Participants
Continental USA Teachers
Todd Ensign
Todd Ensign is the Program Manager of the NASA IV&V Facility Educator Resource Center in Fairmont, West Virginia. Drawing on a decade of providing professional development for educators and his background in Earth science education (B.S.Ed.) and educational technology (M.Ed.), Todd develops and delivers STEM workshops for teachers across the state and internationally. Topics he trains on include Earth system science, GPS and GIS, engineering design, rocketry, environmental monitoring, robotics, and more. Todd is the GLOBE Program Coordinator for West Virginia and has trained hundreds of classroom educators and pre-service teacher in a wide range of environmental protocols.
Email: todd.i.ensign@ivv.nasa.gov
Mildred A. Laughlin (Millie)
Millie Laughlin was originally from Los Angeles, California but now resides in Kansas. She graduated with a bachelor degree in Biology from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) in 1989 and a master degree in Teaching and Learning from PLNU in 1990. After completing additional course work she received teaching certificates in biology (1989), chemistry (2008) and physics (2009). Millie has taught Biology, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, Science Technology and Aerospace Science. She taught Biology and Anatomy/Physiology as an adjunct professor for Cloud County Community College.
Millie is currently teaching Chemistry and Physics at Marysville High School in Marysville, Kansas. Her professional responsibilities also include sponsoring the Junior High Science Club and serving as the high school Scholar’s Bowl coach. She is a member of the Professional Development Committee and a member of the Marysville Education Association.
In 2001, Millie was selected to receive additional training in astrobiology, aeronautics, and aerospace technology as a participant in NASA Educational Workshops (NEW) held at Ames Research Center in California. In 2005-2006, Millie was selected as a trainee for the National Middle School Aerospace Scholars (NaMAS) program at Johnson Space Center which provided hands-on training in robotics technology. Following training, Millie was selected to return as a mentor for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 training sessions. Finally, Millie worked with two other mentors to develop “Virtual NaMAS”. Virtual NaMAS provided off-site, online training in robotics and technology integration for 50 educators who were in the Johnson Space Center service area. It was piloted during the 2008-2009 school year.
Millie is married and has two teenage boys. Together, the family enjoys going to the movies, camping, and participating in water sports which includes white water rafting and jet skiing. Millie’s hobbies include working in the garden and on home improvement projects. In her community she is a member of the Lions Club and also co-sponsors the Leos Club. Millie is a member of her local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma which is an honorary, international organization for female educators.
Email: mlaughlin@marysvilleschools.org
Deborah Morales
Deborah is a native Californian and has lived in or near the Los Angeles area all her life. After graduating from high school in 1973, she attended Pierce College and the California State University of Northridge (CSUN). She obtained an A.A degree from Pierce College in 1976 and a B.A. degree in Sociology/Social Welfare from CSUN in 1978.
After being a stay at home mom for several years, Deborah became a part of the teaching profession. In 1999, she enrolled in the teaching credential program at CSUN as an intern. She has now been teaching for eleven years. Her first year was fifth grade and now has been teaching fourth grade for ten years. During these last eleven years, Deborah has received CAG training for gifted students, and taken leadership roles within her school and district.
This is her first year at her current school, Flory Academy of Science and Technology in Moorpark, California. Being at this school has given her the opportunity to teach with an emphasis in science which has always been of great interest to her. She is looking forward to being part of this workshop, The NASA African Dust Workshop, and sharing this new knowledge with her colleagues and students.
Email: dmorales@mrpk.org
Rebeca Nagengast
A native of Guadalajara, Mexico, Rebeca Nagengast received a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from California Polytechnic State University in 1988. She obtained her credentials in Education from Arizona State University in 2004. She worked as a Resource Teacher for Kindergarten through Fourth Grades while studying at ASU. She taught Fifth Grade in Mesa, AZ from 2004 to 2008.
Since relocating to California in 2008, Rebeca has served as the Computer Teacher at Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology in Moorpark. She enjoys exposing students and teachers to the use of technology in the classroom. Students and teachers learn to use computer programs and associated technology that facilitates and enhances the education process.
Rebeca has also taught at Adult Education Centers and Community Colleges in Ventura, Monterey, and Moorpark, CA.
