Life Of The School Podcast: The Podcast For Biology Teachers

Katie Ryan is completing her student teaching at Silver Creek High School in Longmont, Colorado. Earlier in her training she completed a practicum working with Paul Strode at Fairview High School in Boulder, CO. During that practicum, Katie had an opportunity to work BSCS Research Scientist Dr. Brian Donovan who is working to develop biology curriculum to help teachers navigate topics surrounding race and genetics in the classroom. Katie was able to co-present the workshop “Avoiding Teaching Genetic Determinism: Model-based Reasoning that helps Students Understand Multifactorial Models of Genetic Inheritance” at the 2019 NABT national conference.

Kim is a science teacher Belgrade High School, Belgrade, MT where she teaches AP Biology, Biology I and Forensic science. Kim was recognized as the Outstanding Biology Teacher for the state of Montana in 2015. In 2015, 2017 and 2019 she was also a finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Kim has served as a board member for the Montana Science Teachers Association and works with the Murdock Trust as an instructional coach for their Partners in Science grant. Kim earned a BA in Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Montana in 1995 and completed a Masters’ of Science in Science Education in 2004. You can follow Kim on twitter @kpopbionerd

Mike Murray is a biology teacher at Pembroke High School, in Pembroke MA. Mike has also worked as an adjunct instructor at Massasoit Community College where he teaches anatomy and physiology and biological principles. Mike is very involved in the New England PD community regularly participating in workshops with the Amgen Biotech Experience, Mass BioEd Foundation, MiniPCR, and Cold Spring Harbor Lab. He has also served as a reader for the AP Biology Exam, has led professional development for AP Biology teachers on behalf of both College Board and Mass Insight, and he is one of the cofounders of the New England Area AP Biology PLC. You can follow him on twitter @murraybiology.

In this episode, I chatted with several teachers who will be presenting at the 2019 NABT Conference in Chicago. My conversations are with Tanea Hibler from Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, AZ; Jason Crean from Lyons Township High School in La Grange, IL; Mark Little from Broomfield High School in Broomfield, CO; Chris Monsour from Columbian High School in Tiffin, OH; Bob Kuhn from Centennial High School in Roswell, GA, Lindsey L’Ecuyer from Andover High School in Andover, Ma; and Stephen Traphagen from Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park, IL.

Ann Cortina and Nikki Chambers are both science teachers at West High School in Torrance, CA. Both Ann and Nikki have taught a wide variety of science courses including first Biology (including honors biology), AP Biology and Astrobiology. Over past two years, they have been part of the development team for the curriculum “The Beetle Project: Investigating insects in a warming world” which is posted on the UC Berkeley Understanding Evolution website.

Deb is a Biotechnology teacher at Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School in Hathorne, MA . Deb has taught a wide variety of science courses throughout her career including AP and honors chemistry, as well as forensics. Deb is a very active member of the biotech teacher community in New England including the Amgen Biotechnology Experience, being a LabXchange Master Teacher, and participating in the New England Biolabs Molecular Biology Summer Workshop. Deb holds a B.S. in biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts and an M.Ed. from Salem State University.

Amanda is a Biology teacher at East Boston High School. Amanda has taught a variety of different life science classes throughout her career including Biology, Honors Biology, and AP Biology. Throughout her career, Amanda has been involved in a variety of science programs at EBHS including a science mentoring program with the Umana Academy, EBHS' Annual Science Night event, enrichment programs for AP science classes, including bringing students to Harvard’s Life Science Outreach. Amanda has also helped her students engage STEM Pathway program, a program that seeks to inspire, mentor, train, and empower current and future generations of STEM students, with a focus on underrepresented groups. Amanda is the 2019 recipient of the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for the state of Massachusetts. You can follow her on twitter @Amandadillingh3 Credits: Please subscribe to Life of the school on your podcast player of choice! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LOTS Music by: https://exmagicians.bandcamp.com/ Show

David Knuffke teaches kids science at Singapore American School. Prior to this he spent 14 years as a teacher and then as the Curriculum Associate for Science & Technology for Deer Park UFSD in New York. His major professional interests center around the broad pursuit of progressive science education pedagogies with a major focus on NGSS-centered approaches. From a technological standpoint, David is an outspoken advocate for intelligent, free, and open uses of information technology (both educational, and non-educational). You can read his thoughts on education at http://knuffke.com/blog and you can access his older curriculum resources at http://mrknuffke.net/. You can also follow him on twitter @DavidKnuffke

Lisa is the Upper School Science Department Chair at Bay Ridge Prep in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to serving as department chair, Lisa has taught a variety of courses as Bay Ridge Prep and introduced new science courses including the Science Research and Design course and an Animal Behavior class. Lisa has also played an active role in the AP Biology community, working as an AP Biology Exam item writer as a reader, a table leader, and as a question leader. She earned her Ed.D. in Science Education from Columbia University in May 2017 and has served as an adjunct professor at the Teachers College of Columbia University.

