I have been privileged to be a biology teacher and department director for 36 years. During that time, I have taught and tutored Biology I CP and Honors, IB Biology SL and HL, IB Environmental Systems and Society, Anatomy and Physiology, Environmental Science and Science Research. I also engaged my students in service learning projects related to their curriculum. Examples include the following: Hosting twice annual blood drives with Anatomy & Physiology students, and cancer related project based learning associated with hosting an American Cancer Society Relay for Life event.
My teaching style is Inquiry based. Many of the labs and activities I have available on TpT reflect this. I typically would have students conduct an investigation at the beginning of a unit of study (rather than a culminating activity). In this way, it would stimulate questioning as the students were less likely to know exactly what was happening. It also provided a shared, common experience to build upon as new content was learned. As students developed deeper understanding of the concepts, we would often return to an activity or lab for revision and reflection.
I was honored as a Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2002. I've also been recognized as a Tandy Technology Scholar, Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year, Sigma Xi Research Teacher of the Year, Junior Academy of Sciences Sponsor of the Year and Teacher of the Year at my school and an honor roll teacher in my district.
I am a graduate of Clemson University with a BS in Biology and the University of South Carolina with an M.Ed. in Secondary Science.
I have experience working with talented and gifted students and have a certificate endorsement to teach these students. In addition, I have also worked with students with wide ranging learning disabilities and have co-taught with a support lab teacher.