Hi, I’m Dan.
A son of two educators, education is not only my job, it's my passion. I believe that e-learning and project based learning are key to turning curriculum into meaningful learning. From students to adults, I enjoy teaching and training with and about technology.
Colorado Certifications
Science
Virginia Certifications
Science
Rhode Island Certifications
Middle Grades Science Teacher, Grades 5-8
General Subject Matter Substitute PK - 12
Florida Subject Area Endorsements
Biology 6-12
Earth Space Science 6-12
General Science 6-12
Technology Education 6-12
Hodges University 2007-2009
Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (Focus in Education)
University of Central Florida 2002-2005
Associate of Science
American College of Education 2020-2022
Masters degree in Instructional Design
Francis C. Hammond Middle School Aug 20 - current
8th grade Science
Colorado Springs District 11 - Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy Aug 2018 - July 2020
Library Technology Educator
Providence Public Schools - Trinity Academy of Performing Arts Aug 2017 - June 2018
7th and 8th grade Science
Central Falls Public Schools - Calcutt Middle School Jan 2017 - July 2017
7th grade Science
Orange County Public Schools - Lockhart Middle School July 2010 – June 2016
6th grade Life Science
6th-8th grade Engineering
● Robotics Club – focused on construction and programming of VEX Robotics Kits
● Aeronautics Club – focused on rocketry and drones
Grant Writing & Accolades
● 2016, submitted proposal for the IMPACT Grant, funded by Duke Energy, Under Review
● 2015, the VEX Robotics and Aeronautics Clubs’ accomplishments contributed to the $7,000 Green Initiative Grant for Lockhart Middle School
● The VEX Robotics club has also repeatedly entered and earned awards in engineering competitions hosted by the Orlando Science Center, the University of Central Florida and Lockheed Martin
I conduct professional development for staff and administrators on the creation and implementation of e-learning platforms, including Schoology, Canvas by Instructure, Google Classroom. I also help develop and refine curricula for both online an offline projects.
I served as the lead instructor and facilitator of Lockhart Middle School’s participation in Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a national program aimed at providing students with a curriculum in STEM education.
● 2015 Old Dominion University - Design and Modeling
● 2015 Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Automation and Robotics
● 2014 University of South Carolina - Energy and the Environment
● 2014 San Diego State University - Flight and Space
● 2013 University of Texas at Tyler - Magic of Electrons, Science of Technology
Current Employer Anika Buster-Singleton ***-***-****
Former Employer Zarth Bertsch, Director of Theaters, The Smithsonian 319-936-6806
Former Employer Elizabeth Richards-Hegnauer, T.A.P.A. 401.432.7881
Former supervisor, Daniel Carrgher, is Vice Principal at the Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy, a Title 1 public middle school in District 11 of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Allison Kirby served as Principal of Lockhart Middle School, a Title 1 public middle school in Orlando, Florida.
Liz “R-H” is the Head of School at the Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (TAPA). TAPA is a Title 1 performing arts charter school in downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
Julie Cortese was a coworker at Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts.
Even before Covid changed the educational landscape, I’ve been a supporter of the flipped classroom model. I have designed and built courses in Blackboard, Moodle, and Google classroom, and Canvas by Instructure.
I applied for an won a grant for $66,000 to build an lead an engineering program at my title 1 school. We partnered with Project lead the Way and offered 6 of their Gateway courses.
In 2019, I was selected to be my school’s Library Technology Educator. Not only did I renovate and run our library, but I got to focus on computer literacy and help guide both teachers and student into the world of distance education.
The first subject I ever loved was science. Now after 10 years of teaching science to 6th-12th graders I find it to be the most rewarding subject matter. While I have covered most scientific disciplines, biology is the subject I’m most passionate about.
In my first year coaching shot put for girls track and field, we set school records in two categories.
After being certified by NASP, I taught safety, form and accuracy to students from 6-8. Each year we took a few field trips to the Cheyenne Mountain Archery range to put our skills to the test on both traditional and 3D targets.
I had the pleasure of coaching our co-ed soccer team to an undefeated season! 6-8 graders practiced everyday and competed against schools around the district.
