I'm no stranger to professional development. Throughout 28 years of teaching physics, I have participated in many professional development workshops that provided ideas I could use with students or things I could buy for my classroom, but none of these actually changed the way that I teach.

In 2008, I was asked to move up to teach seventh- and eighth-grade science. With this change, I inherited our school's annual middle school science fair. Students created individual projects using the scientific method and were judged by parent volunteers.

All human activities have short and long-term consequences for ecosystems. The ethical considerations those consequences raise become an opportunity for our students to consider the impact of their decisions and their solutions.

As a kid in the 1980s, I always had a particular love for Kenny Rogers' hit 'The Gambler'. In that often referenced tune, Kenny imparts some very useful and worldly advice when he declares, "You got to know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run."

I have always considered myself a lifelong learner, curious about the ever-changing world around me. Always looking for ways to improve my teaching, three years ago I applied and became a Trustey Family STEM Teaching Fellow. I arrived on campus ready to work hard and learn.

My third-grade year began in a portable classroom and ended with me almost getting my eye shot out with a bb gun by my older brother. It was a traumatic year, but I'll save the bb gun incident for another time.

At the beginning of each school year, I ask my students: "What is a scientist?" After jotting down their own individual ideas, students form groups to create a picture of a scientist and present it to the class. Then we collectively list the characteristics portrayed in their models.

Sponsored by the Center for Research on Educational Opportunity, the Notre Dame Program for Interdisciplinary Educational Research, and the Department of Sociology, Dr. Annette Lareau presented "Cultural Exclusion, & First Generation College Students" on Monday, February 12, 2018. 

Organized by Gary Orfield, Co-Director of the Civil Rights Project at UCLA, Mark Berends (with Joe Waddington and Megan Austin) presented research on the Indiana School Choice Program to Congressional staffers and policymakers in Washington, DC.

Sponsored by CREO & the Department of Sociology, Dr. Roberto Gonzales presented "Lives in Limbo: DACAmented & Navigating Uncertain Futures" on Wednesday, October 25, 2017.