Miriam Adams, Hanceville, AL
Hanceville Middle School

Miriam Adams of Hanceville, Alabama majored in Biology and Chemistry at Southern Benedictine College and is an experienced teacher of graduate students in Hematology/Coagulation and 6th and 8th grade Science and Forensics. Miriam is a Continuous Improvement Committee Member, County Science Fair Chairman, and a Learn and Serve Stem Grant administrator.  Miriam has received honors such as Outstanding Teacher AMSTI trainer and was the recipient of a Learn and Serve Stem Grant. Miriam plans to incorporate scientific method and energy concept knowledge gained at ORNL in her lessons to reinforce state curriculum standards. She looks forward to applying research principles in her classroom.

Anthony Birkmeier, Harrison Township, MI
L'Anse Creuse High School

Anthony Birkmeier of Chesterfield Township, Michigan majored in Human Biology at Michigan State University and is a second year teacher of Biology and Chemistry. Anthony is currently the tournament director of the largest international creative problem solving competition in the world, Odyssey of the Mind. He is also working on the new science class curriculum and is a Senior Honors Project Faculty Sponsor for a student at L'Anse Creuse High School.  Anthony has received such honors as: Dean's List at Saginaw Valley State University(where he is working on his Masters in Educational Leadership); 1st in World: Odyssey of the Mind; and Eagle Scout. Anthony was also named Eagle Scout of the Year in the State of Michigan. Anthony believes the Siemens Teachers as Researchers program will help students by providing real world applications that can be brought into the classroom.  "Having real experience I can talk about will help me draw students to science and hopefully increase my ability to create future scientists."  He hopes to increase student learning and improve teaching by bringing best practices and real world concepts into the classroom to help students connect with the material.

Terrence Bissoondial, Hewlett, NY,
George W. Hewlett High School

Dr. Terrence Bissoondial of Hewlett, New York earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Molecular Genetics from the University of Rochester, a Masters Degree in Biology and Secondary Education from Queens College, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology from the City University of New York.  He is a presenter and juried author of scientific research.  As a second career teacher, Dr. Bissoondial teaches Environmental Sciences and various levels of science research classes.  He has also taught AP and Honors Biology, Chemistry, Zoology and Physical Science. Dr. Bissoondial received a Toshiba America Foundation Research Grant to conduct research in his high school and is a Siemens Foundation Founders Award Winner.  He is honored to be selected for the Siemens STARs and considers the opportunity to do research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a milestone experience in his life.

Grace Blasingame, Pasadena , TX,
Sam Rayburn High School

Grace Blasingame of Pasadena, Texas majored in Composite Science from Sam Houston Station University and has a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Houston.  She is an experienced high school teacher of Physics, Astronomy and Engineering Design.  Grace is currently the Sam Rayburn High School Science Department Chair, a member of the Pasadena ISD Project Helios team and serves as the Eco-Squad Faculty co-sponsor.  Grace has received the Shinning Star Teacher SRHS Campus Teacher of the Year award.  This year Grace had her students design, build, and produce a roller coaster powered by a solar panel.  “They had to research solar panels and energy, apply math and physics concepts in the design of the coaster, and are using engineering methodology to test and refine their design. This allows them to use critical thinking and problem solving skills which will benefit them in their academic classes as well as college and career future endeavors.” Through her participation in the Siemens STARs program Grace hopes as technology liason to her campus to be able to show local teachers how to effectively integrate STEM technologies into their lessons.

Brooke Fischels, Ottumwa, IA,
Ottumwa High School

Brooke Fischels of Ottumwa, Iowa received her Masters of School Mathematics degree at Iowa State University and is an experienced teacher of Algebra and Calculus . Brooke is the Ottumwa High School Mathematics Department Chair and an Executive Board Member of the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Brooke has received honors such as being named the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Iowa Finalist and is the recipient of nine Donorschoose.org Mathematics Classroom Grants, two Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics Curriculum Grants and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Future Leaders Annual Meeting Attendance Project Award. Brooke believes students who are engaged in rich and authentic work flourish because they can see the application and justification for learning rigorous content.  “Siemens Teachers as Researchers professional development program will provide me an unparalleled opportunity to research scientific processes that support the deep mathematical content I teach in my classroom.”

