TIR Handbook - Mini-Biographies: 04-05

Teacher in Residence – Handbook

Mini-Biographies for the TIR's. Their stories in their own words!

2004-05 TIR's

Phil Gilbert

I graduated from Miami University in 1970 with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering and entered the US Air Force that year. (Vietnam era) I became a jet fighter pilot and enjoyed flying so much I stayed for twenty years!

I retired from the Air Force in 1990 and pursued a teaching certificate. Fortunately, I was hired immediately after my student teaching by Tucson High Magnet School as a Physics/Math teacher. I was accepted into the Physics Modeling program at Arizona State University and finally learned how to teach! I met Ingrid Novodvorsky there and together we conducted two Modeling workshops here at the University of Arizona. It was through Ingrid that I learned of PhysTEC and applied for the position of TIR.

Steve Iona

I have been a high school science and mathematics teacher for about 30 years and recently retired from the school district. I enjoyed my time with the students and played many other roles in the school and district including serving as the building technology coordinator, building budget chiar, department chair, school improvement leader, assessment coordinator, district data analyst, and district outdoor education coordinator.

In addition to serving as the Teacher in Residence at the University of Colorado, I work with the STEM-Colorado Teacher Preparation program. I also am an adjunct professor teaching physics at the University of Denver.

My PhD in science education looked at cognitive associations students use in solving physics problems. I have continued my interest in physics education research with action research projects in my classes.

I received the Radio Shack award in 2001 and the Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2002.

My activities as a TiR will focus on establishing a Teacher Advisory Group for the PhysTEC Program and co-teaching a class for undergraduate Learning Assistants to help prepare them for their teaching assignments and responsibilities.

Donna Owen

As a positive professional educator my focus is on lasting learnings, empowering individuals by celebrating collective efforts in understanding, and impacting learners' lives so they are willing and able to become responsible, contributing members of society. Learning requires students, elementary through preservice teachers, to engage in a continuous process of accessing their prior world knowledge, elaborating and expanding this knowledge, and organizing and restructuring it into systematic frameworks. This is accomplished through providing powerful, meaningful and relevant curriculum where rapport and parameters are established and participation is nurtured.

My philosophy of teaching developed from 24 years of teaching in grades 2-6. During those years I received a Master's degree in elementary education and began pursuing a specialist degree in reading, and curriculum and instruction. My passion for teaching elementary students is not to be outdone by my passion for teaching preservice/in-service teachers. Therefore I've been honored to represent AIMS (Activities Integrating Math and Science) as a 15-year instructor traveling throughout the U.S. presenting hands-on, inquiry based science. My teaching philosophy has included integration of math and science within all subject areas. The integration continued when I team-presented a K-4 Integration Crusade in Arkansas for seven years. In the year 2000, I became a National Board Certified Teacher. Now my love for science and teaching continues, as a TIR within the University of Arkansas' PhysTEC program.

Jeffrey Sayers

Since 1970 I have taught physics, physical science, and math in Indiana in the Clay Community School Corporation, first at Brazil High School until 1985 and then Northview High School from 1985-present. NHS is a consolidation of Brazil and two smaller schools. In 1992 I started the Advanced Placement program in CCSC. Since then my teaching assignment has consisted of Physics 1, AP Physics B (and C on occasion), AP Calculus AB, and Algebra 2.

During my teaching career I have been active in science education, participating in many professional development programs at the state and national level. I have given presentations and workshops at the local level, and at state and national science conferences. Special recognition includes Indiana High School Physics Teacher of the Year in 1997 and Radio Shack National Teacher Award in 2003

In recent years I have been especially interested in the applications of technology in science education and how modern technology allows students and teachers to participate in real scientific research. For several years my students and I have participated in the Princeton Earth Physics Project (seismology) and in Teacher Leaders in Research Based Science Education (astronomy).

My educational background includes Ball State University (BS in Physics), Indiana University (MA in Astronomy & MS in Secondary Education) and Teachers College, Columbia University (MA in Computing & Education).

My wife and I live in Bloomington, IN and have five grown children and two grandchildren. During the year as TIR at Ball State I will be living in an apartment in Muncie, IN.

William Semrau

Bill’s passion for teaching began back in elementary school where he helped teach reading to the students in younger grades. As he worked with local Boy Scout troops this career choice was further confirmed through the joy of sharing information with others and the satisfaction of helping them gain skills and knowledge.

