Researchers Without Borders

Alison L. White

awhiteua@akron.k12.oh.us

Alison L. White serves as a grant communications coordinator for the University of Akron and the Ohio Stem Learning Network's (OSLN) Akron Hub. In this role, Alison is responsible for capturing and sharing best practices across the OSLN network, driving communications and coordinating public affairs outreach with regional partners, statewide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) schools and OSLN affiliates. She serves as an embedded staff member based in the National Inventors Hall of Fame® School … Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning, a middle school within Akron Public Schools. The OSLN is a collaborative aimed at building and connecting STEM teaching and learning capacity in regions across the state of Ohio. The OSLN is built from a slate of committed partners from Pre-K-12 education, higher education, business and industry. The University of Akron is one of many partners that assists with the Akron Region's STEM initiatives. Prior to joining the University of Akron and the OSLN's Akron Hub in January 2010, White served as an account executive for Edward Howard, a full-service public relations agency in Cleveland, Ohio. She was responsible for developing and implementing public relations and social media campaigns for clients in the public, private and non-profit sectors such as: Sherwin-Williams, Walmart, General Motors, Hoover and the American Red Cross – Greater Cleveland Chapter. In 2006, White served as an intern in the Governor's Office of Multicultural Affairs and International Relations. She was able to work collaboratively with multiple populations across the state and assisted as a liaison for the Governor at various official events. White also served as a public relations intern with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, a non-profit community service organization based in Cleveland, Ohio. A native of Strongsville, Ohio, White holds a B.S. degree in Public Relations with a minor in Political Science from Kent State University. She now lives in Copley and is pursuing her Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Akron.

Robert H. Matheson III

rmatheson@wcpss.net

Rob Matheson was name as the Principal of the new Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School in November 2010. The STEM Early College, located in Raleigh, NC, opened in August 2011 with an initial cohort of fifty-five ninth grade students. From 2005-2010 Mr. Matheson was the Assistant Principal for Instruction at Apex High School (AHS). Before returning to AHS in 2004 as the Intervention Coordinator, he was Director and a founding board member at Kestrel Heights School (public charter school, grades 6-10) from 1998-2004. Mr. Matheson worked at AHS from 1991-98 as a biology teacher, and also served as chairman of both the Science Department and School Improvement Committee. Mr. Matheson’s years of experience prior to 1991 include: coordinator of a statewide biotechnology education project for teachers in grades 7-12; biology teacher at Broughton HS (Raleigh, NC); 7th grade life science teacher at Ravenscroft School (Raleigh, NC); and fisheries biologist at the Duke University Marine Laboratory and National Marine Fisheries Service Laboratory in Beaufort, NC. Mr. Matheson has coached high school soccer and baseball, as well as middle school basketball. Mr. Matheson received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Zoology from North Carolina State University, and a Master of School Administration degree from North Carolina Central University. For leisure activities Mr. Matheson enjoys boating, fishing, and travel.

Ryan Haymore

rhaymore@wcpss.net

I began my career as a school counselor in Mount Airy, NC just a little over 13 years ago. I have worked in both middle and high schools in rural and urban settings. I served as the Dean of Students for Enloe Magnet High School, in Raleigh NC for four years before taking a position entailing planning and recruitment for the Wake NC State University STEM ECHS. This summer, as we prepared to open school, I transitioned into the role of Counselor and Dean of Students here at STEM ECHS. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to work with students and teachers so closely, in this very purposeful and innovative small school environment. I’ve already seen growth in our students in the few weeks that we have been open, and I excitedly look forward to seeing who these young people become and how they change our world. STEM is much more than acronym for our school. For us, it evokes a sense of hope and belief in oneself and community and represents an investment in our future.