Andrew Harshman, Sarasota, FL,
Sarasota High School

Andrew Harshman of Sarasota, Florida majored in Chemical Engineering at University of South Florida and is a dedicated teacher of many subjects including Chemistry, Earth/Space Science and Research.  Andrew is currently the Co-Director of the MaST Research Institute @ SHS, a magnet program at Sarasota High School whereby students learn how to conduct and present scientific research, enter their research into various competitions and, at the culmination of their senior year, present their research in front of their community.  Andrew believes inquiry-based laboratory experiments prove to be the medium in which students lean the most and the experiments which provide the greatest understanding are those in which the students themselves design the procedures in order to answer the question. He hopes this experience will strengthen both his understanding of the research process and his understanding of how to relate it to research students.  He hopes to relate his STARs experiences to students to provide the extra motivation and knowledge they may need to take their research to the next level.

James Harvey, Erie, PA,
Collegiate Academy

James Harvey of Erie, Pensylvania is a former Air Force Officer Electrical Engineer and a graduate of Penn State. James is an experienced teacher of high school Physics and a Faculty Sponsor of both Physics Day and Women in engineering at Penn State University.  James was honored as Student Teacher of the at Year Edinboro University and was named in Who's Who among American Teachers. James believes that “to the students, scrutinizing new physics equations with laboratory measurements always seems to validate the necessity of the math.” “I’m always open to any hands-on techniques that could help my students actually apply the math concepts from their textbooks.” With guidance  from his Siemens STARs experience he hopes to start a science research class for high school students at his home school, Collegiate Academy.

Tamora Jackson, Memphis, TN,
Bellevue Middle School

Tamora Jackson of Memphis, Tennessee earned her Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Elementary Education K-8 at the University of Memphis where she nears completion of her Doctorate of Education degree in Instruction, Curriculum and Leadership. Tamora is an experienced teacher of Middle School Math and Reading/Language Arts.  She presently serves as a 6^th and 7^th grade Pre-Algebra Honors Mathematics Educator at Bellevue Middle School. She has previously served as a Memphis City Schools Algebra 1 Institute Lead Teacher, Vance Middle School Math Coach and EPGY Stanford Math Coordinator, CPS (Classroom Performance System) Coordinator, Girls Experiencing Engineering Program Teacher and Tennessee Association of Middle Schools conference Presenter.  Tamora has received honors such as recognition by the University of Memphis Pinnacle Honor Society and was named Oustanding Mathematics Coach. Tamora believes and states that participating in the Siemens STARs program “will improve teaching and learning in my classroom by providing curricular real world experiences that focus on helping my students learn how to learn and by promoting cooperative learning that will allow my students to experience an interactive collaborative approach to processing information, that will hopefully result in greater retention of the subject matter, improve their attitudes toward learning, and enhance interpersonal relationships among each other .” Tamora looks forward to using data to analyze the effectiveness of teaching strategies she implements from being selected as a researcher in Siemens STARs.

Peter Langley, Portland, OR,
Oregon Episcopal School

Peter Langley of Beaverton, OR received a Bachelors of Science in Zoology from the University of Manchester, a Master’s of Science in Biology from the University of Western Ontario, and completed a Postgraduate Certificate of Education at Worchester College of Higher Education.  In addition to his teaching experience in Oregon, Mr. Langley has taught science in Switzerland, Japan, and the United Kingdom.  Mr. Langley teaches biology, honors biology and advanced biology, microbiology, geology, and natural history.  In addition to leading student research projects, Mr. Langley teaches greenhouse activity and plants are sold as fund-raisers to benefit several local charities.  He has coached cross country, track and field hockey, directed school musicals, and performed in faculty/student productions.  Mr. Langley is a Siemens Foundation Founders Award Winner.  He was also named the Outstanding Science and Mathematics Teacher in 2006 by the Oregon Academy of Science.  Through his participation in the Siemens STARs program,  Mr. Langley hopes that his time at the Oak Ridge National Laboratories will provide him with experience and expertise that he can pass on to future students. 

Stacey Militello, Shrewsbury, MA,
Oak Middle School

Stacey Militello of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts majored in Chemistry at Brandeis University and later went on to receive her Master of Education degree in Middle School Science from Fitchburg State College. She continues her education with graduate classes at UMass Dartmouth, and Tufts University and is an experienced teacher of Physical & Earth Science. Stacey sits on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education MCAS Assessment Development Committee, Shrewsbury Public Schools Standards Based Assessed Curriculum Committee and is a Science Olympiad School Coordinator and Coach. Of her favorite inquiry lesson Stacey says, “I love to see the kids experimenting. The creative ways they capture their data or the attempts to time reactions challenge the students to think in new ways.” She hopes the Siemens STARs research experience will help her better share with her students real world applications of the concepts they learn.  “These connections give a purpose and meaning for our class to the students.  If students can connect science class with technology or developing science their interest and motivation are increased.”

