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CSTA Board Member Biographies

 

Candidates standing for elections for the 2010 year are starred (*)

 

 

Laurel Kohl-- Immediate Past President--(2008-2010)

is the Education Specialist at the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University where she administers www.ctenergyeducation.com, a program for CT high school teachers. She holds an AS in nursing, a BGS in Environmental Earth Science and a MAT in teaching.

 

 

works for Suffield Public Schools as a Science Coach. Rachael most recently worked for CREC and NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. At NASA, she partnered with scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to bring the latest in science and technology to educators and students across the nation.

 

is retired after 23 years at Southington High School where she taught chemistry and physics. She was a member of the American Chemical Society's ACS HS TEST committee for 6 years. She has presented numberous workshops on chemical demonstrations and improving teaching at CSTA, ChemEd, BiennialConference on Chem Ed, PIMMS, etc. She enjoys knitting, gardening, and hiking in her spare time.

 

Pat DeCoster has a wide range of experience in K-12 and college science education. With a B.A. and M.A. in biochemistry from Occidental College Pat worked in research before entering her career in education. Her curricular experience includes having been a district elementary/middle school science curriculum coordinator in Trumbull Public Schools, a curricular consultant for the Solano Department of Education in California as well as a high school science department chair. With over 20 years of classroom experience in both urban and suburban settings, Pat knows what works with students and enjoys working with classroom teachers. In addition to presenting at state and national conferences she has worked extensively with the CT Academy CASAP assessment and the Tri-State Consortium on assessment of science K-12 programs. Ms. DeCoster has published several articles in the CSTA Science Journal and the NSTA The Science Teacher.

 

David has previously worked in the New Britain Public Schools as an 8th grade and 9th grade science teacher where he was Roosevelt Middle School Teacher of the Year and UCONN Middle Schools Science Teacher of the Year.  In addition he was co-department head for science in New Britain High School.  Most recently Dave was employed in Middletown as the K-12 Science Supervisor.  In November of 2008 he landed a position in Region #10, Burlington-Harwinton as the science coordinator.  Dave has been involved in numerous science programs in the state.  Before entering education, Dave worked with computerized machine tools, bar code equipment and computer inventory control programs in the aviation industry.  He is a commercially rated pilot and enjoys to travel and be outdoors.  Don't we all!

 

 

 

is also the co-editor of the CSTA Journal. A former president of CSTA (1980-84, 1992, 1995-97) he has served on CSTA conference and other committees. He is a Fellow of the Connecticut Academy for Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, and a CSEAF awardee.

 

 

 

Robert Borella

is a former classroom teacher and administrator. He is currently the Associate Director for Science at PIMMS (the Project to Increase Mastery in Mathematics and Science) based at Wesleyan University. He has been an active workshop presenter throughout the state for nearly three decades.

 

 

Jo-Ann McCann
Jo-Ann has been employed in the Stratford Public Schools for 21 years. She formerly taught at Eli Whitney School in 4^th grade. She presently serves as Lead Science Teacher for grades K-6. Her present assignment includes writing science curriculum aligned to the state frameworks as well as modeling lessons for the teachers. She supports the teachers as well, by choosing the science and literacy materials that will help them to be successful in the classroom. She is the educator liaison for the MSP Science Grant with Ansonia and Milford Public Schools. In 2005, she was given the Human Relations Award by her colleagues in Stratford. She was honored in 2007 with the Environmental Educator Award by the CT Outdoor Environmental Education Assoc.

As a middle school science teacher at Scofield Magnet Middle School in Stamford, Connecticut, I am passionate about science education. Recently I have participated in research on the effects of climate change on trees in Churchill, Manitoba and earthquakes in South Central Alaska. I have examined sediment cores extracted from deep under the ocean and have flown on a zero gravity flight. I believe that all students should be encouraged to step outside their personal comfort zones and strive to try new opportunities. I believe that the Connecticut Science Teachers Association gives teachers opportunities to grow professionally and share ideas that work in the classroom.

 

Mimi Herald is currently an environmental science educator at Scotts Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield, CT. She holds a BS in Biological science from SCSU, and MS in Educational Technology from WCSU.  A strong advocate fortechnology integration, she has been a STAR Discovery Educator since 2007, AAAS -Project 2061 participant, and has served on  the CSTA Conference Program committee.

is a science teacher in West Haven. She has been teaching for 17 years. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of New Haven where she teaches science methods classes and multicultural anti-bias classes. She is a BEST seminar facilitator and scorer for the State of Connecticut and is a Fellow of the CT Academy for Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology.