Email: rnagengast@mrpk.org
Paul Sarandria
I have been teaching public school since I graduated from West Virginia University in 1987. I started out teaching 4th grade and then moved to the middle school where I have been since. I have taught both Life and Physical science in the middle school. I have been married for 23 years and have 2 children and a dog. I enjoy sailing, scuba diving, white water canoeing, hunting, and fishing.
Email: paul.sarandria@pps.k12.va.us
Barbara Taber
Professional Experience:
I am the Science Department Chair at an inner-city high school on Portsmouth, Virginia. In addition to the management of ten teachers, I teach both honors and non-honors Earth Science II. Sometimes I also teach Dual Enrollment Environmental Science. I have taught in both Virginia and Texas. After 36 years, I still LOVE my job!
Goals:
Having been involved with curriculum writing and instruction, I have enrolled in the K-12 Teaching and Learning program and plan on completing my Ed D next June.
Upon successful completion of my degree, I hope to continue as a classroom teacher, Department Chair, and perhaps move into the college level of instruction.
Professional Associations and Activities:
Currently, I am a member of the NSTA, unified NEA (local/state/national), Pi Lambda Theta International Teacher Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, and Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers' Honor Society.
September 2009, I received a grant from Classroom Earth for two graduate classes in Environmental Education at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.
I have been involved with GLOBE, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and several other educational service groups.
Additional information that best describes who you are:
In my spare time, I am a Virginia Paramedic/Firefighter and EMT Instructor. I also spend some time scuba diving. Pictures from my dives and travels end up as part on my class lessons. I also care for my 89 year old mother. Over the last Spring Break, I took mom to Cozumel, MX. She had a great time at Chankaanab National Park… she is actually on the other side of Bingo the sea lion!
Email: barbara.taber@jiu.edu
Jennifer Thayer-Wood (Jenny)
Jenny Thayer-Wood currently teaches 8th grade Earth Science and high school Physical Science at Marysville, Kansas. She began teaching when she was 39 years old after raising two children on the family farm. An early childhood obsession for the sciences (primarily life and Earth) led her to focus on becoming a science teacher. As a child she lived on the coast of California and later moved inland to the Mojave Desert where her family spent a great deal of time observing, capturing, and releasing wildlife. She later moved to Kansas, where, after graduating high school she began working for Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. In her lifetime she has been the proud “owner” of many desert box turtles, a desert sidewinder snake, a small alligator, wild turkeys, and an African lion, which she raised from a cub. Jenny has also spent many hours helping to patch and rehabilitate a variety of wild animals—and it has not been unusual for her to house a young bobcat in a bedroom or a raccoon in the bathroom while making arrangements to transport them back to the wild.
Jenny’s husband, Tobias Wood, is the band director in the same district, and her two children, Kate and J.D., are both Kansas State University graduates.
Email: jwood@marysvilleschools.org
Tina Cartwright
Dr. Tina Cartwright is an assistant professor in the School of Education at Marshall University. As a faculty member in Marshall's College of Education and Human Services, Dr. Cartwright teaches Elementary Science Methods and Integrated Methods in Secondary Education.
While serving as a research meteorologist for MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, Dr. Cartwright investigated the effectiveness of a thunderstorm forecast product to be used by air traffic controllers. From 2004 to 2009, Cartwright served as the West Virginia State Climatologist. In this role, she promotes relevant scientific learning and investigates relevant weather and climate research issues important to the state of West Virginia.
Upon completion of the trainer’s certification program for the Global Learning and Observations to Benefits the Environment (GLOBE) program in 2005, Dr. Cartwright has collaborated with the NASA IV&V Educator Resource Center and the WV Center for Professional Development by providing teaching workshops on scientific inquiry and incorporating GLOBE into the classroom. As a member for the Governor’s Commission on Graduate Studies in STEM, she addresses the barriers students in WV face and promotes graduate studies in the STEM disciplines.
Dr. Cartwright, as the recipient of the Marshall University Sarah Denman Faces of Appalachia Fellowship Award in 2009, investigated how minority and female Appalachian students interact, contribute, and benefit from participating in the Communities Educating Tomorrow’s Scientists (COMETS). She is the principal investigator of multiple NSF-supported programs targeting science education in both formal and informal class settings. Her work is designed to encourage and engage the next generation of scientists by bringing science to diverse populations from elementary to secondary grades.
