High School Science Teacher

• Mar 2018 - Present

Director Of Education

• Jan 2009 - May 2021

Expert consultant working with clients focusing on multidimensional, place-based learning providing individual and group assessment of curriculum for inclusion of alternative means of instruction to create more engaged learning environments. Selected accomplishments: * Consulted with the District 54 Lego League team on resources and considerations for a wildlife advice app to help citizens decide what to do when they encounter wildlife. * Developed, planned, and marketed and invoiced field studies programs for private clients in Texas and Illinois. * Curriculum designer for clients. * Yearly conference evaluator for the Environmental Education Association of Illinois. * Consistent presenter of dynamic programs at local, state, regional and national conferences focusing on teacher professional development and growth. * Website creation for wildlife issues and solutions (in progress). Show less

Founder

• Jan 2017 - May 2018

The People and Nature Connection is a space to connect people with nature in a variety of ways. ​The website features flora, fauna, experts, artists, recommended children's books, and events related to our natural world. http://www.peoplenatureconnection.net/ As Founder, my selected accomplishments include: - Design and manage website content and scheduling. - Locate sustainable funding for long-term continuation and growth of concept. - Network and recruit monthly featured scientists, artists, and a children’s book reviews. - Promote monthly features on five popular social media platforms. Tumblr, LinkedIn, Instagram: @peoplenatureconnection, Twitter: @peoplenatureco, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peoplenatureconnection/ - Market the website at conferences and public events. - Contribute to monthly blog related current events. - Promote national articles related to a variety of science issues. - Convert expired monthly features to curriculum-ready factsheets for educational use. Show less

Visiting Environmental Educator (Grant Funded)

• Aug 2014 - Aug 2016

Employed expertise to develop and implement educational materials, workshops, and presentations focused on environmental science and initiatives to multiple higher education institutions. Selected accomplishments: - Focused efforts to promote citizen science to underserved/unserved educators and public citizens. - Served as Educator-on-Board for the 2015 R/V Lake Guardian Shipboard Science Workshop. - Conducted an extensive overhaul of curriculum activities; developing new, dynamic web content including The Medicine Chest, Helping Hands, and the Great Lakes Monitoring websites. - Played an integral role in grant writing and implementation. - Presented findings on Great Lakes issues at such conferences as the U of I College of Education New Teacher Collaborative conference. Show less

Visiting Environmental Education Specialist (Grant Funded)

• Nov 2012 - Jul 2014

Fostered and cultivated open and collaborative relationships with administrative and instructional personnel representing a broad range of schools in their curriculum development needs. Expertise focused on introducing sustainability concepts and and environmental education. Selected accomplishments: - Co-created and implemented an advanced engineering special topics class; Environmental and Societal Impacts of Innovation. - Co-planned a week-long PRI Summer Science Camp for high school students (2013 and 2014). - Developed and executed a one-day teacher camp that focused on sustainable technology topics and was NGSS aligned. - Planned and organized a discussion with distinguished stakeholders on the state of electronics recycling in the state of Illinois. - Collaborated on educational activities for Saturday Science and Girls Do Science at the Orpheum Science Museum. - Supported and propelled multiple outreach events to drive community engagement. Show less

Assistant to VP of Operations (Temporary position)

• Apr 2011 - Aug 2012

Provided high caliber administrative and process improvement support to drive corporate success. Selected accomplishments: - Slashed company dependency on paper files by 65% and decreased audit time by 70% in just six months. Provided high caliber administrative and process improvement support to drive corporate success. Selected accomplishments: - Slashed company dependency on paper files by 65% and decreased audit time by 70% in just six months.

Animal Caretaker/Educator (Term Grant Funded)

• Jan 2010 - Nov 2010

Orchestrated all operations associated with the history and operations of IDNFH for 700+ annual visitors from diverse backgrounds and age groups. Selected accomplishments: - Devised and implemented public programming/outreach aligned specifics in the geographic region; ensured efforts were compliant with state and national learning standards. - Recruited, mentored, and managed 4 Youth Conservation Corp staff and 2 volunteers. Orchestrated all operations associated with the history and operations of IDNFH for 700+ annual visitors from diverse backgrounds and age groups. Selected accomplishments: - Devised and implemented public programming/outreach aligned specifics in the geographic region; ensured efforts were compliant with state and national learning standards. - Recruited, mentored, and managed 4 Youth Conservation Corp staff and 2 volunteers.

Graduate Assistant

• Aug 2005 - May 2009

Developed and honed expertise in higher education curriculum development; collaborating with established professors in the development and delivery of curriculum within the environmental education program. Selected accomplishments: - Developed and conducted an environmental education capstone class for undergraduate students. - Identified a concern and strategically negotiated a change in format for a graduate level class that benefitted the adult nontraditional participants. - Served as liaison for graduate students enrolled in an online hybrid course; focusing efforts on reducing frustration with new online system formats. - Functioned as adjunct faculty for the T.E.A.C.H. House on developing innovative methods for incorporating environmental education in existing curriculum. Show less

High School Science Teacher

• Sep 1998 - Jun 2006

Created, planned, developed, and taught basic and advanced level biology curriculum including but not limited to original, standards based compliant curriculum for as many as 150 students in basic and advanced biology (Get Kids Outside campaign) and intermediate physical science classes (Science is Everywhere) that challenged the basic learning modules. Selected accomplishments: - Authored, developed, and implemented original standards-based curriculum (Cultural Biomes), student assessments, and daily lesson plans for 28 English Language Learners (from ten different countries) that created a sense of cultural identity and opportunity for others to learn about their culture. - Participated in the faculty sponsored the environmental education club (20 students) that raised $700 for two of local causes. - Managed a moderate budget ($500-$2000) for needs in classroom and environmental education club. - Mentored 5 new science teachers on technology programs including new online grading system. - Selected to served as faculty coach for up to ten special needs students in 3 different science classes. Show less

Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist

• May 1991 - Aug 1995

Managed compliance including, but not limited to monthly/yearly reports for permits from state/federal agencies. - Fundraised for non-profit support ($3,000 - $9,000/yr) of center’s needs not covered by county funds. - Collaborated on community education outreach efforts in the local schools that included conservation and stewardship. - Recruited, supervised, monitored, mentored, and evaluated performance of up to 10 daily volunteers with care and food management of 350+ injured and orphaned wild patients. - Served as public educator on wildlife management and emergency situations. - Worked on committee for strategic planning of the center and its yearly needs. Show less

Animal Control/Administrative Service Officer

• Aug 1988 - Apr 1992

Served as community educator and liaison for village codes on domestic animal care and managed the process and response for nuisance wildlife calls through education and occasional removal of wild animals when conditions required. - Advised and cooperated with village officials on wildlife and other community issues. - Responsible for maintenance and results data for three state grant based programs that included observation, qualitative data collection, analysis of and reporting results. - Enforced compliance on various village ordinances first through education, then through fines when compliance was not met effectively. Show less

Animal Keeper Volunteer Intern (500+ hours)

• May 1988 - Aug 1988

I took care of over 1000 injured and orphaned wildlife brought into the center during the summer months and educated the public on wildlife issues. I took care of over 1000 injured and orphaned wildlife brought into the center during the summer months and educated the public on wildlife issues.