PEOPLE IN THE CLASS CAUTION: THIS FILE MAY TAKE A WHILE TO LOAD (LOTS OF PICTURES, about 100 KB) These are the names and biographical sketches of the class that I have received so far. If you are not represented here, it means a) your biography was lost in transmission, b) you haven't sent it in yet, or c) I have misplaced it. In any case, please let the rest of us know something about you! And don't forget to send pictures! Once you see you biographical sketch here, send Jerry Nelson any additions or corrections!
	Gerald ("Jerry") E. Nelson, Ph.D.
	Chair, Physical Sciences/Mathematics Division, Instructor, Geology and Geography, Casper College, Adjunct Professor, Department of Geography, University of Wyoming - Casper College Center. I attended Montana State University from fall, 1966, through the summer of 1973. There was a two-year break in this period (1970-71) for military service, including 1 year in South Vietnam. I attended the department of geology at University of Kansas in 1973-77 and finished my Ph.D. in 1983. I spent one of those years (1975-76) as a Fulbright-Hays Research Fellow (Quaternary Geology) at the University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.   Contact me by: Mail: Casper College, 125 College Drive, Casper, Wyoming, 82601; Phone: 307-268-2348; FAX: 307-268-2041; E-Mail: gnelson@acad.cc.whecn.edu (Casper College) or gnelson@coffey.com (Home) Feel free to call any time, home or office, but please prior to 9:00 PM Mountain Time!
	Diana Taggart
	I’m Diana Taggart, and I teach Math at Olympus High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m currently teaching Regular Second Year Algebra, Honors Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus (BC). I am also a T^3 (Teachers Teaching with Technology) Instructor. T^3 is a Professional Development Group that began at Ohio State University, and is now partly funded by Texas Instruments. I teach teachers how to incorporate technology into Algebra, Geometry and Pre-Calculus classes. I also teach an Institute on the NSF funded program called Math Connections. If you are familiar with the SIMMS project, it is now a T^3 Institute. I have a degree in Biology, but it has been a lifetime since I had anything to do with the Sciences. I have been teaching math for 14 years. A Physics teacher at my school and I are planning to offer a combined Algebra II / Physics class next year, and I think this class will help me. I am two years into a Masters Program at MSU in Math Education, and I should finish at the end of next summer. I’m old, some think too old to be doing this, but I’m having a great time, and so far have enjoyed all of it. I also love Bozeman and Montana in general. My husband does too so who knows what the future holds.
	Marianne Barker
	My name is Marianne Barker, and I was born in Casper, Wyoming, by virtue of the fact my father was stationed there (guarding Rommel's troops) at the end of WWII. Then he was stationed at Albuquerque at the very time all the big scientists were arriving. Since then, I have lived in the Chicago area, and all of my time has been pretty ordinary. I have a B.S. from Loyola University, Chicago, in Biology and a M.A.T. from National Louis University, plus a few dozen NSF, ICE, and DOE institutes. I teach Chemistry and Earth Science at Carmel High School in Mundelein, Illinois, as well as moderate the National Honor Society chapter. For the year of 1997-98 I had the privilege of being the Master Teacher in Residence at the School Mathematics and Science Center at Purdue University, working especially for the Earth Processes Institute for Teachers NSF Grant. It was a wonderful year, but it is good to be back with youngsters again. Last year I took my first "distance" course, the Datastreme Project from the American Meteorological Society, and I really loved it. I have a hard time learning in a lot of noise and disorder, so it was made to order to do the lessons at my own time and noise level. Although I am comfortable with email and searching the Internet, I am not yet accomplished at html, so this part intimidates me. I'll get over it. I am sending a digital picture, and looking forward to participating in this course.
	Darin Myers
	I am Darin Myers and live in Billings Montana. I am a part time instructor at MSU-Billings. This is my second year of teaching math here. I am originally from Pinedale, Wy. I received my B.S. degree in mathematics from Black Hills State University. I then Started my graduate work at the University of South Dakota and took and extension class from the University of Idaho. I taught for three years at a junior college in Michigan. Boy was that a change from the mountains of Pinedale. I had a great teaching experience out there. I mainly taught the Calculus series. I have a minor in geology which gave me the chance to teach physical geography at the junior college. I had a great time with that class but some of the students thought I brought too much math into it. Ha. I am now finishing up my masters and hopefully continuing on.
	Pete Harris
	My name is Pete Harris and I'm from a small town called California, PA. It's about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. (Go Steelers!) I went to California University of PA and received my BS in Physics in 1992. For the last 3 years I've taught Physics at California High school. I'm also a percussionist and have taught the percussion section at California for the last 9 years. You can find their site at http://www.angelfire.com/PA/Californiadrumline/ There's a picture of me in the "other" section. Check it out and sign the guest book. The kids would love it. Here's a sample of our work.