Email: tina.cartwright@marshall.edu
International Teachers
Gloria Elena Faus
Gloria Elena Faus M.E.E. in 2008 is specialized in Learning Processes in Mathematics from the Tecnólogico de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara. In 1986 she was an undergraduate Mexican-American-German in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad de Guadalajara where she headed systems operations and production for Instituto de Celulosa y Papel UDG, Coca Cola, Hiberidos Pioneer, Pateleria Francesa, and DAGTA Furniture Inc. She has worked as an upper level math professor at the Tecnólogico de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara. Gloria has acquired various certificates of education of which she has been renowned nationally and internationally as one of high schools most honored teachers. She is actually associated with France’s CNES researching aerosols. Gloria had conferences in the MELL and META programs on didactic teaching methodologies. She teaches Advanced Placement Calculus AB and PBL, Problem Based Learning for the AIM and CALIPSO NASA education programs which ventured her in the conduct of her symposia: Noctilucent Clouds, Climate Change and its Impact on Life, NASA Satellite Data on Aerosols-Colima’s Volcano. Gloria Faus is the first Mexican participant for the AIM NASA Education Team involving more Mexicans in the development of science. She can be read at http;//aim.hamptonu.edu/outreach/AK-2007/ppts/nlc-pbl/NLC_PBL.ppt. Gloria has been a marriage counselor for nearly thirty years for Dinámicas de Union Matrimonial and is currently happily and has three children who are currently achieving success in their exploring their professional carriers. She enjoys Hispanic fine Cuisine.
Email: gloria.faus@itesm.mx
Carla Ochoa
Carla Ochoa Sánchez M.I.P. is actually working as a teacher in the Tecnólogico de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara sede Colima This semester she taught Trigonometry and Matter and change. She has also given classes in Tec Milenio University, teaching mathematics, chemistry, Projects in Quality Engineering and Quality Systems. In 2003 she graduated as a bachelor of biochemical engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Colima. After her graduation she worked for Coca-Cola as a Department chief in the areas of microbiology, water treatment and Quality control.In 2007 she got her Master degree in Engineering with a specialty in quality and productivity from the ITESM.
Email: carla.cortes@itesm.mx
Roberto Cano
Roberto earned his Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Physics from California State University Northridge in 1991, 1995. In 2005 he attained his second master’s degree in Finance from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico. When he was an undergraduate student, he Solar Patrolled at San Fernando Solar Observatory under the supervision of Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Steve Walton. As a graduate student, he worked with Dr. Barney Bales as a Researcher Trainee for the Minority Biomedical Research Support at California State University Northridge. As a result of this research, he co-authored The Structure of the Streptonigrin Semiquinone in Solution and Preparation and ESR Characterization of the Zinc (II) and Cadmium (II) Complexes of the Streptonogrin Semiquinone. In addition, Roberto attended the PBL workshop at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia in 2003. Also, he participated in AP and IB workshops at Rice University in Houston Texas in 2005 and 2009. He is currently Assistant Professor of Science at the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara. Robert is a lover of modern theatre, pop music, and alternative art.
Email: roberto.cano@itesm.mx
Dominique Bernard de Sanchez
Born on January 17th 1953 in Oran (Algeria)
Widow – 2 sons (27 and 25)
Actually in Kourou – French Guiana
French
Doctor of geology in 1978, Grenoble University (France)
Teacher trainer in biology and geology since 2002, Education district of French Guiana
- Coordination of mobile trainers group
- Training of junior high school beginning teacher in all French Guiana, especially on the Maroni and Oyapock rivers (remote schools)
- Actually working on supervising groups of teachers for study of African dust by approximately 300 students of 8 junior high schools, from September 2010
Teacher of biology and geology in junior high school in French Guiana from 1996 to 2009
Teaching assistant in the geological department of Abidjan University (Ivory Coast) from 1981 to 1996
Teaching assistant in the geological department of Marrakech University (Morocco) from 1979 to 1981
Languages:
French (mother tongue)
Fluent Spanish
English: a little
Hobby: photography
Email: bernard-de-sanchez.dominique@wanadoo.fr
Lawrence Kambiwoa Nunatcho
Lawrence Kambiwoa Nunatcho is a National Pedagogic Inspector of Informatics at the Ministry of Secondary Education, Cameroon. In this capacity, Mr. Kambiwoa has devoted his energies to promoting computer use in schools and boosting digital inclusion, which afflicts Cameroon. Mr. Kambiwoa not only worked with the GLOBE Program in Cameroon and provided support to the One Laptop Per Child initiative, but also has assisted in the training of teachers and principals in computer skills, the distribution of hardware, and the promotion of educational technology awareness throughout Cameroon. Of particular note was his participation in the National Computer Science program at the inter-ministerial commission, reviewing the need for teachers of Computer Science. Through this effort and in accordance with government policies, the Higher Teachers Training Colleges were granted authorization in 2007 to train teachers in Computer Science and Technology.
