Life Of The School Podcast: The Podcast For Biology Teachers

Sherry Annee teaches Honors Biotechnology at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis. She was the recipient of the 2001 Milken National Educator Award, 2005 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Indiana, and 2009 Butler University Distinguished Alumni Award.  Within the state of Indiana, Sherry is a past President of both the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc., and the Indiana Association of Biology Teachers. As a highly active teaching professional, she attended the 2011 and 2012 BioBuilder Workshops at MIT and co-hosted a 2012 BioBuilder workshop at Purdue University.  Sherry is a past member of the BioBuilder Foundation Advisory Board.  She is also a Teacher Ambassador for HHMI BioInteractive.  Sherry earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences and Biology/Chemistry Secondary Education from Purdue University and a M.S. in Effective Teaching from Butler University.

On most episodes of Life of the School I like to sit down with a fellow life science teacher and find out how they became a teacher, what they are currently working on and their hopes for the future.  But for this episode, I am in Florida at the NABT/BSCS AP Biology Teacher Academy which gives me a great chance to catch up with 2 past guests on the podcast who are facilitating the Teacher Academy as well as a guest who will be interviewed during the 2017-2018 school year.  Returning to the podcast are Robin Bulleri from Episode 10, and Chi Klein from Episode 14.  Our member of the panel who will be on a future episode is Valerie May. The other facilitators in the room for the recording were Caitlin Ullock, Lesley Kirkley, and  Phyllis Robinson.

Mark Peterson is a teacher at Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park. Mark is a teacher who is active in a variety of teacher communities and is always looking to infuse engagement and fun into his classroom, including using a flipped classroom model, adopting Standards Based Grading, and using song parodies as part of his teaching.  His work using technology as part of his instruction led Mark to be recognized as a Kaizena Champion. Within the State of Minnesota, Mark serves as Minnesota Science Teachers Association Biology discipline director and has presented at the MnSTA Conference on Science Education about SBG Assessment Strategies and Student Centered Questioning.  You can follow his musings about life and teaching on twitter @dassel

Kerri Chartier is a Biology and Anatomy and Physiology teacher at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Acton, Massachusetts. Kerri has used her background in exercise physiology to build a human performance lab at the high school to support her instructional goals. The human performance lab was built after Kerri was awarded a 2015 Toshiba America Foundation Education Grant. In the human performance lab, students in biology classes and student athletes are able to collect data on their physical performance. Her work on the human performance lab also has earned her recognition as a finalist for the 2017 Hall at Patriot Place STEM Teacher of the Year.

Chris Monsour is a biology teacher Columbian High School in Tiffin, Ohio. Chris is a leader of the science teaching community both locally and nationally. He serves as a moderator for the AP Biology Teacher Group on Facebook, serves as an HHMI BioInteractive Ambassador, regularly contributes reviews and articles to “The Biology Teacher”, and has served as the District III coordinator for the National Association of Biology Teachers, and currently oversees the NABT BioClubs. Chris has participated in multiple Earth Expedition trips including to Trinidad, Namibia, and Argentina to study conservation issues. In 2007, Chris was selected to participate in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Teacher at Sea program. Chris has been recognized for his excellence in teach by many awards including the 2015 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the 2007 Seneca County Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year, and the 2005 Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Ye

Amanda Meyer is a biology teacher at the Asia Pacific International School in Seoul, South Korea. Before her move to an international school this year, Amanda taught a variety of science classes, including Biology, Ecology, Anatomy & Physiology, and AP Biology, for the 13 years in private and public high schools in Minnesota. She was also the District Technology Integration Specialist at her previous school in Minnesota, helping students and teachers with digital tools in the classroom. Amanda has won various teaching awards including the KEYC Golden Apple Award, WEM Outstanding Educator Award, the Medtronic Foundation Science Teaching Award, and the Fox 9 Super Scientist Award. You can follow her musings about teaching and life in general on twitter @AlynnMeyer.

