Mail to: Membership
PO Box 349
Sharon Center, OH 44274-0349

or FAX: 330-239-1371

Why become a member of SECO?
SECO members receive our quarterly newsletter, discount registration at the annual SECO Conference, an opportunity to recognize and be recognized in the state of Ohio through the annual SECO awards, and an opportunity to apply for a SECO grant. Members also are represented on state education committees by their Board of Directors

To check membership status look at the expiration date on any SECO newsletter or
call 330-239-1371 or email seco.mmbr@gmail.com.

President Elect

Tracy Cindric - Graduating in 1998, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Comprehensive Science Education from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. I taught eighth grade science, biology, ecology, and integrated science for 5 years in Columbus. In 2003 I completed my Master of Arts in Teaching (Biology) from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While on family leave from the classroom, I wrote biology curriculum, taught biology online, and facilitated OSCI. Since 2005, I have written and facilitated science professional development courses for science teachers and intervention specialists across Ohio. Topics have included pedagogy with a focus on inquiry and learning cycles, and content areas such as marine ecology, biology, chemistry, physics, earth and space science. I have also worked as a science consultant with several districts to align current curriculum to the new Ohio CORE graduation requirements. I enjoy teaching science methods and supervising pre-service teachers at Ohio Wesleyan University. After working as a science coach with ODE to implement the Science Program Models, I now enjoy a similar position with their Performance Assessment Pilot Program. Currently I am a certified science instructional coach with the Columbus Coaching Project. I have enjoyed being one of SECO’s District VII Directors for two years, their representative on ORC’s Advisory Board, and the Secretary for the last year.

Treasurer

Dee Steppe (incumbent) - As treasurer of SECO since 2002, my goal has been and will continue to be a fiscally responsible steward of SECO funds. I will continue to pay bills in a timely fashion and provide up to date and accurate reports to the SECO Executive Committee and Board of Directors and provide a report to the SECO membership at the annual SECO conference. I will support all SECO programs through proper management of the funds designated for those programs to maintain SECO as a fiscally sound organization. I will continue to work with the CPA to provide access to all SECO financial records for federal and state tax preparation. I will also provide all records necessary for financial reviews and audits. I will respond to requests made by the SECO Board. In order to have more consistency in the position of Treasurer, recent changes to SECO’s bylaws allow a person to run for consecutive two year terms. As SECO’s treasurer for four terms, I will provide the experience and consistency necessary for SECO to continue to be financially strong in the future.

 

District I

No candidate

District II

No candidate

District III

Dr. Debbie Jackson - Debbie took residence in Northeast Ohio for the first time as a high school science teacher at Cuyahoga Falls High School from 1997-2000; previous to that she taught high school science in Cincinnati. In 2004 she earned her doctorate in science education from the University of Cincinnati and accepted a position as an assistant professor at Cleveland State University. She currently teaches science methods courses and supervises students in field experiences in science. She also co-coordinates the middle childhood program at CSU, serves as the Associate Director for Education and Training for the CSU Transportation Center, is co-principal investigator on four mathematics and science education grants, and is published in Science Scope. Through her work at CSU she is in contact with many science teachers in Northeast Ohio and is looking forward to meeting many more through the District Director position in SECO.

 

District IV

Gene Lynn - I served as district IV director one year ago. The experience I gained from that can help me to improve upon and make SECO the science presence in the state of Ohio that is needs to be. I was instrumental in pulling other organizations closer to SECO. I was an active board member, with exemplary attendance at all meetings. I am currently a Chemistry teacher at Copley High School. I have worked with ODE as an OSCI facilitator. I have also served on the board to create a science safety CD to be distributed to all districts in Ohio.

 

District V

Ann Drake (Annette M. Drake – incumbent) – I am an 8th grade Science Teacher at Brookville Intermediate School where I in addition to 8th grade science, I teacher robotics, and a reading class. My science topics of interest are physics, environmental earth science, and space science. I would list my educational topics of interest as inquiry methods, project-based learning, the Ohio science standards, teacher education, and technology. I earned a Civil Engineering Degree (BSCE) from Ohio Northern University and M.Ed. from Wright State University. I hold Elementary Licensure and National Board Certification in Adolescent Science. I have served on the Master’s Teacher Committee and am a trained Project WILD facilitator. I have received multiple grants including McDonald’s Grant Make Activities Count, Ohio Space Grant Consortium Grant, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Grant, Aerospace Education Foundation Grant, as well as serving as a Jennings Scholar. In addition, I have participated in the GREEN Teacher Institute in Costa Rica and a Zoo Expeditions for Primates.

