On Friday 13, 2002, I blew up a sink.
While it was a botched demo, it taught me a lot about teaching, learning and life.

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I started working in education in 1995 at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.  Working with Professor Karen Harpp, I helped to start a chemical demonstration show for local elementary and middle school students. Called “The Bomb Squad”, we used chemical demonstrations to help explain how science works in everyday life.  Because of this work, I decided to explore education, eventually graduating in 1997 with a B.A. in biology and a WI secondary teaching license in biology, chemistry and broad-field science.

My first teaching position started in 1998 to teach Biology at New London High School (New London, WI).  In 1999, I transferred to Appleton West High School taught biology, physical science, biophysical science and chemistry.

From 2000-2003, Brian was a primary leader for People to People’s “Student Ambassador” trips.  Every summer, Brian helped prepare over 180 high school students to travel internationally (including Europe, Great Britain and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand).

In 2001, Brian began to serve the state’s science teacher organization, the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (WSST), as WSST’s newsletter editor.  In 2002, Brian began to work as co-chair of WSST’s state-wide conference for 2004. He spent two years planning and preparing a conference that provided Wisconsin science teachers the chance to attend 15 workshops, 15 field trips and 125 sessions. During this time as co-chair, Brian handled the financial and management aspects of running the conference, as well as designed the layout for the conference booklet.

In 2006, Brian was elected President-Elect of WSST. Over the next four years, Brian served on the board of directors as President-Elect (one year), President (two years) and Retiring President (one year).  In those four years, Brian was instrumental in leading a major overhaul of the association’s strategic plan, adding a 7th WSST district to the state, and advocating science in the state of Wisconsin and beyond.

In June of 2006, Brian worked with Dale Basler to started Periodicity, the podcast of the WSST. Each week the podcast delivered science news and science education with leading scientists, researchers, science writers and other important figures in the field.  In 2008, Dale and Brian migrated the show to Lab Out Loud, where it broadcasts for a national audience with the support of the National Science Teachers Association.

In January of 2006, Brian added the position of Technology Liaison to his assignment at Appleton West High School. In this role, Brian helps teachers use technology to increase productivity, analyze data and assist instruction. Brian also communicates building technology issues with the district’s Information Technology department.  To honor his work using technology in the classroom, Brian was awarded a Best Buy Te@ch Award in 2007.

Brian has consulted on education projects including the Wisconsin DPI Task Force for Alignment of Science/Technology Standards (2007-2008), State Superintendent’s Task Force on the Next Generation of Assessment (2008-2009), and the NAEP Science Achievement Levels Setting Meeting (2009).

in 2013, Brian’s position changed to Technology Integration Specialist (TIS) for K-6 Elementary Teachers at six schools. As a technology integrator, Brian provides support for teachers to implement technology in the classroom.

Awards

• Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowship Award, 2013
• WSST Excellence in Science Teaching Award, 2012
• Class of 1966 Spirit Award, 2010
• Best Buy Te@ch Award, 2007
• Discovery Education National Educator of the Week, 2006
• Nominated for Mielke Teacher of the Year award, 2004
• Nominated for New London School District Excellence in Teaching award, 1999

In The News

• 1996     Lawrence Today, Karen S. Harpp and The Chemistry Show
• 1997 Lawrence Today, Show Me the Chemistry
• 1997 Post Crescent, Mad Scientists
• 2004     Post Crescent, Budget Crunch Cuts into Crowd Heading to Appleton Science Expo
• 2004     Post Crescent, Science Instructors Gather in Appleton to Stimulate Lessons
• 2004     Post Crescent, Patriots Improve Liquid Assets
• 2006 Post Crescent, Appleton West Teens Glad to Help
• 2006     FYI, Happy 25th Anniversary Appleton West High School Peer Helpers
• 2006   Discovery Education Educator Spotlight
• 2007    AASD Report To Community
• 2007    AASD-POSF p38
• 2007    Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Math Adds up to Better Grades
• 2007     NSTA Reports, NSTA Offers New Podcast Series
• 2010     Fox 11, Teachers Learn New Skills at McAuliffe Academy
• 2010     Post Crescent, Appleton Area School District Combats Technology That Makes it Easier for Students to Cheat
• 2010 Teachers Learn New Skills at McAuliffe Academy (Fox 11, July 13, 2010)
• 2012     Post Crescent, Two Fox Cities Science Teachers Recognized