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About Rebecca
If you’re on this page, then you’re probably trying to figure out what the various topics of this blog have to do with each other and with me. Well, the simple answer to that is: I’m a complex geek with a passion for teaching and reading.
The more complex answer…goes on for a page.
I wrote and presented my first lesson plan (on artificial intelligence) in eleventh grade. I was the only student in the class to actually complete the assignment. It was a few years later before someone finally convinced me that I couldn’t, and still can’t. stop myself from teaching.
Museum Educator
If you ask, I’ll tell you my teaching career began at Fiske Planetarium, where I ran shows, assisted with show production and labs, and occasionally gave star talks. Two museums later, I was offered the opportunity to create a few science programs for the local scouts. By the time I got to Texas Tech’s Museum Science Program, I was developing programs, workshops, and teacher guides on my own and often at the last moment, and I was enjoying every moment of it.
Work Samples: Astronomy :: Water Wonders and Teacher’s Guide :: Constellation Myths
Trying a Different Route
When I couldn’t find an opportunity to further my museum education experience after grad school, I floundered. I’d fallen in love with being a museum educator, and I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. However, while I was stumbling I took advantage of opportunities to learn about technical support, technical writing, graphic design, and editing. I also repeatedly found myself in a position to train volunteers and coworkers. While I liked the work, the work environment just never seemed to be a good fit for me.
Work Samples: Password Generation Help :: Guides to Hosting and Participating in Arts and Sciences :: Inspirational Journal Cover :: Da Vinci Journal Cover
Returning to Teaching
A few years ago, I returned to teaching, and quickly found myself in a leadership role. I started developing and implementing training programs for teachers new to the center’s programs. After a particularly funny, successful teaching experience, I realized I didn’t have to be in a position to create educational programs. Thus was born Dead Bunny, and I am now learning about video production, LaTex on WordPress, and book layout to create materials that reach an audience far wider than the students I work with daily.
Work Samples: Dead Bunny :: Adding Integers :: Changing Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
Current Projects
As of April 2009, I am looking for a Linux video production software for Dead Bunny’s videos. I’m also looking into create learning narratives designed to help students understand the process and the relevance of science and math topics.
Future Plans
I want a job that allows me to develop and implement educational programs, utilizing my experience in curriculum development, writing, and graphic design as well as my interests in anthropology and media. If this leads to future opportunities to train or lead others, then I’ll embrace that.
Okay…but what about the animation and games?
I’m a geek. Pure and simple. I grew up with a Coleco and my Saturday morning cartoons before moving on to a Nintendo and after-school cartoons. Even now, it’s not unusual to find me watching cartoons, Nintendo DS close at hand, trying to figure out if the cartoons have an educational element, and how they execute it. Although my interests at this moment involve simple videos and educational graphic novels, I hope to eventually move up to cartoons and video games.
