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
    • Geoscience - Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, Astronomy
    • Physics - General Physics
    • Chemistry - General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemsitry, Nutritional Biochemstry

  • 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)
    • Independent Study Teacher (Mammoth Ski Team Athletes - teach curriculum provided by student's school district)
    • 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 and novice snowboarding 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
  • Above and Beyond Alaska, LLC
    • Outdoor Guide (Glacier and Sea Kayak)
    • All Ages
    • Guiding tourists out to/on Mendenhall Glacier and surrounding inner coastal waters of Juneau, AK

  • 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.