University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Information about consultants for 2012 will be available soon!

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Science

Nancy Stitt

Dixie M. Hollins High School, St. Petersburg, Florida

Pre-AP Middle School Science

Nancy Stitt has worked as an educator in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Florida, for the past 30 years. The last three years she has worked at the high school level as a Science Instructional Coach for the district. Previous experiences include working with the gifted science department, IMAST- Integrated Math and Science with Technology and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) in the middle school environment. She has been the Master Science Content Coach/ Middle Schools for the county and mentored new teachers and teachers pursuing alternative certification (Transition to Teaching) within her school. She served as the science department liaison for Meadowlawn Middle School for 20 years. Nancy earned a B.A. in Biology/Education and a B.S. in Nursing from the University of South Florida and a M.S. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University. She became Nationally Board certified in Early Adolescence/Science in 2000. She is a College Board endorsed consultant for Pre-AP: Topics for AP Vertical teams in science, Strategies in Science-Creating a Learner-Centered Classroom and a Pre-AP Strategies in Science: Inquiry-Based Labs. Ms. Stitt was a presenter at the Advanced Placement Summer Institute at UTA (University of Texas at Arlington)-2007, Auburn University-2008, and the University of Oklahoma-2009. This will be Nancy’s third APSI at UALR.

Course Description:The workshop will focus on the three R’s- rigor, relevance, and relationships while working in the science classroom. A positive middle school science experience is important to increasing student access and success in AP science courses. Activities and labs in the workshop will equip participants with ways to help their students organize information so students can independently use strategies to add to their knowledge and understanding of science. Along the week’s journey, participants will develop an understanding of AP Vertical Teaming and acquire classroom strategies and tools to prepare their students for the rigor of courses in high school and college-level work. Topics include: 5E Instructional Model~ Inquiry Based Laboratories, Collaborative Structures, Formative Assessment, Differentiated Instruction via Multiple Intelligences and Team Building.

What to Bring: Dress for success in both lab and outdoor activities.
*Comfortable closed-toe shoes
*Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
*Portable flash drive to share information
*Your most engaging lab activity (on flash drive)
(R’s=Rigor and Relevance)
*Item of importance to you to share with the group (R=Relationships!)

The Participant’s Manual: Pre-AP: Topics for AP Vertical Teams in Science will be provided.

Cheri Blackwood

Edmond Santa Fe High School, Edmond, Oklahoma

Pre-AP High School Science (Physical)

Mrs. Cheri Blackwood is a National Board Certified Teacher.  She graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.  She is certified to teach biology, chemistry, and physics as well as math through calculus.  Cheri has taught high school science and math for 19 years.  She developed and started the AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and Pre-AP Physics programs at Edmond Santa Fe High School.  Her current teaching assignment is AP Physics and AP Chemistry.  As a consultant she has presented workshops in Vertical Team Science, Learner Centered Classroom, AP Chemistry and Pre-AP Chemistry. Additionally, Cheri has presented workshops for Laying the Foundation and T3 regional conferences.  She currently lives in Edmond, Oklahoma, with her husband who is also a teacher and spends her spare time helping him coach the FIRST Robotics team.

Course Description: This course will focus on teaching strategies that will help prepare students for the AP Chemistry and AP Physics through Pre-AP Chemistry and other science classes.  We will look at chemistry and physics curriculum and discuss how to increase the rigor.  We will spend an appreciable amount of time in the laboratory. We will look at AP style questions and discuss how to incorporate them into to the Pre-AP curriculum.  We will also examine some creative ways to get students to understand complex chemistry concepts.  We will spend a short time discussing ways to begin and sustain a Pre-AP/AP science program.

What to Bring:

• Any good lessons you have that you would like to share
• A graphing calculator (one will be provided is you do not have one).
• Goggles
• Lab coat or lab apron
• A desire to improve student learning
• The Participant’s Manual: Pre-AP: Topics for AP Vertical Teams in Science will be provided.

Gary Earleywine

Central High School, Little Rock, Arkansas
AP Biology - New Teachers

Gary is a 36-year veteran who has worked for the College Board for 16 years. He has been involved in one-day, two-day and APSI’s from Seattle, Washington, to Boston, Massachuetts, during his time. He lives in Little Rock, where he and his wife, Gail, are proud to announce that they have a grandson, Jonas Antipolo!

