Malia Scott, Science Teacher Leader Grade 1 & 2 cmsmas@concentric.net Practicing classroom teacher who works with grade level colleagues in after school professional development seminars. Seminars focus on integrating inquiry methodology into the science curriculum. Work directly with Science Coordinator and other grade 5-6 science teacher leaders in development and implementation of the seminars.

Chris Whitbeck, K- Science Coordinator cwhitbeck@brookline.mec.edu The science coordinator creates and coordinates all science professional development K-8. I work directly with teachers and science teacher leaders as they implement new curricula and pedagogy in the classroom. My role includes purchasing and/or writing curriculum, planning and leading professional development, working with teacher leaders to plan grade level professional development, working with other district coordinators to bring the most up-to-date research and information to the Brookline Public Schools.

Neal Klinman, 4th Grade Teacher neal_klinman@cps.ci.cambridge.ma.us * Teach a fourth grade self-contained, heterogeneous class of 23 students * Coordinate with school, district, and community resources to meet school, district and state standards as well as core knowledge curriculum requirements * Participate in school and district professional development for literacy, science and mathematics to advance student understanding * Serve as a liaison between science department and school in an effort to promote the teaching of inquiry-based science and the implementation of district science curriculum * Will serve as a teacher leader for professional development for science (working in collaboration with science mentor teachers) and the implementation of district science curriculum.

 

Rusty Low, Director, Science CentrUM- Community Support rlow@cce.umn.edu As a director of the University of Minnesota's K-12 outreach consortium, Science CentrUM, I have two major responsibilities: to increase University of Minnesota scientist awareness and participation in National K-12 science education reform, and to link university scientists and resources to programs and projects identified by Saint Paul district's strategic science education reform team. As a member of the team, I can contribute by identifying ways in which the University is able to support their initiative, and as a scientist, I am able to communicate to the University faculty and staff about inquiry so it can be incorporated into the numerous departmental outreach efforts existing on campus.

 

Renie Willard, Director of Curriculum renie.willard@spps.org My responsibilities include the development and management of curriculum K-12. To that end, I recently attended the LASER Institute with a team representing saint Paul Public Schools and the University of Minnesota. We developed a strategic plan to reform science education in our district, and our efforts have been incorporated into the Strategic Action Plan for the Saint Paul Public Schools. I also supervise the materials adoption process and the curriculum review cycle, and look forward to moving our elementary schools toward inquiry with the FOSS kits.

Paul Mello, Science Dept. Head/ GEMS-NET Facilitator mellop@ride.ri.net Paul Mello has been teaching for 28 years and is currently a physics teacher and Science Department Head at Middletown High School, as well as a GEMS-NET facilitator. In his role as a department head Paul is responsible for the curriculum and instruction in grades 9-12, as well as assisting with its development and implementation in grades K-8. As a GEMS-NET facilitator, Paul has assisted the kit trainers with workshop methods as well as introducing teachers to the basics of the inquiry approach. Paul has 16 years experience presenting workshops on both science content and teaching methods. ON the national level he has served as an instructor/editor for the NSF funded operation Physics program (designed to assist middle school teachers) and as a member of the development team and national trainer for Operation Primary Physical Science (designed for K-3 teachers) . He has also served as an assistant editor for THE PHYSICS TEACHER journal. He was named Rhode Island Teacher of the year in 1989, and has been the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, and the National Educator Award.

 

Gloria Monte, GEMS-NET Teacher in Residence University of RI gmsci1@home.com As a Fourth grade teacher in East Greenwich, I been actively involved in my district's elementary science education reform effort as well as that of neighboring communities for the last five years. At the inception of the GEMS-NET program (Guiding Education in Math and Science-Network) I contributed to the development and writing of the common science curriculum for grades K-6. I was a pilot teacher for various kits that were aligned with our curriculum and instrumental in choosing specific programs. I have been on the GEMS-NET Steering Committee, which shares and communicates information and concerns between the committee and school districts. My experience teaching with the kits has led me to become a kit trainer for the Land and water Kit. I will also be leading follow-up training sessions for Motion and Design. This year, I am a sessions for all the kits, coordinating materials, trainers, and scientists. I have recently helped put together professional development days for middle school teachers on inquiry based instruction. As a TIR, I will go into district classrooms to assist and support teachers in any way possible with their science instruction. TIRs will also instruct university students in Elementary Science Methods. In addition, I have accumulated 96 hours of professional development through the GEMS-NET program. As a member of the East Greenwich School District, I am serving on its Science Task Force to spearhead the district's Science Curriculum.

Mike Milanesi, Science Curriculum Specialist mmilanesi@tcsd.k12.ca.us Responsibilities include: Coordinating science inservices for our kit-based program, supporting teachers in the classroom for our kit-based program, developing science lessons to supplement current science program, coordinating our three 7-8 middle school science programs.

Terry Sayre, Resource Teacher/Science tsayre@tcsd.12.ca.us Pilot School Coordinator: Coordinated the project at Cypress school in collaboration with CAPSI for first three years. District Wide Implementation Coordinator: Coordinated training, kit refurbishment, materials development, leadership team, pioneer teachers, and professional development for district wide implementation of the project for the last three years (six years total).

Suzy Ward, Kindergarten Teacher sward@tcsd.k12.ca.us PMy major responsibilites in my district's elementary science education reform effort revolve around my role as a pioneer teacher and trainer. I have been involved in piloting and then co-training other kindergarten teachers in the district to implement grade-level kits. Each summer I have worked with my co-trainer to develop the storyline for each unit and a student cience notebook and a teacher notebook for each unit. As the result of science training outside of my district I have also been able to serve as an advisor to other gradel evels as they have written storylines for their specific grade level kits. I have also brought to the district current information on science assessment and resources that have been or are being considered for implementation.

Holly Harrick, Science Resource Curriculum Coordinator hharrick@wallingford.k12.ct.us It is my responsibility to oversee our replenishment/kit center. Fortunately, we have an extremely competent materials resource manager who actually inventories, resupplies and order materials necessary for the STC kits K-8. I also provide all of in house professional development in Science. In addition, I observe and coach all of the science teachers. I also chair the district-wide science management team.

Chris Stone, Elementary Science Teacher cstone@wallingford.k1.ct.us I am an elementary teacher with experiences in grades 3,4,and 5. I have attended two summer graduate level courses from Southern Connecticut University that addressed Inquiry-based learning. I am a peer teacher and inquiry resource for the district. My classroom is open for observation. I have presented 2 different workshops for our district regarding kits and inquiry-based instruction. I have also presented at the Connecticut State Science Fair Convention.