2008-2009 Board of Directors
Nominee Information
Candidates (information is posted below)
Crystal Bonds
Brenda Prater Earhart
William Dugan
Tim Gott
Letita Mason
Karen Pikula
Garvin Wattuhewa
Crystal Bonds, Administrator
cbonds@schools.nyc.gov
candidate for Director (X 3 year term)
School: Brooklyn Technical High School
What is your vision regarding how NCSSSMST can further the job of transforming teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology?
I see NCSSSMST as an organization that can bring resources to its members’ schools to help them meet the constantly changing world of math, science and technology in the 21 century. As STEM schools, our role should involve helping to shape governmental policies that will benefit all schools nation wide.
I would like to see NCSSSMST help provide linkages to industry and institutions of higher learning to improve curriculum and instruction in our members’ schools.
I believe that the NCSSSMST should foster expectations of higher academia and industry so that we can better meet the needs of students pursuing careers in these fields.
What strengths do you bring to the NCSSSMST Board?
I believe I posses a multidimensional professional experience that would bring a wealth of administrative expertise to the board. I have served as the Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Human Resources, and Head of Guidance at Brooklyn Technical High School.
I have the experience of running one of the largest specialized high schools in the country as Interim Acting Principal during the transition of Principalship at Brooklyn Technical High School.
Another strength that I posses is a vision for change. I have a passion for implementing new initiatives and streamlining procedures. The positions that I have held have allowed me to manage many departments and committees to bring people together to achieve a common goal.
I bring my personal experiences from working with organizations outside of the Department of Education, such as the New York State Association for Women in Administration (NYSAWA), The New York State Association for Secondary School Principals (NASSP). I hold the position of Vice President of Programming for the organization Jack and Jill of America; an organization for African American families that is based on family, education and community service, and I serve as a choir director at my local church.
I am also the parent of a gifted and talent teen who attends a consortium school (Bronx High School of Science). I am one of the constituents of the consortium.
Please list your educational background.
• State University of New York at New Paltz BA Business Marketing
• Cambridge College, Cambridge, MA MA Education
• Mercy College, New York, NY MS School Administration
Please list your current and past professional accomplishments
• Oversee school wide projects from conception to implementation including but not limited to an elevator upgrade, new telephone system, and wireless cabling and network.
• Run the largest testing site for the specialized high school entrance exam in New York City, testing 10,000 youngsters annually.
• Reorganized and directed the audit and financial review of accounting practices at Brooklyn Technical High School.
• Updated attendance procedures school wide.
• Reorganization of guidance department procedures and policies
o Hired and trained five new guidance counselors for the current school term
o Reorganized special education related services and procedures
• Chairperson of School Leadership Team and Curriculum Committee.
• School Grants Coordinator.
• Initiated Teacher Mentoring Program, pairing newly staffed teachers with seasoned teachers from the respective departments to assist them.
• Chaired the Children’s First Initiative (CFI) committee which focuses on the underserved population in our 4,400 student population.
• As a math coach, I have performed multiple roles including but not limited to consultant, task facilitator, trainer, resource provider, program manager and catalyst for change in addition to analyzing the utilization of data to drive the instructional paradigm
Name :Brenda Prater Earhart
Email: brenda_earhart@sbcglobal.net or bearhart@kamsc.k12.mi.us
Candidate for
X Director (three-year term),
School: Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center
What is your vision regarding how NCSSSMST can further the job of transforming teaching and learning in mathematics, science, and technology?
As a network of institutions on the cutting edge of teaching and learning in mathematics, science, and technology, an infrastructure is in place to implements changes that can vastly impact the interest and performance of students in these areas. The expertise within NCSSSMST can be used to impact schools and school systems across the U.S. by providing subject content specific support, instructional modeling and professional development. As a network of centers in the state of Michigan, we are the infrastructure used by the state for the implementation of many state initiatives related to curriculum and assessment. One of the greatest needs is adequate preparation of perspective teachers. The relationship NCSSSMST continues to develop with colleges and universities provides an opportunity to impact pre-service education in the areas of science, mathematics and technology. The potential business/industry partnerships with NCSSSMST provide invaluable opportunities for students.
