Energy Camp 2015 Alberta Team Profiles Bob Ritter has taught

Energy Camp 2015
Alberta Team Profiles
Bob Ritter has taught biology and chemistry, served as
science department head, principal and senior administrator for
Edmonton Catholic Schools over a 32-year career. In 2007 he
began a second career at the University of Alberta, where he
served as Assistant Dean, Field Experiences. He is currently
Director for the Centre of Mathematics, Science and
Technology Education (CMASTE) in the Faculty of
Education. Bob has a PhD (science education – assessment),
MSc. (physiology) and MEd.(curriculum development). He
currently teaches a curriculum course for undergraduate
science teachers and co-teaches a curriculum development
course for graduate students in the Faculty of Medicine and other health sciences faculties.
Bob has authored over 30-science textbooks used in Canada and the United States for biology
and junior high school science. In 1990 he received the Alberta Teachers' Association Award for
Science Teaching, and was awarded the first Prime Minister's National Award for Science
Teaching in 1993. In 2006 Bob was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal for his work chairing
the Edmonton Community Drug Task Force. This year Bob was also awarded with the
University of Alberta Alumni honour Award.
Benjamin Oswald has been teaching Science since 1995. The majority
of his career has been spent instructing High School Physics and
Chemistry using both the Alberta and International Baccalaureate
programs of study. He currently teaches at Ross Sheppard High School
where he serves as Science Department Head. Previously, Ben by the
University of Alberta as a Practicum Associate, where he taught preservice teachers in the Faculty of Education. This will be Ben’s fifth
Energy Camp.
Several of Ben’s career projects centre on the interfaces between
science, art and philosophy. Ben holds a masters degree in Secondary
Science Education and has published work in both physics and art. Over the years, Ben has
enjoyed working with science centres, media organizations, and government funded science
innovation programs (such as Alberta Ingenuity) to grow public awareness and appreciation of
science and science learning. Ben loves to travel internationally with his wife and children and is
passionate about ideas, good food, and modern art.
Kandise Salerno has worked in both elementary and
secondary school environments for the past ten years.
She holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and
Recreation, a Bachelor of Education and a Master of
Education. Kandise has streamlined her educational
practice to further explore the emerging trends of
digital-age learning, particularly in core-curricular
subjects. She has spent a considerable amount of time
over the past three years in Norway, working
collaboratively with school leaders and teachers in
exploring project-based learning, collaborative learning,
and competency based learning. One particular project,
entitled Oppfinnermesse i Nes, has facilitated inventive
and exploratory learning experiences for well over 500
students in Norway.
Currently, Kandise is completing her PhD in educational technology at the University of Alberta.
She is exploring how video game construction programs can be situated in the classroom for
both teachers and students. She also works as a Technology Coach for Edmonton Catholic
Schools, and beginning in the fall she will be an Assistant Principal of a junior high
school. Kandise is excited to return for her fourth Energy Camp and continue to work with
school leaders and teachers regarding emerging trends and pedagogical practices.
Patrick Wachowich has been a secondary science teacher for 18 years in Edmonton, Alberta
and holds Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Education degrees. Patrick has
experience teaching high school Science, Biology and Physics using the Alberta, International
Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs of study. He also has taught science, math and
physical education at junior high school. Patrick is currently the lead biology teacher and the
Advanced Placement Coordinator at Mother Margaret Mary High School in Edmonton; a high
school that is only three years old. He and another teacher are developing a Science Program that
includes Advanced Placement at this school. In addition to his
work in science, Patrick has mentored numerous student teachers,
coached golf, and coached basketball for twelve seasons, taking
teams to city championships on a number of occasions. Presently he
is developing a Golf Development Academy at Mother Margaret
Mary High School that is growing rapidly.
Previous to his teaching career, Patrick has had experience working
as an assistant Golf Professional at Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course
in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, as a Returning Officer with
Elections Alberta, and as a social worker in the inner city of
Edmonton for eight years. In his spare time, Patrick likes to garden,
play golf and hockey, and spend time with his wife, Shannon.