Annice Steadman

Pulaski Academy, Little Rock, AR
AP Biology - Experienced Teachers

Annice Steadman, a Siemen’s Advanced Placement Award recipient, has taught advanced and AP Biology for 35 years. As an AP and Pre-AP Biology College Board consultant, she works with teachers across the nation through the Advanced Placement Science Institutes. In addition to APSI, she spends most of her summer working with local educational cooperatives instructing science teachers in College Board’s course Strategies in Teaching Pre-AP Science. Currently Mrs. Steadman is the AP Biology teacher at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock.

Course Description:The AP Biology course has been revised. There is a new test and a new set of laboratory experiments (inquiry based). This institute will focus on preparing teachers to teach the new course. We will perform all of the laboratory experiments while reviewing the essential knowledge and skills that an AP Biology course must include. After discussing the test revisions (fewer multiple choice questions, an increase in open-ended questions that require the integration of science and mathematics skills, and the addition of statistics), we will take several tests.

What to Bring: Computer

Ed Braddy

JW Mitchell High School, New Port Richey, Florida
AP Biology - Experienced Teachers

Mr. Braddy has been teaching Advanced Placement Biology since 1991. He has developed and maintained the course at two high schools in the Florida school district where he teaches. He has been a reader for the AP Biology Exam, and he has also served as a consultant for one-day workshops and week-long summer institutes for the past six years. Mr. Braddy was named Teacher of the Year at JW Mitchell High School in 2010, and he also serves as Science Department Chair at the school. He has attended the International Science and Engineering Fair with his students for a number of years, and he also enjoys working with student leaders as the Student Council advisor at his school.

Course Description: The Biology APSI will focus on preparing teachers to teach the revised AP Biology course for 2012-2013. We will take an in-depth look at the comprehensive framework to see how it is organized into Big Ideas, Enduring Understandings, Essential Knowledge statements, Learning Objectives, and Science Practices. We will take a look at new approaches to teaching biology that include student-directed, teacher-facilitated instructional activities, including student-directed laboratories. We will look at ways to transition the existing labs into more open-inquiry investigations. We will look at the new proposed lab investigations, and as time allows, will engage in hands-on investigations, modeling the science practices that teachers will expect their students to master as they study biology.

What to Bring:
• Good examples of student-directed, teacher-facilitated instructional activities that you might like to share, if you have had an opportunity to look at the revised curriculum framework: (http://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/science/biology)
• Calculators (use of mathematical routines is Science Practice #2)
• Your favorite goggles/aprons for lab investigations
• A copy of the “Dirty Dozen” lab manual (2001 College Board AP Biology Lab Manual) as we look at what will be required to transition these labs to student-directed inquiry.

Please bring a flashdrive as there are many activities and a great deal of extra information that you may want to download.

Tina Wagner

Grenada High School, Grenada, MS
AP Biology - Experienced Teachers

I graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Plant Physiology/Biochemistry and worked as a genetic researcher for eight years. I returned to school and completed my M.A. in Secondary Science (Biology, Chemistry) and a Specialist in Gifted Education at Ball State University. I have since taught in a variety of settings for the last 15 years. I have conducted AP Summer Institutes for the last 10 years as well as conducting multiple single-day workshops during the school year. I have been fully instructed in the current College Board redesign of the AP Biology curriculum and look forward to familiarizing my participants with the evolution of the AP Biology course.

Course Description: This year presents a new challenge to both veteran AP Biology teachers and those new to the course.  College Board has finalized their curriculum redesign for AP Biology, to be implemented in the 2012-2013 academic year.  My goal is to provide all teachers with an understanding of the changes in the curriculum, the changes to the new national test format and provide an opportunity to conduct the inquiry-based changes to the laboratory component.  All AP Biology teachers will also need to submit a new audit to show their adoption of the new Framework.  We will spend much of our time in the APSI going over the new Curriculum Framework and learning how to adapt your past AP Biology class to the new framework.  I firmly believe the redesign represents a more authentic view of science as practiced in the real-world.
What to Bring: Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop, a external storage device (jump drive), and a willingness to exchange effective teaching practices/activities to the group discussion.

