Employment:
-
Lead Consultant for All Species Consulting
Biology faculty & Co-Director of the Animal Nutrition Lab at St Xavier University
Science Content Multimedia Developer, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Develops curricula and teaches staff development and graduate courses in the Education Department at Brookfield Zoo
Aids in research/service work in the Wildlife Genetics Lab
Acts as consultant to zoos and private institutions in the nutrition, breeding, and propagation of avian species as well as curriculum development
Education:
-
Doctoral degree in education leadership from Concordia University
-
Master's degree in biology (specialization in zoo & aquarium science) from Western Illinois University
-
Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Saint Xavier University
-
Bachelor's degree in Biology from Saint Xavier University
-
Earned Diploma in Nutrition
-
Holds a Graduate Certificate in Zoo & Aquarium Science
-
Holds a Type 75 Educational Administration certificate
-
Certified Aviculturist, Level II
-
Certified Avian Specialist
-
Completed basic training in Multiple Intelligences Theory
-
Completed basic training in Choice Theory/Reality Therapy
Awards:
-
2020 NSTA Distinguished Teaching Award
-
2016 Golden Apple Awardee [Youtube video]
-
2016 Genetics Education Award nominee
-
2014 IDSA Education Leadership Award
-
2014 Value in Action Award, Associaton of Presidential Awardees in Science Teaching
-
2013 Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction awardee
-
2013 Golden Apple finalist
-
2011-12 VFW Teacher of the Year
-
2011 Toyota Tapestry Grant awardee
-
2011 Shell Science Lab Challenge regional winner and national finalist
-
WGN TV October 2010 Teacher of the Month
-
Lyons Township Vita Plena Award, October 2010
-
2010 American Association for the Advancement of Science - Science Teacher of the Year
-
2010 Saint Xavier University Distinguished Alumnus award
-
2010 Illinois Association of Biology Teachers Outstanding Biology Teacher Award winner
-
2010 Illinois Science Teachers Association Outstanding Teacher of Science Award winner
-
2010 Golden Apple nominee
-
2009 National Association of Biology Teachers Award for Encouraging Equity winner
-
2009 National Association of Biology Teachers Award for Ecology & Environmental Science Teaching winner
-
2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching State winner
-
2009 National Science Teachers Association "Making a Difference" Award winner
-
2007 Who's Who Among America's Teachers
-
2007 Golden Apple nominee
-
2003 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner
-
2003 Innovative Educator Award winner
-
2002 Haisman Teacher of the Year Finalist
-
Showcased in Technology & Learning Magazine, 2001
Activities:
-
NGSS Biology Storyline Working Group Leader, District Science Collaborative
-
Science Education Consultant
-
President, lllinois Science Teachers Association
-
Co-Director, ISTA Science Teacher Mentoring Program
-
President, Illinois Association of Biology Teachers
-
Illinois Director (6-12), Presidential Awards State Selection Committee
-
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Curriculum Designer, Teacher Ambassador, & Conference Presenter
-
Alum member of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society (Omega Delta Chapter)
-
Alum member of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honors Society
-
Sponsor of LTHS Zoology Club
-
Member of the LT Science Articulation Committee
-
Mentor teacher
-
President, The Avicultural Society of Chicagoland
-
Professional breeder of hookbilled and softbilled birds
-
First Vice-President, American Federation of Aviculture
-
Regional Vice-President, National Finch and Softbill Society
-
Board Member, Exotic Animal Foundation
-
Teacher Consultant & Conference Presenter, Biozone Publishing
-
Textbook Review, E.O. Wilson Foundation
-
Region 7 Director and Webmaster, Association of Presidential Awardees in Science Teaching (apast.org)
-
Curriculum writer, ISBE NGSS Model Curriculum Initiative
-
Member, College Board National Science Advisory Panel
-
Chair, College Board Science Development Committee
Portfolio:
-
Courses designed and implemented for the Department of Biological Sciences - Saint Xavier University: BIOL101 - Principles & Methods in Biology, BIOL250 - Zoo Biology: Animal Nutrition, Behavior & Diagnostics, BIOL351 – Lab & Field Research I. Guest Lecturer in BIOL300 - Genetics and BIOL220 - Vertebrate Zoology, Biology 250 - Animal Nutrition.