Karlie Carter has been teaching Science since 2007 at Londonderry Junior High School in
Edmonton, Canada. In her time she has taught a variety of students from those in the Opportunity
Program (mild cognitive disability) to pre-Advanced Placement (highly academic). Karlie
created a Science Enrichment option for students where students learn how to design and carry
out authentic scientific experiments. Karlie insists that student engagement is critical for
learning. Her main focus with teaching is giving the students an opportunity to apply the
concepts they have learned through hands-on activities.
Karlie also coaches the school slo-pitch team and runs various clubs at school (including
Robotics club and Science club). In 2015 she received the Alberta Teachers' Association Science
Council Award for Teaching Excellence. Karlie also regularly presents at conferences focusing
on effective use of demonstrations and strategies to support struggling learners. Karlie holds a
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Education degree. Prior to teaching Karlie
worked as a summer student at the University of Calgary where her research on Solid Oxide Fuel
Cells (SOFC) was published in 2005. In her spare time Karlie enjoys playing slo-pitch, running
and going to the zoo with her husband and two young boys.
Greg Wondga comes with a wealth of experience in
secondary science and mathematics education. Greg has
been teaching secondary biology, chemistry and physics
since 1997 in Edmonton, Alberta with a brief one year
exchange to Queensland, Australia in 2012. Greg is
currently a teacher consultant for the department of
Curriculum and Resource Support at Edmonton Public
Schools. In this role, Greg is responsible for meeting the
professional learning needs of teachers in this district,
researching best practices, and consulting with educators
and educational leaders in the implementation of district
changes in practice.
Prior to this, he has been a classroom teacher, Field Experiences Associate with the University of
Alberta Faculty of Education, Human Resources consultant, Curriculum Coordinator, and
Assistant Principal. In the many roles that Greg has filled, he has had the opportunity to learn
from an incredible range of master educators. Greg has an infectious passion for sharing
successful teaching and learning strategies. He was invited by the Rotary Club Belize Literacy
Project to lead a group of teachers to plan and implement professional learning sessions for
Belizean teachers. As well, Greg is a member of the Alberta Teachers Association Science
Council as the Division 3 Director. Greg holds a Master’s degree of Education in Secondary
Science with a focus on constructing conceptual understanding. He also holds a Bachelor of
Science and a Bachelor of Education degree.
Aleya McKellar has been teaching for two and a half
years and is a graduate of University of Alberta
Education program. She holds a Bachelor's of Science
and a Bachelor's of Education degree. Aleya began her
teaching career in Calgary, Alberta but then moved to
London, England where she taught general Science at a
school for high needs students. This past year, Aleya
taught Biology, Chemistry and Marine Biology on a
program called Class Afloat. On this program Aleya
taught while sailing aboard the tall ship the Gulden
Leeuw and visited 20 ports of call with her students!
This is Aleya's first year at Energy Camp and she is very excited to be part of it! Although Aleya
is new to Energy Camp she has a lot of experience working at educational science camps. During
her undergraduate degree she spent five summers working for the University of Calgary's Mini
University and she developed and piloted their geology science camp. Aleya loves to travel of
course! No matter where she is in the world she loves hiking and exploring the natural setting
and geology of the area she is in.
Robert Bechtel is the Associate Director for the Centre of
Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (CMASTE)
at the University of Alberta. A former Junior High and Senior
High School teacher in Edmonton, Robert went on to complete
his Master’s degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and
worked in research for many years at the Earth Observations
Systems Laboratory and the Centre for Mathematical Biology
in the Faculty of Science. He also served as the Research
Facilitator for the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and
Environmental Sciences and served as Assistant Dean of Law.
Robert’s PhD focused on the discourse on caribou (reindeer)
sustainability and relationships between caribou and people.
Robert has published in both science and education journals and is an Adjunct Professor who
teaches pre-service science teachers in both the Department of Elementary Education and the
Department of Secondary Education. In 2014 Robert was awarded the Faculty of Education
Sessional Teaching Award. This will be Robert’s third Energy camp.