Letter of Introduction

Clifford J. Bishop, Science/Mathematics/Information Technology Teacher
(C.V. URL: http://share1.esd105.wednet.edu/bishopcj/portfolios/Bishop_CV.html)

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mohandas Ghandi

It is my belief that as teachers and learning facilitators, we must utilize information technology to enhance learning and improve student achievement. This is accomplished through an appropriate integration of mastery learning with performance-based, student-centered, applied learning. Information technology and the Internet enable educators to create global learning environments, which transcend the physical and temporal constraints of the traditional classroom.

Over the past nine years, I have concentrated on curriculum development, emphasizing task-oriented activities such as Web Quests, by integrating information technology into my science curriculum. I am currently working on my Masters in Educational Technology, concerning appropriate and effective integration of the Internet into K-12 curricula. As a member of the Student Competencies Working Group for Washington State's OSPI, I was involved in a cooperative effort among educators and administrators to develop statewide Educational Technology Standards for students.

I have two Bachelors of Science degrees - the first in Geology, obtained in 1971 from the University of Texas at Arlington; and the second in Education, obtained from the University of Wyoming in 1987. I have 9 years of professional experience as a petroleum geologist in the Gulf Coast, headquartered in Houston, Texas, and in the Rocky Mountains, based in northwestern Wyoming. In the mid-80's, I decided to return to college and achieve a second degree in education. I moved to Yakima, Washington, in 1987 taught various mathematics, science, information technology, and computer science courses (full-time) for 11 years at the secondary school level in the Yakima School District. During my two years at the American International School of Cape Town, I have taught the following sciences - Environmental Science (grade 7), Earth Systems Science (Grades 9-10), Biology (Grade 9), General and Honors Chemistry (Grade 10), Physical Science (grade 8), Information Technology (grades 7-9), and Computer Science (grades 9-10).

I have the educational and professional background to teach various combinations of secondary science, mathematics, information technology, and computer science. I have the ability to teach math ranging from transition math up to probability/statistics and discrete mathematics. My primary interests in science are in the areas of Earth Systems Science (focusing on human influence on interactions within the various spheres), Astrogeology (especially comparative planetology of the terrestrial planets and moons), and Astronomy (stellar and solar system evolution). My major areas of focus in mathematics are Algebra, Statistics, Applied Math, and Computer Math.

In educational technology, I have experience developing and managing project-based webpages. These include internet-based curriculum and resource pages, such as my WebQuest Resource Center, K-12 Digital Portfolio Project pages, and internet-based PowerPoint projects. Among my global projects, are the Earth Mosaic Project (currently being developed), and several AU Astronomy projects (focusing on Earth and Space Systems Sciences), such as my Earth Systems Science Projects and Project Europa pages. My "Ring of Fire" project pages have received a NSTA SciLinks designation. I have recently become a member of the SCOPE (Science Controversies Online: Partnerships in Education) Forum and WISE (Web-based Inquiry Science Environment) Project.

In extra-curricular areas, I have worked as a high school junior varsity tennis coach, student store advisor, and ASB/club advisor. My extra-curricular interests have also included after-school tutoring. Some of my favorite hobbies and avocations include webpage development, astronomy, international travel, backpacking, hiking, biking, sea-kayaking, tennis, reading (mostly sci-fi, fantasy, or reflective books about people and places), music, chess, bridge, and cultural history of countries of interest. I also write poetry and fiction

In the spirit of professionalism and excellence in education,

Clifford J. Bishop
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"We must educate students for their future, not our past." - David Thornburg