 

Ray has been teaching physics at Cheshire Academy since 2003 and is currently in his 4^th year as the Science Department Chair. He also serves as the President of the Connecticut Valley Independent School Science Teacher Association (CVISSTA). Prior to coming to Cheshire Academy Ray spent twenty six years designing diagnostic and surgical medical equipment for several major medical equipment providers. In his spare time he enjoys his hobbies of restoring antique watches and amateur astronomy.

 

teaches at Torrington High School.

 

David has previously worked in the New Britain Public Schools as an 8th grade and 9th grade science teacher where he was Roosevelt Middle School Teacher of the Year and UCONN Middle Schools Science Teacher of the Year.  In addition he was co-department head for science in New Britain High School.  Most recently Dave was employed in Middletown as the K-12 Science Supervisor.  In November of 2008 he landed a position in Region #10, Burlington-Harwinton as the science coordinator.  Dave has been involved in numerous science programs in the state.  Before entering education, Dave worked with computerized machine tools, bar code equipment and computer inventory control programs in the aviation industry.  He is a commercially rated pilot and enjoys to travel and be outdoors.  Don't we all!

 

 

Dr. Contant is the Science Curriculum and Instructon Specialist at LEARN. During her 30+ years as a science educator, she has worked in elementary, middle schools, preservice education, inservice, and informal settings to excite people about doing and knowing about science. She often says, " I don't know, let's find out!" or "That would be a good science project!"

 

Lynn Hancock has been a fourth/fifth grade teacher at the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London for 15 years where she also serves as the Science Committee chair. She helped to write curriculum for the Connecticut Science Center and has provided professional development opportunities in Inquiry, notebooking, and The Selborne Project, a study of the square kilometer of land around the school. She also successfully participated in the three year Math and Science Partnership program to become an Instructional Coach. Her interests in butterflies, beekeeping, orchid growing, and gardening provide numerous learning opportunities for her elementary students as well as her colleagues.

Professor of Science Education emeritis, Eastern Connecticut State University and Project Oceanology.

 

moved to Willington, Connecticut from Greenville, South Carolina eight years ago. Originally from New Jersey, I have lived and taught in Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina and now Connecticut. I earned a BA in Biology from Boston University in 1983; after which I joined the Peace Corps. I was in the freshwater fisheries program in Ecuador, South America from 1983 until 1985. Upong my return to the United States, I enrolled in the MAT program at Wayne State University in Michigan specializing in elementary science education. I received my MAT degree in 1992

I have been teaching seventh grade science at Hall Memorial School in Willington, CT, since 2002. I am presently the 7^th grade team leader and a student council advisor. While at Hall, I have been the science fair coordinator and six years ago initiated our first ever entry into the Connecticut State Science Fair. I have been an advisor for our middle school science club and afterschool elementary science club. I have also been an advisor for our school's Science Olympiad and Science Bowl teams.

 

 

Donna Schlank
Donna has over 20 years of diverse experiences working with teachers and students, from Pre-K through college. She has been involved in numerous projects and science grants for improving science education. She currently teaches science for Prek-6^th grade students at Vincent E. Mauro School in New Haven. She has a BS, MS and a 6^th year in leadership.

 

(*) Lisa Vaudreuil Standing for Elementary (2010-2012)
Lisa Vaudreuil is a grade 3 teacher at Flanders Elementary School in East Lyme. She has taught for 12 years, with the last 10 being in East Lyme. She holds a BS in Psychology and an MS in Elementary Education. She recently completed a 3 year MSP program with the State of CT and LEARN. She coached all third and fourth grade teachers in East Lyme last August on the three phases of inquiry and is planning to work with grade 3 teachers this summer on matter, using an inquiry based approach.

 

Angela (Angel) B. Tangney
Angel is currently Team Leader teaching 8^th grade science at Thomas Edison Middle School an ACES Science, Math, and Technology (laptop initiative) Magnet School in Meriden CT. She has over 20 years of teaching experience 15 years teaching Chemistry/Physics at H.R. Career H.S in New Haven, and has served as a team mentor for F.I.R.S.T Robotics for 9 years. Angel has worked on the 9-12 curriculum alignment and initiated the summer S.C.H.O.L.A.R. Program at Yale. She has served on the CSTA board as substitute Middle School Director in the absence of Janice Mooney Frank for the 2007-08 term.