Janice Willingham

Westmore High School, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

AP Chemistry - New Teachers

Janice Willingham teaches Pre-AP and AP Chemistry at Westmore High School in Oklahoma City, where she also serves as department chair.  Janice brings to the workshop 32 years of teaching experience.  For the past 25 years Janice has taught Chemistry, and the last 16 years have been Advanced Placement Chemistry.  She has a BS degree in Medical Technology and a MS degree in Science Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. Janice was runner up in her district’s Teacher of the Year Award.  She has been listed in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” for several years and is the recipient of Sigma Xi’s Club Teacher of the Year from University of Central Oklahoma (1994) and from the University of Oklahoma (2001).  Janice is currently a “Catalyst Mentor” for Louis Educational Concepts.  In 2006 Janice received the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement and was again a nominee for 2008.

Course Description: This workshop is designed for teachers who are beginning their careers as AP Chemistry teachers.  Time will be spent during the sessions on the nature of the AP program and on structuring an AP Chemistry course.  Many labs will be discussed, and teachers will be given an opportunity to do a number of typical labs appropriate for AP chemistry.  Topics that are often covered are teaching and testing techniques, periodicity, bonding, states of matter, kinetics, equilibrium, instrumentation, equations and product prediction, thermodynamics, and eletrochemistry.  The workshop makes considerable use of the graphing calculator and the CBL as a data collection device.  Typical AP problems and essays are discussed, and strategies for enabling students to perform well on the AP exams will be shared.

 What to Bring:  Participants are asked to bring 30 copies of their favorite demo and/or experiment to share with fellow participants.  Participants are also asked to bring goggles and appropriate shoe attire for lab work.  Graphing calculators will be provided.

John Gelder

Oklahoma State University
AP Chemistry - Experienced Teachers

John has been teaching in the introductory chemistry program at Oklahoma State University for over 30 years. He has been involved with the AP Chemistry program and the College Board since 1988. From 1989 to 1992 he developed and taught AP Chemistry By Satellite to rural and urban high schools around the United States. John was an AP Reader from 1989 until 2005. From 2002 – 2005 he served as Chief Faculty Consultant for AP Chemistry. John returned to the Reading in 2009 as an Exam Leader. In 2006 and 2007 John served on the College Board AP Chemistry Curriculum Alignment Commission. This group was responsible for developing the content outline for the redesigned AP Chemistry course. In 2010 John was appointed to AP Chemistry Test Development Committee. In 2012 John attended the AP Chemistry Professional Development Workshop. Throughout his teaching career John has always integrated computers in his teaching. Beginning with the Apple II he has developed software to be used by teachers and students. In 2002 he and Dr. Michael Abraham from the University of Oklahoma received an NSF grant to develop a series of particulate level animations and the corresponding guided and open-inquiry activities. The MoLE project web site (http://genchem1.chem.okstate.edu/CCLI/Startup.html) provides teacher access to all the animations and activities. Along with Mike Abraham at the University of Oklahoma and Tom Greenbowe at Iowa State University, John is working on a new technology project (http://genchem1.chem.okstate.edu/CCLIEMD09/BCE.html) that provides activities before class, during class and after class using a learning cycle design to help students better understand introductory chemistry content. Participants will have access to John’s APSI web site which includes homework assignments (with answers), sample examinations (with answers) and additional activities that can be incorporated into the classroom.

Course Description:The summer institute will discuss topics important for the current AP chemistry experience and provide insight into changes that are anticipated for the new AP Chemistry curriculum. Topics to be covered will focus on content, based on his experience as a Reader, that most students have difficulty understanding. These topics include:

Periodicity and Atomic Structure
Bonding and Molecular Structure
Reactions
Thermodynamics
Aqueous Equilibrium
Chemical Kinetics
Electrochemistry

There will be activities, during the non-laboratory portion of the summer institute, that teachers will work on to help acquire a more fundamental understanding of the topics listed above. Many problems that have appeared on recent AP examinations will be discussed. The 2012 AP Chemistry exam will also be covered in detail.

In laboratory there will be a mixture of hands-on experiments and particulate level computer based experiments to further support the topics listed above. During the hands-on portion teachers will be able to use graphing calculators and probeware for data collections and analysis. Experiments will be selected from the recommended experiments listed in AP Chemistry Course Description, and many will utilize an inquiry format. Several experiments should reflect the anticipated changes in the redesign.

