Science and engineering classes offer students an exciting opportunity for authentic learning—to learn from failure over and over again, until solutions are reached and final products are made.”
Kelsey’s Story
Kelsey is driven by curiosity about the natural world, love of learning, and desire to help people. She earned a B.S. in geosciences from The Pennsylvania State University and continued in an academic track by earning her M.S. in geochemistry from the University of Michigan (U of M). During her time at U of M, she researched trace-level mercury pollution in Arctic snow and, while serving as a Graduate Student Instructor for a field course in the Rocky Mountains, discovered her passion for teaching. She began her secondary education career in 2008 through support from Knowles to earn her teaching certificate and M.S. in secondary education from The University of Pennsylvania in 2009.
Since then, Kelsey has taught in urban, suburban, and rural contexts. After five years of teaching in the School District of Philadelphia, (physical science, environmental science, and AP® environmental science and an interdisciplinary, project-based instruction), she moved outside Boulder, Colorado and served as teacher and program coordinator for Erie High School’s STEM focus program: the Academy of Engineering & Aerospace STEM focus program for seven years (programming, engineering, AP® Computer Science Principles). Most recently, Kelsey moved with her family to rural Mighican and taught upperclassmen (physics, AP® Computer Science Principles).
Knowles Academy Courses Taught
Engaging Math and Science Students in Engineering Design