KENTASTIC  SCIENCE AND EDUCATION CONSULTING: Call Us!

University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA (2013-present) Assistant Professor of Science Education - 2015: General, Organic, and Biochemistry, General Chemistry Lab, Introduction to Research Writing, Materials and Engineering Design, Word View Seminar

National Louis University, Milwaukee, WI (2014-present) Instructor in the graduate level education department

Schaumburg High School, Schaumburg, IL (1990-2013) Teacher of Chemistry, Accelerated Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Chemistry of Foods (Certified Sanitation Instructor), Physical Science, and Biology

Center for Talent Development, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (2005, 2006, 2012, 2013): Summer Instructor: Materials Engineering and Design Honors, Topics in Chemistry

Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL (1984-1990): Teacher of Chemistry and Accelerated Chemistry

Normal Community High School, Normal, IL (1981-1984): Teacher of Chemistry, Accelerated Chemistry, Earth Science, Biology, and Photography

DePauw University, Greencastle, IN (1979-1981): Teacher Aid Anatomy and Physiology, Assistant Soccer Coach, Assistant Swim Coach, Head Men’s Swim Coach

Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN (1978-1979): Assistant Men’s and Women’s Swim Coach

 

The new framework is here.  I have experience in creating and assessing in Engineering Design and am thrilled to let you profit from my experience.  I have experience in teaching and leading teachers as well as students. I work to involve students in their learning, and seek methods to analyze, evaluate, and improve the educational process and my part in it.

Involving students in their learning has driven me to create relevant and authentic problems and projects for my students. I have had students synthesize and test novel materials like buckyballs, diamond thin-films, piezoelectrics, lighter-than-air solids, and more. I have had students participate, with their village and park district, on a wetland rehabilitation project sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Whether planting native species to protect a lake, or designing and publishing their own research, students learn better when involved in a problem or project that touches their lives. This becomes even more important when we are preparing the next generation of educators, and the next generation of leaders.Children are society’s greatest assets. There are scientific, interpersonal, and sociological problems in the world that require the strongest efforts of our generation and those to come. We have to address the Achievement Gap (as identified by Wagner, 2008), utilizing the meaningful data we collect. We must engage and motivate our students with the best research-driven methods and innovations. Our teachers must be cognizant of the latest research; able to analyze, evaluate, and utilize data to improve the educational process. As never before, our students will need to bring all of their creativity and intelligence to bear on each problem they face. An educational system must empower our leaders, our teachers, and our students. It is a moral imperative.