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Introduction:
All assignments are accessible from the "Assignments" button on the left menu. Click on "My Schedule" to find me for extra help. Course expectations and grading info are also available by course on the left menu. Please email me with any questions.
Background:
I have been teaching science at Avon High for 20 years. During that time, I have taught all levels of chemistry and physics from phase 4 (when it existed) through advanced placement (AP). I have a BS in Chemistry from Trinity College, an MS in Chemistry from St. Joseph College, and a 6th Year in Educational administration from UCONN.
I am currently involved in the following other areas:
Science Department Coordinator: In this position, I facilitate budget-planning, scheduling, and other processes for the science department.
Senior-class advisor: I have been the senior or junior class advisor formost of the years that I have been teaching at AHS.
Yearbook advisor: I have been the advisor for 13+ years. During this time, the production process has evolved from a cut-and-paste paper to PC-based graphic design to audio/video production. We are always looking for responsible and hard-working students for the yearbook staff, so see me if you'd like to get involved. We especially need people that enjoy graphic design, video-editing, and other technical areas.
Website Administrator: I am responsible for the coding (HTML, ASP, javascript, CSS) and maintenance of the entire Avon Public Schools website. Many different employees throughout the district work on different content-areas of the site such as updating the calendars or the sports events.
Philosophy:
In chemistry and physics, we try to emphasize broad conceptual understandings, problem-solving, and lab skills. Students are truly successful when they can adapt and apply the concepts that they have learned to new situations. We also focus on making connections to the "real" world and our everyday lives. Little emphasis is given to memorization.
A great deal of effort has been invested in the development and fine-tuning of as many as four distinct levels (academic, college-prep, honors, and AP) for each science class at AHS. Each student should attempt to select a level that is reasonably challenging based upon their background skills and raw abilities. Extra effort rarely compensates for placement in a level that is much too challenging. Likewise, placement in a level that is not challenging rarely leads to much success for a student who is unmotivated.
Teachers at all levels factor effort (to some degree) into grades in an effort to motivate students. By the end of high school, however, students must be assessed primarily on outcomes, not effort. Their grades must reflect their mastery of concepts and their ability to synthesize and apply that learning. It is critical that students are encouraged to develop into independent life-long learners who understand their respective strengths and weaknesses, take responsibility for their learning, and choose appropriate challenges.
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