District science teachers collaborate with Whitman College professors

District science teachers collaborate with Whitman College professors
Walla Walla Public Schools science teachers recently teamed with Whitman College professors for Summer Institute 2012. This was the last workshop over the three year period with the cohort of 15 science teachers from area middle schools.

Previous Whitman faculty who have led workshops were invited to join the group for lunch to conclude the program.

This year's focus was "Our Green World: The Biology of Producers" and was lead by Professors Heidi Dobson, Nancy Forsthoefel, Dan Vernon and Jim Russo. The goal of these workshops has been to provide professional development opportunities for local science teachers in key areas of their curriculum while supporting collaboration and collegiality between teachers and Whitman faculty and staff.

Previous Whitman presenters pictured included Michelle Shafer, Mark Juhasz, Andrea Dobson, Frank Dunnivant and Nick Bader. Rachna Sinnott (Development) and Ashley Ehlers (our Whitman student assistant) also joined the fun.

Additional presenters over the three year period include: Mark Beck, Kendra Golden, Moira Gresham, Kurt Hoffman, Doug Juers, Kirsten Nicolaysen, Tim Parker, Chris Wallace, and Ginger Withers.

Middle School teachers present this summer: Shannon Jones, Dennis Bennett, Karen Bumgarner, Angie Butler (all from Pioneer MS), Shannon Ahrens, Sue Schulz, Luke Hamada, Kristen Erickson, Chad Hulett (all from Garrison MS), Darin Darand (from Sager MS), and Sue Parrish (newly retired).

Thanks to Mary Burt, Whitman College HHMI Science Outreach Coordinator, for organizing the workshops.