Jahnine Blosser, Scott High School
Email: j.blosser@tps.org
I received my B.S. in Biology from Cleveland State University. After three years spent wondering what I would do with this degree, I decided on teaching and graduated in five years. I taught junior high for eleven years before moving to high school four years ago. My goal in the high school is to get students to realize their relationship with nature as a whole. This is somewhat hard for kids who do not generally have any experience with nature. In 2006, I finished my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from BGSU and I am presently considering a PhD…but in what …who knows. I have been married for 14 years to a chemist, so our two daughters (10 and 12) get more science than they ever wanted. I love to hike, canoe, and generally be outside. I try to be a gardener, but I really need help with that one.
Michelle Bogue, Sylvania Northview
Email: sy.michelle.bogue@nwoca.org
I received a B.A. in Biology from The University of Toledo. I worked several years in the horticulture/parks industry. Then I went on to Ohio State University for course work for my Career-Tech teaching licensure. Originally I taught for Toledo Public Schools for three years as their Greenhouse Management teacher at the Agriculture Education Center. I then move to Sylvania Schools where I have been teaching environmental and agriculture classes. For eight years I have been a part of the Student Watershed Watch and learn more every year. My knowledge of water quality issues is basic; I would like to increase my knowledge at a level that would easily translate to a high school classroom. Personally, I have a small flock of chickens (for eggs) and enjoy gardening, especially fruit and vegetable.
Tim Bollin, TECHS
Email: tim.bollin@tps.org
I have been teaching in TPS for 20+ years, at DeVilbiss H.S, Woodward H.S., and now at Toledo Early College. I have been involved in the Student Watershed Watch program almost every year since it began. I received both my Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Toledo and continue to seek opportunities to involve myself and ultimately my students in challenging, hands-on science experiences, especially those that promote self reliance, awareness, and empowerment. In my free time I enjoy fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, paddling, and exploring with my family in the cathedrals of the great outdoors.
Dave Bourland, Bowsher High School
Email: david.bourland@tps.org
I received a Bachelor of Science in Geology with a specialization in Paleontology from Bowling Green State University. I worked for a short time in industry but returned to the University of Toledo to obtain my Ohio Teaching License. After being hired by Toledo Public Schools I began my teaching career at Libbey then Bowsher High Schools. For the last number of years my area of focus has been both Environmental and Earth Science. For the past three years Bowsher Science Interns along with the help of Hull and Associates have participated in the Student Watershed Watch. My knowledge of water quality issues is somewhat limited. I am looking forward to increasing my knowledge in this field and working with future students to study and improve the environment.
Paulette Cole, TECHS
Email: paulette.cole@tps.org
I earned my Bachelor’s in Biology at Long Island University in Brookville, New York. I worked for 10 years as a Medical Technologist with a specialty in Hematology/Oncology.
In 1997 I moved to Toledo and started working as a substitute teacher for Toledo Public Schools. Somewhere along the way, I discovered that I enjoyed being in the classroom and decided to become a “real” teacher.
I am not an outdoors person; however, I am looking forward to this new and exciting opportunity to learn about Lake Erie and its inhabitants. I will use my new knowledge to encourage my students to care about the health of their watershed.
Personally, I have been married for 14 years and I am the proud mom of a 10 year old girl who gets frustrated when I ask “another science question.”
Caine Kolinski, Clay High School
Email: ore_aca_cko@nwoca.org
I teach science at Clay High School in Oregon, Ohio. Under the direction of Dr. Hans Gottgens and Dr. Rebecca Schneider I earned a Masters of Science and Education (ecology) degree from the University of Toledo where my project involved using wetlands in the curriculum for transformative educational experiences in students that result in greater conceptual understanding and longer term retention. I am currently involved in a wind energy project here at Clay High School where we will be erecting wind turbines with an interactive interface that will be used for research.
My interest in being part of the GK-12 grant stems from my desire to expand use of the Lake Erie Watershed into the curriculum. The district of Oregon City Schools is especially well situated to being impacted by the quality of the Lake and streams. By monitoring water quality and understanding what factors effect the quality of water students can be more responsible citizens of their community.
Kathleen Singler, Ottawa Hills High School
Email: ohhs_kss@nwoca.org
I had the pleasure of growing up in Sandusky near the bay. I spent my youth fishing, boating, swimming at Cedar Point, and sailing to the islands. One of my first jobs was working at Battery Park Marina at the time when Lake Erie was declared “dead”. I remember algal blooms that looked like someone had thrown green, thick paint into the bay. During college, I majored in biology and graduated with a B.S. from BGSU. During the summer, I taught sailing in Sandusky Bay and sailed as part of crew on the sailboat, “Reverie”.
My first teaching assignment was at Notre Dame Academy. I left there to raise a family of three before being hired by Ottawa Hills High School. For the past 21 years I have taught biology as well as zoology, botany, and physical science. I earned my M.S. in Biology and Education from UT in 1988 and became a National Board Certified Teacher of Science in 2004.
During my tenure at Ottawa Hills, I have had the opportunity to create, with my students, a courtyard learning space, complete with pond, outside of my classroom. I have also been able to take groups of students to study in Costa Rica during an alternative learning week, held every other year, at our school.
I am an avid traveler, photographer, gardener and student of nature. I am looking forward to working with the NSF Gk-12 program. We were early participants in the Watershed Watch, and want to get involved again. I would also like to expose my students to more inquiry-based projects and see the placement of a doctoral fellow in my classroom as a perfect opportunity to do so.
Wendy Wilson, Start High School
Email: wendy.wilson@tps.org
I have a B.S.in education from Bowling Green State University and a master's degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University. I have taught science for 15 years, 9 of those at Start High School.
Two years ago during the construction of the new Start High School, I expressed a desire to have a pond that I could use to teach biology. Since then, my efforts to actualize that desire have propelled me on an interesting journey through storm water science and community orgainizing and have culminated in my changed perspective on science education. I would love for my students to experience science thematically, ideally as part of an interdisciplinary approach involving social studies. The school's proximity to an urban watershed and the Great Lakes, plus on-site storm water management structures make 'water quality' a relevant connection to science content standards. I hope my students will increasingly be involved in applying science concepts to environmental aspects of their schoolyard/neighborhood. For more information on the environmental project at Start, google 'Start High School Urban Watershed Habitat'.
When not teaching (and thinking about teaching!), I enjoy kayaking, riding my bike,roller blading, and cross country skiing. I have an extensive perennial garden. And I like to play the piano. I also like to visit urban areas where my children reside and shop.