What strengths do you bring to the NCSSSMST Board?
The strengths that I bring to the NCSSMST board are: background in science and mathematics, leadership, and experience. My background in science provides a clear understanding of the issues as they relate to the teaching and learning of science, mathematics, and technology for both students and teachers. I have been associated with a math and science center for many years, the last five as center director. My tenure as a member of the board of directors of the Michigan Science Teachers Association, the Michigan Mathematics and Science Centers Network, and the NCSSSMST board for one year provides the experience necessary to continue to serve effectively on the NCSSSMST board.
Please list your educational background.
B.S. Chemistry Alcorn State University
M.S. Chemistry Texas Southern University
Ed.D. Administration Western Michigan University
Please list your current and past professional accomplishments.
Director - Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center
Michigan mathematics and Science Center Board of Directors
NCSSSMST Board of Directors (completed one year)
Traveled to Hiroshima, Japan to establish an affiliation between KAMSC and Kokutaiji High School
Kellogg Project Coordinator
Upjohn Fellow
Michigan Science Teachers Association Board Member
One of several authors of Connecting With The Learner; An Equity Toolkit (distributed by NCREL) Presenter @ state and national conferences
Professional development provider
Coordinate outreach programs for minority youth in science and engineering
Traveled to South Africa to study culture and educational system
Name William Dugan
Email: Wdugan@HSMSE.Org
Candidate for
X Director (three-year term)
School The High School for Math Science and Engineering @CCNY
What is your vision regarding how NCSSSMST can further the job of transforming teaching and learning in mathematics, science, and technology?
I have attended consortium events as a teacher, Assistant Principal and as a Principal. I have enjoyed the advice and help I have received from colleagues from other consortium schools. The help I received changed the way I taught my classes and how I help my staff. I would appreciate the opportunity to help other members of the consortium and I would be interested in working on events that allow students and staff from our school to work together and share ideas. I think increasing the number of opportunities and the accessibility of events will assist the consortium in improving education.
What Strengths do you bring to the NCSSSMST Board?
Be a founding teacher of a consortium school has given me a unique perspective. Since my school opened I have always felt that nothing is impossible but nothing will get done unless someone makes it happen. The strengths I bring to the Board include be meticulous and industrious. My strengths also include the ability to implement new programs, planning events and the vision to use time differently both in and out of the classroom.
Please list your educational background.
Pace University MS Education (Technology)
Fordham University BS in Biology minor in Philosophy
Please list your current and past professional accomplishments.
• Founding staff member, first Assistant Principal of Science and Current Principal of HS MSE @ CCNY
• Member of the New York City Science Advisory Panel.
• Establish Marine Science programs in two New York City Public Schools
• Served as: Dean, Program Chair, Attendance Coordinator, Curriculum Writer, Staff Advisor, Teachers’ Union Representative, and Coach of Baseball, Basketball and Rock Climbing.
Name Tim Gott
Email tim.gott@wku.edu
Candidate for
X Director (three-year term)
School: Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky
What is your vision regarding how NCSSSMST can further the job of transforming teaching and learning in mathematics, science, and technology?
With the international movement toward globalization and the advances in technology, it is absolutely critical that high schools transform to meet these changes. NCSSSMST stands to be a beacon to guide schools in this process and be a network of support for those schools blazing the trail.
What strengths do you bring to the NCSSSMST Board?
Math Content Knowledge
Professional development provider
Administrative experience
Experience with starting an Academy
Please list your educational background.
BA in Mathematics
MA in Counseling + 30 hours
Principal / Superintendent Certification
Please list your current and past professional accomplishments.
