Lauren Petersen, M.Ed

STEM Educator at Carlsbad High School

Professional Summary: As a highly motivated high school chemistry and physics teacher, I am committed to inspiring students to learn and grow in their understanding of the world around them. With an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and teaching credentials from San Diego State University, I began my career in Chula Vista, where I took on multiple leadership roles and added a physics credential. Seeking to further my education, I moved to the Seattle, WA area to pursue a M.Ed in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington. While there, I taught full-time, successfully navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting my teaching to in-person, remote, and hybrid environments. I am excited to bring my experience and passion for education to a new school community, as I just moved to the Carlsbad area of California. I am committed to continuing my own learning and growth as an educator, and to inspiring my students to do the same.

Work Experience

  • Teaching Chemistry and AP Chemistry

  • Taught Chemistry, Physics in the Universe, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics 2

    o Adapted physics and AP Chemistry curriculum to teach in a remote and hybrid environment during the covid-19 pandemic

    o Led collaboration and curriculum development sessions during professional development days for all physics teachers in district

    o Created, presented, and evaluated grading for equity progress through its interaction with district technology such as grade reporting systems in position as technology integration facilitator

  • Taught chemistry, honors chemistry, AVID elective, Physics, and AP Chemistry

    o Developed afterschool STEM program, organized district family STEAM night event attended by 300+ students, parents, and community members annually with over 8 other schools participating

    o Evaluated and developed engineering integration curriculum in district as physics lead for CA Science and Math Partnership grant

    o Led team as science curriculum specialist through weekly meetings, budgeting and purchasing for department, assessment alignment, and curriculum reviews, acted as liaison with leadership and district

  • Taught Physics of Engineering to gifted 5th and 6th graders in 3 week summer program

    o Engaged children in science and engineering projects and competitions and evaluated student achievement based on effort, growth, and personal conversations

  • Program to gain authentic research experience with intent to bring to classroom.

    o Conducted research of the electrochemical analysis of the Martian soil during the Phoenix Mars Mission Chemical as research assistant

    o Designed electrochemical and science modeling lesson sequence based on the research completed

    o Developed curriculum and knowledge workshops, lectures, and seminars centered around STEM education & NASA programs/research

Key Skills:

  • Curriculum planning

  • Building Relationships

  • Equitable Grading Practices

  • Social Emotional Learning

  • Student Engagement

  • Hands-On, Cooperative Learning

  • Phenomenon-Based Instruction

  • Educational Research

  • Next Generation Science Standards

  • Technology Integration

  • Peer Coaching

  • Teacher Leadership

Education

University of Washington, May 2021

M.Ed Science Curriculum and Instruction 4.0 GPA

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San Diego State University, May 2013

Science Single Subject Teaching Credential 4.0 GPA

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 San Diego State University, May 2012

B.A. in Chemistry 3.56 GPA

Minor in Sociology

Professional Development

  • Read, analyzed, implemented, and evaluated equitable grading practices such as use of a 4 pt scale, proficiency-based grading, etc. with science department

  • Analyzed the clarity, evaluated content, and aligned standards for assessment items designed and used as part of the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science

  • Experienced, evaluated, learned, and developed curriculum using science pedagogy centered around phenomenon, scientific modeling, and student conversations

  • Collaborated with diverse group of physics teachers to share resources, expand content knowledge, and prepare curriculum for teaching AP Physics 2 course

  • School partnership with NMSI to improve AP scores. Participated in training, data collection and analysis, and peer observation and coaching.

  • Learned, implemented, and improved in research-backed cooperative learning routines and structures designed to improve student retention and higher-order thinking skills

  • Led the physics team in developing, implementing, and evaluating engineering based lessons that could be used in a variety of educational settings

  • Trained in Advancement via Individual Determination program, centered around student study skills, metacognition, and peer tutoring

Conference Presentations

  • Using a STEM Club to Promote STEM Schoolwide

    • NSTA National Conference; Spring 2017

  • MOH STEM Club

    • California STEM Symposium Share Fair; Fall 2016

  • Exploring STEM Afterschool

    • California STEM Symposium; Fall 2015

Conference Attendance

  • National Science Teachers Regional Conference

    • WA, 2019; CA, 2014

  • National Science Teachers Annual Conference

    • CA, 2017

  • National Science Teachers Regional Conference

    • CA, 2014

  • California STEM Symposium

    • 2014, 2016, 2015, 2017

  • California Science Teachers Annual Conference

    • 2013

Awards and Honors

  • San Diego Educators Association; Excellence in Science Teaching

    • 2015

  • Sweetwater Unified High School District ; Outstanding New Educator

    • 2013