Meet the 2012 WW Indiana Teaching Fellows
Olivia Birdsall | Georgetown, ME | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: St. Lawrence University ’11, mathematics/fine arts
Substitute teacher, rural schools; University Scholar, dean’s list student, member, math honorary society; peer mentor for autistic children; Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer; photographer and theatrical costumer; graduate of a high-need rural high school.
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James R. Brown | Roseville, MI | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: University of Phoenix ’04, business administration
• Graduate institution and degree: Keller Graduate School of Management ’11, M.B.A.
Air Force veteran; owner of small businesses in the construction industry with nearly 25 years’ experience; professional carpenter and cabinetmaker; facilities manager and registered code inspector; graduate of a high-need urban high school.
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Rhondée Caldwell | Suffolk, VA | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Norfolk State University ’12, chemistry
Undergraduate researcher in neuroscience; scholarship winner and dean’s list/honor roll student; volunteer campus mentor, study group leader, and tutor; volunteer tutor with high-need grade-school children at community organization; science volunteer with Girl Scouts.
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Caroline Chow | Wheaton, IL | Will attend: Ball State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Taylor University ’12, chemistry
Undergraduate researcher, muscle chemistry during exercise; teaching assistant; peer leader, group polymer research; medical clerk/assistant; dean’s list student; co-director, community recycling effort.
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Anthony Coleman | South Bend, IN | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Lincoln University (Missouri) ’09, computer science
• Graduate coursework: Howard University, computer science
Computer technician/intern, major regional energy producer; software programmer; staffer, campus orientation; youth leader, Boys and Girls Club; mechanic; track athlete.
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Domingo David, Jr. | Ann Arbor, MI | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ’11, computer science/ computer engineering (double major)
Campus computing consultant and study group leader; designer of various devices, including a robot and a controller for a steering wheel simulator; native of the Philippines and graduate of a high-need school; student cultural group volunteer.
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Julian Dietrich | Reading, PA | Will attend: Ball State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Albright College ’11, mathematics/physics (double major)
Campus grant recipient for physics research (general relativity); dean’s list student; travel experience in Australia and Japan; staffer for summer youth conferences on campus; advocate for assistance to high-need/low income communities; member of campus anime society.
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Roger Edington | Berrien Springs, MI | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: University of Southern Maine ’95, industrial technology (w/ business minor); Ferris State University ’12, accounting
Substitute teacher; armed forces veteran with total of 23+ years’ service, including Navy weapons maintenance, Navy Reserve fire control, and Air Force medical logistics; substitute teacher; peer/community educator on traumatic brain injury.
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Aaron Edwards | Albion, IN | Will attend: Purdue University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Indiana Institute of Technology ’02, civil engineering
• Graduate institution and degree: Indiana Grace Theological Seminary ’10, M.A. (cultural studies)
Former private sector design engineer, construction industry; regional director and project manager for international service organization in Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan); peer mentor; substitute teacher; coach, middle school boys’ basketball.
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Emily Fero | Kennett Square, PA | Will attend: Purdue University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Villanova University ’09, mathematics
Dean’s list student; mentor for high school robotics team; academic tutor, math; after-school volunteer, middle school students; Sunday school teacher; former photography assistant.
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Daniel Gess | Indianapolis, IN | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis ’10, mechanical engineering technology
Construction and building systems engineer; Air National Guard veteran, specialist in electrical power production/mechanic and trainer on generation operation and hazards; dog lover and fundraiser for local chapter of national animal advocacy organization.
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Jacob Goodman | Bloomington, IN | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: University of Evansville ’06, mathematics/Russian studies
Instructor, cooking school; administrator/accountant/manager, food service industry; humane society volunteer; music festival coordinator; campus academic award winner, top math student.
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Heather Hartnagel | Brownsburg, IN | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Butler University ’12, chemistry
Former double major, chemistry/biomedical engineering, with new focus on education; dean’s list student; mentor/leader/staffer for weeklong ministry camp with high school girls; coach in basketball, tennis, volleyball; top engineering student, freshman year; former member of college tennis team.
