“I am teaching the new generation of Americans and would like to be part of those professionals that advocates sustainability. As a science teacher, integrating concepts on sustainability will be very effective in my classroom since the experience is near to their daily life experiences.”
Anda Barefoot
Currently teaching at: Hobbton High School
Subject/courses taught:
“Offering hands-on, kinesthetic opportunities to Science students, while fostering sustainable practices, ignites the spark we need to keep students engaged and willing to learn. Additionally, it will create sustainable practices they can incorporate into their own lives and possibly foster new careers and career pathways in college.”
Susan Citro
Currently teaching at: Midway High School
Subject/courses taught: Physical Science, Anatomy and Physiology
“This opportunity to teach students about these different concepts will allow them to find a different “avenue” for science. This avenue can serve to enlighten students who would not otherwise be invested in a science career.”
“I am passionate about guiding my students toward a future that is stable. I want to inspire them toward a career that they will enjoy, and I want to empower them to make good decisions not only for themselves but for society.”
Kelsey Dobradi
Currently teaching at: Vance Charter School
Subject/courses taught: Biology, AP Biology, Forensics, Anatomy and Physiology
“I am underwhelmed by my students’ knowledge on this topic and want to make it something that feels more authentic to inspire my students to pursue careers in this very important field. “
Amy Elliott
Currently teaching at: Douglass Byrd High School
Subject/courses taught: Biology, Green Technology
“I’m interested in helping students learn up and coming technology to become better stewards of the earth. I consider this a wonderful opportunity to improve my skills as a teacher so as to inspire my students.”
“If I had a hands-on activity to adapt to any of my science class that focus on an alternative substance, it would inspire and engage my students in a way that images or videos just cannot accomplish.”
“This opportunity is relevant for augmenting my AP Environmental Science class–where my students are always looking for sustainable solutions to many of the world’s problems. This will help me invigorate my AP E.S. course and inspire me to do even more to teach the students.”
“Science is everywhere and in everything. However, if you were to ask my average student, they’d frankly state ‘there’s nothing I can take from these science courses and apply to my everyday life. What will I use this for?’ It is this disconnect between science and the real world that I wish to repair.”
Julia Little
Currently teaching at: Westover Senior High School
Subject/courses taught: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, AP Environmental Science
“My students learn best with real-world, hands-on activities, and they will thoroughly relate to a Bioproducts and Bioenergy Career night. I hope to have my students also share their projects with the middle school, which is physically connected to our school, as well to two elementary schools located within walking distance of our high school.”
Molly Ludwick
Currently teaching at: Kings Mountain Middle School
Subject/courses taught: 8th Grade Science
“It is my hope that by participating in the SBBP program, I can encourage more students to take an interest in and pursue careers in biotechnology in North Carolina.”
Kelly Maxson
Currently teaching at: Vance Charter School
Subject/courses taught: Earth/Environmental Science, Physical Science, The Science of Sports
“Science, in general, is sometimes a very foreign and abstract subject for my students. This program, I believe, will help me learn how to better help my students connect with science and understand how it can affect their everyday lives.”
“With this program, I will receive the in-depth training on these subjects so that I can convey the importance to my students. My students are the leaders of tomorrow and I feel it is my duty to prepare them for the future.
“I believe that students need experiential learning that is applicable to the real world. This is a phenomenal opportunity to expand my curriculum, as well as inform students about potential educational programs and careers.”
Sanjana Sharma
Currently teaching at: Knightdale High School
Subject/courses taught: Biology, Earth science
“I share the dream that more Americans should participate in STEM related work and seek to contribute in the same. I expect this training will hone my skills in bioproducts, and it will be an enabling tool showing me possibilities to access latest teaching methodologies in STEM.”
“Sustainability is a major topic in Environmental Science. I would find it beneficial to have current real world applications that could translate into lessons for my students. Our school has a huge agriculture emphasis, so if we could bridge our science with our Ag teachers, it would enhance the student experience.”
“Through this program, my students can make connections between science, technology, and real-life applications. They will be given the opportunity to discover new possibilities for them in the STEM field and learn new things that will benefit them now and in the future.”