As an undergrad student at Western Michigan University he researched ways to improve science education by teaching concepts through applications. His honor’s thesis paper is titled "A High School Physics Program Stressing Application to Concept Instead of the Traditional Concept to Application Approach."

After a one-year stay in a local high school, he was offered a position to develop and implement an applied science program in a number of vocational training classes at the Van Buren Intermediate School District’s Technology Center in Lawrence, MI.

For the past decade he has identified Physics concepts that are used in 15 different career fields ranging from Manufacturing, CADD-CAM, and Construction to Automotive, Visual Imaging, and Law Enforcement.

His experience has shown that students from a diverse range of abilities are able to solve very complicated multi-step problems when the concepts are delivered in an application-based setting that is relevant to the students.

Much of his Masters Degree in Science Education was earned working with area teachers and professors looking at ways to improve science education through building stronger conceptual understanding for students. Some of this work was helping pilot and evaluate San Diego State University’s “Constructing Physics Understanding (CPU)”project.

Bill joined the PhysTEC project immediately as an advisory member and is very enthusiastic to have been selected to serve as Western Michigan University’s Teacher In Resident for this upcoming year. He looks forward to bringing in many examples of physics concepts from the industrial/career settings better prepare those entering both into the engineering field and teaching profession.

Nancy Stauch

I began teaching in 1984. Although a biological science graduate from Cal Poly State University, my teaching career for the past 20 years has found me in physical science! I have spent the majority of my time at the 8^th grade level and absolutely love it! The energy of the junior high student is a sight to behold, one that I find refreshing and fun! Each year I hope my students leave me with a love of science and the confidence that they can be successful in their future academic and social situations. (I teach a sex ed course at the end of every year!)

I was fortunate to have wonderful master teachers, so it was an easy decision to want to be involved in teacher education. I have had over fifteen student teachers and with each I have grown as an educator. It is so easy for the classroom teacher to become isolated from the rest of the “world”. Working with Cal Poly and the student teaching program keeps me excited about my profession, abreast with what is happening at the university level. When Chance Hoellwarth contacted me about the Teacher in Residence program I jumped at the opportunity to be involved in teacher education at the college level. Although I am hearing from my school that I am missed, a good thing I suppose, I am looking forward to this awesome opportunity!

Lisa Tirocchi

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Maryland a community located about 30 minutes north of Baltimore. I attended public school for my K-12 education. I graduated from Dulaney High School in 1996. In May of 2000, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mount Saint Mary’s College. Currently, I am working towards a Masters in Reading at Towson University.

I have been teaching fourth grade at Johnnycake Elementary in Baltimore. During my four years at Johnnycake I have always taught fourth graders. My first three years I was a reading and science teacher. This past year we decided to self contain our classrooms and I became a teacher of all subjects. The past two years at Johnnycake I have learned a lot about Baltimore County’s Science Program by being the science leader for my school. As a science leader I was able to pilot the new fourth grade science curriculum and plan our school’s first annual science fair.

Personally, the past year has been very exciting for me. In January, I became engaged. My fiancé, John, is a Navy Sea Bee and is currently stationed in Iraq. I am looking forward to his return sometime during the first few weeks in August. John and I have set our wedding date for April 2, 2005.

Samuel Washington

Hello, my name is Samuel Washington and I’m very pleased and honored to have been selected as Xavier University’s TIR for the 2004-2005 school year. I’m a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, happily married with two sons.

I was educated in the parochial school system of Orleans Parish and graduated from St. Augustine High School. After graduation I attended the University of New Orleans and earned a degree in Geology while I interned as a student geologist at the United States Geological Survey. Following that I began a career as a Petroleum Geologist developing oil and gas prospects for Gulf Oil Company and later Chevron Oil Company. After several years in the oil field I decided to become a teacher in Orleans Parish Public School System in 1987. Over the years I’ve taught a variety of science courses including geology, physical science and life science in both middle and high schools. My most recent assignment was to L.B. Landry Middle School in Orleans Parish where I served as Science department chairperson and administrator. I’m also a member of the Louisiana Science Teacher’s Association.

I’ve always had a passion for education, science in particular, which was, instilled in me by my parents especially my father who served the same system that I now serve as a teacher and administrator for over 30 years. It is my hope to instill that same passion that I have for science education in others. I ‘m anxiously looking forward to the challenges and experiences of working with the faculty and especially the students at Xavier University and I also look forward to sharing those experiences with my colleagues and students on my return to the public schools. I thank Xavier and the PhysTEC program for this opportunity.