-
Courses designed and implemented for the School of Education - Saint Xavier University: EDU372 - Methods of Teaching Biology in the Middle & Secondary School, EDGSE404 – Field Experience in Teaching at the Secondary School, EDGSE444 – Directed Teaching at the Middle & Secondary School.
-
Courses/programs designed and implemented for the Math-Science Division - Lyons Township High School: Accelerated Biology, Preparatory Biology, Co-curricular Zoology.
-
Courses/programs designed and implemented for the Chicago Zoological Society (graduate credit): Ornithology, Evolution, Animal Coloration, Zoo Genetics: Key Aspects of Conservation Biology, Biodiversity Hotspots, To Save a Species: Species Survival Plans, TAG: Taxonomy, Adaptations & Genetics, Ocean Biology, Animal Movements: Navigation, Migration & Orientation, NGSS Implementation & Design, NGSS Storylining, NGSS 3-Dimensional Assessment.
-
Published works for HHMI Biointeractive:
-
Lectures at the National Science Teachers Conference: Zoo Genetics, NGSS Storylining, Harry Potter Biology, NGSS Assessment, Topics in Evolution.
-
Lectures at the National Association of Biology Teachers Conference: Zoo Genetics, NGSS Storylining, Harry Potter Biology, NGSS Assessment.
-
Lectures at various avicultural events: The Incorporation of Tea in Avian Husbandry Practices, the Avian Biology Classroom series, The Keeping of Softbilled Birds, Zoo Genetics, Using DNA for Species Identification, How Mutations Get from One Generation to the Next, Zoo-trition: The Importance of Raw Whole Foods, Avian Genetics 101.
-
Columnist: “The Science of Nutrition,” Bird Talk Magazine
-
Published: “The Importance of Raw Whole Foods,” Parrots magazine, August, 2017
-
Published: “Vollwertkost fur Papageien,” (Whole Foods for Parrots) WP-Magazin, March, 2016
-
Published: “Der Gebrauch von Tee in der Vogelhaltung,” (The Use of Tea in the Aviary) WP-Magazin, March, 2015
-
Published: “AFA’s IDEA Program,” The Watchbird: Journal of the American Federation of Aviculture, Vol. XLII, No. 2, 2015
-
Published: “The Avian Biology Classroom (ABC): A new educational effort for aviculture,” Vol. XLII, No. 2, 2015
-
Published: “The Importance of Raw, Whole Foods,” In Your Flock Magazine, April/May, 2014
-
Published: “Introduce Tea to Your Flock,” In Your Flock Magazine, September, 2013
-
Published: “The Many Uses and Benefits of Blended Teas in Aviculture,” The Watchbird: Journal of the American Federation of Aviculture, Vol. XXXIX, No. 2/3, 2012
-
Published: "Tea Time," Bird Talk Magazine March, 2011
-
Published: “Tea Time: The many benefits of teas,” NFSS Journal, March/April, 2010
-
Published: “White-backed Mousebirds,” NFSS Journal, November/December, 2009
-
Featured aviculturist in the July, 2008 issue of Bird Talk magazine
-
Published: "Green Aracaris in Aviculture," Journal of the American Federation of Aviculture, Vol. XXXIV, No. 4, 2007
-
Published: "Lineolated Parakeets," Parrots magazine October, 2007
-
Published: "Zoo Genetics: Key aspects of conservation biology," July, 2007
-
Published: "Activities in Environmental Science" laboratory manual (co-author)
-
Published: "The Aviarium: Constructing a year-round avian habitat," NFSS Journal, August/September, 2005
-
Published: "Illinois HB0707: Local groups work together to defeat proposed legislation" The Watchbird: Volume XXXI Number 4 August, 2005
-
Published: "Avian Education: The need for softbill exposure" NFSS Journal, March/April, 2004
