Fresh out of college with a biology degree, I had a fairly unconventional start in education-I was hired as a chief ranger at False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach. It’s here that my love for environmental education took root. When Kecoughtan High School offered its first Environmental Science class, I hung up my khakis and olive green slacks for a KHS badge! My high school classroom experiences also included biology, earth science, and oceanography. I began my K-8 STEM journey as a science teacher specialist. Working alongside Hampton and Isle of Wight County’s most gifted elementary, middle and high school teachers, I was able to share the passion and love for science with younger students and experience the wide range of instructional needs of students K-12. When I moved to Isle of Wight County as a math/science curriculum coordinator, I was blessed by the project of a lifetime-creating high school makerspaces and the curriculum for a brand new Engineering program. And thus I found my dream education career-teaching Engineering!
My teaching style is a hybrid of the coach/facilitator styles. Before we start a project, I explain to my students what they will learn and how it relates to completing the project. If the project requires fundamental skills (such as CAD, soldering, etc), I will demonstrate each basic skill and then guide them as they master those skills, offering feedback. Once they have a "toolbox of skills" and the materials needed to start a project, I switch to a facilitator role.
National Board Certified Teacher-AYA Science 2004-present VAST Recognition in Science Education Award (CTE) 2019 Isle of Wight County Achiever (x2) for coaching National KidWind Team
B.S Biology-College of William and Mary M.Ed-Old Dominion University M.Ed (Administration and Supervision)-Old Dominion University Manufacturing Technician Level I certification
Why the name "Out of the Woods"? I live in the woods. Not where you would expect a STEM store! I love creating, making and building things. I have always loved the Virginia outdoors-the beach, the woods, the mountains. I am a Scoutmaster and an advocate for cultivating children's love of the outdoors (along with STEM)!
Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Higher Education, Adult Education, Homeschool
Specialty, Math, Geometry, Science, Biology, Social Studies - History, World History, Arts & Music, Graphic Arts, Computer Science - Technology, Career and Technical Education, Electrical Engineering, Engineering