Naomi Volain

1280 Leonard Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91107 USA

626-510-6003/413-896-2839

EDUCATION

  • Master of Science Biology/Clinical Nutrition, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT. 1983.
  • Bachelor of Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, Communications concentration, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH. 1980.
  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts Educator’s Certificate: Biology (9 – 12). 1998.
  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement. 2014.
  • Masters + 30 credits, 2008. Professional Status.
  • Post graduate courses in Chemistry, Aerospace Education, Genetics, Botany, Education, Nutrition and Advertising, from the University of Massachusetts, University of Idaho, Westfield State College (MA), Holyoke Community College, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Framingham State College (MA), and the School of Visual Arts (NY). 1984 – 2007.

AFFILIATIONS

  • Varkey Teacher Ambassador. Varkey Foundation.
  • NASA Network of Educator Astronaut Teachers.
  • National Science Teachers Association, California Science Teachers Association, Botanical Society of America.
  • Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers, Hampden County Director, 2014 - 2015.
  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Registered 1983 - 2016.

EMPLOYMENT

Secondary Education

  • Science Teacher, Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA. 2016.
  • Science Teacher, Springfield Central High School, Springfield, MA. 1998 to 2015.
  • Taught Advanced Placement Environmental Science class and its Lab, Pre-AP Biology Lab and class, Botany, Ecology, and Physical Science. Classroom emphasis on scientific inquiry, research, and technology applications with field trips and speakers frequently scheduled. School greenhouse management.
  • Effective Educator Coach. Mentoring new teachers. 2013 to 2014.
  • Lead Teacher, Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative. Coordinated the Advanced Placement Science grant program in the Springfield School District. Organizing, administering and instructing the Student Exam Preparation Sessions. 2010 to 2012.
  • Baystate Health Department of Academic Affairs, Teacher Coordinator for Academic Week science program for high school students. Springfield, MA. 2012 to 2015.
  • Reviewer, NASA Global Climate Change Education Research proposals; NASA Minority University Research and Education Project; Textbook review: Friedland and Relyea Environmental Science for AP*, 2010.
  • Teacher/Counselor: Tropics and Trails Math and Science Summer Camp at Hampshire College, Amherst, MA, 2000, 2002, 2004 (as Camp Science Investigations).

Education

  • NASA Jet Propulsion Lab Education Specialist, STEM K – 12 Education. Paragon Tec., Pasadena, CA 2015 – 2016. Conducted and developed professional development and curriculum for educators using NASA resources.

Nutrition

Renal and Transplant Dietitian, Outpatient, Community, Therapeutic and Program Nutritionist.Metropolitan New York and Western Massachusetts,1980 – 2000. Provided counseling and nutrition education for women and children for the Federal Women, Infants and Children Program, dialysis and transplant patients, nursing home residents, and people with eating disorders, diabetes, heart disease, and athletes.

Advertising Copywriter

  • Bozell, Jacobs, Kenyon & Eckhardt Healthcare Division, New York, NY 1984 - 1986. Wrote ads, promotional material, and campaign rationale for pharmaceuticals and medical instrumentation; designed and helped conceptualize artwork; public relations management.

AWARDS

  • Global Teacher Prize Top 10 Finalist, Varkey Foundation, Dubai 2015.
  • Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Bridgeport, 2015.
  • Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators, EPA Region 1, Honorable Mention, 2014.
  • Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, Massachusetts Science, 2011.
  • Elaine Adams Professional Development Award, Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers, 2010 and 2013.
  • Spotlighted Teacher of the Month, Instructional Technology Newsletter, Information and Instructional Technology Solutions Department, Springfield Public Schools, February 2009.
  • The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education, 2008.
  • Pioneer Valley Distinguished Teacher Award, 2007.
  • Teacher of the Year Award, Aerospace Education Foundation, Air Force Association Pioneer Valley Chapter, 2001.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATIONS

National

  • Advanced Placement Annual Conference: Plants as Pedagogy: Botany-Directed AP Environmental Science. Philadelphia, PA, 2014.
  • National Association of Science Teachers Annual Conference: Stories, Songs, and Comedy to Guide the AP Environmental Science Curriculum. Boston, MA, 2014.
  • National Science Teachers Association National Conference: NASA’s Spaceward Bound: Take Home Authentic NASA Field Investigations for Your Students to Conduct. Boston, MA, 2008.

