Sandra Willmore Reed
Mission
To offer inquiry based, life-changing, cultural educational experiences for people of all ages result in personal growth and life-long connections to people and places.
Education
2001 Middle School Montessori Teacher AMS Certification.
School of the Woods, Houston, Texas.
1998 Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction of Gifted and Talented.
Ashland University, Ohio.
1986 Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, grades 1 – 8, all subjects.
The Ohio State University.
Teaching Experience
2018 to present E3 Learning Lab Teacher K-12 Teacher Leader position for the school district, assisting with curriculum and working with teachers creating units and lesson plans on Energy, Engineering and the Environment.
2018 to present Original Wisdom/Nature Guide Training Team member creating educational, environmental, cultural and experiential learning experiences in the United States and South Africa .
2017 – 2018 6th Grade Science Teacher New Albany Intermediate Building, New Albany, Ohio. Staff member; E3 Solar House District Committee; R Factor District Planning Committee.
2012 – present STEM Expeditions Coordinator and Teacher. Creator of STEM Expeditions MS and HS courses, which support the vision that students are truly intellectually curious, self-directed learners capable of expanding their world-view and developing international perspectives. The course environment, activities, projects and assessments emphasize problem-based learning and 21st Century Skills such as communication, research and inquiry skills, critical thinking and self-assessment. As global citizens, students will have access to teachers at the university level, scientists currently doing research in the field, current technology and a classroom that has no walls. These courses include research in Colorado (archeology), Hawaii (geology) and South Africa (wildlife tracking, ecology, anatomy, robotics and rhino preservation). http://www.napls.us/Page/525 New Albany Schools, New Albany, Ohio
2016 – present Education First Tours Teacher Leader, New Albany Schools, Ohio
Trained to lead EF tours for New Albany Schools. Recent tour to Iceland with high school students for the Global Leadership Summit on Environmental Sustainability. Highlights were guest speakers former Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu and President of Iceland, Olafur Rangnar Grimsson. Special event for our students with researcher Josh Willis and the “Oceans Melting Greenland” team on Global Warming from NASA.
2007 – present Coyote Trails School of Nature, Ohio Director and Lead Instructor
Instructors are trained in the art of living in the wilderness. Curriculum consists of skills and traditions; also known as “primitive living skills,” from indigenous cultures all around the world. The vision is to pass along the art and science of backcountry wilderness ethics so that people of all ages will embrace a healthy understanding for the inner relationship of all things. The mission is preserving our common heritage and the natural environment through the art of science and earth-based traditional living skills. Current position is responsible for creating, staffing and instructing programming in Ohio and West Virginia. Non-profit work.
2015 – 2017 7th Grade Science Teacher, New Albany Middle School New Albany, Ohio. Also Middle School Elective Options Committee.
2010 – 2015 Environmental Education District Coordinator
Developed curriculum for students K-12 in all subject areas to encourage teachers to use hands-on, inquiry based lessons outside in our school 83 acre nature preserve. Assisted with the development of STEM projects district-wide. Maintained and developed areas of the nature preserve for student learning and preservation.
2002 – 2010 8th Grade Science Teacher, New Albany Middle School, New Albany, Ohio
Also originator of school’s Adventure Club for middle and high school students. Adventure Club participants participated in science, environmental and outdoor activities that included camping, rock wall climbing, wildlife tracking and service projects.
2003, 2005 Marine Biology High School Field Studies Teacher, New Albany, Ohio.
Credit bearing class in science for high school students in grades 9-12 focusing on marine biology, history and the culture of Belize. The class includes a trip to Belize to visit the rainforest, the coral reef and archeological and cultural sites.
1999 – 2002 Montessori Administrator and Middle School Teacher, Columbus, Ohio
AMS certified middle school Montessori teacher, trained by Dr. Betsy Coe at the School of the Woods, Houston, TX. Both teacher and administrator for the program, which included a looping 7-8th grade curriculum for all subjects including Language Arts, Math (6th grade math to algebra), Science and Social Studies.
1986 – 1996 Science Middle School Teacher, Sells Middle School, Dublin, Ohio
Taught science for grades 6, 7 and 8th. Co-taught with teachers of identified gifted students and developed curriculum as building’s Gifted Science Coordinator. Organized the outdoor Education Program for 6th grade. Created the school’s Outdoor Club, which included a two-year research program that partnered with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. This partnership featured students participating in a long-term care and study of loggerhead sea turtles and a trip to the Virginia coast to release them with tracking devices.
Honors and Awards
2018 Nat Geo-Inquiry Ambassador
Selected by National Geographic as the middle school science teacher Ohio state
representative for training in the Nat Geo-Inquiry science method at Grand Tetons and
Yellowstone National Parks, summer 2018.
2016 OEEF Outstanding Project Award for Best Practices in Environmental Education
Awarded for grant titled “Tracking is Science.” Every few years, Ohio EPA contracts with the Environmental Education Council of Ohio (EECO) for an independent evaluation of successfully completed grant projects. From those projects, the best are honored with an OEEF Outstanding Project Award and used as a model for future grant writers.
2014 National Outstanding Green Educator Award
One of eight educators in the country honored by Project Green Schools which recognizes Outstanding National Environmental Education and STEM Education efforts through the annual Green Difference Award Program, nominated by Dr. Neil Gupta, Director of Teaching and Learning, New Albany Schools, Ohio.
1994 Witco/Sherex Teacher Scholar Award, Dublin City Schools
In recognition of Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Education and Community Service. The Bluebird Project.
1994 Ashland Oil “Golden Apple” Teacher Achievement Award
1991 Excellence in Education Award
Presented by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
1991 Dublin Educators’ Association Award, recognized by the U.S. Department of
Interior, BackBay National Wildlife Refuge for the Outdoor Club Sea Turtle Project in
partnership with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Media Appearances
2017 Earth Seasoned: Gap Year Documentary A Wondering Wolverine Production,
distributed by Bullfrog Films. In film as an educator speaking about the importance of
environmental experiences for students.
2014 Immense Possibilities
TV show guest, speaking as an environmental educator and the importance of learning
outdoors.
2013 STEM Expeditions 2013 South Africa documentary. Student filmed and directed by
Kai Doran. Best film documentary at The Phantoscope High School Film Festival. In
film as guest teacher and behind-the-scenes producer.
Publications
2017 Earth Seasoned #Gap Year: A Teacher’s Lesson Plan Book. A Wondering
Wolverine Production, distributed by Bullfrog Films. Author of the film’s
Teacher’s Lesson Plan Book, including 20 lesson plan that coordinate with the film.
(currently in publication, to be available in 2018)
2006 The Moon Project by Trundle, Kathy Cabe; Willmore, Sandra; Smith, Walter S.
Science and Children, v43 n6 p52-55 Mar 2006. Article about teachers from different
geographic locations around the world instructing children in grades 4-8 about the
phases of the Moon. The study also expanded student’s cultural understandings
through communication with students and teachers in different parts of the world.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
Wildlife Tracking in North American and South Africa. Currently Level 2 with CyberTracker in Track and Sign ID and Trailing. I love trailing rhinos and lions in South Africa the most.
Trained in the “Horse Boy Method” using horses to help those on the Autism Spectrum. I have a personal interest in expanding learning opportunities for people with autism since my son is on the spectrum.
Bee keeper and provider of free honey for all.
Outdoor pursuits including primitive living skills, archery, horseback riding, camping and traveling.
References available upon request