What to Bring: Goggles, clothing and foot-ware appropriate for working in the laboratory, graphing calculator, portable computer (if you have one, or you have access to a school computer), your AP Chemistry course syllabus, favorite activities that you use in your classroom that you would like to share, favorite website addresses, U-tube video links or other resources that you find useful in your classroom.

Brian Kaestner

Saint Mary’s Hall, San Antonio, Texas

AP Environmental Science - Experienced Teachers
Brian currently teaches AP Environmental Science and AP Human Geography at Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio, where he has been on the faculty for 31 years.

In 1993, Brian received the “Special Recognition Award” from College Board and was a TEA state nominee for the “Presidential Awards for Excellence.” In 2000, he received the “Siemens Award for Advanced Placement Teaching.”

With a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Environmental Management, Brian also serves with the College Board as an Advanced Placement consultant and as a table leader at the APES reading. He is also the moderator for the APES moderated discussion group. A veteran of both public (PA) and private (NY, TX) schools, Brian is in his thirty-fifth year teaching and coaching soccer.

Course Description: The unique focus for the week will be the investigation of multidisciplinary nature of the environmental science curriculum through both terrestrial and aquatic ecology and the unique ecosystems in the Hot Springs area.

Environmental Science is the most multidisciplinary of the AP science subjects. This workshop will incorporate both lecture and laboratory aspects of the course. Designed for the experienced AP Environmental Science teacher, this course will consider the challenges of continuing and enhancing a successful APES program.

Participants will complete a variety of field activities, including an array of useful techniques for analyzing plant and animal populations in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Methods will incorporate both traditional techniques and calculator-based labs.

The most useful websites for APES teachers and students will be investigated thoroughly.

Each participant will receive a CD that includes all course materials or participants may bring a 1G flash drive for download of all course materials.

This institute will incorporate significant fieldwork and participants should be prepared for light hiking over short distances.

What to Bring: Participants should bring a minimum 1G flash drive for download of all course materials.

The instructor will provide insect repellent and sunscreen as needed, but participants might want to bring a camera, binoculars, notebook, walking boots or shoes, and hat for fieldwork. Participants should have one pair of shoes that they do not mind getting wet and/or muddy.

Brian Monson

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts, Hot Springs, AR
AP Physics B

Brian Monson earned a BS in physics from the University of Missouri – Rolla and a PhD in physics from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. He has taught both AP physics classes or the equivalent college courses for 21 years. He started his career at the University of Tulsa and has taught at the Oklahoma School for Science and Math. At OSSM he developed the physics curriculum for their regional centers and taught Physics C at their first remote site in Drumright, OK. He is currently the chair of the science department at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts in Hot Springs. He teaches Physics C as well as several other science classes including courses on acoustics and optics and is director of the West-Central Regional Science Fair. He was awarded the Siemens AP Educator of the Year award for Arkansas in 2009.

Course Description:This session will cover the Physics B curriculum. It will be focused on beginning AP teachers and those considering adding AP Physics, but experienced teachers will be welcome. Sessions will include choosing topics to cover and how much time to devote to each, designing an assessment plan that is an effective predictor of exam success, incorporating demos and labs, and using technology effectively. Special sessions on the development and grading of the exams and how to prepare your students for the test will also be scheduled. If mostly beginning teachers enroll, we will do a session on stocking a physics lab. A large percentage of class time will be spent working AP Physics problems to refresh your content knowledge, to learn how to write AP-style exam problems, and to gain an understanding of the level of teaching and learning required in an AP Physics class.

What to Bring: Be sure to bring a calculator and 20 copies of a lab or activity handout to share with the group.

Math

Joe Milliet

Saint Mark’s School of Texas, Dallas, Texas

AP Calculus AB - New Teachers

Joe Milliet is the mathematics department chair at St. Mark’s School of Texas and teaches both middle and high school mathematics. Joe taught high school mathematics at Beaumont Central High School in Beaumont, Texas for 22 years.  During that time he served the AP Calculus community as a College Board Consultant, a workshop leader, exam reader, and member of the AP calculus Test Development Committee.  from June 1998 to June 1999, Joe served as Associate Director for the AP Program at the College Board Southwest Region Office (SWRO) in Austin, Texas.  From June 1999 to July 2000, he worked  as a consultant to promote a partnership between the College Board SWRO and the University of Texas, while also developing AP course support material in conjunction with the Dana Center for Math and Science Education at the University of Texas.  Joe returned to teaching in August 2000, joining the faculty at St. Mark’s.  Having taught mathematics for 33 years total, including AP Calculus AB and/or BC for 29 years, he currently teaches AP Calculus along with other mathematics courses.  He also continues to serve as an AP Calculus consultant since his return to teaching. He is co-author of the test preparation book “Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam” published in 2005.  In 2008-2009, Joe was the State of Texas’ recipient of the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement.

