Achieve Announces New Members on Science Peer Review Panel

Washington, D.C. — January 16, 2019 — Achieve is excited to announce the addition of 11 new members to its Science Peer Review Panel for its third year to expand its work evaluating lesson sequences and units designed for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and sharing high-quality examples online.

Out of over 200 applicants from 39 states, DC and international locations, these applicants demonstrated extensive knowledge of the NGSS and a critical eye for high-quality materials designed for the NGSS. The new peer reviewers will join the network of passionate educators on the Science PRP with whom they can build a powerful community and share ideas and resources. The 11 new peer reviewers selected to join the Science PRP are from nine states: Connecticut, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey; with rural, urban, and suburban school communities and all grade bands represented.

Throughout the year, peer reviewers will receive free and meaningful professional learning experiences run by experts in the field and designed to deepen understanding of the NGSS and the EQuIP Rubric for Science evaluation process for instructional materials. 

Not only is this a great opportunity for professional growth, but peer reviewers are playing a major role in advancing science education across the country. One of the biggest challenges to NGSS implementation around the country is a lack of high-quality instructional materials designed for the NGSS. The Science PRP addresses the problem of the insufficient examples of science materials by evaluating free and publicly available materials with the nationally-respected EQuIP Rubric for Science, identifying high quality examples, and posting them publicly for the education community—both teachers and publishers—to see what materials faithfully designed for the NGSS look like.

The new members join a network of 43 peer reviewers remaining on the panel for another year-long term. Those 43 panelists are educators from 20 states, each with an average of 14 years classroom teaching experience.

Those who are accepted to the Science PRP will receive recognition on the Achieve website, a sample press release for their districts or organizations announcing their acceptance to the Science PRP, and at the end of the year-long commitment, peer reviewers will be recognized with a certificate of excellence.

To learn more, check out the Science Peer Review Panel website.

New Science PRP Members
David Allen, Dean of K-12 Science Curriculum, Rockford Public School District 205, IL
Jeanane Charara, Elementary Science Resource, Dearborn Public Schools, MI
Bianca Deliberto, Curriculum Specialist, Zachary Community School District, LA
Donald DeRosa, Clinical Associate Professor of Science Education, Boston University, MA
Natalie Keigher, Science Teacher, Lisle Junior High School, IL
Rachael Manzer, STEM Coach, Winchester Public Schools, CT
Alvin Lin, Resource Teacher, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area, HI
Monica Sircar, Science Teacher, Curriculum Specialist, and Knowles Senior Fellow, CA
Alessandra MacFarlane, Science Teacher, Hillsborough Middle School, NJ
Beth Shobe, Life Science Teacher, East Brunswick Public Schools-Churchill Jr. High, NJ
Tracy Staley, Elementary Science Staff Developer, Pinellas County Schools, FL

Current Science PRP Members
Kimberley Astle, Learning Design Specialist: K-12 Science, Evergreen Public Schools
Alexandra Bartfield, Science Teacher, East Brunswick Public Schools
Jennifer Brooker, K-12 Science Supervisor, New York
Jen Brown-Whale, Resource Teacher, Elementary Science, Howard County Public School System
Melissa Collins, Teacher, Shelby County Schools
Christine Depatie, Teacher and STEM Coach, Swanton Schools, Franklin Northwest Supervisory Union
Joyce Depenbusch, Teacher, Skyline Schools, Unified School District #438
Carolyn Frost, Sr. Content Specialist, NWEA
Kathy Gill, Retired Teacher, Davis Joint Unified School District
Debbie Gordon, Elementary Science Specialist and Project Director for K-12 CA NGSS Early Implementers, Palm Springs Unified School District
Justin Harvey, Physics Teacher, Dacula High School
Lori Henrickson, Secondary Science Project Facilitator, Clark County School District
Holly Hereau, Science Department Chair, Biology and Environmental Science Teacher, Thurston High School
Amy Hilliard, Lead Teacher, Western Heights Middle School, Washington County Public Schools
Missy Holzer, Teacher, Chatham High School Science
Marshall Hunter II, General and Regents Physics, Greece Arcadia High School
Diane Johnson, Regional Teacher Partner, PIMSER at University of Kentucky College of Education
Shannon Kenyon, Curriculum Resource Teacher, Lewiston Independent School District
Liz Lehman, University of Chicago STEM Education, School Development Manager
Traci Loftin, K-5 Science Teacher on Special Assignment, Washoe County School District
Jacqueline (Jacqui) Lovejoy, 5-8 Science Specialist, Bentonville Schools
Emily Mathews, Senior Program Coordinator, Northwestern University
Edel Maeder, District Science Coordinator, Greece Central
Chris Embry Mohr, Science and Agriculture Teacher, Olympia High School
Kristen Moorhead, Professional Development Provider, Professional Learning Innovations (PLI), LLC
Bama Medley, Teacher on Special Assignment, Math and Science Specialist, Santa Maria-Bonita School District
Aaron Mueller, Teacher, Scullen Middle School
Kristin Rademaker, Teacher Leader, Harlem High School
Brianna Reilly, Teacher, Hightstown High School, East Windsor Regional School District
Ryan Revel, Teacher, Sussex Central High School, Indian River School District
Dianna Roy, Teacher, South Windsor Public Schools
Nancy Shellenberger, Science Resource Teacher, Monroe 2 Orleans BOCES
Katherine (Kate) Soriano, Curriculum and Professional Development Specialist, Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology
Beth Pesnell, K-8 Math & Science Curriculum Specialist, Rogers Public Schools
Amy Sandgren, Science Education Consultant, NextGen Consulting
Jesse Semeyn, Science Instructional Coach, District U46, Elgin, IL
Nelly Tsai, 7th Grade Science Teacher & Secondary Science Mentor, Irvine Unified School District
Megan Veldhuizen, STEM Coordinator, Lawton Public Schools
Brandi Williams, High School Teacher, Edmond Public Schools
Cari Williams, Computer Science and Engineering Teacher on Special Assignment, California
Kimberly Weaver, STEM Coordinator, Olympic Educational Service District 114
Barbara Woods, Curriculum Coach; NGSS Early Implementer Project Director, Galt Joint Union School District
James Yoos, Science Teacher/ Science Fellow, Bellingham High School