Chris Baker is a teacher at Hatboro-Horsham High School in Horsham, Pennsylvania. Chris primarily teaches Anatomy and Physiology focusing on the medical aspects of human anatomy and physiology by preparing students to apply their skills to patient assessment and treatment. His approach is to giving students a taste of what is to come in nursing & medical school through lectures, dissections and cases study. Additionally, Chris works part-time as a paramedic applying his knowledge of anatomy and physiology in the field. Chris can be found actively engaged on twitter in many chats including the #slowAandPchat which he founded. You can follow his activity on twitter @bakerhhhs

Orla is a Science Teacher & Content Specialist at Medfield High School in Medfield Massachusetts. Over her more than 2 decades as a teacher, Orla has taught AP Biology as well as all levels of first year biology, first year chemistry as well as Anatomy and Physiology. She has also been advisor to her school’s Science Olympiad team. Outside of the classroom Orla has served as an integral part of the Massachusetts Association of Biology Teachers, currently serving as the organization’s secretary. Orla earned her B.S. - National University of Ireland Galway M.Ed - UMass Boston

Later this month is the NSTA 2017 National Convention in Los Angeles California. With this on the horizon I decided to change format up a bit and I brought together a couple of fellow veteran teachers to discuss attending and presenting at conference. My guests are Lee Ferguson and Paul Strode. Lee Ferguson is the lead AP/IB Biology Teacher at Allen High School in Allen Texas. Paul Strode is a biology teacher at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado.

Ryan Reardon is an IB Biology and IB Environmental Systems instructor at Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School (JCIB), in Birmingham, Alabama. Ryan is a nationally recognized biology teacher who fiercely advocates for STEM education. In 2016, Ryan was presented the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching(PAEMST). Ryan has been interviewed on NPR’s “All Things Considered” about the adoption of new Alabama Science Standards in 2015. Ryan has consulted with a variety of organizations providing resources to science classrooms. This includes working with HHMI BioInteractive as a reviewer of classroom material including a collection of activities on Surveying Elephant Populations. Ryan holds a B.A. in Biology from Rhodes College, and a M.S. in Biology from the University of Alabama. He is also a National Board Certificated Teacher (NBCT) in Adolescent and Young Adult Science Education with a concentration in biology. You can follow Ryan’s musings about biology teac

Bob Kuhn is a science teacher at Centennial High School in Roswell, GA. He has taught biology and AP Biology for more than 14 years. Bob is widely recognized as a leader in the AP Biology Community. He serves as the moderator of the College Boards AP Biology Teacher’s Community. Bob was the 2016 the recipient of the Kim Foglia AP Biology Service Award. Bob is a frequent presenter at both state and national teaching conferences. He has helped develop and present many resources for HHMI BioInteractive, including the Data Points resources. He also contributed to the Unity & Diversity writing project with his essay “Being Open-Minded with a Skeptical Filter” You may also recognize his voice as an contributor and guest host on the Horizontal Transfer Podcast. You can follow his musings about biology teaching and life in general on twitter @APBIORoswell.

Paul Andersen is a science educator from Bozeman Montana with more than 20 years of experience teaching high school science. Paul is well known for his YouTube videos teaching a wide range of science concepts. His videos are also organized by topic on his website BozemanScience.com. Paul was the 2011 Montana Teacher of the Year, and was also one of four finalists for the 2011 National Teacher of the Year. Paul is currently working as an educational consultant, traveling the globe to speak with teachers and students and provide workshops for teachers. Paul graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Biology with Broadfield Science Certification. He also holds a Masters of Science in Science Education. Paul also co-hosted the Horizontal Transfer podcast with David Knuffke.

Lee is the lead AP/IB Biology Teacher at Allen High School in Allen Texas. Lee is a passionate advocate for public education and regularly works to improve teaching and learning of biology both in Texas and nationally. In 2009, she helped write the current Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Biology. Lee received the Texas Outstanding Biology Teacher Award from the NABT in 2010. In 2012, Lee founded a professional learning community for AP Biology teachers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Lee is the incoming President for the Texas Association of Biology Teachers. Nationally, Lee has been an AP Reader for College Board since 2006 and has presented workshops at the NABT annual professional development conference. She is also a contributing author to the teacher's edition of the AP Biology textbook Principles of Life, 2nd edition. Lee also maintains the website, The Biology Space where she shares a wealth of classroom and other teaching resources. Lee earned her BA in Biology from Southwester

Chi Klein is an Academic Dean and AP Biology Teacher at Saint Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton, Florida. Chi began teaching at Saint Stephen’s in 2001 and shifted roles to also being an academic dean in 2014. Chi is actively engaged in the biology teacher community This includes working as an HHMI BioInteractive ambassador and creating a video about her use of HHMI resources. At NABT 2016, Chi co-presented the hands-on workshop “Engaging Students with Authentic Scientific Literature” with Scott Sowell, another teacher from Florida, as well as presenting her own workshop on “Simple, Inexpensive Ways to Teach the Most Difficult Biological Concepts.” Chi and Scott also co-presented at NMEA 2016 on “Coral Bleaching and the Nature of Science in the Classroom.” At NABT 2015, Chi co-presented a workshop on “Science Writing Using an Explanation Tool” with Diana Shields from Rhode Island. This coming summer, she will be working with other teachers during a weeklong NABT/BSCS Regional AP Biology Teacher Aca