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Filomena Haselby | Brownsburg, IN | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Marian University ’92, biology
Research assistant in a diabetes study, coaching low-income participants on diet and exercise; former cardiovascular testing technician; volunteer with advocacy organizations on social justice, poverty, and homelessness; teacher for church youth and adults; actor and singer.
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Laura Heverly | Floyds Knobs, IN | Will attend: Purdue University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Purdue University ’12, civil engineering
Undergraduate researcher, energy efficiency in Habitat for Humanity homes; ambassador for Purdue civil engineering program; coach and player, high school girls’ soccer; Habitat for Humanity volunteer; former track athlete.
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John Hoffman | Indianapolis, IN | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Purdue University ’86, history/economics (double major w/calculus minor); Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis ’10, nursing
• Graduate coursework: University of Indianapolis, business administration
Nurse on medical/surgical ward; former adjunct faculty, IUPUI, anatomy/physiology; 10 years’ experience as manager, medical school research labs; college physics, chemistry, and calculus tutor; mentor for at-risk teenager; adult literacy volunteer; former assistant Boy Scout Troop leader.
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Gabrielle Ingram | Indianapolis, IN | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Kent State University ’12, biology
Dean’s list student, President’s Scholar, multiple scholarship recipient; observer and teacher’s assistant at Ohio high school; summer teacher’s assistant in Indianapolis; volunteer at various soccer camps; senior co-captain and scholar-athlete on Kent State soccer team.
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Brien Krieger | Avon, IN | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Purdue University ’86, mechanical engineering
• Graduate institution and degree: Purdue University ’01, M.S. (mechanical engineering)
Engineer with 20+ years’ experience in industrial energy efficiency, power turbines, and process improvement; K-12 substitute teacher; middle-school football and baseball coach; tutor for student athletes; former volunteer, Indy Festivals support committee.
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Patrick May | Indianapolis, IN | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Northland College ’09, biology
Floor leader, quality tester, and cheesemaker at commercial dairy; apprentice, artisanal dairy farm; summer naturalist, Arc of Appalachia Preserve System; student leader, environmental youth camp; intern in land/water management, wildlife monitor, creator of trail guide, plant curator; avid baker, woodcarver.
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Rebecca McCarthy | Eads, TN | Will attend: Purdue University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ’12, mathematics
Campus math tutor; NSF-funded undergraduate researcher in math; dean’s list student, member, math honorary society, multiple academic award winner; avid crafter and knitter.
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Matthew Mindach | Marion, IN | Will attend: Ball State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Indiana Wesleyan University ’10, chemistry
Rehabilitation technician; high school tutor (chemistry, biology, math); undergraduate researcher in chemistry; dean’s list student; gymnastics instructor; volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, local homeless shelter; son of a teacher.
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LaWanda Mitchell | Evergreen, AL | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Auburn University ’07, biomedical sciences
Dean’s list student; teaching experience in multiple STEM subjects; founder/owner/instructor of dance studio with strong academic requirements for participation; peer mentor, Auburn University; vacation Bible school teacher; leader in ministry and community service.
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Brooke Mix | Westfield, IN | Will attend: Purdue University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Carthage College ’12, biology
College lab assistant; undergraduate researcher, innovative arthritis treatment for dogs; dean’s list student, member of college athletics honor roll; high school peer tutor; counselor, children’s summer learning camp; assistant to high school athletics trainer; college athlete (golf, rugby, basketball).
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Blake Nathan | Stone Mountain, GA | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Tennessee State University ’12, aeronautics/transportation
Caregiver/teacher for grade-school children at childcare center; active volunteer with peer mentoring organizations on campus; event coordinator; campus promoter/brand manager for national product line.