National Inventor's Hall of Fame Power Point Presentation

• School Overview, September 2011

National Inventor's Hall of Fame School Resources

• STEM School Background Information and Contact
• Technology
• Teaching Creativity
• School Information
• School History and Structure
• National Inventor's Hall of Fame School CNN Video

Wake NC State University Early College High School Presentation

• Wake NC State University Early College High School

Wake NC State University Early College High School Resources

• Wake NC State Early College Information
• Student Expectations
• Student and Faculty Creed
• Work (video clip)
• Social (video clip)
• Needed to Know (video clip)
• Like (video clip)
• Career (video clip)
• Better If (video clip)

Aimee Kennedy

mraymond@reyn.org

Marcy Raymond is the founding principle of Metro Early College High School in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2005 Raymond has been one of the guiding designers for Ohio’s lead demonstration STEM school. Her success in melding public school open enrollment, rigorous problem-based learning and early college access produced a senior class where 59% completed their high school requirements by their third year and are now enrolled in 5-18 credits per quarter in university courses carrying an average grade point of 3.86. Raymond received her Masters in Education at the Ohio State University.

Aimee Kennedy

kennedy@themetroschool.org

Aimee is beginning her 5th year at Metro, a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) school on the campus of The Ohio State University, where she is concurrently pursuing a PhD in Educational Administration. Her experience as an educator, firmly rooted in the belief that all students can achieve at high levels, has included several opportunities to design professional development and lead reform.

Aimee is currently the liaison between Metro and Battelle for Kids as they pilot the use of ACT End-of-Course Exams. She has presented at CES Fall Forum about mastery learning, and she presented about Ohio's Credit Flex policy at the Ohio School Board Association conference. She has also held leadership roles in Ohio's High School Transformation Initiative, Ohio's Early College initiative, and Ohio's Literacy initiative.

She began her teaching career at The Freshman Academy in Canton City Schools--one of Ohio's "Big 8" Urban Districts. During her career in Canton City Schools, Aimee worked at the Freshmen Academy and McKinley Senior High School; she has been a team leader, the English Department Chair, a Literacy Specialist, and Summer School Principal. Her varied experiences as a classroom teacher and teacher leader include building quality relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders and designing lessons that are engaging and authentic to her students.

Aimee completed her undergraduate degree at Malone College, with a major in Communications Comprehensive, and earned a Master's in Education and principal licensure at the University of Akron. She will complete the requirements for her superintendent's license in the Fall of 2011. She continues to work on her PhD, and expects to complete it by Spring of 2012.

Presentation Materials

• PowerPoint Presentation
• School Information Sheet
• Reynoldsburg eSTEM Information Template

Mansoureh Tehrani

tehranim@cfbisd.edu

Mansoureh has served as the Director of Math, Engineering, Technology and Science Academy (METSA) since its inception in 2006. She has been a leader in her district & state on high school redesign, with a focus on creating small, open-enrollment, highly personalized schools that focus on 21st century learning and STEM education.

After working for 13 years in the Information Technology industry, Mansoureh began her education career in 1994--teaching business and technology courses to high school students and coaching teachers. During her teaching tenure, Mansoureh introduced many innovative programs in her district. She is a three-time graduate of University of North Texas, including Masters in Computer Science and Education Administration. Her experiences as teacher, leader, and industry-expert provide unique insight to her current work with schools and districts in the networks she serves.

Kevin Gant

KGant@newtechnetwork.org

Kevin Gant has been with the New Tech Network since 2007, and presently serves as a Senior Coach, specializing in STEM education. In that capacity, he has worked directly with schools primarily in Texas and NM, and he supports other NTN coaches working in Washington, Louisiana, Illinois, and Ohio.

Kevin started teaching in 1991 as a Teach For America corps member in New Orleans, LA, and then moved on to teach at his high school alma mater, Del Norte, in Albuquerque, NM. During his 15 years of teaching high school, he has taught primarily Physics and AP Physics, though he has also taught Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy, and Math. Kevin’s experience in project based learning started in 2001, when he taught Scientific Studies, a combined physics and math course at the first New Tech High in Napa, CA. He continues to be interested in national conversations about math and science education. Dually certified by his state to teach 8-12 math and science, Kevin also became National Board Certified in Adolescent/Young Adult Science, specializing in Physics, in 2006. He holds a B.S. in Physics from the University of New Mexico.

METSA Resources

• METSA Dual Credit 2010-2011
• METSA Four-year Plan
• METSA Presentation
• METSA School Information
• METSA Videos: Scroll to the bottom to view "METSA—Then and Now" and "Bringing Teacher Quality Into Focus"

New Tech Resources

• New Tech Information
• New Tech Network Presentation