Teacher Background and Activities

Bill Monahan

Teacher Background and Activities

Biomedical Ethics workshop – 2009

Attended a two week workshop sponsored by the Northwest Association of Biomedical Research. Participation will continue for two years as part of a research grant program. Information gained from the workshop will permit the integration of ethical decision making processes into the classroom when dealing with ethical issues. Modern biological research often leads to ethical issues associated with the science. My goal is to provide students with a framework for ethical decision making when confronting the bioethical issues.

Science Education Partnership (SEP) at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

1999 – present. This involved a summer research/practical labs experience at the Hutch. I am able to supplement my class activities with 3-4 labs a year, provided by the Hutch, that would otherwise be impossible to do primarily because of the costs associated with the lab materials. Labs include bacteria transformation, DNA restriction enzyme digests, and gel electrophoresis among others.

STARNET Program – 2006 – present

This program represents an extension of the Human Genome Program (above). The research focus is a genetic component associated with nicotine addiction. Students identify genotypes of study subjects using modern biotechnology techniques.

- The High School Human Genome Program - 1996 to 2005.

This involved a 2-week lab in the classroom every year sequencing human DNA in support of an ongoing research effort at UW. The lab involved acquainting students with techniques involved in PCR, micropipeting, gel electrophoresis and nucleotide sequencing. I recruited parent volunteers each year and generally had anywhere from 2 to 8 volunteers. Parent volunteers serve as another way of expanding the awareness of biotechnology advances to the community. I had scientist support from ICOS (the same lab folks for 5 years). For many years Dr. Sharon Wolda, PhD and her lab scientists supported my classroom efforts. The lab involved weekend orientation sessions (2) during the school year. I conducted the lab in all of my classes and that usually included 2 AP Biology classes and 3 Introductory Biology classes for sophomores.

Earned a Masters in Biology (’02) as part of a grant research project funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) and administered by the Starnet Project through UW’s Dept. of Molecular Biotechnology (now the Dep’t of Genomic Sciences). NIDA is the funding agency for the genome lab activities. The research I conducted involved molecular receptors involved with cellular activities and competition for THC receptors. THC is the active ingredient in marijuana. The research gives me a great segway into the realm of high school students due to the involvement of a commonly used/abused drug.

I completed a distance-learning program (’03) titled the Pharmacology Education Program through Duke University’s Medical Center. This gave me many tools to use in the classroom associated with how drugs are constructed and metabolized in the body. Again, this is very relevant to many students’ lives, and it is another great way to connect with them about controversial issues.

I developed and teach a class titled ‘Science and Society’ which deals with many of the controversial bioethical issues in today’s society. It is a class that looks at the philosophical issues associated with bioethics and related issues (i.e. genetic engineering) as they impact the lives of everyday citizens. This is the primary way that biology and biotechnology will impact the lives of most of my students.

Participated in a Genetics workshop under the guidance of UW personnel. The focus of the workshop was to develop a weeklong course of study for teachers who are interested in adding a genetics primer to their curriculum.

Participated in a DNA workshop conducted by representatives of Cold Spring Harbor research scientists. SEP scientists at the FHCRC hosted the workshop.

AP Biology workshops – attended 3 since summer of ‘95

Participated in a Visiting Teacher program sponsored by the Redmond Chamber of Commerce. My participation was with Immunex (now Amgen).

Eastlake activities – Area Coordinator

Advisor, Junior Orthopedic Guild, Children’s Hospital

member, Advisory committee (for 12 years)

member, Recognition committee (3 years)

member, football chain gang (for 12 years)

basketball clock operator (backup support)

track – shot put coordinator/score keeper

member, teacher group to meet with the superintendent

member, appeals committee (backup support)

Guest speaker:baccalaureate (two times)

Post 9/11 school assembly

Veteran’s Day (several times at EHS)

Veteran’s Day, ’03, ‘07 Inglewood Jr. High

Rainbow Girls ceremony

Several Eagle Scout ceremonies

2004 Eastlake graduation (selected by the seniors)

Represented the school during new science text adoption meetings at the district level

Every year I send a summer reading letter home to the parents of all of my sophomore students (at personal expense).

At the end of summer I send a welcome back to school letter with a personal note to every sophomore student I had the previous year. (again, done at my own expense).

During the school year I provide my home phone number and home email address to all of my students and their parents to facilitate communications as well as to be accessible to students who are struggling with their work while outside of school.

From 2002 to 2007 I had independent study students during my planning period receiving instruction in AP Biology.

Actively support students who participate in many out of school activities:

-Nominated students to participate in a paid summer internship program (10 weeks long) at the FHCRC. Eastlake had students selected to participate in three of the five years. The program was very selective choosing only 6 of more than 50-60 applicants who represent the very best high school science students in the Puget Sound Region. (Megan Brewster, ’02; Ali Paulson, ’03; Dianna Wu,’06). Program has been discontinued due to lack of grant funding.

- Nominate students for internships at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (SBRI). Internships may be paid (or not) depending on students’ class standing.

-Arranged for a student to complete his senior project performing over 300 hours of research at UW’s Genome Center. Facilitated his presentation to a lecture hall full (700+ students) at UW. I nominated this student for Eastside Journal recognition, and he was ultimately selected as the Eastside’s Science Student of the Year (’99). (Anthony Salter, ’99)

-Every year I nominate 6-8 students to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine

Awards – PTSA Golden Acorn Award, 2009

Nat’l Asso. of Biology Teachers – Wa. State Teacher of the Year, 2008

Presidential Scholar Teacher Recognition, 2008

Presidential Scholar Teacher Recognition, 2003

EHS Alpha Wolf award (2 awards)

LWSD PTSA faculty scholarship award for continuing education (’94)