“I think that this is a great opportunity to introduce my students here in Eastern NC to the different areas associated with Bioenergy and Bio-products. I also think that it would be exciting to be able to expose our students to an area that they might not know about or have even heard of.”
John Warren
Currently teaching at: Nash Central High School
Subject/courses taught:
“As a science teacher I recognize the need to be protective of the environment. The use of environment friendly products will create more economic opportunities while providing alternatives to the products that damage our environment.”
Sarah Whitfield
Currently teaching at: Washington High School
Subject/courses taught: AP Environmental Science, Earth/Environmental Science
“I am very interested in this opportunity to integrate the applications of Bioenergy and Bioproducts into my classes. I currently practice the 5E and PBL based learning/teaching within my Environmental Science classes as a stepping stone for engagement and to set the groundwork for meaningful student classroom experiences.”
Past Participants
Karen Collier
Currently teaching at: Midway High School
Subject/courses taught: A&P, AP Biology, Chemistry
“As a teacher, there is a drive to constantly improve one’s knowledge base and refine one’s skills for the betterment of the students’ education. This is an outstanding venture for an educator to learn about new and upcoming fields in science and obtain the capacity to bring new concepts and activities into the classroom.”
“In my opinion high school students need three facets in a class to pursue a future career: active subject matter engagement, economic viability of the subject matter, and teacher motivation. This project provides all three. I am passionate about our environment and how sustainable agriculture can provide that impetus for students to seek higher education in this field.”
“Focusing on plant-based bioproducts allows for my agricultural students to better understand their impact on the environment. I desire to incorporate new lessons into my curriculum that encourage students to research new ideas, develop new ways to implement sustainability into their everyday lives, and be excited about sharing their ideas with those that they interact with on a daily basis.”
Brandon Hill
Currently teaching at: Duplin Early College High School
Subject/courses taught: Earth/Environmental Science and Biology
“I use my (environmental/natural resources) education and work experience to bring as much exposure to my students in the sustainability and biotech fields. Not only will my students obtain greater hands on knowledge enhancing their learning through this program, but they can learn about new careers that are possibilities for their future.”
Francene Martin
Currently teaching at: Warren County High School
Subject/courses taught: Earth/Environmental Science, Engineer Your World
“I’d like to improve my lessons in order for effective learning to take place. By participating in this program I expect my lessons to be more engaging and interesting for students to explore. The knowledge I’ll gain from the workshops will allow students to innovate designs to produce green energy that they can use in their communities and create jobs.”
Caroline Newman
Currently teaching at: John T. Hoggard High School
“By participating in this program I will learn ways in which not only I can help advance our Bioeconomy, but also convey that knowledge to my students. It is important to me to be able to change my students’ mindsets as well as create curious and confident individuals who are ready to take on all present and future issues our world does and will face.”
“The content of this program will compliment and grow the sustainable energy units in the AP environmental science and earth science classes that I teach. I think there is a need for a science class that focuses on NC resources and it seems this program will provide the opportunity to begin building that curriculum.”
“Many of my students care deeply about the future of our planet because they work with it and see firsthand how human activity impacts it. Teaching science with an eye to sustainability is crucial for our upcoming generation. Preparing them in any way for their constantly evolving future is my goal.”
Maureen Stover
Currently teaching at: Cumberland International Early College High School
“This program will enhance my ability to familiarize and prepare my students for STEM careers of the future. I will use the knowledge I learn to enhance my current curriculum to include increased emphasis on bioeconomy careers, provide more hands-on activities, and help my students understand their citizen science role in the future of sustainable bioproducts and bioenergy resources.”
John Thomas
Currently teaching at: Louisburg high school
Subject/courses taught: Biology
“I would love to use this opportunity to help create change among the students I teach. It is critical that we embrace renewable energy so that we can guarantee a better environment for generations to come. The best place to spark this change is in the classroom and I intend to lead that charge in my capacity as a science teacher.”
Brittany White (Tripp)
Currently teaching at: Edgecombe Early College High School
“I have always had a passion for environmental consciousness. I try to incorporate sustainability and environmental awareness into all of my courses. Being a part of this program will give me the skills I need to engage my students in more real-world project-based learning experiences focused on their impact on the environment and actions they can take to reduce this impact.”
