WyzOwls

Denise has over 14 years of experience teaching all forms of science (physics, computer science, chemistry, biology, earth science) at the K-12 levels and physics and computer science at the college level. Denise has taught at Khan Lab School, Cabrillo Community College, Ocean Grove Charter School, Aptos Academy, Vine Hill Elementary School, North Hampton Community College, and Lehigh University.

I have a student-centered friendly classroom where students feel free to ask questions and even joke around a little. I want my students to feel the love and excitement that I feel for science. I try to make the class interesting by using a combination of slides, demos, in class work, and short videos. Although I am friendly and approachable, I work them hard and push them to learn as much as they can. Above all, I feel it's extremely important for students to have as much hands on experience (labwork) as possible.

AWARDS • Girl Scout Leader Award (2015) • Girl Scout Appreciation Award (2011) • Girl Scout Volunteer Award (2008) • Certificate of Appreciation (1998) - SRI International • Alumni Ambassador Award (1996) - Indiana University of Pennsylvania • Individual Award - Peer Recognition (1995) - SRI International • Paper selected as one of top ten papers of AI-ED’95, (Gürer and Ota, 1995) • Member of Phi Kappa Phi (1995-present) - Science Honorary Society • Vision and Leadership Award (1992) - Lehigh University • Graduate Student Leadership Award (1990) - Lehigh University • Physics Award (1985) - Lehigh University • Graduated Magna Cum Laude (1985) - Indiana University of Pennsylvania • Member of Kappa Mu Epsilon (1984-present) - Mathematics Honorary Society BOARDS AND CHAIR POSITIONS • Co-Chair of the Scotts Valley Middle School Science Fair (2011-2014) • Chair of the Vine Hill School Science Fair, Scotts Valley, CA (2007-2011) • President of the Board of Directors, Glen Arbor School, Ben Lomond, CA (2005-2006) • Elected Member of ACM Council, Member at Large (2000-2004) • Member of Editorial Board of IEEE Annals of the History of Computing (1997-2006) • Advisory Board for the Institute on Women and Technology (IWT) (1998-2006) • Board Member of the Math Science Network (1997) • Chair for the ACM Committee on Women in Computing (ACM-W) (1996- 2001) • Co-Chair for Lehigh University’s Presidential Commission on Women (1991-1992)

Ph.D. Computer Science, Lehigh University M.S. Computer Science, Lehigh University M.S. Physics, Lehigh University B.S. Physics, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Denise first studied physics and earned a B.S. from her hometown university, Indiana University of PA, and then an M.S. in physics from Lehigh University. While working in physics she kept taking computer science classes and eventually realized that she had a knack and fondness for computers and went on to earn M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in computer science from Lehigh University. Considering her love of science fiction, it wasn’t a surprise when she decided to focus on artificial intelligence research. Before becoming a teacher, she performed research at various high-tech companies: TerraVert, LightCloud Software, 3Com Corporation, and SRI International, where most of her research involved applying artificial intelligence to educational systems and network management. Once her daughter was born in 2000 (year of the golden dragon), Denise became involved in her daughter’s schools and realized how much she loved interacting with children and working in a classroom. She decided to pursue her passion and become a science teacher.