Introducing the Digital Tools Project Staff .  .  .

 

Hi! I am David Tucker, the Digital Tools Project Director .  .  .  .

I teach physics and chemistry at Mt. Baker High School in Deming, Washington.  During his 29 years in teaching I have developed exemplary technology project-based science curricula and have written articles on science education.  I enjoy trying to figure out better ways to teach classroom activities and I am truly fascinated with how technology can improve learning--which is why I wrote this grant.  

I have always felt that students need to apply the concepts and principles that they are learning--in as many ways as possible.  That's why I try to organize my classroom to have as many activities going as possible.  When teachers or parents watch my students work they are amazed with the level of "organized chaos" that they see.  This year I have over 40 Research Biochemistry students all doing different projects.  

I graduated from Washington State University with a teaching degree in 1967 and stayed there to get my Masters Degree in science education. Under the influence of Mr. Al Butler and Dr. Harry Batey I developed an intense desire to help other people learn science.  I have been active in some professional development efforts, most notably Operation Physics as a national trainer. 

Science teaching has been good to me.  I have had students place in local and state science research competition and this year one of my students won the gold medal in the International Science & Technology contest. I have had the opportunity to travel and study with some of the best science educators in our country.

I take pride in saying that I was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence is science teaching in 1986, as well as, being designated a Genentech Fellow, a Tandy Fellow, an ASBMB Fellow, and a Research Corporation Partners-in-Science Recipient.  I was selected Washington Science Teacher-of-the-year in 1998.

I am looking forward with much enthusiasm to this project. Along with the other staff members and mentors I feel much can be accomplished in helping other teachers use digital tools.

 

Hi!  I’m Pam McAndie, a mentor in the Digital Tools Project.  I teach mathematics and Columbia River Studies at Stevenson High School in Stevenson, WA.  My husband, Don, teaches Biology and coaches varsity soccer at Stevenson High School, too.  We were married nine years ago and built a home here in the Columbia River Gorge six years ago. We love the Gorge and will probably retire here. We like to backpack, camp, golf, ski, and in our spare time.

I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from the University of Portland in 1987 and shortly thereafter got a job at Wind River Middle School in Carson, WA., where I taught math.  I was granted a transfer to Stevenson High School in 1989 and have been there ever since.  I teach all levels of math there from General Math to Calculus.  I enjoy helping math make sense to kids—it is very rewarding when they finally “get it”.

            My latest project is teaching an integrated class called Columbia River Studies.  The curriculum for the class was developed by three other teachers and myself over a period of two years.  The class uses technology and field studies to teach students about math, science, literature, history, economics, and culture by studying the Columbia River. Students in the class study a local place from all perspectives, then create a website about their study site.  The class has become my passion!  It is great to see my students discover that the place that they call home is not ordinary; that the Columbia River is more that just a scenic place—it is rich in culture, history, science, folklore, and human and natural resources.  I have had a great time planning field trips for my students, helping students collect data and create webpages, and working with my colleagues to develop curriculum. It has been quite an adventure, and I have learned an incredible amount.  I have become a real believer in and advocate of integrated curriculum through my work on this project.

The Columbia River Studies class was the reason our school got involved in the SLEUTHS project, which eventually led to my involvement in this project.  I have come a long way with technology in a short period of time.  It has been fun learning, and I have met some great people along the way.  I am looking forward to learning more and getting to know the other teachers in the Digital Tools project. 

  
Hi.  I am Carol Collins, a mentor in the Digital Tools Project. I started life out in Richland Washington. My father was a nuclear health physicist and my mother was a librarian. So I grew up reading lots of books and loving science. I also used to get the coolest Christmas presents because my Dad would buy the toys- things like telescopes, microscopes and chemistry sets.

I have graduated a bunch of times from several types of institutions, none of them asylums or treatment centers. High School graduation was at KiBe High School in Benton City. College graduation was from WSU in 1973 with a degree in Microbiology and Public Health. I attended Portland State University and received a teaching certificate with endorsements in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. After that I attended University of Portland and earned a Masters Degree.

My work history consists of five years working as a Microbiologist for the SW Washington Public Health Department. However, I discovered that I loved teaching, so I went back to college when I was 30 and became a HS science teacher. I have spent 18 years in the classroom teaching science, and intend on remaining in the classroom until I die or retire….

I have been married to my husband Gail for almost 27 years and we have 2 children, Jenny, 23 and Amy, 12. We live in Stevenson and recently built a new home. Most of my spare time is still spent working on the house, but I also like to read, do needlework and go boating.

 

 

          My name is Ken Bakken, and I have been teaching in the Mt. Baker School District for twenty-seven years. I earned a Bachelors Degree from Western Washington State College in 1973, and my Masters Degree in Educational Technology from City University in 1996. I have taught sixth graders through seniors in high school; my teaching niche is in the junior high. Most people think that those of us who teach this grade level are crazy, but I enjoy these students because of their curiosity and energy. I teach seventh grade math, drafting, and CAD to eighth graders as an elective.

          Previously, I have participated in two other state funded technology grant projects. The first one was the Salmon Habitat Assessment Project in which I was a participant and I helped David Tucker, the digital Tools Project Director, with ordering equipment. In the next project, SLEUTH, the Mt. Baker school district was the fiscal agent and I worked with David and Craig Gabler from Centralia High School. In the SLEUTH Project I was in charge of the entire grant budget and purchasing grant equipment for Mt. Baker.

          We have discovered in the two former projects that it was overwhelming for one person to manage a grant and teach effectively at the same time. It takes a real team effort to pull off a project like this. As you can see from the biographies of the mentors and other staff, it truly is a team effort. In the Digital Tools Grant I am serving as a mentor and the budget director. Since March, I have been ordering equipment for out project.

          This project has been well funded and the equipment that participants receive will be very useful in teaching technology to students. All teachers need the equipment and most importantly the training in order to teach effectively in the new millennium; Digital Tools teachers have a great opportunity to get the training and equipment that will make a difference in their students' learning.

 Welcome to Digit Tools!

 

 

 
 

    Hello, my name is Andy Bird.  I have taught secondary science classes at Mansfield School District in North Central Washington for two years.  Where is Mansfield?  The small town is located in the center of the Waterville plateau in the middle of dry wheat land, approximately 30 minutes east of Chelan.

Teaching at a small school has afforded me the opportunity to teach a variety of science classes and ‘wear many hats’ beyond the classroom.  I have taught chemistry, biology, physics, earth science, astronomy, middle school physical science, middle school mathematics and independent study courses in criminology, ornithology and computer repair.  I serve as the district’s Technology Coordinator and am also a coordinator of a Professional Development School, a federally funded grant program.

I graduated in 1986 from Mountlake Terrace High School and immediately went to Western Washington University.  Five years later I graduate with a degree in Biochemistry.  Next, I attended the University of Washington chasing a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry.  A small but nagging voice in my mind steadily grew in volume as I performed research science and I eventually left the program to return to Western.  I had wanted to teach since I was very young and the time had come to listen to that voice.  I graduated in 1988 from Western with an Med and certification soon after completing an incredible student teaching experience with Mr. David Tucker.  I was one of the few student from my cohort that looked forward to student teaching every day, a fact I attribute to David and his wonderful tutelage.

I have been married to Yolanda Grave de Peralta for over 12 years now and we have two children.  Celena will be three years old in June, while Orion is yet to see his 6th month.  This year, I have the pleasure of working with Yolanda, as she was hired to be the middle school science teacher, freeing me up to attend to district technology.  We are extremely happy sharing a desk, a science room and a strong desire to educate young people.