Course Description:This course will present a detailed analysis of the current Calculus AB curriculum with an emphasis on details for beginning teachers. Features of the institute will include: strategies for teaching various topics; resources available for the AP teacher; discussion of content from an advanced viewpoint; substantial activities with graphing calculators and their role on the AP exam; suggested timetables; suggestions for types of assignments; and suggestions for sample test questions. The format of the AP exam together with an analysis of scoring standards used will be discussed. Sample questions and the grading process from the perspective of an AP Reader will be addressed. Participants will have opportunities to work “hands-on” with graphing calculators and will receive numerous materials.

Participants should expect:
1. Much work is done on the graphing calculator. For our purposes, a TI-83/84 (any edition) will be used in our demonstrations. Please bring one of these calculators or be proficient in doing comparable work on a calculator of your choosing without needing instruction.
2. Unless you have a tablet with a digital ink pen stylus for note-taking using math symbols, please leave your laptop in your housing location. We will be too busy for you to have time to do email, social networking, web surfing, etc.
3. Sample texts will be ordered for you. How many we receive will depend on publisher generosity.

Barbara Currier

Greenhill School, Addison, Texas
AP Calculus AB - Experienced Teachers

Barb Currier has been teaching AP Calculus at Greenhill School in Addison, Texas, for twenty-eight years. She has served as an AP consultant for summer institutes and other workshops since 1990 and has been a reader, table leader and question leader for the AP Calculus exam since 1995. She received the Tandy Technology Scholars Outstanding Math Teacher award in 1991 and the College Board’s Southwest Region AP Special Recognition award in 1996. Dr. Currier holds a BS from Washburn University and an MS and a PhD from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She currently lives in Farmers Branch, Texas, with her son and two dogs.

Course Description:In this problem-based course, participants will examine a wide variety of problems that reflect important elements of AP Calculus AB. The emphasis will be on building strong conceptual understanding in students through AP-style problems.

Topics will include the following:
• Problems related to the content and concepts of Calculus AB
• Teaching methodology appropriate for AP
• AP exam format and grading standards
• Problems and information from recent AP Calculus AB exams

What to Bring:Please bring your graphing calculator, your favorite teaching activities for AP Calculus AB, and a willingness to engage and to work!

Kathy Fritz

Plano West Senior High School

AP Statistics - New Teachers

Kathy Fritz teaches AP Statistics at Plano West Senior High School in Plano, Texas. She is also Co-Chair of the PWSH Math Department. For the past eleven years, Mrs. Fritz has presented workshops at various College Board conferences in the Southwest Region, conferences in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, and South Carolina, AP Summer Institutes, and review sessions for AP Strategies. She is a table-leader at the AP Reading and a prior member of the Test Development Committee for AP Statistics. Mrs. Fritz is also author of the “Teaching Tips” in the Annotated Instructors Edition of the textbook Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis by Peck, Olsen, and Devore and author of the PowerPoints for the 4th edition of this book. In 2005, Mrs. Fritz received Teacher of the Year at PWSH and the Special Recognition Award from the College Board. She holds a BS in mathematics and a MA in psychology, both from the University of Houston.

Course Description: Participants will be actively involved with exploring critical topics in the AP Statistics course outline. The course will begin exploratory data analysis, and then move into probability, regression, and sampling and experimental design. Other topics include probability models, statistical inference, and student performance on the 2011 exam. Participants will receive a CD containing calendars of lesson plans, student worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, and an assortment of activities.

