Certified HS Science (Chem, Phys, Bio) and Math (Alg, Geo) Teacher

Calvin S.

I have a BA in Chemistry Education and a master's degree in education. I have a current teaching certificate for the state of Oregon and was certified in Washington state before moving here in 2013.

I am currently working in a high school teaching Chemistry and Physics. I have been teaching science and math for 30 years in the public school setting. Over my career, I have primarily taught Chemistry and Physics, but I have also taught Biology, Environmental Science, Algebra I, Geometry, and a couple of middle school science classes. I have extensive experience with classroom, group, and 1-on-1 lessons. Besides indiviual after-school help of my regular students, I have tutored high school students as well as college students. My goal is to find a way to help every child access the concepts to better understand the world around them.

My classroom follows a guided inquiry model that allows students to get a shared experience that can be discussed initially in small groups, then with the class. The lessons involve hands on, manipulatives, and/or on-line simulations. Discussions that follow ask students to think critically about what they have observed by looking for similarities, differences, or analyzing patterns/trends in their data. Finally, they summarize the concept in their own words.

I am an AVID-trained teacher with extensive knowledge of AVID strategies, including WICOR and Interactive Notebooks. My classes all use an interactive notebook daily. I have also had training in advanced placement (AP) courses, although the courses have never fit into my teaching schedule.