I value my job as
a physics teacher tremendously. My teaching certification in physics
& math provides me with a career that offers me much fulfillment! I
also paint (watercolors), read, garden, write poetry, play piano and
exercise. Before children, I was an avid backpacker hiking the Appalachian
Trail. Lyme's disease led to joint problems and I struggle with this
at times. I adore the outdoors ... especially bluebirds and hummingbirds,
flowers, butterflies, and gardening! I am quite an ice hockey fan
and I cheer loudly for the Carolina Hurricanes--THE
STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS--2006 and playoff semi-finalists, 2009!
I taught the INTEL
CAMP of ENGINEERING at The Science House at NCSU for
3 summers and was part of the satff and advisory board for over 10 years
at The Science House.
For the
2009/2010 school year, I teach 3 AP Physics classes and 1 Honors class
at Raleigh Charter High School and I am very pleased to be a part of
this innovative, progressive and supportive educational environment.
I have the unique opportunity at a wonderful school to exercise the
freedom to teach, reflect and think without repercussions. I
was also honored to be the Teacher in Residence in Physics (TIR) at
UNC, Chapel Hill for 2008/2009. I taught physics 410 and worked with
various programs in the physics department.
I completed my student
teaching at Enloe High School when I was 22 (see picture below!) and
other than one year of teaching physics at Junction City High School
in Kansas (Fort Riley), I was at Enloe High School for most of my teaching
career -- 39 of 43 years. This is my third year at Raleigh Charter High
School and I really love this school.
I am extremely proud
that I am a National Board Certified Physics Teacher and was
Enloe Science Department Chair for over 10 years and also the math
chair for 6 years. I am a retired member of the Burroughs
Wellcome Education Foundation
Grant Advisory Board, and a Presidential
Teaching Excellence Recipient, a GTE
GIFT Fellow, an SRI Fellow at UNC, A
Sigma XI Outstanding Science Teacher and a Radio Shack "Champions
of the Classroom Award" national award recipient. I am also an
invited member of the Teacher
Leaders Network. I am past-president of the Gamma Lambda Chapter
of Alpha Delta Kappa Honor Education Sorority. Years ago I won THE
FIRST Walter B. Connelly Award for Outstanding
Physics Teacher in North Carolina Award given to any physics
teacher.
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I thrive while teaching
teenagers, physics, lab technique and technology -- in that order!
Labs validate the experience of physics!
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I value those who ask
questions, try even under adverse circumstances, and who risk failure
to learn and enjoy new, challenging ideas.
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I dislike prejudice,
closed minds, elitism, snobbery, and especially authoritarian leadership!
I am direct,
very honest, upfront and champion those who are unable to
stand up for themselves. When I was in second grade, my
teacher noticed my problem with reversing letters, numbers, words
and images, reading and requested special help for my disability.
From then on, I wanted to become a teacher to help others as she helped
me. Dyslexia taught me the necessity of hard work and compassion
for ALL who strive to learn and the value of always being fair in
the treatment of others.
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My family is extremely
important to me! I have 2 children and I taught them both in APB and
APC Physics in high school. My son entered Vet School at NCSU after
3 years as a biochemistry major at NCSU. He is now a DVM completing
his Ph.D.
in cell biology at The National Institute of Health in Maryland.
My daughter is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of NCSU and is a community
specialist at Kid's Peace here in Raleigh. I so enjoyed teaching
both my children APB and APC physics. See my daughter's "Einstein
hot-air Balloon" on the "Physics of Hot-Air Balloons" page 2.
My husband of 42 years is a retired teacher, golfer and Blue Grass
musician.
On August 8, 2001, I
spoke before a Congressional Hearing in Washington, DC about the process
of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. It was an exhilarating
experience!
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