This course will include the following:
• content instruction and methodology in each of the four broad conceptual themes outlined in the Course Description
• hands-on activities that augment the development of statistical understanding
• the use of graphing calculators and computer applets and computer output to enhance the development of statistical understanding
• ways to draw connections between all aspects of the statistical process, including design, analysis, and conclusions
• an explanation of AP exam and ways to prepare your students for the exam

What to Bring:
• Graphing calculator
• Paper, pencil (pen), etc.

Chris Olsen

Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
AP Statistics - Experienced Teachers

Chris taught statistics at George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, IA, for over 25 years, and AP Statistics from its inception until 2006, when he passed the baton to a colleague. After spending three years working as the Math Assessment Facilitator in the Research Dept in Cedar Rapids, he has returned to teaching and is now a professor of mathematics and statistics at Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA, teaching statistics, experimental design, and calculus.

He has been involved nationally in workshops and conferences mostly relating to statistics for over 30 years. He has reviewed materials for The Mathematics teacher, the AP Central web site, The American Statistician, and the Journal of the American Statistical Association. He is a co-author, with Roxy Peck and Jay Devore, of the Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis (POD), and authored or edited the Teacher’s Guide for Advanced Placement Statistics three Special Topics sections in AP Statistics summer workshop materials. He is currently on the editorial board of Teaching Statistics.

He is a past member (twice) of the AP Statistics Test Development Committee, and has served as a table leader and question leader for the AP Statistics exam for 11 years. Recently completed projects are the 4th edition of POD, and a book on using JMP software in teaching statistics.

Course Description:We will consider concepts and activities in the four major themes of AP Statistics: exploratory data analysis, planning and executing studies, probability and random variables, and statistical inference. We will stress the use of technology and during the course of the week. Our goal will be to expand your knowledge base with some in-depth discussions of the AP Statistics topics to help with those tough questions your students are sure to ask. Generally, we will consider: the philosophy of the course as an active encounter with data, the statistical methodology needed, and communication as an essential part of “doing statistics.” I will be bringing a large amount of AP Statistics material (information, data, activities, tests & quizzes, bibliographies, PowerPoints, etc.)

What to Bring:
• Your calculator
• A 2G flash drive
• Favorite scribbles or activities to share (preferably electronically)
• A bright, shiny, ready smile

Lorie Moore

University of West Georgia, Carrollton, Georgia
Pre-AP Middle School Math/ Pre Algebra-6th grade

Lorie Moore, a native of Atlanta, works at the University of West Georgia as a Master Teacher in the UTeach Program. Ms. Moore was a middle and high school mathematics teacher for 21 years in Georgia. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics from Georgia State University, a Master’s in Middle Grades Education and a Specialist in Leadership for learning, both from Kennesaw State University. In 2003, she achieved National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Mathematics. After piloting Math Vertical Teams for the College Board’s Southern Region in 1997, Lorie became a trainer in Vertical Teaming. She has been presenting at workshops, conferences, and summer institutes since 1998. The most recent summer institute work includes Pre-AP Math for both middle school and high school teachers in Texas and Oklahoma. Lorie’s professional interests include graphing calculator, interactive white board technology, and performance assessment.

Course Description:The Pre-AP Middle School Mathematics Course will emphasize inquiry based instruction in mathematics, multiple representations of math, manipulatives, projects, and standards for mathematical practice. We will look at what middle school teachers can do to prepare students for the AP Calculus and AP Statistics curriculum through vertical teaming. Common Core Standards will also be emphasized.

What to Bring: Scientific or graphing calculator and a sample of your favorite inquiry-based lesson or a favorite class project, a flash drive. A laptop is optional. The Pre-AP Vertical Teams Guide will be provided.

Lisa Allen

Great Bridge Middle School, Chesapeake, Virginia

Pre AP Middle School Math/ Algebra I

Mrs. Allen graduated from Lancaster Bible College with a bachelor’s degree in Biblical studies and education, and she continued with a Master’s Degree in Education from Millersville University. She currently has over fifty graduate hours beyond her Master’s Degree. Part of those graduate hours includes twenty four hours in mathematics from Norfolk State along with an algebra endorsement from VA. She also has eighteen graduate hours in physics from Old Dominion University. Mrs. Allen has been teaching for thirty five years, both in the private and public school arenas and has taught almost all grades from second through eighth grade. The majority of her teaching career has been dedicated to teaching mathematics in the middle school. While teaching in Virginia Beach, Mrs. Allen helped to develop the math curriculum for the city’s middle schools. She also was part of a math vertical team as a participant and a co-leader. Mrs. Allen has worked as an endorsed consultant for The College Board for over eleven years. As a College Board consultant, Mrs. Allen has presented workshops in Pre-AP mathematics throughout many states and is a frequent workshop presenter within her city and within VA. She currently lives in Chesapeake with her husband and two teenage sons.

