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Title: Associate professor, science education and elementary education

What do you love most about your department? “I love that everybody who teaches here have a passion for being the best teacher they can be everyday for every student. That is our goal and what I love the most is that everyone shares that goal. I also love the campus, it is beautiful.”

Years at Western: 14

Originally from: Born in Virginia. Went to high school and college in California.

Hobbies: “I love being outdoors. My biggest passion right now is outrigger canoeing. I also do stand-up paddle boarding, biking and playing the guitar.”

Quote you live by: “Luck favors the prepared.” -Louis Pasteur

Favorite restaurant: The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive

Favorite Bellingham location: Outrigger canoeing on Bellingham Bay during the summer.

Most memorable vacation: Traveling for five weeks in New Zealand with a friend and floating down the underground rivers in New Zealand.

Favorite �������� memory: “Not one memory, but I love doing Discovery Days and talking to the parents of students who might be coming to Western. I also love the info fair at Red Square at the beginning of the school year; it's interesting to see different clubs on campus.”

Favorite movie: “Atonia’s Line”

Currently reading: “Gold,” by Chris Cleave

Projects currently working on: Working on a study on the impact of Western’s innovative elementary science teacher preparation program, .

Awards and recognitions:

• Awarded several National Science Foundation grants
• Fellow of the National Institute for Science Education at University of Wisconsin
• Editor of Science and Children 2004-2009
• Appointed by the National Science Teacher Association to the national committee for science teacher preparation