His activities in support of digital equity include: work in the National Book Commission to evaluate and propose didactic manuals on Information Sciences; participation as the commissioned coordinator of the fact-finding mission to establish computer facilities for pilot schools in the Cameroon phase of the NEPAD e-School project; service as lead administrative contact for the training of 100 teachers for deployment to multimedia resource centers in schools throughout the national territory; facilitator for Peace Corps Volunteers to become acquainted with the national teaching program for Computer Science; and as a Cameroonian delegate to the Second Preparatory Committee (PrepComII), discussion of capacity building at the 2003 World Summit on the Information Society Geneva phase.
Furthermore, Mr. Kambiwoa works in a team to assist teachers teach Computer Science and promote GLOBE Program, an international environmental science and education program. Through this effort, the GLOBE Program Cameroon acquired computers from the US Embassy and from the Ministry of National Education. Mr. Kambiwoa was commissioned to install these computers and train two teachers per selected recipient school. Also, Mr. Kambiwoa held another workshop for 40 teachers in the use of spreadsheets to carry out pedagogical responsibilities including record keeping and grading, as well as GLOBE data-entry. Attending the 1997 Commonwealth Workshop on Educational Supervision for 100 school principals in Cameroon, Mr. Kambiwoa filled participants with enthusiasm for the use of spreadsheet as a smart grading tool.
Presently, Mr. Kambiwoa is the Country Coordinator of GLOBE Program Cameroon. Also, Mr. Kambiwoa was a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow in the College of Education at Pennsylvania State University. His Humphrey research focuses on Educational Technology Policy and Management.
Benefiting from a 1992 Award in Teacher Education by the Canadian International Development Agency, Mr. Kambiwoa holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Regina in Canada and the Advanced Teachers Diploma in Mathematics from the Yaoundé 1 University in Cameroon. Mr. Kambiwoa has co-authored papers on “The Case of Networking Schools in Cameroon” and on “Cyber Education as a Form of Computer Mediated Education in Cameroon.” Mr. Kambiwoa presented a paper on “Integration of Information Technology into the School System of Cameroon” at the 2008 SITE international conference in Las Vegas. In acceptance of this paper, the Executive Director of SITE, Dr. Gary Marks wrote:
“… This is an interesting, and for the most part, systematic review of technology in Cameroon.
It's a valuable non-U.S. perspective that also initiates much needed dialogue about equity and social justice.
I look forward to a follow-up to this paper, one that presents empirical findings from the One Laptop Per Child initiative
… important study.”
Mr. Kambiwoa supports the concept of One Laptop Per Child for use in schools and contributed to the OLPC Foundation, donor-reference 4439-1165-8243-2842, for the educational development of needy school children and teachers in remote places across the globe.
References
- Professor Ivo Leke Tambo, Secretary General in the Ministry of Secondary Education, Republic of Cameroon. leketambo@yahoo.com
- Dr. Rebecca Boger, City University of New York, Brooklyn College. RBoger@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Email: lawrencekambiwoa@hotmail.com
Puerto Rico Teachers
Elizabeth Torres-Rodríguez
I'm middle and high school teacher in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I have been teaching fifteen years, I teach earth sciences to 9th grade, Biology to 10 th ,Chemistry to 11th grade and environmental sciences to 12th grade.
I have a Master Degree in Environmental Sciences from Medical Science Campus, University of Puerto Rico and a Certification on Meteorology Sciences from Penn State University. I'm working also in Puerto Rico Space Grant-NASA in University of Puerto Rico as affiliate of the PR Department of Education, we have a project with public school around the Island, our project is a part of study on Heat Island Phenomena in Puerto Rico and we collaborate with the National Climate Center in Colorado and the University of California in Santa Clara.
