Professional Documents
Culture Documents
amandasolarsh@gmail.com
SUMMARY
Over ten years of professional STEM and science teaching experience in NYC middle school
Co-created and currently teaching new STEM elective course for middle school students
Developed curriculum integrating technology, Common Core standards, S.T.E.M., and differentiated instruction
Presented on STEM education and best teaching practices at several national conferences and workshops
Translated interest in environmental science into sustainability initiative at my school
Mentored student teachers and first-year science teachers in their professional development
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
MS 104 Simon Baruch Middle School, New York, NY
STEM Teacher Grades 6-8, August 2013- Present
Plan and implement engineering and design based lessons and projects for new elective course that emphasize real world
applications of science, technology, engineering, and math and critical thinking skills
Facilitate student participation in national STEM competitions, e.g. West Point Bridge Design Competition
Co-developed afterschool program to involve other interested students in STEM design projects
Presented to science department and school PTA on STEM education
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
NYC DOE STEM Handbook, New York, NY
Contributor, July 2015-Present
Developed effective STEM lesson plans to be published in the NYC DOE STEM Handbook
Contributed to STEM Framework, a document to assist new teachers, administrators, and school communities in
developing comprehensive STEM programs and mentorships at their schools
Verizon Design Lab Teacher Fellowship, New York Hall of Science Queens, NY
Teacher, July 2012 - Present
Developed curriculum for the NYSCI Design Lab
Presented to current Verizon Design Lab Fellows on structuring design challenges for the classroom
Published STEM units: Hurricane Shelter Design, Shaping Up Structures, Playgrounds for All, Taking the
Mud out of Mudslide, and Vertical Farms.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
EDUCATION
Hunter College, New York, NY
Masters in Educational Leadership, Anticipated May 2018
CREDENTIALS
New York State Professional Certificate; Earth Science (7-12)
New York City Teaching Fellow Cohort 14 (June 2007-May 2009)