Educator "Up Close"

Patricia Chambers Stephen Decatur Middle School

Degree: Received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Salisbury State University, Salisbury, Maryland

Experience: Has been teaching for 14 years - this will be her third year at Stephen Decatur Middle School.

Subject: 7th grade science (prefers 8th grade).

"Most Memorable" Teaching Experience: A While helping two students with a difficult laboratory exercise I went to sit down on a chair that was not there. I landed right on my butt and looked around the class to see shocked expressions on the faces of all my students.

Favorite Class Trips: While helping two students with a difficult laboratory exercise I went to sit down on a chair that was not there. I landed right on my butt and looked around the class to see shocked expressions on the faces of all my students.

Awards and Grants: Received half of a $10,000 grant for two years to conduct research in conjuction with Dr. Laura Murray at Horn Point Laboratory.

Teaching Techniques: First and foremost I let all students know that I care about them. I use a great deal of hands-on activities and try to make science as close to real-life as I can.

Future Plans: I would like to help develop curriculum for grades K-12 in Environmental Science. I want to include an emphasis on the Coastal Bays, since we live within the Coastal Bay Watershed.

Educator "Up Close"

Ann Williams Northern Middle School

Degree: BS in Science & Math Education from Kennesa College, Georgia. MEd in Supervision and Administration from Emory University, Georgia.

Experience: 5 years teaching middle school in Atlanta, Georgia and 10 years in Calvert County, Maryland.

Subject: 8th grade - Physical Science.

"Most Memorable" Teaching Experience: two week summer camp experience for 4-6 graders - dissection camp - dissected different sea animals every day.

Favorite Class Trips: For self: as an undergraduate, dug tube worms at low tide in the Savannah River and collected different types of jellyfish for observation. For students: day long trip to explore the beaches of Calvert County and look for fossils in the cliffs along the Chesapeake Bay side of the County.

Awards and Grants: 1999 - MD Educators Summer Research Participant; '98 - Teacher Liason for CBL and Calvert County Schools; '97 - UM Graduate Fellow; '96 - Lockheed Martin Graduate Fellow; '95 - Martin Marietta Graduate Fellow; '94 - Calvert County's Science Teacher of the Year.

Teaching Techniques: Open ended lab set-ups so students find their own solutions. Make students aware of research opportunities in Calvert County.

Future Plans: Continue to find summer research opportunities for myself and other teachers. Encourage other teachers to become involved in research.

Educator "Up Close Candidates

Do you know someone that would be a good candidate for the "Up Close" column? If so, send us some information and we would be glad to look it over. Thanks.

http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/Extension/msgsnn/msgsnn02_1/educator.html