 Brian has organized and taught content-rich ecology and biology technology-integrated professional development experiences for educators across the nation and in Ecuador's rain forest, the Galapagos Islands and at the American School in Managua, Nicaragua. He routinely presents at local, state, and national science conferences and works annually at the University of Maryland's Horn Point Laboratory for Environmental Studies. He has received national board certification in Adolescence and Young Adult Science.
How has the way you teach changed over the years? What lessons have you learned?
I'm constantly trying to improve my practice. I try to engage in professional development that targets my content knowledge, such as traveling to Ecuadorian rainforest and the Galapagos Islands; as well as activities that promote pedagogical growth, such as National Board Certification. One thing I've learned is the need to make connections with students. Students need to develop a comfort level in the classroom... and it takes different strategies to reach a diverse student body. The most effective teachers differentiate their instruction to meet the learning styles and academic levels of all their students. We must allow students to work to their strengths while working on their weaknesses.
What advice would you give to a teacher who's starting their first year and feels overwhelmed?
There are a lot of people around who want nothing more than to see you succeed. Learn to lean on these people, be they professional colleagues, administrators, or supervisors. I know I probably would not have survived my first year without the strong support of the professionals working around me.
What do you think the biggest challenge that teachers face today is, and why? How do you meet it?
A major challenge is involving parents in the education of their students. We all know that parental involvement is a major influence in students' success, yet we have not always been very welcoming to all of our parents. This may not be an easy thing to hear, as we spend much energy and countless hours trying to involve parents... yet this perception exists and we must take steps to address it. We need to be more creative in finding new ways to make parents want to be involved in their childrens' schools, and show them how positive their influence can be.
What role does technology play in your teaching? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
I try to make use of technology when its most useful and appropriate. For instance, I regularly use PowerPoint, Internet research, online labs, and computer modeling software with my students. Additionally, I use a PDA to assist myself with classroom management, such as attendance and grades. A major weakness is accessibility, particularly across the state... there is an information divide between our richer and poorer counties, as well as our richer and poorer students. We need to be sure that all Maryland students have equal access to the technology they need to be competitive in higher education and the job force.
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