Evan – Physics

Evan studied physics at Auburn University and received a master’s degree in education from Lee University. Since then, he has accumulated seven years of experience teaching physics and AP physics.  During that time, 90% of Evan’s students passed the AP exam with 40% receiving the much-coveted five.  Again and again, Evan’s physics students contact him throughout their college years to thank him for how well he prepared them for their chosen majors in the sciences.  Evan is honored to have inspired so many physics-related careers!  Evan spends his time away from school chasing his three kids and fishing as much as possible.

“Evan is a dynamic and extremely talented educator. He represents all that is good at Hoover High School. I have been fortunate in my career to be associated with some truly outstanding educators. In my opinion, Evan is at the top of my list of great educators.” - Don Hulin, Principal of Hoover High School in Birmingham, Alabama

“Evan’s classes are effective, challenging, and engaging.  Students enjoy his classes, respect his work ethic, and succeed under his care.  He is a teacher in every sense of the word.” – Vic Wilson, Principal of Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham, Alabama

“I saw that (Evan) deeply cared for his students. He devoted many hours in the effort to motivate students to be their best and achieve their goals in and out of the classroom.” – Assistant Principal of Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham, Alabama

Mia – Biology

Mia graduated from University of Arizona, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in Molecular & Cellular Biology and Psychology.  After graduation, she joined Teach for America and taught high school biology, honors biology, and general science in Los Angeles.  During that time, she also earned a master’s degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in science from Loyola Marymount University.  As a teacher, Mia pushed all of her students to think critically about science and achieve at the highest levels.  She enjoyed working with students of all learning styles, and saw many of her students with IEPs achieve success in a rigorous science curriculum; she also helped many of her students through the college admissions process.  Mia is currently in the combined MD/PhD program at Washington University School of Medicine.  When she’s not in the lab or working with students, she can often be found in her kitchen trying new recipes or hosting dinner parties to share her “experiments” with her friends.

“Mia has professional teaching experience with students from all levels, including those who are struggling academically. She has robust familiarity with different learning styles, state and district standards, and science concepts. Paired with her very focused student management style, she will effectively bring any student to required proficiency.”

-Shaun de Vera, former colleague, Los Angeles Unified School District

Liesl – Chemistry

Liesl has a broad array of teaching experiences, ranging from an international school in Germany, to Mad Science after-school classes, to four years at a local high school, to private tutoring….She loves connecting with students and seeing them grow in their critical thinking skills as well as understanding how science affects their everyday lives. Liesl is never NOT teaching because she has two wonderful boys.  So far, recent teaching highlights have included a chemical reaction in the bathtub, a fieldtrip to sharks at the zoo and making birdseed pinecones (which the squirrels, not birds, devoured within 12 hours.

*You had patience and unending support. When I couldn’t understand something you would break it down and come up with new ways to explain it until I did understand.”

*You used very unique and interactive techniques to help us understand the concepts we were learning. I always felt comfortable asking for help and loved the projects we did in class! Overall, your class was my favorite science class of all my years in high school.”

*I was terrible at chemistry, but your positive, bubbly attitude and your patience with those of us that were chemistry-challenged made your class something to be enjoyed.”