Biology, Zoology, AP Environmental Science Instructor

Blank Park Zoo - Workshop Instructor

I have been working as a science teacher for 12 years and have served a variety of roles within my school and state. I am on our district’s science leadership team as well as a part of our state’s science leadership team. I am involved with technology integration for our 1:1 iPad program. I was a participant in our district’s Innovation Academy and currently working toward my STEM Innovator certification through the University of Iowa. I have led district and statewide PD on NGSS implementation, inquiry based learning, and tech in the classroom. In addition to my high school teaching, I also help lead professional development at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa where I teach weekend teacher workshops on topics ranging from using the zoo as a teaching tool to NGSS instruction.

My passion in science teaching focuses on student engagement and authentic experiences. NGSS implementation provides the perfect vehicle for these teaching strategies. I have become particularly focused on phenomena driven lessons and unit coherence as it applies to the NGSS standards. Feel free to explore my resources below on these topics and contact me for collaboration or questions!

Using Ecobottles to Model Ecosystems - Iowa Academy of Science ISTS conference presentation