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Gary Nickleson | Indianapolis, IN | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Indiana State University ’12, biology/science education
Former telecommunications technician with 20+ years’ experience and small business owner; Noyce Scholar, biology; substitute teacher; middle- and high-school sports coach; active mentor and tutor in community schools; former volunteer of the year, Indianapolis Commission on African American Males.
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Robert Paterson | Mishawaka, IN | Will attend: Ball State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Ball State University ’95, industrial engineering
Former master machinist, internationally known aerospace manufacturer; mechanical designer and builder; substitute teacher, high school math/physics.
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Barak Pauley | Marion, IN | Will attend: Ball State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Ball State University ’12, physics
Dean’s list student with minors in astronomy and mathematics; Noyce Scholar; volunteer ministry leader and mentor, middle- and high-school students; marching band assistant; Boys and Girls Club volunteer; audiovisual technician; carpenter.
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Joyce (J-J) Newman Rode | West Lafayette, IN | Will attend: Purdue University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Evergreen State College ’82, environmental science
• Graduate college, and degree: Auburn University, M.S. ’90, Ph.D. courses (fisheries/aquaculture)
Aquaculturist and fisheries expert for three decades; instructor/trainer for fish farmers, five states and three African countries; environmental educator; published co-author of several journal articles; local community college instructor; owner/operator of small farm and herbal products business.
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Jennifer Schall | Fort Wayne, IN | Will attend: Purdue University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Earlham College ’92, biology; Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne ’13, psychology
• Graduate coursework: Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, marriage/family therapy, school counseling
Substitute teacher; outdoor science school instructor; education specialist, children’s science and technology museum; community relations coordinator, wetlands preservation project; reading corps coordinator; certified crisis intervention trainer.
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Kate Schlarman | Saint Louis, MO | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Missouri University of Science & Technology ’12, geology
Undergraduate researcher, organic microfossils; teaching assistant; multiple scholarship recipient, dean’s list student; intern, science museum; campus tutor; workshop leader, science careers for women; archaeological field assistant; former camp counselor; Boy Scout Merit Badge counselor; lifetime member, Girl Scouts.
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Samantha Schwartz | Urbana, IL | Will attend: Purdue University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Valparaiso University ’12, physics/mathematics
Undergraduate researcher, physics; physics department grader/tutor; physics merit scholarship recipient; honors student, academic award winner, nominee to physics honors society; longtime babysitter and Sunday school teacher; flautist, university orchestra, and co-founder/president of campus flute choir.
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Josie Senko | Enola, PA | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Lebanon Valley College ’12, chemistry
Undergraduate research assistant, organic chemistry and biochemistry; college tutor, chemistry and writing; dean’s list student; volunteer with high-need young people and former summer camp counselor; athlete (college rugby, girls’ hockey); study abroad experience in Australia.
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Kayla Siebert | Mundelein, IL | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Kenyon College ’12, mathematics
Math club member with senior thesis on geometry; apprentice teacher, Italian; Habitat for Humanity volunteer; former nanny; former soccer player.
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Monique Simpson | Stafford, VA | Will attend: Purdue University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Hampton University ’12, mathematics
College and middle-school math tutor; instructor in summer math camp for Native American students; dean’s list student and member of honor societies; president of campus gospel choir; volunteer teacher for church youth.
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David Skeels | Indianapolis, IN | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Purdue University ’84, industrial engineering
• Graduate college, and degree: University of Chicago ’93, M.B.A.
Business executive with 20+ years of experience working with global blue-chip companies to maximize retail performance and manage capital, with current work in developing “green” power technologies; recipient of multiple awards for top performance in his field; longtime scholar/speaker of Spanish.
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John Skomp | Indianapolis, IN | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis ’12, chemistry
Leader/peer mentor, chemistry team; teaching assistant, chemistry; researcher/presenter, chemistry labs; lesson preparer/presenter, local church.