	David Staten
	I’m David Staten, and I teach math at Central High School in Wartburg, TN. I currently teach Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and C++ programming. During my 15 years at Central High, I have taught all the math courses offered, from Arithmetic to Calculus. Other than teaching a few night classes at a local community college, Central is the only school I have taught at. I received both my B.S. and masters degree from the University of Tennessee. I enjoy going to school and learning. My science experience is limited, but I enjoy technology and implementing it into the classroom. I am taking this course to expand the ways I use technology in my classes.
	Wendy Sink
	Well, I am what I am..... as Popeye would say. I teach deaf children at the state residential school for the deaf in Michigan. I previously taught at the North Dakota School for the deaf, and prior to that I was an itinerant teacher working with deaf children floundering in the mainstream in New Martinsville, WV. My science background is nowhere near what most of yours is... I have a wide variety of introductory courses at the undergraduate level, but I am quickly becoming versed in the area of teaching science to the deaf.... there are not many people who focus on that! I love the water, especially if it is white and I am in a small, inflatable raft with a sturdy paddle, and a skilled friend! I have been out of the scene for a few years, but hope to return to it as I move back toward the east (not much white water in ND except for the snow! I have 2 Irish labs (as I call them - lab/setter mix the color of golden retrievers) Maggie and Murphy 'help' me do most of my field work when they can, and watch me drive away longingly when they cannot. I am looking forward to this class, and hope to get my computers in the classroom on-line and burning up the phone lines! My link to these courses is the school's computer... I am at the mercy thereof! Maybe this will be the year that I get my own! looking forward to getting to know you all during the class.
	Cliff Bishop
	I am a newbie (internet term for beginner) to the class. I enrolled late last week, but refuse to let that get in my way of enjoying a new way of learning. I teach Pre-Algebra (3 classes) and Algebra I (2 classes) currently at Eisenhower High School in Yakima, WA. (Yes, it's where the original Yakima Rack was made, although they're now made in Oregon I believe.) I hope for my sanity, as well as, my desire for variety, to teach an astronomy course before the year is out. I told the staff at IKE last spring that astronomy was looking up again here, but alas, the math dept. had more gravitational pull than the science dept. I have two B.S.'s (some of us just can't make up our mind what we want to be when we grow up!) - one in Geology (1971 from the University of Texas at Arlington), and the second in Education (1987 from the University of Wyoming). I worked as a petroleum geologist and geological consultant for close to 9 years between 1974 and 1983 (6 years in Houston and 3 years in Wyoming). I have been teaching full time in the Yakima School District since 1991. I am currently working toward a Masters degree in Educational Technology through City University and would like to finish by next summer, but right now I'm just going with the flow! I had an enjoyable summer kayaking in Johnstone Strait, near Robson Bight, in early August, but the Orcas we were supposed to see decided to vacation near Prince Rupert! (only a partial bummer though!) It was thoroughly enjoyable paddling our arms off and getting leg cramps while enjoying some gorgeous scenery. I love traveling and learning about different cultures, meeting new people, and getting new perspectives on life and this small speck of cosmic matter upon which we live. Now through the magic of cyberspace we can get together and learn through MSUlink. Have a good one, whatever and wherever that may be!
	Amy Spoonhower
	As a relatively new teacher in Central Virginia, finding innovative ways to teach Earth Science to middle school students is a necessity and a career goal. In the past four years as an educator, I have concluded that traditional teaching methods are impractical and unappreciated by students who have been immersed in multimedia since the first infant CD ROM was introduced to the marketplace. Although it has not been long since I walked the halls of Bloomsburg University, where I received a Bachelors degree in Secondary Education - Earth Science/General Science, instruction has taken numerous new formats. I plan to use this course as a vehicle to embrace the changing environment of instructional media.
	Andrea Trank
	I am Andrea Trank, M.Ed. Science Education. I am teaching Earth Science to ninth graders at a brand new high school in Albemarle County, home of the University of Virginia. Charlottesville, Virginia is also home to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home and my school is named Monticello High. Anyway, I am a new teacher. At age 40 I chose a new career after completing a new degree at school. My earlier careers included broadcast journalism for ten years. I was a radio and television reporter in Miami, Fl, Los Angeles , California and Washington, D.C. When that career ended due to my desire to have a family, I became an environmental activist and lobbyist. One thing lead to another and then I started an Environmental Education Center in Charlottesville, where I worked with teachers and students on environmental issues. Then I went back to school to become a teacher. In the meantime, I have had three children. My boys are Ben, 10: Danny 5: and Gabriel 18 months old. My husband is a lawyer and a very busy dad. With all my endeavors, he does the lion's share of stuff with the boys. Anyway, that’s me in a nutshell. My outside interests are tennis, hiking, biking, and watching my kids play sports. I love science and learning and realize the impact that technology is having on the pace of information. I want to stay on top of this, but do not want my students to think that they can replace real life experiences with a virtual fix.