Kendall Morton, Glenelg, MD,
Glenelg High School

Kendall Morton of Glenelg, Maryland received his Master’s in Administration and Supervision from Loyola College of Maryland  and is an experienced teacher of Chemistry. Kendall has achieved National Board Certification in Chemistry. Kendall is currently the Glenelg High School Science Instructional Team Leader and a Howard County Science Fair Judge.  Kendall believes networking  with Oak Ridge National Lab scientists and teachers from all over the country will give a broader perspective of science and students, which will be useful in teaching students and leading teachers. “This will be a thrilling experience for me!  It will give me a better sense of what cutting edge science is today and it will energize me in scientific research.”

Darryl Richards, Baltimore, MD,
New Era Academy High School

Darryl Richards of Baltimore, Maryland is a doctoral candidate in the Science Education program at Morgan State University and is an experienced teacher of college, middle and high school level Biology and Math.  Darryl pursues extracurricular endeavors including involvement in the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Science Teachers Association.  Darryl is currently the STEM Club Facilitator at New Era Academy High School.  Darryl has received honors such as the Dean's Award from Coppin State University for outstanding graduate work, scholarly research, character, academic excellence and the personification of lifelong learning  and was named a finalist for the 2010 STEM Educator of the Year Award from the Tech Council of Maryland.  He has presented on "The Influence of Gender Difference on Classroom Participation" in the 2005 Graduate Colloquium at Coppin State University and was awarded recognintion for a 97.8% or higher attendance rate of his students at Pimlico Middle School. He is a member of the Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society and the Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society. Darryl believes that participating in the Siemens Teachers as Researchers program will provide additional strategies for providing research opportunities in the classroom, increasing scientific literacy, and enhancing the prescribed biology labs that coincide with the biology curriculum.

A.J. Scheetz, Westport, CT,
Staples High School

A.J. Scheetz of Hamden, Connecticut received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biopsychology from Lake Superior State College, a Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado, and an Educator Certification from Yale University.  Mr. Scheetz is a second career teacher following a career as a research scientist.  He currently teaches Biology, Biotechnology, and Scientific Research.  He has mentored over 50 different student research projects.  Mr. Scheetz is a volunteer for science enrichment programs at a local urban preschool and a school for emotionally disturbed children.  He served on the Steering Committee for the Connecticut Children’s Museum Revitalization Program and the Westport Schools Science Curriculum Review Committee.  Mr. Scheetz is a Siemens Foundation Founders Award winner.  He hopes that his participation in Siemens STARs will also have lasting benefits to the students at his school. He is looking forward to making new professional connections and to studying at an institution with such a prominent place in the history of scientific and technological innovation in this country.

Karen Shepherd, Plano, TX,
Plano Senior High School

Mrs. Karen Shepherd of Plano, Texas graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and from the University of North Texas with a Master’s Degree in Education.  Mrs. Shepherd currently teaches AP Biology and Research and Design.  She is currently the Science Department Chair at Plano Senior High School.  She has received numerous local, district, state, and national awards for outstanding teaching and her students have received numerous awards at national science competitions.  She has written curriculum in Anatomy and Physiology, helped develop the criteria for the National Biology Exam with the American Board Certification Panel, and served on multiple local, district, regional, and state education committees.  For Mrs. Shepherd, the Siemens STARs award fulfills her dream of being able to work in a research laboratory.  She is excited about being able to talk first-hand about a research experience and learn new ways to encourage her students.

Andrea Stawiery, Addison, IL,
Addison Trail High School

Andrea Stawiery of Addison, Illinois majored in Curriculum and Instruction and Environmental Science at Northern Illinois University and is a creative and dynamic teacher of Biology and Chemistry. Andrea is a member of the Addison Trail High School RTI Committee and also serves as a Science Olympaid Coach and Event Supervisor at the State Level.  Andrea has received honors such as membership in the Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honors Society. Andrea  believes teacher collaborations are always effective because “we all have similar goals for student achievement and success”.She believes this experience will be an opportunity to collaborate with teachers from all over the country and looks forward to developing her curriculum and sharing new ideas to benefit students in their educational journey.     

