"I started instructing fifth-grade students while I was working on my master's degree in Houston. The graduate school had an outreach program to help teachers in underserved schools teach science. Graduate students would come by once a month to do a hands-on lesson concerning whatever topic the teacher had been working on. Not only did it allow the teacher a little bargaining power for good behavior, but the kids loved it and the lessons really stuck. The scores for those schools on the state standardized tests improved substantially. I had a wonderful time finding creative ways to teach science to kids, and the experience gave me some valuable experience in communication.

A few years ago, I decided to return to school and pursue my PhD. I am now working as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Tennessee. Most of my recent teaching has involved graduate and undergraduate students in a one-on-one setting. However, I have had the pleasure of teaching merit badge classes for the Cades Cove District of the Great Smoky Mountain Council of the BSA, and of working as a Scoutmaster for a girl troop. I love working with middle school and high school students, and this opportunity has given me the chance to interact with those age groups in a classroom setting." less...