	Suzanne Webb
	I am Suzanne Webb and I teach in Glenview, a northern suburb of Chicago, at Glenbrook South High School. I have taught several subjects; physics, chemistry, biology, medical technology, integrated lab science(which includes some geological topics), and a course called TEAM which is for low level freshman in which a math and science teacher are placed together in the same classroom and teach both subjects for a double period. The TEAM course is my motivation behind taking this course. My undergraduate degree is in medical technology/biology/chemistry which led me to a job in the hospital lab for ten years. During the last few years of my med tech career, I completed my master's in secondary education and now enjoy the profession of teaching, which I have been doing for 9 years now. I look forward to this class and getting to know everyone.
	Kipp Lewis
	Hi my name is Kipp Lewis and I teach at Hamilton High School I teach Algebra 1 and 2 and Chemistry. This is my 2nd year teaching. I received my BS from MSU and I am now working on my masters in math education from MSU. This is my 3rd or fourth class I have taken using this format. It fits into my schedule as they like to dump everything on the new teacher. Looking forward to a good time.
	Lisa Snyder
	Howdy from Wyoming! My name is Lisa Snyder and I teach 7th grade science (a mix of Life and Physical Science) at McCormick Junior High School in Cheyenne, WY. I have taught at the same school, same grade, for the last 12 years..... and I absolutely LOVE it! Prior to that I taught General Biology at our local community college for two years. I entered the teaching profession later in life than many. Before teaching I worked as a wildlife biologist for six years and also spent a couple of years in Niger, West Africa in the Peace Corps. I am currently enrolled in the MSSE class (Masters of Science in Science Education) at MSU and HOPE to complete the the program this summer. I am taking this class because it will help fill some required coursework but also because it sounded interesting and I am hoping to become a little more proficient with the Internet and how to use it in my classroom. Our district is finally all "wired" (although our school is not yet connected) but the final connections are due to be completed before Christmas so I SHOULD have Internet access in my classroom by the time I complete this course. When not teaching, I spend much of my time coaching our school Science Olympiad team and coordinating the Science Olympiad tournament for our state. In my "free" time I enjoy fishing (summers) and hunting pheasants with my two Irish Setters (Red and Blue) and my mutt (Buddy). I also enjoy backpacking (especially in the Wind River Mtns) and hiking. This is the fifth (or sixth?) online class I have taken and I love the format. I look forward to meeting and visiting with all of you throughout this semester.
	Bob Oddo
	My name is Bob Oddo. I teach at Horace Greeley HS which is in Chappaqua, NY. I teach AP environmental science and biology presently. I have been teaching for 14 years and have taught biology, earth science, environmental science and chemistry. This is the 4th online course that I have taken online at Montana State. I have been taking these courses to get ideas on how to present information to my own students online. Presently, I am using threaded discussions, e mail, web page construction, some real audio and spread sheet work to present information to my classes. As far as this last summer, I attended a GLOBE workshop in Charleston,SC, particpated in a teacher Outward Bound out in Pugent Sound for a week, sea kayaked off the Olympic Pennisula for a week and then took my soccer team to England for two weeks. I have a BS in biology(1978) from the State University College of NY at Oneonta and a MS in Biology from Murray State University(1981) in Murray Kentucky. I really excited about taking this course and hope to find ways to integrate math technology and science into my curriculum
	David Robbins
	My name is David Robbins. I have been a science teacher for the last seven years in Nairobi, Kenya at the International School of Kenya. I have taught science overseas for over 15 of the last 17 years at schools in Honduras (as Peace Corps Volunteer), India, Taiwan, and now Kenya. I have taught from grade 6 through grade 12 sciences and am presently a middle school science teacher teaching an integrated science program to grades 7 and 8. I was granted a sabbatical leave for one year and am presently living in Bozeman and am enrolled in the MSU MSSE program. The vast majority of science teachers in this program are currently teaching in the US as I type and are taking courses such as this online. I am the sole exception this year. Due to the poor quality of phone lines in most neighborhoods in Kenya, and particularly from my house 30 miles out of Nairobi in the tea plantations of Tigoni, doing this program online would be extremely difficult. So, my wife, daughter, and I have taken a year leave and are currently living in our house, for the first time, for the entire year and taking classes here in Bozeman and online. My wife and I strongly believe in being life long learners, in the need to take a rest from teaching from time to time, to rejuvenate and flex the neural tissues, and to keep up with trends in our fields. I am taking this particular class because I need to know what is going on with the internet and its applications to science teaching. We do not yet have internet access in the classrooms at ISK, and the few sites we do have on campus are painfully slow and disconnect frequently. There is talk of this all changing, perhaps though getting direct satellite links via the US or Canadian government. Most of my students have access from there parent’s offices or homes (newer, digital phone lines or satellite links). So they, for the most part, could use the net as a research vehicle from their homes. I would like to be able to do this and give them direction in their endeavors. If we ever do get in into classrooms, I will be ready to go and hopefully at the head of the line. Right now, I don't know much! My Ed background is as follows: B.S. in Biology from Tufts U. - 1971-75. M.E.S. in Environmental Studies from Yale - 1987-89. Presently enrolled in MSSE at MSU. I look forward to this, my first online experience. PS. There is a Web site for my school, ISK, with a picture of me with some Maasai friends. go to www.isk.ac.ke (their systems are fequenlty down so keep trying if no luck at first) find “intercultural trips,” go to “Loita, “ find picture of Maasai with one dude in the middle with Red Boston Red Sox hat on. (don't laugh!)
