TEACHER OF INTEREST
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Trends In Education
with great people at Fort Pierce Central, and they taught me
everything I know about teaching. I taught environmental
science and biology and even started their science dual enrollment
program. But there were things I wanted to do that I
couldn’t because of the constraints of public school.”
That’s when the opportunity to teach and chair the science
department at St. Edward’s School presented itself. “Moving
to St. Edward’s allowed me to expand my teaching scope and
fuel my passion for citizen science, encouraging students to
become change-makers for a better world.”
Monahan believes that science is literally for everyone,
and it plays out in every aspect of our lives. Her goal is to
enlighten students to raise the consciousness of everyone
around them. “We can’t have a functioning civilization if
we don’t have a population that can think scientifically. Not
everyone has to be a scientist, but everyone needs to have
a basic understanding of science and how to interpret data,
then together we can make a difference.”
It was her lofty thinking and creativity that got her noticed
at the National Geographic Society. “A few years ago, I was at
a National Science Teachers Association conference and I saw
a National Geographic booth, recruiting teachers to sign up
for their beta certification program.” The National Geographic
Society funds both the explorers and education programs.
The education branch created a certification program where
it developed a learning framework for education, which took
in common core, state, and national standards. The program
identifies a set of learning outcomes: attitudes, skills and
knowledge. Some of the attitudes are curiosity, empowerment,
observation and taking action. “They got me, hook line
and sinker, because I want my kids to be curious and I want
them to feel the power of taking action.” Needless to say, she
signed up for the program, took the on-line classes and got
the certification.
It was the creativity and originality of her final video project
that garnered the attention of the folks at National Geographic.
The project, connecting locally endangered species
with the root cause of that endangerment with other species
around the world, was humorous and engaging. “The staff
loved it and asked me if I would become a trainer for other
teachers. Of course, I said yes, and I proceeded to lead workshops
on both coasts. That’s when I had the opportunity to
spend time with the National Geographic staff, and I soaked
up every bit of knowledge they shared.”
Monahan was shocked when she got a phone call saying
that she had been nominated to be a National Geographic Fellow.
They were looking to expand their educational programs
to make citizen science more accessible to teachers and their
students and thought she would be a good advisor. Citizens
science is simply when nonscientists collect data and enter it
into a central data base. With thousands of ongoing citizen
science programs that anyone can take part in, they needed
advisors to help create a web source for teachers and programs
on how to engage students. It was right up her alley, so
she filled out the application, which was as arduous as writing
a grant. “I figured that if I didn’t get the fellowship, I would
have gained knowledge and experience from the process.”
Last August Monahan got the phone call that would
change her life forever. “They told me I was selected as one
of eight fellows in North America. I jumped up and down
screaming. This is a dream come true. I am the luckiest
teacher on earth!” She traveled to Washington, D.C., with the >>
Students with teacher:
Front row, left to right,
Elie Huryn, Audrey and
Natalie Hill, Bridget
Nelson and Kylie Oakes.
Back row, left to right,
Jackson Jennings, Emil
Firat, Ritchie Appen, math
department chair Shaun
Hurley and Monahan.
KERRYANE MONAHAN