 

District VI

Sarah (Sally) Pfeiffer - Sally graduated from Fredericktown High School in 1991. She attended Case Western Reserve University, where she earned degrees in Anthropology (B.A.) and Geological Science (B.S.). After working for a year at a water testing laboratory and a year as a tutor, she was hired by COSI as the assistant supervisor of the Physical Sciences program area in 1998. Sally worked at COSI through the transition from the original location to the riverfront, where she trained volunteers on science exhibits and to interact with the public. In 2001, Sally began a graduate program in education at The Ohio State University, where she earned her M.Ed. in 2002. Sally has taught science for eight years at Mount Gilead High School. She earned her National Board certification in 2006. In addition to SECO and NSTA, Sally is a member of the Geological Society of America and the American Institute of Archaeology.

Education Philosophy/Position Statement
The purpose of science education is to enable our students to outgrow us. By challenging students to employ strategies that allow them to identify and work through concepts, we support their ability to apply scientific thinking in their lives. Science education must be holistic, recognizing that science is intimately connected to other academic disciplines and “real world” experiences. While content is important to students’ understanding, it is the concepts that students master that will allow them to function with understanding in our wonderful universe. All students must experience true inquiry as well as receiving encouragement that reading and math are rewarding. Students should be challenged to read primary sources while in school, where they have the support to understand scientific writing. Educators model learning by incorporating current ideas in science and science education into our classrooms and through our participation in professional learning organizations.

 

District VII

Mary Ann Wojton, Ph. D. - Senior Director of Student and Teacher Programs, COSI; Member, Steering Committee, NSTA Building a Presence; Member, Science Committee, ORC; Member, Ohio Science Standards Revision Advisory Board

My primary job is to work with students and teachers at COSI, helping everyone utilize COSI’s many resources. Helping people understand that science is part of our daily lives is important. I lead professional development opportunities for teachers, focused on embedding inquiry-based pedagogy within science content. I cringe when I hear young people say “I don’t need science, I’m going to be (fill in the blank). Science is everywhere, and science literate individuals understand the role science plays in daily life.

Our state is currently revising the science standards. I am an Advisory Board Member for the Science Standards revision. Working with Melanie Retterer, SECO District Director, I will be hosting a focus group at COSI for teachers to provide feedback on the revised science standards. SECO should serve an important role in this process. As educators, we will be required to teach these standards, we need to ensure our voices are heard during the revision process. To increase information sharing and collaboration among science teachers, I would like to provide teachers with information about the science standards revision and other science opportunities in central Ohio and throughout the state through an e-newsletter. I would also be willing to design and implement professional development programs that provide teachers the opportunity to network and learn new ways of teaching, incorporating inquiry and the science content outlined in the revised science standards.

 

District VIII

Lydia Hunter (incumbent) - Lydia Hunter is a candidate for district director of District VIII. She received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Marietta College and has additional graduate work in physics, astronomy and geology from a variety of colleges and universities. She has worked 26 years for the Warren Local School district where she serves as school improvement coordinator for Making Middle Grades Work while teaching 7th/8th grade science. Throughout her career she has worked with students of all ages from pre-school to graduate students. She has extensive experience providing professional development to teachers, including several years working as a teacher-leader for Project Discovery. She has taught astronomy lab and introductory physics at the undergraduate level. She also has worked in a variety of programs that provide science training to students. Lydia coaches Science Olympiad and has been a long time science day judge. She has also run science activities at a variety of events and has presented at state and regional conferences. She is currently serving as district director for SECO, is active in the Ohio Education Association and works for several volunteer groups in the Marietta area. Lydia has her National Board Certification in early adolescent science teaching.

 

District IX

Kelly A. Flick - Kelly is a 7th grade science teacher at Madeira Middle School who leads her department in education, professional development, and inquiry instruction. She has a bachelor and master degree in environmental science and a master of middle childhood education. She currently teaches Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, Genetics, and Geology, but has experience teaching as a Mad Scientist, with the National Science Foundation, and with the Wonders of Our World program. Her memberships include SECO, NSTA, AAAS, EECO, Cincinnati Kiwanis, and the Sierra Club. Her leadership is displayed when she coaches varsity track at her high school, researches and reports for the planning commission and calendar committees, and coordinates her Kiwanis Club’s March of Dimes WalkAmerica. Kelly’s other experiences include being a camp director and counselor at the YMCA, being a local and state science fair judge, and working as a consultant before returning back to school.

Kathie Maynard – Co-director of Math, Science, and Kids!, co-director of the grants funded alternative route science and mathematics teacher training program for career changers at the University of Cincinnati, and a fifteen-year veteran science teacher in a variety of settings including urban and international schools. Kathie is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati, where she has taught science methods and curriculum development courses. She has developed and implemented collaborative efforts with schools (pK-20), education service centers and consortiums, community organizations, and industry to improve the teaching and learning of math and science in the SW Ohio region of Ohio. She has led efforts to incorporate K-12 teacher leaders and county Education Service Center consultants into pre-service teacher education training activities. She has worked as a consultant to schools, providing curriculum planning and professional development. Kathie served on the planning committee for the 2008 Cincinnati Regional NSTA Conference.

 

District X

No candidate