	Shawn Kapusinsky
	Hello everyone!! My name is Shawn Kapusinsky. I'm 31 years old and I teach basic earth science and Biology. I've been taking some other MSU courses to help me get a certification in Earth Science. I just finished up my last course: Mineral Resources and the Environment and Dirty Dozen, the 12 principles of Soil Science. Both courses were enjoyable and offered a great resource to my teaching of Earth Science. I'm starting my 9th year teaching in Rockland County, New York. That is about 30 miles north of New York City. I live about 10 minutes away from West Point Military Academy. My wife and I live in a small house on hill top with a tiny view of the Hudson River. My first 6 years were spent teaching Junior High School science. I worked in a great school, but I must admit, that I enjoy the relaxed, more mature High School student over the Hormone hyperactive Junior High Child. I may be generalizing, but boy what a difference 2 years time can make to the students behaviour. My wife Chandra and I recently had our first child. A girl named Carly. She was born May 24. The summer was no sweat. I worked as a golf pro at West Point Military Golf Course and she took care of Carly. But the last 2 weeks of school has certainly changed our priorities. I assume a number of you out there have kids. Wow! It's is quite a bit of work. Tremendously rewarding like teaching can be, but it certainly does take all your time. I just stole 20 minutes away from my new daughter just to finally write some kind of Autobiography. I graduated from Penn State back in 1991 along with my wife. Were fired up here about the football team. They look good this year. We also do quite a bit of skiing up in the Adirondacks of New York during the winter. Since so many of the students are often from Montana, I assume that many of you have attempted to traverse Big Sky. My parents skied there 2 years ago and loved it. Well, I look forward to joining this class with all of you.
	Kimberly Sander
	I finally received my "snail mail" packet of course materials and I am glad to join you all. I have been living on the island of Guam for the past 5 years. I am originally from Philadelphia. My hobbies include hiking, scuba diving, photography, reading and computers. Currently, I teach Environmental Biology (college), Marine Biology (college), and Applied Science (adult high school) at the Guam Community College. My B.S. in Marine Biology is from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ. My M.S. in Marine Biology is from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, FL. One of my courses is currently being taught online. That is why I am taking this course. I would like to gain more knowledge of internet based activities that I may be able to incorporate into my internet course. If you would like to learn more about me and/or the beautiful island of Guam, you can visit my web site at: http://www.netpci.com/~diver .
	Chuck Condry
	Hi, I’m Chuck Condry. I teach Algebra IA and CIM Math (a class to help 9^th and 10^th graders prepare for Oregon’s test for Certificate of Initial Mastery) at South Medford High School in Medford, Oregon. This is my second year as a high school math teacher, although I have been teaching since 1974. I am 51 years old and have been married for 24 years. I am active in a Bible fellowship and love to read. My wife is a speech therapist who is currently working with preschool-age students. We have two boys in college (senior at DePauw in Indiana and freshman at Willamette in Oregon) and a daughter who is a high school junior. My educational background includes a BA in Political Science from Stanford University and an MA from United States International University. I did doctoral work at University of San Diego in education but did not complete my dissertation. I am a graduate of the California School Leadership Academy. I received training two summers from the National Geographic Society. Two summers ago I had an internship with foresters; this past summer I had an internship at Wendy’s. Most of my experience has been at the elementary level: instructional aide, teacher, and principal. I taught five years at junior high (English, Social Studies, Geography, ESL). In addition to high school math, I taught 9^th grade English one year. I am taking this class for several reasons. Oregon requires that I have 15 units of graduate level mathematics to renew my mathematics endorsement. Also, I am interested in how mathematics can be integrated into other high school courses. Two science teachers at our school received a grant this year to establish a computer lab in their classroom with a link to the Internet. This course seemed like a way I could help them with their program as well as coming up with real-world material that I could use with my math students. Finally, I enjoy using the Internet and would like to have ideas and lesson plans from fellow educators.
This Page Last Modified on 9/17/99 by G. E. Nelson