Christen Cottam
Warrenton,OR
Summary
Professional educator with strong background in biology and passion for cultivating deep understanding of subject. Known for fostering collaborative learning environment and adaptable teaching strategies. Demonstrates expertise in curriculum development, classroom management, and innovative instructional techniques. Highly reliable and focused on achieving educational success and student engagement.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Science and Foundational Math Teacher
Seaside Middle School, Seaside School District
Seaside, OR
08.2025 - Current
- Implemented engaging instructional strategies to support foundational math skills development for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
- Delivered engaging science curriculum to 8th grade students to ensure continuity of education during colleague's 90 day absence.
- Provide differentiated instruction to support student-focused growth that consistently promotes active student engagement.
- Collaborate with administration and teaching peers to track student success and make real time adjustments when needed.
Biology Teacher
Thoreau High School, Gallup-McKinley County Schools
Thoreau, NM
01.2020 - 01.2025
- Build an engaging classroom community by conceptualizing, developing, and delivering dynamic biology, biomedical, MESA, and animal science lessons, including aligning course instruction with comprehensive school, district, and/or state standards.
- Implemented hands-on experiments to foster critical thinking and scientific inquiry among students.
- Utilized technology tools for interactive learning and assessment tracking in the classroom.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create interdisciplinary projects linking biology with other sciences.
- Seamlessly implement subject curriculum based on learning objectives. Provide differentiated instruction to support student-focused growth that consistently promotes active student engagement.
- Interface among teaching peers to encourage optimized multicultural classrooms that champion diversity, equity, and inclusion while empowering students to achieve success in academics.
- Concurrently perform within a multi-year Summer School Instructor capacity as required.
Education
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
Western New Mexico University
Silver City06.2025
Bachelor of Science - Biology & Secondary Education
Westminster College
Salt Lake City, UTUndergraduate - Health Science & Chemistry Studies
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UTCertification
- Oregon TSPC Reciprocal License #576931
- New Mexico Public Education Department – Level II Educator License #401955
- NFHS-Accredited Interscholastic Coach
- M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Internship – 180 Hours
- Thoreau High School, Thoreau, NM
- Certified to Teach Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Courses
- Principals of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems & Medical Interventions
Languages
French
Professional Working
Spanish
Limited Working
Portuguese
Limited Working
Licenses
Oregon TSPC Secondary Biology Teaching License #5762931
New Mexico Public Education Department, Level II Secondary Science Educator License #401955
Biomedical and Technical Experience
THE JACKSON LABORATORY, SEATTLE, WA 2005 – 2009
Opportunity Development Manager/Liaison
Capitalized on the opportunity to drive new business growth and development initiatives across six (6) states and two (2) provinces, including conducting informative seminars, roundtables, and other educational opportunities to continually support the non-profit mission of the laboratory.
LEICA MICROSYSTEMS, PHOENIX, AZ 2004 – 2005
Sales Executive
Maximized bottom-line performance by executing sales of state-of-the art lab equipment, including developing monthly sales plans and market trend analyses. Trained, coached, and mentored sales representatives on product knowledge and sales strategies. Attended local and national trade shows.
THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 2003 – 2004
Account Manager
Expertly led sales and service of multiple lines of lab equipment for academic, biotech, and industrial customers in the San Francisco territory. Built cross-selling opportunities to promote products via third party vendors and industry product shows. Trained customers. Co-designed assays and protocols.
Timeline
Science and Foundational Math Teacher
Seaside Middle School, Seaside School District
08.2025 - Current
Biology Teacher
Thoreau High School, Gallup-McKinley County Schools
01.2020 - 01.2025
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
Western New Mexico University
Bachelor of Science - Biology & Secondary Education
Westminster College
Undergraduate - Health Science & Chemistry Studies
University of Utah