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Jordan Skomp | Indianapolis, IN | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis ’11, chemistry
Undergraduate education researcher, tools for learning organic chemistry; teaching assistant and peer mentor/tutor, chemistry; dean’s list/honors student; part-time pharmacy technician; student athletes’ tutor and elementary after-school tutor; avid cross country runner.
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Marie-Therese Smith | Portland, OR | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Kettering University ’89, mechanical engineering
• Graduate institution and degree: Purdue University ’96, M.S. (engineering)
Computer architect/designer, 15+ years’ experience with major international computer manufacturer; former manufacturing engineer, automotive electronics industry; co-founder, local school robotics program; reading tutor; church youth teacher; volunteer with numerous community organizations.
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Sandra Smith | Rolla, MO | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Missouri University of Science & Technology ’11, geology/geochemistry
Participant in field camp hands-on research; campus mentor; camp counselor, high school teacher’s aide, volunteer with high-school-age youth; president, campus chapter of earth science honor society; event organizer for geology club; volunteer presenter on geology for middle-school girls.
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Maple So | Yuma, AZ | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Arizona State University ’11, mathematics
Undergraduate researcher with bioimaging simulations and honors thesis on mathematical modeling; college math tutor; tutor in math for low-income children, high school teacher’s aide; dean’s list and honors student; first-generation English speaker, fluent in Spanish and Cantonese.
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Krysty-An Spartz | Noblesville, IN | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis ’12, biology
Farmer and expert in wetland mitigation; parent of four homeschooled children with considerable academic successes; ESL tutor; Sunday school teacher and church event organizer; missions team co-leader in Ukraine; musician (violin, banjo).
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Stephen Spyker | Knightstown, IN | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Grantham University ’95, engineering/electronics
• Graduate institution and degree: Earlham College ’95, M.Div.; Ball State University ’04, Ed.D. (adult education/information science)
Former electrical engineer and broadcast engineer; graduate school administrator; computer/IT director; cabinetmaker; youth pastor; published author on technology and spirituality; member of board for nonprofit focused on community health; avid cyclist.
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William Steelman | Dillsboro, IN | Will attend: Ball State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Purdue University ’95, nuclear engineering
Licensing engineer/manager, nuclear generating station, with nearly 20 years in field of power generation; trainer, core designer, and plant operator; member of research groups; as utility personnel and New Orleans resident after Hurricane Katrina, an early responder.
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Valerie Thomas | Bedford, KY | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Bellarmine College ’12, mathematics
Substitute teacher; honors student, with senior thesis on the communasphere and animal rights; volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters; graduate of rural schools; cross-country/track athlete; longtime community volunteer and mentor.
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Adam Trebel | Laurium, MI | Will attend: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Northern Michigan University ’10, industrial design
Dean’s list student; after-school tutor; volunteer with organization working with high school dropouts; volunteer elementary math tutor; woodworker, machinist, and fabricator; digital designer; member/president, campus chapter, industrial design society.
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Justin VanHorn | Greenwood, IN | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Franklin College ’06, chemistry
• Graduate institution and degree: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis ’08, M.S. (biology)
Laboratory research assistant in molecular biology, private sector; former college research assistant, genetics/molecular biology; former teaching assistant, biology; former field research intern, agribusiness; dean’s list student; assistant high school soccer coach and former college soccer player; Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
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Brian Wenninger | Scott, OH | Will attend: Ball State University
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne ’04, computer science
Software engineer with more than 10 years’ experience in private sector; math tutor and cross-country coach, local high school; presentations to local high schools on engineering careers; missions/service volunteer in post-Katrina Mississippi; local food pantry volunteer.
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Joshua Yoder | Plainfield, IN | Will attend: University of Indianapolis
• Undergraduate college, class, and major: DePauw University ’11, biology
Substitute teacher; high school football/baseball official; manager/handler for international courier/shipping company; church youth leader; former volunteer EMT; self-defense and martial arts instructor; former college football player.
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