District and Regional

  • The 6E Instructional Method, Guiding the Science Instructional Block, 2013.
  • Oceanography Professional Development for the Maury Project, 2010.
  • Food and Drug Administration Workshops, Springfield Central High School, 2010 – 2011.
  • Advanced Placement Vertical Team meetings, Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative, 2010 – 2011.
  • Specialized Content in Environmental Science, Springfield Public Schools, 2007.
  • Biology Curriculum Writing Workshop, Springfield Public Schools, 2006.

 STEM EARTH Central, University of Massachusetts, 2006.

 Labs That Work! Investigations in Support of High School Science. Using the Resources of NASA To

Instruct the High School Science Standards, Springfield Public Schools, 2005.

Attended

  • National Tropical Botanical Garden Science Teachers’ Enrichment Program, 2013.
  • HabitatNet – El Eden Ecological Reserve, Mexico, 2010.
  • Food & Drug Administration Food Safety, Washington, DC, 2010.
  • American Meteorological Society/U.S. Naval Academy: Maury Project. Annapolis, MD, 2009.
  • NASA Workshops, including Spaceward Bound Expeditions; TX, CA, AL, MA, DC, FL, NJ, and MD.

2001 – 2013.

  • Massachusetts Math & Science Initiative Workshops, 2008 - 2013.
  • Advanced Placement Summer Institutes, VT and CT, 2007 – 2008; AP Annual Conference 2013 - 2014.
  • plantingscience, Texas A & M University, 2008.
  • Forest Watch, University of New Hampshire, 2007.

student ENGAGEMENT

  • Coach, Massachusetts Envirothon Natural Resources competition, 2007 to 2010, 2012 - 2015. The Springfield Central High School team received the Community Research Award every year.
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology BLOSSOMS (Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies) video lesson: Pollination: Saying it with Flowers. 2014.
  • Teacher advisor, F.I.R.S.T. (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology) Robotics LEGO Maniacs Team #96, Springfield, MA, 2002.
  • Advisor, National Science Honor Society, Springfield Central High School, 2000 - 2005.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

NASA Network of Educator Astronaut Teachers Outreach Activities supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives. 2005 – 2009.

 The Science Center of Connecticut: Space Day and Total Lunar Eclipse Star Party, West Hartford,

CT.

 Springfield Stars Astronomy Club and Earth Day Celebration, Springfield Science Museum,

Springfield, MA

 Pioneer Valley Boy Scout Troop 32 Lunar Sample Display.

VOLUNTEER

  • 2016 Rio Olympics, Technology Team, supporting Women’s Basketball.
  • LA2024 support for Los Angeles’s bid as the 2024 Olympic Host City.
  • (upcoming) Grand Award judge at theIntelInternational Science and Engineering Fair 2017.

PUBLICATIONS

  • Plant Science Bulletin (a publication of the Botanical Society of America), Fall 2016, Volume 62, Number 3, pages 181 - 182. Book Review Plant Sensing & Communication, Richard Karban, University of Chicago Press.
  • Environmental Nutrition, The Professional Newsletter of Diet, Nutrition and Health.
  • A Cup of Hot Comfort as Fall Nips the Air, October 1995.
  • For a Healthier Earth, Richer Diet, Try Organic Gardening, April 1995.
  • Nutrition/Arthritis Link: So Near and Yet So Far, September 1993.
  • Weight Control and Exercise Are Best Defense Against Diabetes, November 1992.
  • 10 Pounds Over? How to Lose It Or Learn To Live With It, September 1992.
  • American Cooks Fail Cooking Quiz, But Want to Learn More, May 1992.
  • Waxes on Produce: Holding a Candle to the Controversy, November 1991.
  • Recognizing Nutritional Blindspots in Advertising, January 1991.
  • Personal Fitness & Weight Loss magazine.
  • Food For Thought Newsworthy Nutrition Notes, summer and fall 1990.
  • Go with The Grain, Spring 1990.
  • The Low-Cholesterol Life-Style, Fall 1989.
  • The Valley Advocate.
  • Sweet Spheres Drinking the summer in a melon, June 1987.
  • Sprat’s Diet Jack Sprat knew about fat, but did he know about antibiotics in meat, too? June 1987.
  • Homogenized Soda The dairy industry tackles soda addiction with carbonated milk. August 1987.