A Towson University preservice elementary teacher shows site leader Cody Sandifer her graph..

 

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Towson University Biographies

Lisa Tirocchi, 2004-2005

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Maryland a community located about 30 minutes north of Baltimore.  I attended public school for my K-12 education.  I graduated from Dulaney High School in 1996.  In May of 2000, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mount Saint Mary’s College.  Currently, I am working towards a Masters in Reading at Towson University. 

I have been teaching fourth grade at Johnnycake Elementary in Baltimore.  During my four years at Johnnycake I have always taught fourth graders.  My first three years I was a reading and science teacher.  This past year we decided to self contain our classrooms and I became a teacher of all subjects.  The past two years at Johnnycake I have learned a lot about Baltimore County’s Science Program by being the science leader for my school. As a science leader I was able to pilot the new fourth grade science curriculum and plan our school’s first annual science fair. 

Personally, the past year has been very exciting for me.  In January, I became engaged.  My fiancé, John, is a Navy Sea Bee and is currently stationed in Iraq.   I am looking forward to his return sometime during the first few weeks in August.  John and I have set our wedding date for April 2, 2005. 

Beth Renwick, 2005-2006

An (almost) lifetime Baltimorean, I graduated from The George Washington University in 1980 with a degree in Human Kinetics and Leisure Studies (Physical Education). My first career was as a gymnastics coach/instructor at local clubs in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Baltimore, Maryland. After that I entered the teaching profession in a non-traditional way, teaching second and third grades at Sinclair Lane Elementary School in Baltimore City as I finished coursework to become certified. In 2000 I received my M.S. from John Hopkins University in Special Education, Mild to Moderate Learning Disabilities.

Science education has been a crusade for me as the school system emphasizes reading more and more. I feel it is important for young children to learn to observe, question, and wonder about what is going on around them. As such, I have participated in and presented at science professional development sessions in the Baltimore City Public School System and partnered with the Irvine Nature Center to bring outdoor science activities to inner city school children through the Natural Connections Program.

Ann Craig, 2006-2009

I am currently working as Science Instructor for two courses of "Teaching Science in the Elementary School at Towson. I have an AA degree from Community College of Baltimore in Teacher Education, a BS degree in Early Childhood Education from Coppin State University, a Master's Equivalency in Science Instruction from Morgan State University and Towson University and a Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University.

My retirement from Baltimore City Public School System after 33 years of service has provided me with a many educational opportunities but my first love in education has always been teaching Science. I love to watch the eyes of students when they discover science concepts through an investigation. I am proud to have held the first Early Childhood Science Fair in Baltimore City.

While most of my career has been working with Elementary and Middle Schools, I find it quite satisfying teaching Science to 3rd and 4th year Towson students who want to become elementary school teachers. This is a great fit for me as it allows me opportunities to share my love of science and help the interns reach a higher comfort level for teaching science. Additionally, I have been working at Johns Hopkins University as a University Supervisor for middle school science teachers.

I have presented at NSTA Conventions in Washington, DC and in Baltimore, Maryland. My interest in science was strengthened when I became a volunteer for nine years at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and I am a self-taught, amateur astronomer. I am a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and I love to travel. I am looking forward to my work as a TIR as it will enable me to help others as well as reinforce my own physics understanding.

Denise Pfaff, 2007-2008

I attended a year at Immaculata College but transferred to Mount Saint Mary's University to finish in 1989 with a degree in education. I then worked numerous jobs including being a nanny, waitress, sales clerk, and managing a daycare center before becoming a second grade teacher for seven years in the Baltimore City School system at Northwood Elementary School.

During my first summer off as a teacher, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop at the Baltimore Aquarium. The workshop included trips to Baltimore Zoo, the Irvine Nature Center, and a sleep over night sleeping with the dolphins at the Aquarium. This is where my love of science began! The following summer, I accepted a contract position with a science center called Imaginarium in Anchorage, Alaska. Since two of my sisters live in Anchorage, I had a place to stay. At the center, I planned and created effective science unit and lessons on Super Sleuth Week for primary students with the help of my future husband, a volunteer firefighter. He lectured me on the makeup of fire and how fire marshals investigated a fire. When I returned home, he asked me to marry him.

In 2001, I was accepted into a Technology Support Program through the Baltimore City Professional Center. I then pursued my second love, technology, by applying to the College of Notre Dame for my Masters in Leadership in Teaching for which I specialized in technology. I received my degree in 2005.

Currently, I am an instructor for the class, "Teaching Science in the Elementary School" at Towson University. I am also happy in being part of the Teacher in Residence (TIR) program this year. I look forward working with the Physics Department in accomplishing their goals through my work as a TIR.