Over 23 years in various roles
HS Math Teacher
HS Guidance Counselor
Math Resource Teacher
Highly Skilled Educator for the state of Kentucky (consultant for struggling schools)
Elementary Principal
Director of the Gatton Academy
Name: Letita R. Mason, MPA
Email: masonl@ncssm.edu
Candidate for (please check one):
X Director (three-year term)
School: North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics
What is your vision regarding how NCSSSMST can further the job of transforming teaching and learning in mathematics, science, and technology? NCSSSMST must continue to be a visionary organization which remains on the cutting edge of educational innovation in science, mathematics and technology. We must continue to establish collaborative efforts that ensure that communities throughout our country are advantaged by the programs, curricula, pedagogy and professional development that result from consortium initiatives. It is also important to continue to focus attention on the value of under- represented minority students, teachers, administrators and professionals in the fields of science, math and technology. With the development of programs that help cultivate interest in these areas amongst African American, Hispanic and Native American youth at an early age, consortium schools can serve as a catalyst impacting policy and policy makers for the 21st century. Doing so would help to counter the anticipated “brain drain” from the US to other countries while continuing to strengthen communities and schools that serve under-represented youth.
What strengths do you bring to the NCSSSMST Board? My passion for education and the profound difference it can make in eradicating poverty in the communities we serve. As Director of Admissions with the NC School of Science and Mathematics I work in a collaborative manner with my staff, the NCSSM campus community and the statewide community as a whole. As a member of ACAR (Annual Conference of Admissions Representatives), which is made up of consortium schools, I often serve in a lead role as one of the founding member institutions for the conference. I am a team player willing to serve in any capacity that allows for successful completion of a project. I also bring my training in sensitivity awareness, diversity training and bias in testing/education from my years of work in the psychometric field directing state assessment projects for school systems across the country. My educational background in communications, marketing, counseling and public administration allows me to work well with diverse groups of people in a manner that is inclusive, empowering and proactive.
Please list your educational background. ·
Bachelor of Arts (English/Communications = NC Central University
Masters of Public Administration/ Minor Education & Counseling = NC Central University
Please list your current and past professional accomplishments. ·
* Director of Admissions NC School of Science & Mathematics (Present) under my auspices Admissions has increased staff to include a Middle School Admissions Counselor; fully electronic online application process; established Student Ambassador, Parent Ambassador & Volunteer Ambassador programs; upgraded recruitment approach and process; successful led initiatives to increase under- represented minority enrollment from 7% prior to my tenure as Director to 20% in 2000-2001.
*Over my nearly 20 year career in education I have served as minority admissions counselor, guidance counselor, project director of various state assessment programs, coach, consultant to various educational entities nationally & internationally on issues of testing bias, sensitivity awareness and diversity training.
*Chaperone for NCSSMST Student Conference (October 2007)
*Online Application & Application Processing System: A Comprehensive toolset for admissions officers, IT departments and school administrators – a part of the NCSSM open source database suite. (Co Presenter 2006 NCSSMST Conference San Antonio, TX) ·
*The Future is Now: Online Application Model for Residential Programs (Presenter 2005 ACAR Durham, NC) * Beyond Grades: Evaluating the Whole Student (Co-Published & Co-Presented Paper 2002 AERA Conference New Orleans, LA & 2002 NCSSMST Conference Durham, NC)
*NCSSM Harambee & HOPE Black Cultural Club Advisor (2001-Present)
*Educational Advisory Board Granville Academy North Carolina (Present)
*Educational Advisory Board Kenya Project (Present) *Merit Badge College Instructor: Boy Scout Troop 3067 (15 African American Male Eagle Scouts since 2000- Present)
*Merit Badge College Instructor: Girl Scout Troop 643 (10 African American Female Gold Leaf Cadets 2000- Present)
*Multicultural Peer Counselor (MPC’s) Student Leadership Group (Co Advisor 2002-2003)
*Co-Chair NCSSM Admissions Task Force charged with redefining the application process, application rating system, applicant admissions criteria. (2002-2003) *Initiatives to Increase Under Represented Minority Representation in the Applicant Pool & Institutional Enrollment (Presenter 2005 Sloan Foundation/NCSSSMST at UMBC, Baltimore, MD) · *Sloan Summer Initiative for Under Represented Populations (NCCU Durham, 2004)
*Sloan Summer Initiative for Under Represented Minority Populations (USC Columbus, 2003)
*Led initiatives to and support under-represented students enrolled at NCSSM both academically and culturally (1992-1993 NCSSM Counseling)
* Assistant Coordinator S.M. I.L.E Program (Sloan Foundation Grant initiative to increase under represented population applying to and enrolling at NCSSM 1991-1993)
*Equine Scholars Program : Developed a grant in conjunction with the High Point Housing Authority and Black riding clubs in Guilford County to provide educational enrichment/tutoring to inner city youth while preparing them to care for, groom, ride horses. Each year students meeting grade requirements compete in annual horse show for ribbons and trophies. (1985 -2005)
* Most success minority recruitment & enrollment (26%) in NCSSM’s history (1989-1992)
Name Karen Pikula
Email pikulak@dearborn.k12.mi.us
Candidate for (please check one):
__ x_ Director (three-year term)
School: Dearborn Center for Math, Science & Technology
What is your vision regarding how NCSSSMST can further the job of transforming teaching and learning in mathematics, science, and technology?
