About Wcbpolish

edit

Location

edit

I was born and raised near Greenville, Michigan, and attended college at Cornerstone University from August 2002-May 2007. I taught science (6-12) as well as health, PE, math, and consumer life skills in Chefornak, Alaska from August 2007-May 2009. After leaving Alaska, I taught middle school science (6-8) at Emmanuel Christian School near Toledo, Ohio. Because my fiancée (now wife) was a Ph.D. student at the Mayo Clinic, I moved to Minnesota to be near her, and we lived in Rochester, MN for several years (2010-2016) Most recently, I am employed by Grand Rapids Public Schools and we are living back home "on the farm."

Work Experience

edit

Secondary Science Teacher

  • Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids, MI August 31, 2016 -

Chemistry and Biology Teacher

  • Kasson-Mantorville School District, Kasson, MN August 2012 – July 2016
    • Taught courses in Chemistry, General Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Science.
    • Provided an academically challenging classroom environment for all students, while providing scaffolding for students struggling with content.
    • Planned and supervised a variety of hands on activities including wet labs and field labs.
    • Fostered the integration of academic and “real-world” concepts by facilitating dialog between students and community experts.
    • Improved student achievement through lesson collaboration as part of the science department’s Professional Learning Community.
    • Assisted in the planning and promotion of inter-district activities and services as a member of the Zumbro Education District Advisory Council from 2013 through 2016.
    • Received recognition as Rochester Post-Bulletin’s Teacher of the Month in January 2015 and tenure after 3rd year of service.

Sales Associate

  • Rochester Fish and Pets
    • Provided information about and demonstrated animal care
    • Assisted customers in choosing the right care or food product for their needs
    • Ran cash register
    • Stocked and Faced shelves utilizing FIFO principles

Daily and Long Term Substitute Teacher

  • Rochester Area School Districts: August 2011 – July 2012
  • Rochester, Kasson-Mantorville, Dover-Eyota, Stewartville, & Rochester Central Lutheran
    • Managed student behavior and maintained a safe classroom environment.
    • Presented lessons prepared by classroom teachers.

Part Time Biology Teacher/Lunchroom Aide/ECFE Classroom Aide/M.S. Gifted and Talented Teacher

  • Montgomery-Lonsdale Schools, Montgomery, Minnesota August 2010 - June 2011
    • Created and Implemented content-rich lessons for 10th grade biology students.
    • Developed middle school enrichment programs to engage students in scientific pursuits such as a regional ISEF science fair.
    • Maintained a safe and inviting school environment for students of all ages as a lunchroom monitor, an ECFE aide, and a positive adult role model.

Seasonal Farm Hand

  • Pine Flat Farms, Trufant, Michigan Summers 2000 - 2007, 2009 - 2010
    • Operated farm machinery, moved and prepared irrigation equipment.

Middle School Science Teacher

  • Emmanuel Christian School, Toledo, Ohio August 2009 - June 2010
    • Designed and implemented lessons for general, life, and earth science courses.
    • Facilitated hands-on activities such as leaf collections, science fair projects, and lab activities.
    • Coordinated lab use and maintenance with other science faculty.
    • Promoted student involvement in community programs such as the ZOOTeen volunteer program and the ExxonMobil summer science camp.

Secondary Science Teacher

  • Lower Kuskokwim School District, Bethel, Alaska August 2007 – May 2009
    • Designed and implemented lessons to ELL students.
    • Assessed whether learning objectives had been met.
    • Maintained and ordered lab supplies and curriculum resources.

Student Teaching

  • Tri County Area Schools, Sand Lake, Michigan January 2007 – May 2007
    • Taught units in earth science and biology.
    • Developed activities to promote learning in regular and inclusion high school science classes.

Foodservice Aide

  • Spectrum Health United Memorial Hospital, Greenville, Michigan January 2007 – July 2007
    • Prepared and served food to residents in the Long Term Care Unit.

Zookeeper Aide

  • John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids, Michigan June 2006-September 2006
    • Prepared animal diets according to written and verbal directions.
    • Cleaned enclosures while following safety protocol.
    • Interacted with zoo guests to promote a positive experience.

Custodian/Housekeeping

  • Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Michigan September 2002 – December 2006
    • Cleaned Van Osdel Hall, reported safety and maintenance concerns.

Zoology Laboratory Assistant

  • Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Michigan January 2006 – May 2006
    • Maintained lab facilities and supplies such as microscopes and preserved specimens.
    • Organized transportation for field studies.
    • Prepared and presented material under the guidance of instructor.

Foodservice Assistant

  • Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Michigan September 2004 – December 2005
    • Washed dishes, arranged ready to eat items, maintained an orderly dishroom.

Leadership and Volunteer Involvement:

edit

School Science Fairs 2006 – 2016

  • Judged middle and high school science fair projects at Algoma Christian School.
  • Organized the Chaputnguak science fair, grades 3-8.
  • Assisted with science fair preparation at Emmanuel Christian School, grades 8-10

First Lego League Robotics Competition 2008 – 2009

  • Initiated and coached the Chaputnguak “RoboShamans” team.
  • Co-coached the Emmanuel Christian “Warriors” team.

Michigan 4-H 2002 – 2007

  • Taught monthly lessons for the Sidney Lakers 4-H club.
  • Presented seminars and judged poultry activities in several counties.
  • Strengthened the poultry program in Montcalm County.

Rockford Freshman Center Fall 2006

  • Tutored freshman students in math and science.
  • Provided bi-weekly mentoring to at risk students.

Michigan Science Olympiad Spring 2005

  • Created, moderated, and assessed an event held at Montcalm Community college.
  • Directing students to event locations.

Community Rebuilders 2003 – 2004

  • Interacted with elementary students by playing board games and reading stories.
  • Motivated at-risk students to achieve academic, social, and personal growth.

Technology Familiarity

edit

Operating Systems

  • Familiar with both Windows and Macintosh

Gradebook Programs

Other Programs

  • Microsoft office
    • PowerPoint
    • Word
    • Excel
  • Google Applications:
    • Google Documents
    • Google Sheets
    • Google Presentations
    • Google Forms
  • SkillsTutor Online
  • FirstClass
  • TANDBERG videoconferencing
  • PowToon

Hobbies

edit

I enjoy reading, a few video games (no time for this in my life anymore!), and my biggest hobby was raising fancy poultry. I have recently began raising Blattodea sp.

Pages that are in progress and I intend to edit or that I intend to create:

Pullorum

Stinkheads

Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Indian Fields Park

Rumex arcticus

Mousefood

Authors I enjoy

edit

C.S. Lewis

Richard Dawkins

Books I enjoy

edit

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

LOTR

Wikisource: Full Text Books

Links

edit
edit


Science Current Events

edit

Chemistry

edit

Chem Comm Water Unit

edit

Physics

edit

Environmental Science

edit

Life Science

edit

Anatomy

edit

Earth Science

edit
edit

Language and Vocabulary

edit

Yup'ik

edit

Church Stuff

edit

General Church

edit

Online Bibles

edit

Denominations

edit
Reformed
edit
Lutheran
edit
Evangelical Covenant
edit
Baptist
edit
Orthodox
edit
Catholic
edit
Anglican
edit

Stuff I find interesting

edit
edit
Running
edit
Foods
edit

Entertainment

edit
edit

Invertebrates

edit

Rochester, MN

edit

My Wikimedia Uploads

edit
 
My friend Chris at Cornerstone