SAMUAL SMITH

I have a Bachelor of Science (BS), specialized in biology and chemistry from Brigham Young University – Provo. My educational training was obtained through the Master of Arts and Teaching (MAT) program of Idaho State University. I have formal experience in all forms of biology and chemistry and six years of experience in teaching mathematics and science. I am endorsed in both science and mathematics by the state of Idaho.

I am a member of the Idaho educational community within the Twin Falls area. Primarily I have operated as an educator in mathematics and science. I am an instructor at Wakapa Academy, an alternative school that is pushing new methods of teaching and learning. I am the head of all students’ mathematics and science education within the school.

Wakapa Academy is an alternative school with a strictly at-risk population. Often these students come to our school with more problems than their lack of education. Due to their disadvantaged positions, I have been trained in, and practice trauma-informed behavior practices for the sake of understanding and advancing students in their emotional development as well as their academics. I also was part of the accreditation team for Wakapa Academy to recertify our school for the first time in its history.

My heavily loaded position at Wakapa Academy requires that I be fully invested and informed in events, opportunities and programs involved in STEM. I am often the only avenue that my students would otherwise have to participate in science and mathematics events. Recently we have been participants in the Northwest Earth and Space Science Pathways (NESSP) program: Europa mission, sponsored by NASA and the STEM Goes Red Initiative coordinated by the American Heart Association.

• Organizing citizen scientist program at Wakapa Academy in conjunction with Idaho DEQ and Magic Valley Labs.
• Successfully developing a mastery-based educational system for mathematics and science of Wakapa Academy.
• Successful participation in the Norwthest Earth and Space Science Pathways (NESSP): Europa Mission 2022.
• IMEN recipient for lab materials $8,400.00.