * Nutrition and Wellness (6-8) * Investigative Science (6-8) * Robotics 1 and Robotics 2 (6-8) * Food Science (6-8) * Zoology, Mammalogy, Ornithology (6-8) * STEM Challenge (6-8) * Strategies for Gifted Learners (6-8) * Crash Course in Computer Programming (6-8) * Recycled Fashion Design (6-8) * Literature (7/8) * Introduction to the Stock Market (6-8) * Academic Support (6-8) From 2005-2012 I was a teacher at Scottsbluff High School in Nebraska. The classes I taught included: * Practical Biology (9-12) * General Biology (9-12) * Natural Resources (10-12) * Introduction to Environmental Science (10-12) * Advanced Environmental Science (10-12) Activity Involvement and Honors * 2006 Started a school wide recycling program. * 2007 Started an Environmental Club. * 2008 Teacher of the EPA's Presidential Environmental Youth Award winner * 2009 Assisted in developing the NE State Environmental Literacy Plan. * 2009 Piloted an Outdoor Adventure Club with our local YMCA camp. * 2009-2012 Coached students for the NE Envirothon competition * 2010 Received funding to renovate courtyards into outdoor classrooms. * 2011 Received funding to create a school vegetable garden. * 2011 Appointed to district Science Curriculum and Technology Committee's * 2011 Appointed to the high school Scheduling Committee * 2012 Selected as district trainer for the State assessment program C4L * 2012-2014 Destination Imagination Team Manager for 3rd-5th grade * 2014-2017 Developed an after school club focused on problem solving * 2014- present, Coach of Middle School Science Bowl teams * 2015 Member of the Excel Academy Technology Committee * 2015-present, Started an Entrepreneur Club * 2015-present, Team Leader for Middle School * 2016-present. Started an Eco-club * 2017 Became a NOAA Climate Steward and received a school grant for reducing our cafeteria's impact on climate change. * 2017 Mentored an e-CYBERMISSION National Finalist team * 2017 Started a Technology Club for middle school students, which included mentors from CO School of Mines. * 2022 Was selected as an outstanding educator in Jeffco school district. * 2022 Promoted to a K-8 science curriculum specialist & instructional coach |