Course Description: This course will focus on developing and fostering the foundations for algebra as well as understanding and applying algebraic concepts. We will be investigating various activities, and we will work to adapt them to your present needs. We will present algebraic skills within the context of an activity. There will be activities that are hands-on and can be used in the classroom to teach or reinforce concepts, from concrete activities through abstract ideas. We will also look at adapting AP testing questions to use in the Pre-AP classroom.

What to Bring:Please bring the following items when you come:
• One great lesson, activity or game you have used in the past
• paper
• Scissors
• Ruler (cm and inches)
• A small amount of colored pencils (about ½ dozen)
• Tape
• Highlighter
• A desire to try some new things
• The Participant’s Manual: Pre-AP: Topics for AP Vertical Teams in Mathematics will also be provided.

Vivian Stephens

Dalton, Georgia

Pre AP High School Mathematics/Geometry-Algebra II

Mrs. Stephens received her B.S.Ed. from the University of Georgia in 1976, her M.Ed. from Geogria State University in 1983, and her Ed. S. from Georgia State University in 1991. She began her teaching career in 1976 and has taught mathematics in grades 7-12 in public schools for 31 years. Mrs. Stephens has also taught mathematics at the college level. She currently supervises teacher candidates during their field experience for the college teacher-training program. She has been a College Board consultant for Mathematics Vertical Teams Workshops, Problem Solving in Mathematics Workshops and Cornerstone Workshops since 1999. Mrs. Stephens has presented workshops at NCTM and Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (GCTM) conferences and taught many staff development courses for the Dalton Public School System. Named as one of three Georgia Secondary Mathematics State Finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 1998, Mrs. Stephens has received numerous awards for the teaching of mathematics. She is married to Mr. James Stephens and has two daughters and one son-in-law.

Course Description: This workshop will focus on the alignment of curriculum and instruction in order to facilitate student’s ability to access higher levels of mathematics such as AP courses. Teachers will participate in activities that involve students in higher level thinking processes that reinforce the skills and concepts needed to be successful in upper level mathematics classes. Teachers will also review and adapt AP problems that may be used to help facilitate student learning and to reinforce concepts at different grade levels.

What to Bring:

• An activity or lesson you would like to share
• A graphing calculator if you have one (A calculator will be provided is you do not have one)
• Pencils, hi-lighter
• Portable flash drive, travel drive, or USB drive so that you may share your work

Donna Speer

Northwest High School, Justin, Tx
Pre-AP High School Mathematics/Algebra II-Pre Calculus

Mrs. Speer graduated from Mid-America Nazarene University with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and from University of Texas at Dallas with a master’s degree in Mathematics Education. She also has received state certification in Gifted Education. Donna is currently teaching Pre AP Pre Calculus, AP Statistics and Advanced Mathematics for Decision Making at Northwest High School in Justin, Tx. She taught 10 years in the El Paso ISD before moving to the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Over the past 27 years she has taught a variety of math courses from 7th grade math to AP Calculus and Statistics to students from varied backgrounds. She has been a certified consultant for the College Board for the last 8 years and a reader for the AP Statistics exam for 7 years. She enjoys her work with the College Board and the opportunity to work with other teachers to improve math education.

Course Description:This course will focus on preparing students for the AP Calculus exam through the Algebra II and Trig/Pre-Calculus curriculum. We will incorporate AP/Pre-AP strategies and concepts into math curriculum. We will examine math topics such as: functions, limits, optimization, sequences and series, trigonometry, rate of change, parametric equations and how these topics can be appropriately included in Algebra II and Pre-Calculus courses. There will be a variety of teaching strategies including activities, projects, alternative assessments, graphing calculators, CBLs, and internet. Participants will discuss Pre-AP philosophy, resources, vertical teaming, AP exams and grading and how to get support from parents, and administrators.

What to Bring: Participants are encouraged to bring their graphing calculator if they have one and their best lesson or activity to share.