The 2018-2019 NASA eClips Spotlite Science Education Experts Group
Members of the NASA eClips Science Education Experts Group serve as science content experts for teams from around the country who are participating in the Spotlite Design Challenge. Science Experts help clarify or correct science information in the research, script-writing, and video production process. If you're interested in joining next year's Science Experts Group, please contact Joan Harper-Neely at joan.harper-neely@nianet.org.
Ms. Sharon Andrews
Booker T. Washington Marine Science Magnet School -- Science, Sixth Grade
I have taught for 25 years in several states and in Liberia (Peace Corps). I received my bachelor's degree from East Tennessee State University and my master's degree in Middle Education at the University of Southern Mississippi. I am currently teaching 6th-grade science at Booker T. Washington Marine Science Magnet School in Newport News, Virginia. I am the sponsor of the Chess Club and co-sponsor of the Robotics Club at our school.
Ms. Michelle Braxton
Discovery STEM Academy -- 5th Grade
Hello, my name is Michelle Braxton and I am currently a fifth-grade teacher at Discovery STEM Academy in Newport News. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Russell Sage College in New York and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Old Dominion University. I received STEM certification from McDaniel College in Maryland and serve on the team of STEM Lead Teachers at Discovery STEM Academy. I am very excited to serve on the NASA eClips Science Expert Group.
Ms. Kristen Coolbear
Kecoughtan High School -- Science
My name is Kristen Coolbear, and I am a native of Newport News, Virginia. I received my B.S. in Ocean and Earth Sciences from Old Dominion University in 2006. I have been teaching Earth Science at Kecoughtan High School since 2006. Since then I have also earned my M.S. in Geoscience from Mississippi State University and have been able to begin teaching Dual Enrollment Oceanography and Dual Enrollment Geology through Thomas Nelson Community College. I am a science-minded person at heart and enjoy sharing the excitement of science with my students! I have had the pleasure of working with NASA eClips for the previous two years and am very excited about being a part of this year's Science Experts Group.
Ms. Kathleen Harrison
Hampton High School -- Science
Science education is my passion, and I have been teaching science at Hampton High School for 18 years. Before I came to Hampton, I taught science at Tidewater Community College. My education includes a BS and MS in Animal Science from Virginia Tech. When I am out of the classroom, I enjoy walking with my husband, cooking family dinner with my 3 daughters and son-in-law, beach combing, and painting. I am excited to serve on the NASA eClips team.
Ms. Kesha Lucas
Bethel High School -- Science
After studying chemical engineering and marine/environmental science at Hampton University where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree, I entered the workforce as a water conservation coordinator. I made a career switch in 2000 and have been teaching/tutoring science for the last 18 years. In addition to working as a scientist, I have also acted professionally since the age of 13. In my current "role" as a science teacher at Bethel High School, I provide instruction in Biology, Earth Science and Oceanography and bring all of who I am to my teaching. I feel that it is important for students to see more than what is in books-- to expound upon the curriculum by bringing real-world experiences into the classroom and getting the kids out of the classroom and into the real world!
Ms. Sheryl McLaughlin
Jones Magnet Middle School -- Science, Seventh & Eighth Grade
Sheryl McLaughlin has been teaching for over 25 years. She has an MA in Special Education and an MA in Educational Leadership. Sheryl taught students with an emotional disturbance as a Teacher/Counselor, Liaison Counselor, and Instructional Teacher/Counselor, and taught students with special needs in a high school setting. She has been teaching in a general education setting for middle school science for the last twelve years. Sheryl is honored to be serving on the NASA eClips Science Experts Group.
Ms. LaTiffany Prince
Passage Middle School -- Science, Eighth Grade
LaTiffany Prince joined the Newport News Public School (NNPS) Faculty in 2016 after 4 years in medical sciences on the campuses of Autonomous University of Guadalajara School of Medicine and later Hampton University where she conducted breast cancer research with a team of scientists. Her work was published in the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). As a recently established educator, she hopes to challenge her students to be college-, career-, and citizen-ready in STEM-related fields. When she is not working, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and three-year-old son.
Ms. Jennifer Roman
Jamestown High School -- Science
In 2009 I earned my B.S. in Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences from Old Dominion University. I am currently working on my M. Ed. in Special Education. For the past 10 years, I have been teaching Earth Science and Oceanography at Jamestown High school in Williamsburg. I enjoy giving my students out of the classroom, real-world experiences that bring science to life. There is nothing more exciting than watching the “light bulbs” go off in the faces of my students. I am very excited to be a part of the NASA eClips Science Expert Group.
Ms. Tirzah Sarro
Phoebus High School -- Science
I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After a wonderful diverse career as a world traveling Physical Therapist, I obtained my Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. As a career switcher I know teaching is where I truly belong. I taught Math and Science in North Carolina for 13 years. I moved to Hampton in 2014 where I teach Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, AP Biology, and AP Environmental Science. I am a hands-on, experiential learning type of teacher and I am excited about being a part of the NASA Science Experts Group.