Paul Strode is a biology teacher at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado. Throughout his career, Paul has taught a variety of science courses in both high school and university settings. In addition to his work in the classroom, Paul is a powerful and prolific communicator about the Nature of Science and Science Education. Paul has also created materials and and presented teacher workshops for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. A particularly popular resource Strode has created for HHMI is on the teaching of Math and Statistics in Biology. He has also has published peer-reviewed scientific articles, middle school science textbook chapters, and a book titled “Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails)” with Physicist Matt Young. Paul has been interviewed about bird migration and climate change on NPR’s “All Things Considered” (May 3, 2006) and about teaching evolution on KGNU Denver/Boulder’s “How on Earth” (June 28, 2011). Paul’s recent published work includes the article “Hypothesis Generation in

Dave Mangus is a biotechnology teacher at Brockton High School in Brockton Massachusetts. This year Dave was named The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon Massachusetts STEM Teacher of the Year and presented with the The Ron Mardigian Biotechnology Teaching Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers. Dave earned these honors in part because he has created and leds a four-year non-vocational biotechnology pathway based on his background as research scientist and his educational experiences at Ohio Wesleyan University, Indiana University and UMass Medical School in Worcester. This program utilizes advanced technology in order to help students better understand principles in biochemistry, molecular biology, and molecular genetics. In their first two years, students explore fundamental biological concepts using an engineering perspective. Third year students explore chemistry with forensics as the focus. Seniors complete an original capstone research project. In addition to the biotechnol

Lindsey L’Ecuyer is a Biology teacher at Andover High School in Andover Massachusetts. For 9 years, Lindsey has taught Biotechnology, Forensics, Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy & Physiology. Last spring, Lindsey was awarded a grant that from the Punchard Fund grant for advanced biotech equipment. Lindsey credits the broader Andover community for their continued support including grants from the Corbett Grant, Punchard Grant, AHS Parents Advisory Council, Andover Coalition for Education, and Andover Educational Improvement Association. Lindsey is very engaged at helping her students with real world science experiences that extend beyond the walls of her school building. These include taking her Forensics class to a behind-the-scenes-tour with Andover Police Detectives, initiating a BioBuilder Synthetic Biology Club, bringing the Biotechnology students to Pfizer for a site visit where the Prevnar pneumococcal vaccine is produced, and leading her students through the Wolbachia Project.. You can Follow Lindsey

Robin is a Biology teacher at Carrboro High School, Carrboro, NC. Throughout her career, Robin has taught a variety of science courses including AP Biology, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Environmental Science. In addition to teaching, Robin has been an advisor to an NABT BioClub and has also coached soccer. Robin has been heavily engaged in professional development for science teachers including achieving National Board Certification, presenting at state and national conferences, such as NCSTA, NSTA, and NABT. She is a Teacher Ambassador for HHMI BioInteractive, developed a TedED Lesson about Henrietta Lacks, and lead workshops on teaching evolution as a Kenan Fellow. She is also involved in the AP Biology Leadership Academy, where she writes professional development curriculum, and will lead a summer workshop on content and leadership for biology teachers in the Southeast. Robin earned both a Master of Education in Policy, Planning, and Administration, and a Bachelor o

Jo-Anne Purdy is a Biology teacher at Westborough High School in Westborough Massachusetts. She has been a public school teacher for 19 years and currently teaches biology, though she has taught a variety of courses throughout her career including AP Biology. In Westborough, Jo-Anne was integral in bringing in over $40,000 in grant money to update the biotech equipment of the high school. Over the past 6 years, Jo-Anne has been actively involved in the BioBuilder community. She has written curriculum and led professional development helping to integrate Synthetic Biology into high schools. Jo-Anne holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in biological sciences.

David Form is a Biology Teacher at Nashoba Regional High School in Bolton Massachusetts. He has taught several levels Biology, including AP Biology and a variety of electives, several of which he created for his district. David is credited with bringing many biotechnology resources to his school through his implementation of the BioTeach grant. David has an expertise in bioinformatics and regularly presents at conferences and develops curriculum focussing on bioinformatics and evolution. These include at MABT conferences, several presentations as part of the Wolbachia Project, at the Whitehead Institute in Cambridge, presenting for the International Society for Computational Biology, and developing curriculum over several years for the Harvard University Life Sciences Outreach Program.