The next steps are to create a dialog between teacher using discussions or teleconferencing. This allows teacher to “meet” any time they need to. Also, students should be interacting via internet working together on projects or seeing how local issues are similar and different.
What strengths do you bring to the NCSSSMST Board?
3 years experience on the Board
Hosted Student Conference
Helped with Salt Lake Student Conference
Organized Philadelphia Conference
Knowledge of online treasurer banking payments
Please list your educational background.
AS in Medical Technology from University of Detroit – Mercy
BS in Mathematics from the University of Michigan – Dearborn
MA in Liberal Studies from the University of Michigan – Dearborn
Please list your current and past professional accomplishments.
• Current Team Leader (Lead Teacher) of Program
• Teach math ed courses at University of Michigan-Dearborn
• Presented at MCTM conferences and NCSSSMST Professional conferences and accepted to
present at T-cubed International Conference
• Wrote a book review for anthropology journal
• Reviewed new Workshop Statistics textbook
• Received two community service awards
Name: Garvin Wattuhewa
E-mail: gwatt@asms.net
Candidate for (please check one)
__x__Director (three-year term)
School: Alabama School of Mathematics & Science (ASMS), Mobile, AL
What is your vision regarding how NCSSSMST can further the job of transforming teaching and learning in Mathematics, Science and Technology.
The students who excel in Mathematics, Science and Technology oftentimes have limited opportunities to be challenged and elevated to their true potential. The Consortium should create, facilitate and support the academic environment of both members and non-members so that students are given a chance to apply their knowledge to the highest level. Working through opportunities provided by the Consortium, students are then able to expand their horizons when their schools work in conjunction with colleges and universities around them. Student centered research programs run by university faculty give these students the opportunity to tackle real life problems. We must encourage member teachers in every way we can to build the partnership with those high caliber faculties.
What strengths do you bring to the NCSSSMST:
Changing the direction of my career as an university professor, I joined ASMS (a full residential school) as an inaugural faculty member in 1991. Since then, I have been involved in many challenges in the school. I have had the sole responsibility for developing the full spectrum physics program which is currently offered at ASMS. We have three full time faculty members who hold Ph Ds in physics and who are involved not only in teaching, but also engaged in research. Experiences I have gained during the past 16 years at this campus in many different areas will definitely help me to be a good team player with the other Consortium members. I believe that any and every person can be a productive person with ‘just what they have’ if they utilize their resources and education wisely. I am skilled in muti-tasking. Over the course of the past several years this has been developed as I balanced a full time teaching during career at ASMS while organizing out-reach activities and coordinating statewide two Science Bowl competitions for High Schools and Middle Schools in conjunction with the Department of Energy.
Please list your educational background:
Ph. D. (Physics) – University Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
M.S. (Physics) – Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
B. Sc. (Physics & Mathematics) – University of Sri Lanka
Please list your current and past professional accomplishments:
State Coordinator for last sixteen years: Alabama High School Science Bowl
State Coordinator for last 6 years: Alabama Middle School Science Bowl
Elected Board member for two consecutive years to the ASMS Board of Directors
ASMS Liaison to the Mobile Area Partners in Education
Out-reach coordinator – ASMS
Inaugural Elected Board member – Alabama Science Museum
