Courses of Study

• Science Courses:
  • Biology - Biology, Marine Biology, General Physiology, Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Population Genetics/Evolution, History/Discovery of Biology, Nutritional Biochemistry, Ichthyology
  • Chemistry - General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Geology
  • Astronomy
    
    
• Math Courses:
  • Calculus
  • Statistics
    
    
• Education Courses:
  • Methods of teaching science in secondary schools
  • Methods of teaching English as a second language
  • Fundamentals of secondary education in multiethnic schools
  • Education in American society
  • Psychological foundations K-12
  • The Chicana/o Child
  • Special Education training for teachers
  • Literacy in multiethnic secondary schools
  • Language Acquisition of the Chicana/o Child and ESL Speakers
  • Contemporary Issues in the African American Community
    
    
• Professional Development Courses/Programs:
  • UCLA SSWIMS Program (Science Standards with Integrated Marine Science)
    • Introduction to Marine Science
    • Integrative Marine Science & Science Standards in the Classroom
  • Ocean Explorers Geographical Information Systems Program
  • Caribbean Coastal Oceanography (San Diego State University)
    
    
• Outdoor Education Courses/Programs:
  • 35-Day Alaska Mountain Instructor Training Coruse (National Outdoor Leadership School Alaska Branch)
  • 31-Day Outdoor Educator Mountaineering Course (National Outdoor Leadership School Pacific Northwest Branch)

Degrees/Certifications

• Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences (University of Southern California)
• Clear Single Subject Credential in Biological Sciences with CLAD Emphasis (California State University Northridge)
• Emergency Medical Technician (Los Angeles County Fire Department)
• Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (Wilderness Medical Institute)
• CPR (American Heart Association)
• Leave No Trace Master
• AAUS Certified Scientific Scuba Diver
• NAUI Certified Master Diver and Nitrox Certified
• PADI Certified Basic and Advanced Scuba Diver
• PSIA Alpine Ski Instruction Level 2 Certified

Awards/Honors

• 2010 Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort Most Improved Skier
• 2008 Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort Rookie Ski Instructor of the Year
• 2007 QuikSCience Challenge Honorable Mention (Advisor)
• 2006 QuikSCience Challenge Outstanding Community Service Project Award (Advisor)
• 2005 QuikSCience Challenge 1st Place (Advisor)
• 2005 QuikSCience Ocean Leadership Award Recipient
• 2005 Parent Teacher Student Association Honorary Service Award Recipient (John Adams Middle School)
• 2004 Los Angeles County Lifeguards Most Valuable Junior Lifeguard Instructor
• 2004 The Energy Coalition Energy Champion
• 1997-1999 University of Southern California Water Polo Scholarship Athlete
• 1997 Los Angeles County Lifeguards Rookie of the Year

Professional Experience

• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
  • Science Teacher/Substitute Teacher
  • Teaching assignments included 7th grade regular/magnet integrated science and SDAIE science (John Adams Middle School)
  • Designed SDAIE science 3-year curriculum wheel and Ocean Globe Field Research Programs (grades 6-8)
  • Worked with students from various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds
  • Advisor for QuikSCience Challenge Academic Team 2005-2007
  • Extended Overnight Field Trip Leader
  • Science Department Technology Representative
  • Worked with special needs students
    
    
• Los Angeles County Fire Department
  • Professional Ocean Rescue Swimmer
  • Junior Lifeguard Instructor
    • Ages 9-17
    • Instruction in basic first aid/CPR, assessment of various ocean conditions, lifeguarding protocols, ocean/beach competition, overall water person skills, marine flora/fauna
  • W.A.T.E.R. (Water Awareness Training Education Recreation) Program Instructor
    • All Ages (Elementary School-Older Adults)
    • Instruction in basic first aid/CPR, assessment of various ocean conditions, surfing, sea kayaking, marine flora/fauna
    • Work with special needs students (Learning Disabled; Physically and Mentally Handicapped)
      
      
• Mammoth Unified School District
  • Substitute Teacher
  • All grade levels
    
    
• Freelance
  • Private Tutoring (mostly Math/Science)
  • Home School Science Teacher (curriculum development/instruction)
  • Science Enrichment Programs - curriculum development/instruction (see Portfolio)
    
    
• Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort
  • Alpine Ski Instructor (Level 2 Certified)
  • All ages (mostly children ages 3-12)
  • Instruction in novice/intermediate alpine ski skills
    
    
• National Outdoor Leadership School
  • Field Instructor (Hiking/Mountaineering Programs)
  • Ages 17+
  • Alaska Mountaineering Courses
  • NOLS Pro Courses (Naval Academy Mountaineering Expedition)
  • Instruction in wilderness travel, natural history, wilderness first aid, techinical glacier mountaineering skills
    

• Adventures Cross-Country
  • Multi-Sport Leader
  • Ages 14-16
  • Southern Europe 28-Day Course
  • Instruction in wilderness travel, natural history, city sites history
    
    
• Professional Presentations
  • 11/18/2006. "Energy Coalition". Edison Challenge Workshop for Secondary Education Teachers.
  • 11/18/2006. "Light Bulb Lab ". Edison Challenge Workshop for Secondary Education Teachers.
  • 9/23/2006. "Santa Monica Bay Game". COSEE-West Workshop.
  • 8/25/2004. "Ocean GLOBE Field Investigations". COSEE-West Workshop for grade 5-8 Master Teachers.
  • 8/25/2004. "Natural Selection at Work". COSEE-West Workshop for grade 5-8 Master Teachers.
  • 11/16/2002. "Ocean Globe Project". UCLA SSWIMS Secondary Workshop.
  • 11/2/2002. "Predator Prey Lab ". UCLA SSWIMS Secondary Workshop.
  • 10/19/2002. "Squid Dissection Lab ". UCLA SSWIMS Secondary Workshop.
  • 5/8/2002. "Gum Drop Atoms and Marshmallow Molecules". Educating the Bilingual Student.
  • 11/1999. "Contribution to the Knowledge of Marine Mammals in the Santa Monica Basin, California". 13th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.