 

teaches chemistry. Anita also served as the CSTA secretary and Middlesex County Director.

 

Seat currently vacant

teaches science at AI Prince Tech School

 

Tiffany Haley
Tiffany Haley is currently a 7th grade teacher at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Middletown. This is her second year in Middletown after teaching for 5 years in Los Angeles. She is the Content Seminar Specialist for new science teachers in the Teach For America program. In this role she provides new teacher support and training for the Teach For America science teachers in Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport. She just completed her sixth year at St. Joseph's college specializing in multiple intelligence theory and art integration. She has assisted in her students participating in Project O and Bioblitz. During the summer she enjoys participating in Earthwatch research projects. She has received three grants for helping with research on sea otters in Alaska, herbivores in South Africa, and Hawksbill turtles in Australia.

 

is a past president of CSTA, and served as the coordinator of the NSTA Hartford Regional Conference in 2005 and will chair the 2011 NSTA Regional in Hartford

 

Candidate Tiffany Johnson-- I am currently the lead science teacher at Park City Prep Charter School. I have been teaching middle school science for 4 years in a four year old charter school. I currently teach 8th grade middle school science. I am currently a member of the NSTA,CSSA, and ASCD. During the 2008-2009 school year, I was a NSTA New Science Teacher Academy Fellow. Because we are a charter school, I have had the opportunity to write science curriculum and serve as the co-teacher representative on the Board of Directors for Park City Prep Charter School. I hold as BS in Biology from Xavier University, a Masters of Science in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University and am currently finishing up a MAT in Secondary Science Education from Sacred Heart University. I am also very active within my community volunteering at a community food bank and clothing closet. During the summer, I like to travel, cook, and catch up on reading.

Candidate Jane Callery--Jane is a very active advocate for improving science education at the local and state level during her tenure as a classroom teacher for 14 years and in her current position as Science Curriculum and Instruction Specialist for the Capital Region Education Council's magnet schools. In addition to providing instructional leadership for twelve magnet schools, PreK-12, she has been recognized for her innovation and excellence in teaching by receiving the Central CT State University Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence 2004, the 2008 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the CT Alpha Delta Kappa Excellence in Teaching Award 2010, and recognized as a CT Academy of Science Fellow. Jane has written science curriculum and assessments for Newington and CREC Magnet school systems, the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium, and has been published in the Connecticut Journal of Science Education. She presents workshops at the NSTA National conferences annually and was selected to work as a Sea Grant Teacher Intern, Aquanaut 2000 Teacher-at-Sea, and in the American Meteorological Society teacher training in atmospheric science.

 

Dr. Mark Beekey has worked at Sacred Heart University as an assistant professor in the Biology Department since 2005. Dr. Beekey received his Ph.D. from the University of Delaware and was a Postdoctoral Research Associate and Lecturer at the University of Vermont. Mark's research focuses on the ecology of aquatic invertebrates. He has conducted research on freshwater clams, zebra mussels, and is currently investigating the population dynamics of horseshoe crabs in Long Island Sound. His research has been funded by National Sea Grant, Connecticut Sea Grant, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mark works with a number of non-profit organizations to tag and count horseshoe crabs across the CT coastline during the summer as part of Project Limulus (http://www.projectlimulus.org/), a citizen scientist outreach project. Mark has also been involved in a number of grants related to improving the teacher quality in elementary education including three Teacher Quality Partnership grants and a Math Science Partnership grant in collaboration with the Isabelle Farrington School of Education at Sacred Heart University. Mark teaches Introductory Biology, Ecology, Invertebrate Biology and Marine Biology. He is also a member of the New England Educational Association Network, and the South Eastern New England Marine Educators organization.

 

a retired science teacher, Dave is active with CT Science Supervisors Association and the CT Academy.

 

Norm Barstow--Retired elementary school teacher, Town of Simsbury ; 27 years with the last ten years as the Elementary Science Coordinator. PIMMS fellow. CSTA Secretary, VP, and served as CSTA president from 2004-2006. NSTA member and FOSS Consultant.