Special Projects, Responsibilities, and Achievements

Special Projects

Darwin's Workshop
I have created a vehicle to teach short, high interest courses, such as Forensic Science, Art and Science, The Senses, Catapults, Cartography, Mink dissection and Pond Life. These short courses are designed to supplement K-12 twelve science programs. Many of them are cross curricular and all address the state standards for that age group. I also do individual and small group tutoring in science and reading for understanding.

Laguna de Santa Rosa
I volunteer as a docent at the Laguna’s educational arm; Learning Laguna. I also work with other Laguna personnel on the Education and Curriculum committees.

Berkeley High School Science Department Chair
This was an administrative position, Duties included: Supervising 15 teachers, teacher evaluations, parent and teacher advocate and mediator, ordering and maintenance of supplies and equipment, chemical safety coordination, membership in school site counsel and leadership team, scheduling and coordinating class schedules with other departments, etc. The position was elective and I was unanimously chosen by my colleagues my second year. The administrative position of department chair was eliminated in 2003.

Some other projects included an innovative way for a group of teachers or students to evaluate work by uploading that work to a central computer and allowing individuals to comment on an critique work anonymously. Evaluations are then compiled and assessed as a group.

Health Careers Integrative program

Coordination of Biology curriculum

Florence Crittenton / Ida B. Wells Project
I worked with Florence Crittenton Services under the auspices of a United Way grant on a project designed to reduce at risk behavior in adolescents. Florence Crittenton Services primary focus is pregnant teens. We have designed an integrated curriculum including English, Science and Social Science for two pilot groups of students. Curriculum topics include resume writing, job interviewing, health education and pregnancy prevention. We are also developing a parent support group.

Ida B. Wells Traveling Science Show
For the past three years my students have gone into the elementary schools to teach a science lesson.

Brotherhood Way Conservation Biology Project
The hillside in back of Brandeis Hillel School contained some rare indigenous species of plants. With the help of San Francisco State University, we piloted a working conservation biology class that included removal from the hillside of invasive plants as well as community education

Awards

Educational Grants Obtained

Berkeley Development Group
2001-Professional Development for Science Department
2000-Step up to the Plate (tectonic plate art project)

San Francisco Education Fund
1992 - Plug Into Science- $1000 (electrical repair)
1995 - Ida B. Wells Traveling Science Show $1000
1996 - Ida B. Wells Traveling Science Show  $1000

American Cancer Society
1993 - Health Careers  $250

Volunteer experience
1994 - I volunteered for a year at the Zen Center Hospice Project. One day a week I worked in the Hospice, doing dishes, washing sheets, cooking, , talking to patients, and sitting with dying patients. I enjoyed the experience and learned a great deal.