Sedate is a biology teacher at Reedsburg Area High School, in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. She is preparing to enter her 4th year in the classroom teaching Biology & AP Biology. Sedate has a passion for helping her students make sense of the world around them, using phenomena based teaching and connecting her students to authentic research settings. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Life Sciences Communication and her Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. You can follow Sedate on twitter @SedateKohler

Mary Jo is a biology teacher at East Longmeadow High School, in East Longmeadow, MA. She currently teaches biology and AP Biology, but she has taught a wide range of science courses during her career. Mary Jo has also taught as an adjunct professor at The Elms College and Bay Path University. In 2015, Mary Jo was the recipient of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation Excellence in Teaching Awards and in 2018, she received an ABE Teacher Recognition Award. You can follow Mary Jo on twitter @mjrenear

This episode is the third in my 2019 questions series where I ask a group of teachers the same question and compile their thoughts. For this episode, I asked teachers to the value of tests in their instructional practice. We also discuss what tests look like in their classroom. I found these to be great conversations where my friends shared their struggles around assessment and how they hope to grow in the future. Guests on this Episode are: - Antonio Gamboa from Garey High School in Pomona, CA. (LOTS Episode 2) - Dessy Dimova from Franklin High School, Somerset, NJ. (LOTS Episode 40) - Ryan Reardon from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate in Irondale, AL.(LOTS Episode 18) - Kelly Kluthe from Olathe West High School, Olathe, KS. (LOTS Episode 47) - Brittany Franckowiak from Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, MD. (LOTS Episode 46) - Jon Darkow from Seneca East High School in Attica, OH.(LOTS Episode 30) - Paul Strode from Fairview High School in Boulder, CO. (LOTS Episode 13) Credits: Please s

Jamie is a Biology and Chemistry Teacher at PA Leadership Charter School in West Chester, PA. Jamie teaches AP Biology, Honors Chemistry, and Honors Human Anatomy & Physiology in the University Scholars Program, a blended learning program for high-achieving and academically motivated students in grades 6-12. Jamie’s educational philosophy focuses on using active learning strategies to help students build their understanding of the practices and concepts of science. In addition to her work as a teacher, she is currently enrolled in a Biotechnology graduate program at Johns Hopkins. Jamie earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology from Boston University and her Master of Arts in Science Education from Adelphi University. You can follow Jamie on twitter @jamiencastle

Kristy Butler and Patti Richardson are science teachers at Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids, MI. Kristy teaches Biology, AP Biology & AP Research and Patti teaches Biology, AP Biology & the Science of Sports & Games. Together they have built the website Science Education Enthusiasts! where they share Instructional strategies, biology lesson plans and labs, biology storylines and more. Additionally, both are heavily involved with the The Michigan Association of Biology Teachers and both will be presenting at the MABT Summer PD Conference 2019 on June 20. You can follow them both on twitter Kristy @KButlerSCI and Patti @PattiRichards19

Hi Patreons - This episode is episode 2 in my questions series where I ask a group of teachers the same question and compile their thoughts. For this episode, I asked teachers to define inquiry. Guests on this Episode are: - Antonio Gamboa from Garey High School in Pomona, CA. (LOTS Episode 2) - Dessy Dimova from Franklin High School, Somerset, NJ. (LOTS Episode 40) - Ryan Reardon from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate in Irondale, AL.(LOTS Episode 18) - Kelly Kluthe from Olathe West High School, Olathe, KS. (LOTS Episode 47) - Brittany Franckowiak from Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, MD. (LOTS Episode 46) - Jon Darkow from Seneca East High School in Attica, OH.(LOTS Episode 30) - Paul Strode from Fairview High School in Boulder, CO. (LOTS Episode 13)

Karin Lebeau is a science teach at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley, MA. In addition to her work in the classroom, Karin is heavily involved in science fairs in Massachusetts. also the Events Manager of the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair and the Co-Chair of the MSEF Middle School Fair. She will also oversee all administrative tasks for the High School Science Fair at MIT and the annual Massachusetts Delegation of students and teacher-chaperones that are selected to participate in the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF). Before joining Shepherd Hill, Karin served as Interim Director of the Regional Science Resource Center (RSRC) at UMASS Medical School. You can follow Karin on twitter @MrsLebeauSH

Amy currently teach Biology, Honors Biology, and IB Biology at Sonora High School in La Habra, CA. Throughout her career, Amy has presented at several conferences, both in Orange County and at National Association of Biology Teachers (2017 & 2016) on tools to help access NGSS practices through student communication of authentic research. In 2018, Amy was presented the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for the state of California from NABT. In 2011 Amy was honored as Orange County Teacher of the Year. She is also currently teaching at California State University, Fullerton in the Secondary Education Program. This semester she is teaching the science methods course for secondary science teacher candidates. Amy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from UCLA in Biology, a Masters in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis.

Since 1999, Barry has been a biology teacher at the Greenhill School in Addison, Texas. Barry has taught a wide variety of science classed throughout his career and currently teaches Advanced Biology, AP Biology, and Big History/Science of Deep Time. Barry also mentors senior-level capstone research projects. For more than a decade, Barry has worked for the College Board in a variety of roles supporting AP Biology. These include being Reader, Question/Table Leader, and Assistant to the Chief Reader. Barry is also an AP Biology Exam Free Response Question and Multiple Choice Item Writer.

For this episode, I've done something a little different. For this episode, I interviewed seven different teachers and discussed the value of the homework. Guests on this Episode are: - Paul Strode from Fairview High School in Boulder, CO. (LOTS Episode 13) - Dessy Dimova from Franklin High School, Somerset, NJ. (LOTS Episode 40) - Ryan Reardon from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate in Irondale, AL.(LOTS Episode 18) - Kelly Kluthe from Olathe West High School, Olathe, KS. (LOTS Episode 47) - Jon Darkow from Seneca East High School in Attica, OH.(LOTS Episode 30) - Antonio Gamboa from Garey High School in Pomona, CA. (LOTS Episode 2) - Brittany Franckowiak from Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, MD. (LOTS Episode 46)

Jordan Rockett teaches Honors Biology and Human Anatomy and Physiology at Muriel Williams Battle High School in Columbia, MO. In addition to teaching, Jordan initiated and the sponsor of the ACT Prep Club at the high school. In 20015, Jordan received both the Outstanding Beginning Teacher award from the Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence in Columbia Public Schools and the Beginning Science Teacher Recognition of Excellence award from the Science Teachers of Missouri.