Walter Sanford's Vita/Resume'
2727 Arlington Drive, Apt. 301
Alexandria, VA 22306
Phone: 703-765-9392 (Voice/Fax)
Internet: wsanford@wsanford.com
JOB TARGET
- Short-range: Geosystems (Earth Science) Instructor; Instructional
Technology Specialist
- Long-range: Instructional Technology Coordinator for small- to
mid-size public school system
CAPABILITIES
- Design, implement, and evaluate exemplary program of instruction.
- Use a variety of instructional materials beyond the basal textbook.
- Clearly communicate expectations of student performance.
- Inspire and motivate students.
- Establish both short- and long-range program goals and objectives.
- Evaluate program effectiveness using a variety of assessment information.
- Accessing and organizing instructional materials, equipment, and
supplies.
- Keeping current in the fields of Science and Earth Science
instruction, including technology-aided instruction.
- Share successful teaching strategies and curriculum materials with
colleagues.
- Technologically literate (Apple Macintosh, Microsoft DOS and Windows,
and UNIX platforms), including extensive experience with telecomputing,
LANs, WANs, Intranet and the Internet.
- Former WebMaster, West
Springfield High School and Carl Sandburg Middle
School.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Since 1984, involved with the American Meteorological Society's (AMS)
Project
ATMOSPHERE, a K-12 outreach initiative designed to increase students'
interest in science, mathematics, and technology through the study of
real-time weather. Serve as one of three "Atmospheric Education Resource
Agents" (AERAs) for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Organized AMS Project ATMOSPHERE AERAs from New Jersey to North
Carolina to form the Mid-Atlantic AERAs (MA-AERAs); serve as Chairperson.
Since 1994, the group has successfully presented an annual "Mid-Atlantic Regional
Hazardous Weather Conference for Educators."
- Currently serve as Leader, Northern
Virginia Local Implementation Team for AMS DataStreme Project, an
Internet-based distance learning graduate-level meteorology course.
Four-member team (including two professional meteorologists from the
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather
Service) mentors group of eight K-12 teachers per semester enrolled in
the course.
- Consultant to NBC4 WRC-TV meteorologist Bob Ryan's 4-WINDS Project, a
regional mesonet of approximately 200 school-based weather observing
stations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
- Director of the highly successful Camp T-Equity, a
technology-immersion day camp for girls, Summer '95. Camp T-Equity '95
stands as a shining example of how adequate access to instructional
technology can motivate students in new and exciting ways by enriching the
program of instruction.
- Instructor, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) non-college credit
course, "Telecomputing Fundamentals: Macintosh and the Internet." (three
semesters)
- Recipient of FCPS Instructional Mini-Grants - 1983, 1987. Monies used
to purchase entry-level system for direct reception of weather satellite
imagery.
- In FCPS, pioneered the use of telecomputing and Internetworking to
utilize current weather data to improve science, mathematics, and
technology instruction.
- Member of writing team which produced for the National Weather
Service (NWS) a series of popular publications - 1985. Personally
authored NWS Fact Sheet entitled "Weather Satellite Imagery"; co-authored
NWS Fact Sheet entitled "Weather Radar Imagery."
- Commonwealth of Virginia Standards of Learning Workshop: wrote
Geology II course objectives - 1985.
- Member, FCPS Textbook Adoption Committee, Earth Science - 1988
- Successfully conducted numerous teacher workshops at the
international, state, and local levels, including (but not limited to)
the following presentations:
- Second International Conference on School and Popular Meteorological
& Oceanographic Education - 1989
- National Science Teachers Association National Convention - 1987
- National Association of Geology Teachers (NAGT) Eastern Section 39th
Annual Field Conference - 1989
- Smithsonian Institution National Air & Space Museum, Weather
Workshops for Teachers - 1987, 1988
- Virginia State Science Teachers Conference - 1985, 1987, 1996 (and
others)
- Satellites and Education Conference - 1990, 1993, 1994
- Educational Consultant, National Geographic Society, "The Weather
Machine" (weather telecommunications service and computer courseware)
- NAGT Eastern Section Earth Science Teacher of the Year for
Commonwealth of Virginia - 1990
- Received "Distinguished Achievement Award" from Electronic
Learning magazine
- Founded the National Capital Fossil Club. Built membership to over
one hundred members. Former editor, club newsletter.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- 1997 (and currently) - FCPS, Carl Sandburg Middle School - Planetarium
Teacher; Director, Center for Sky Awareness
- 1981-1997 - FCPS, West Springfield High School - Earth Science Teacher
- 1978-1981 - FCPS, Robert E. Lee High School - Earth Science Teacher
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- National Education Association, Virginia Education Association,
Fairfax Education Association
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Virginia
Society for Technology in Education (VSTE)
- American Meteorological Society (AMS), District of Columbia Chapter,
AMS (DC-AMS)
- Satellite Educators Association
- National Capital Fossil Club
EDUCATION
- Currently working towards Masters of Education in Instructional
Technology - George Mason University
- B.S. Geology, Minor in Secondary Education. Graduated with Honors -
James Madison University - 1978
REFERENCES
- Ms. Donna Pasteur - Principal, Carl Sandburg Middle School, FCPS
- Mr. Phillip Wherry - Lead Technologist, Information Services
Directorate, Concept Five Technologies. Internet: psw@gw.wherry.com
- Ms. Joanne Goodwin - Technology Resource Teacher, FCPS. Internet: jcgoodwi@pen.k12.va.us
Additional references furnished upon request.
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