Our goal is that all school in the Island had a weather station, and doing training for teachers and students. Now I'm teaching a Weather Course for teacher and Oceanography Course online thru American Meteorology Society.
I live in the north part of the Island (in the middle), my husband (Angel Hernandez) is Instructor Pilot of Blackhawk's in Puerto Rico National Guard, and my little cat “Camila”. My passions are being with my family, traveling and enjoying the outdoors of my beautiful Island.
I'm so excited to participate in this workshop and be a part of coordinators, this mean too much for our project and for me. I have always been excited to teach science and learn along with my students. I am passionate about immersing teachers in scientific inquiry experiences.
Email: torresre@DE.GOBIERNO.PR
Samirah Mercado Feliciano
I am Samirah Mercado Feliciano. I was born on December 16, in Yauco Puerto Rico. I studied my bacherator degree in Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez Campus (UPRM) in 2002. I obtained my master degree in Chemical Education in 2007 entitled Expository Programs: A model to improve the teaching and learning of high school Chemistry at UPRM. Actually I am the Program Coordinator of the Science on Wheels Educational Center at UPRM.
Email: samirahmercado@hotmail.com
Francisco Guzmán
My name is Francisco Javier Guzmán Santiago. I was born on November 17, 1968 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. My primary studies were at Escuela Libre de Música Ernesto Ramos Antonini in Hato Rey, where I learned to play the Clarinet and I was a member of the Municipal Band of San Juan.
Since I was a small kid I liked science and mathematics, which was the main reason that guided me to study Chemical Engineering at the Mayaguez Campus of the University of Puerto Rico. During college I used the knowledge acquired during my previous years of study. I took me five years to become an excellent Engineer and Mathematician. I worked for Johnson Baby Products at Las Piedras validating procedures. I obtained my degree with Cum Laude.
After my studies it was extremely difficult to get a job in the Engineering field. Then, I started to work as a Mathematics professor at a public school. I never thought that this will become my profession thinking that it was boring, repeating the same things every year. But, this first experience helped me to understand that it was a very exciting career after experimenting and interacting with students. At my second year I was awarded by the Teacher’s Association with the Excellency in Teaching after developing a proposal among other peers about the assessment uses at teaching rooms.
Soon after, I started to get the required courses to obtain the High School Mathematics teaching certificate. As each year passed this career became more interesting and challenging.
At my third year I obtained a permanent position at the theater school Escuela de la Comunidad Especializada José Julián Acosta at which I still work. As soon as technology arrived at the school I decided to study college credits required to obtain the Technological Education Certification, after which I was able to teach computers at intermediate and superior levels. Soon after I won two proposals from the Municipality of San Juan geared to the integration of technology at the teaching room. The main purpose of this proposal was to teach students the programmatic creation of marketing materials for the plays performed at the school. It also included the teaching of the use and handling of a personal computer to the parents.
As part of my growth process I finished with high honors a Master’s degree in Secondary Teaching in Mathematics.
As of today I continue working at the same school enjoying every moment and seeing students’ progression, giving my best everyday to make a difference in their lives. After all these years teaching is my true career, sure about it and happy of how life provided me with this great opportunity.
Email:
María del Carmen Ortiz
My name is María Del Carmen Ortiz Rodríguez and I am from Lajas, Puerto Rico. I am a science teacher since May, 1986 when the Interamerican University of San Germán, Puerto Rico gave me my diploma in Science Bachelor and Education in Secondary and Elementary Schools; also I have credits in a master degree in Science teaching. During my firsts years (1987- 1990) of teaching I taught all the sciences in the HEP (High School Equivalency) Program in the Interamerican University in San Germán, Puerto Rico to people that study for the High School diploma. During the 1990-1994 I taught Math and Spanish in the Ricardo Marty Font School in Maguayo, Lajas to students from first grade to sixth grade. In 1994 I taught Social Science in the Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón School in Lajas Arriba, Lajas. In 1995 I taught in the Ramon Olivares School in Olivares, Lajas to a second grade. During 1996 trough 2002, I taught Biology, Physics and Scientific Investigation in the Secondary School named Aurea E. Quiles in Guánica, Puerto Rico. In 2002 to up to now I am working as a Biology and Earth Science teacher teaching from seventh grade to ninth grade students in the Juan Cancio Ortiz de la Renta y Lugo Second Unit School in Palmarejo, Lajas, Puerto Rico.