Michelle Swenson, Long Lake, MN,
Orono High School

Michelle Swenson of Long Lake, Minnesota majored in Mathematics Education at Southwest Minnesota State University before earning a Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning at St Mary’s University. She is an experienced teacher of both Middle and High School Math.  Michelle is currently a Math K - 12 Professional Learning Committee Lead teacher.  Michelle has been a Nominee for the Siemens Award for AP Calculus AB for two years in a row and was also a Nominee for the Presidential Award in Education for Math and Science.  Michelle hopes to incorporate her Siemens STARs experience into her classroom by connecting higher level math courses to the science courses that students take at her home school, Orono High School.

Margaret Washburn, Danville, VA,
George Washington High School

Margaret Washburn of Ridgeway, Virginia received her B.S degree in Animal Science from VA Tech and is currently attending a Master’s degree program in Curriculum and Instruction at Averett University.  She is an experienced teacher of Advanced Placement Biology  and Anatomy & Physiology. Margaret has assisted in setting up group presentations and discussions for VAST, the Virginia Association of Science Teachers, and also served as Science Academic Team Coach. Margaret has been named in Who's Who Among Amercan Teachers and was named a Virginia Governor's School Outstanding Educator by former students. Margaret believes, “The more I experience as a teacher, the more I can pass on to my students. There is so much to learn in this world, and technology has opened doors I did not know existed. If I am unaware of new and challenging things in science, so are my students. Increasing my knowledge will allow me to share this with my students, who may see this knowledge as an opportunity to a potential career. The students of today demand challenging methods that stray far afield from the traditional, ‘Open your book and copy the words on page 9,754.’ As technology has invaded the lives of the ordinary citizen, so have I welcomed it into the classroom.  New methods = excitement in the classroom!"

Andrea White, Port Orange, FL,
Spruce Creek High School

Dr. Andrea White received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Fordham University, a Master’s Degree in Zoology from the University of Rhode Island, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Genetics) from the University of Rhode Island.  She is also Board Certified by the American Board of Human Genetics.  Dr. White is a second career teacher who teaches IB Biology Standard and Higher Levels and has taught AP Biology.  She previously taught college level Biology and Genetics while combining a practice in genetic counseling.  Dr. White has been recognized as Teacher of the Year at both the local, district and state levels.  She is a Siemens Foundation Founder’s Award Winner.  As a Siemens STAR, Dr. White is pleased to be able to interact, almost on a daily basis, with researchers who will give her more than a glimpse into the future for her students.  She is excited about being allowed to work on a project in a national laboratory.  Her hope is that this experience will provide her with opportunities to acquire new skills and a new mindset that she can use in her own classroom to stimulate more students to enter STEM fields.

George Williamson, Rocky Mount, NC,
Rocky Mount Preparatory

George Williamson of Rocky Mount, North Carolina received his Master’s degree  in Cellular Molecular Biology from Atlanta University and is an experienced teacher of Biology and Physics . George is currently the science department chairperson at Rocky Mount Preparatory Middle & High School where he also served as Principal for 10 yrs. George is also active as the Key Club Faculty Sponsor.  George has been inducted into the Atlanta University Honor Society and the Beta Kappa Chi Honorary Biology Society. George is a progressive teacher who likes to learn and believes in having students do research activities which give them current knowledge beyond their books.

Theresa Wilson, Wolcott, IN,
Tri-County Middle-Senior High School

Theresa Wilson of Wolcott, Indiana is pursuing her love of teaching as a second career after earning a graduate degree in Physics at Indiana University and is an experienced teacher of  Physics, Algebra,  Pre-Algebra, and Integrated Math.  Theresa pursues many extracurricular endeavors including participation on the WIRED Grant committee for writing Renewable Energy Curriculum. Theresa is also a member of the Mathematics Vertical Curriculum Alignment team and an SAT Prep Course Instructor.  Theresa has been named Staff Member of the Month at Tri-County Middle-Senior High School. Theresa believes "when a lesson is student-centered  then the students take responsibility for their learning when given the chance to explore and to be creative” and that "it is important for teachers to be knowledgeable of current topics in the field in order to raise thier level of science literacy."  In  learning about new technologies and topics as a STARs participant, Theresa hopes to be able to reach more of her students with a variety of research and inquiry-based activities.