Education & Training
Eastern Illinois University Education B.S. 1973
Eastern Illinois University Zoology M.S. 1977
Conference Presentations
National Science Teachers Association - National Convention, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015
Keynote Address – STEM Education Research Conference, Middle Tennessee State University, 2011
University Commencement Address – College of Education and Professional Studies, Eastern Illinois University, 2010
Polar Palooza National Museum Tour – Teacher Workshops, 2007-2009
Testimony to the National Science Board Hearing on 21stCentury K-16 STEM Education, 2006
NASA Marsapalooza National Tour – Teacher Workshop, 2005
National Science Digital Library Workshop, 2004
Illinois Science and Technology Conference, 2003
American Meteorological Society National Convention, 2003
Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program, 2000
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, 1997
National Center for Supercomputing Applications, 1997
NASA Headquarters, 1996
Community
Distinguished Educator Award – Eastern Illinois University, 2012
Finalist, NEA National Teacher of the Year, 2009
Golden Apple Central Illinois Academy Inaugural Class, 2008
Sigma Xi, Eastern IL University Chapter - Outstanding Science Teacher, 2008
Jefferson Award for Community and Public Service, 2006
ExxonMobil Outstanding Teaching Award, 2006
Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching, 2003
Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 1990, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Award of Excellence, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2004, 2005
Publications
Expedition Earth and Beyond - Student Scientist Guidebook , co-author, Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center (http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/ares/eeab/SSG.cfm), 2012
Testimony to the National Science Board Hearing on K-16 STEM Education, Spectrum, Journal of the Illinois Science Teachers Association, p. 17, Spring 2006, Vol. 32, No. 1
AVC Helps Teachers View the Atmosphere and Play in the Sand, Knowledge Quest: Journal of the American Association of School Librarians, co-author, p. 18, Volume 5, Number 3, January/February 2003
The Atmospheric Visualization Collection, National Science Digital Library, Contributing writer for lesson plans, 2003
Effective Use of Image Processing Software with Middle School Students, Smithsonian Research and Diffusion Network, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, p. 53-59, August 2002
Passport to the Solar System, Implementation Guide, Passport to Knowledge, Contributing writer, October 2000
Real Science...Real Scientists...Real Time, The IAECT Journal, Illinois Association for Educational Communications and Technology, Volume 5, 2000
Live From the Storm, Passport to Knowledge Teachers Guide, Contributing writer, February 2000
Live From the Sun, Passport to Knowledge Teachers Guide, Contributing writer, March 1999
Live From the Rainforest, Passport to Knowledge Teachers Guide, Contributing writer, April 1998
Send Your Students to Mars ... and Beyond, ISTA Spectrum, Winter Issue, Co-Author, 1996/97
Funding & Grants
Toyota TAPESTRY Mini Grant, 2006
Toyota TAPESTRY Large Grant, 2004
PT3 Technology Grant, 2001, 2002
Charleston Excellence in Education Foundation Grant, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009
Illinois State Board of Education Science Literacy Grant 1989
Charleston Council of Business and Industry for Better Education, 1985, 1986, 1987
Frequently Taught Courses
MLE 3110 Instruction and Curriculum in the Middle Level
MLE 40001 Practicum in the Middle Level
ELE 3100 Instructional Strategies for the Elementary Classroom (Practicum)
ELE 3290 Science in the Elementary/Middle Level School
EDU 2022 Teaching and Learning with Technology in Classrooms
STG 4000 Multicultural/Disabilities Practicum
STG 4001 Student Teaching
Research & Creative Interests
Director, Golden Apple Summer Institute, Eastern Illinois University, 2013 - 2019
Co-Investigator, co-author, wiki coordinator, and webinar facilitator for project Expedition Earth and Beyond - NASA Johnson Space Center, 2008 - 2015
Professional Affiliations
EIU Panther Club Executive Board, 2015 - present
Eastern Illinois University Presidential Search Committee, 2014
NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Master Teacher, 2014
University Foundation Board of Directors, Eastern IL University, 2012 - 2018
NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence - National Selection Committee, 2011, 2012
Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching - National Selection Committee, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012
Golden Apple Committee, 2011 - 2012
Philanthropy Board - College of Education and Professional Studies, Eastern IL University, 2011 - 2020
Elementary and Middle Grade Advisory Group, Illinois State Board of Education, 2011
Educator Advisory Council, Advance Illinois, 2009 – 2013
Co-Investigator, Project Expedition Earth and Beyond, NASA Johnson Space Center, 2008 – 2011
Team Member, History of Winter Program, NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, 2008 - 2011
Lead Teacher, Polar Palooza National Museum Tour, Passport to Knowledge, Geoffrey Haines-Stiles Productions, 2007 – 2009
P-12 Advisory Committee, College of Education and Professional Studies, Eastern Illinois University, 2007-2009
National Science Board Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics , 2006 - 2007
Toyota TAPESTRY Ambassador,2005 – 2007
Alumni Association Board of Directors, Eastern IL University, Past President, 2002-2011
Key Leader and Point of Contact, Building a Presence for Science, National Science Teachers Association, 2001 – 2011
Educational Reviewer, Argonne National Laboratory, Decision and Information Sciences Division, 1999 – 2003
Faculty and Site Coordinator, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy - Summer AD’Ventures Program at Eastern Illinois University, 1992 – 2002
Science Instructor, Charleston Middle School, Charleston, IL, 1973 – 2011(retired)
National Science Teachers Association - retired
Illinois Science Teachers Association - retired
Alumni Association, Eastern IL University - current