Tater's STEM

TEACHING EXPERIENCE & INTERNSHIPS 8/07 - Present Stone Memorial High School Crossville, TN Technology Engineering Instructor Subjects taught SolidWorks CSWA Certification, Rapid Prototyping, Engineering Design 8/04-8/07 Frank P. Brown Elementary School, Crossville, TN Science Teacher Teaching 7th and 8th grade science classes. 8/02-5/04 South Pittsburg High School, Marion County School District, South Pittsburg, TN: Technology Education Instructor 9/01-6/02 Cascade Middle School, Highline School District, Seattle, WA: Science Teacher Taught four seventh grade general science classes and one honors science class. 7/01-8/01 New Start, King County Work Training, Seattle, WA, Environmental Project Leader In charge of designing an environmental project for students that are at-risk of not succeeding in school. Students were between the ages of 14-17. The project was run with the assistance of the King County Parks Department. This project was a work-study in which students were paid minimum wage and received a .5 credit in biology. 9/00-6/01 Cascade Middle School, Highline School District, Seattle, WA, Science Teacher Taught four seventh grade and one eighth grade general science class. 1/00-6/00 Hidden River Middle School, Monroe School District, Monroe, WA: Student Teacher Taught three science periods, one math period, and one study hall period to Seventh graders. 10/99-12/99 Cedar Way Elementary, Edmonds School District, Edmonds, WA: Internship 8/99-10/99 Greenwood Elementary, Seattle School District, Internship Assigned to observe a first grade class WORK HISTORY 1997-1999 Laboratory Technician, Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), Lynnwood, WA. 1993-1997 Marine Biologist, NWO Inc., Seattle, WA Placed aboard various commercial fishing vessels in Alaska. 1992-1993 Keeper of Reptiles, The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Nashville, TN. In charge of the care and well-being of large snakes and lizards. 1991-1992 Volunteer Lecturer, Byars-Dowdy Elementary, Lebanon, TN. Brought live reptiles to 5th grade classrooms and gave a demonstration and lecture on reptiles.

Educational Philosophies The predicament of humankind is quite strange. Albert Einstein once wrote, "Our situation on this earth seems strange. Every one of us appears here, involuntarily and uninvited, for a short stay, without knowing the why and the wherefore." My style of teaching helps young adults to investigate the why and the wherefore. I do this by addressing multiple intelligences, giving students real-life, hands-on problems, and by creating an atmosphere that promotes learning and production of quality work. I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs information presented to them in a variety of ways. Every lesson I present is done so using a variety of methods. . My goal as an educator is to prepare young adults for future challenges. I give students problems that relate to the real world. I am always trying to explain why they will need to know these things. For me, teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. One of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of learning in my students, as I share my own passion for learning with them. In our competitive society it is important for students to not only receive a solid education, but to work with someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual needs. I am such a person and will always strive to be the best educator that I can be.

Eagle Scout 1987 Teachers In Space Workshops 2006 Chess Coach of the Year

EDUCATION 1999-2000 Masters in Teaching, City University, Renton, WA. 1988-1993 Bachelor of Science Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN.

Math Science Engineering Partnership - Tennessee Tech Univ. Designing a Future - TTU STEM Dept. Teachers In Space - Unpowered Flight and Space Medicine Workshops