During this 23 years of teaching science in elementary and secondary schools I took several workshops in different science areas: Earth science, Body systems, Ecosystems, Physics, Investigation … On these last years I participated of a variety of NASA projects like: LWS (Living with our star the Sun), NEW, OSSCEE, URCEP, … Also during the last 5 years I participate in the MSP (Math & Science Partnerships) in the San Germán Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.
Email:
Jacqueline López
Mrs. Jacqueline López works in American Military Academy at Guaynabo, P.R. as a distinguished advisor of research and curriculum at K-12 level. Also is the Coordinator of Science Fair, Science Club Advisor and performs in the editing of proposals on the area of technology. As part of her professional development, Mrs. López has participated on workshops in the National Conference from Science Education NSTA. She developed educational projects online- web quest, and given workshops to teachers for the AMGEN prizes. In 1996 she won Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching given by President Bill Clinton. She chose to participate at the Space Academy in the year 2007, given by NASA. She dreams with this experience, dreams to nurture the hundreds of students that have passed through her classroom and serve as a positive mentor. She says, “If you have a dream, the sky is the limit.”
Email:
Blanca Irizarry Lugo
My name is Blanca Irizarry Lugo. I have a Bachelor of Arts, Concentration in Biology and General Science in Secondary Education from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, conferred on June 1, 1981, obtaining Cum Laude degree. In 2005 I completed a Master in Science Education at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San German Campus with High Honors. Actually I taught Environmental Science and Biology at Leonides Morales Rodriguez High School in Lajas, PuertoRico.
Achievements and professional awards:
In May 2001, together with the partner teacher, Prof. Wanda Cruz Cuadrado, we put the proposal Technologically Impacting the Science Curriculum (ITECEC), filed under Title III Program, Technology Literacy Challenge Fund, which was adopted on September 4, 2001 with a budget of $ 55 413.00. It includes the integration of teaching science and mathematics with computer technology. This proposal was aimed at meeting the needs of our students in order to achieve educational excellence in science and mathematics. The purpose is to promote the use of advanced technology as an innovative approach to our school to try to minimize dropout, developed in the students an appreciation of science and mathematics, see the technology as a complement to present technology as a means of communication and integration of parents to educate their children, among others. In addition, it includes English, through innovative strategies, such as compact discs (Software) in English, bringing lessons, games, quizzes and interactive activities.
I'm Club Science and Materials Engineering (CIM) teacher moderator, sponsored by the Materials Engineering Department, UPR-RUM.
Email:
Kenneth Elkner
Having earned a Masters of Philosophy in Human Exposure Assessment in 1991 and a Masters of Science in 1989 from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Rutgers University in New Jersey, I began my teaching career in the fall of 1991 at Baldwin School in Puerto Rico. Since 1993, I have been teaching Chemistry at Cupeyville School and, since 1998, I have been teaching Physics as well. Also, over the years I have frequently been part of a team teaching approach for the Advanced Biology class. I received a Teaching Certificate from the Department of Education of Puerto Rico in 1996.
My love for learning has resulted in consistent involvement in continuing education opportunities. Some examples of these are my participation in the NASA Summer 2000 Program, where I went to Oklahoma State University and Ames Research facilities in California, the GLOBE Summer 2002 Workshop for teachers at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, and the course, "Techniques of Scientific Investigation", which I took in 1999 at the Metropolitan University in Rio Piedras. Since 2004, I have been participating in the program, "Experiences of Scientific Investigation for High School Teachers", where I am doing research in computational chemistry at the Metropolitan University. I presented the research at a conference on quantum chemistry and am one of the authors of a paper that was published in the International Journal of Quantum Chemistry. Experiences such as these keep me up to date and permit me to better facilitate the education of my students.
I was honored when I was selected as Teacher of the Year at Cupeyville School and was recognized at the Private School Association 2005 Convention. It was a validation for me that what I am doing is making a difference. I was also recognized as a Distinguished Teacher at the EXPO Chem 2006, which was organized by the Department of Chemistry of the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. In addition, I am a strong believer in the importance of education and have participated on Visiting Committees of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in order to help in the certification process.
Email: kelkner@gmail.com