Scott Coonfare
Madison,Alabama
Summary
Dynamic educator with 18 years in education, adept at fostering student motivation and collaboration through innovative projects. Expert in educational technology, I drive measurable growth and engagement, empowering students to tackle real-world challenges. Proven ability to build strong relationships with students and colleagues, ensuring a supportive learning environment.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Educator
Sparkman High School
Harvest, Alabama
01.2022 - Current
- Throughout eighteen years in education, I have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering academic excellence, fostering a positive classroom culture, & driving measurable student growth.
- I believe that every person can succeed when provided with supportive, inclusive, real-world challenging projects, lessons and environment.
- To encourage and build much-needed adult skills, I have integrated interactive technology so students can look at real-time aerospace data.
- Students have been able to participate in all the available UAH Projects. Students are placed into teams with individual job duties. The schedule and oversite are done by UAH, and students learn that they have to meet deadlines and working together is the only way to get it done.
- To showcase their completed project, each team travels to UAH to present to and by judged by local Aerospace engineers.
- Students design an autonomous scientific payload for astronauts to do research on the moon for NASA.
- Student teams design an autonomous science payload for a UAH-designed spacecraft, for a NASA planetary science mission to find life on the moon Ceres.
- Student teams will design and 3D print a CubeSat that accomplishes a science objective for a theoretical Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mission.
- Student teams will try to grow plants in soil that is 98% like Martian soil for NASA research.
- Student teams work together to answer a Science Question using real data from a High-Altitude Balloon (HAB). Students will work with WAYY31 Meteorologist Grace Anello to learn how to analyze the data and prepare a weather forecast.
- Students use the latest online technology supplied by Boeing & PBS to design, construct, test, & evaluate engineering at every level.
- Students take remote control of radio telescope in California to gather data on black holes near the edge of the universe.
- Students look at satellite pictures of Mars and create a research paper using the latest available online data and satellite photos.
- Students design a scientific experiment that travels to the International Space Station for astronauts to test.
- I organized & supervised this amazing event where 75 aerospace corporations, Marshall Space Flight Center, area schools, businesses & PBS Alabama participated showing the public all the services they offer.
- I am fortunate to have teamed with Lockheed Martin to be at SHS twice a year to give media presentations, Q&A with at least 30 aerospace engineers, and hands-on student projects for all students.
- I am in the process of creating an Aerospace Engineering Department at Sparkman High School (SHS) with the assistance of UAH Aerospace Engineering.
- As part of the UAH projects, I have students attend the area schools to give aerospace & STEM presentations to all grade levels to generate excitement and future expectations.
- I measure success by the student’s effective communication with others and to always be asking questions when they are uncertain.
Educator
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Tampa, Florida
01.2008 - 01.2022
- Encouraged students to explore learning opportunities while persevering through challenging tasks.
- Created and modified various teaching documents using Microsoft Office and PowerPoint.
- Conveyed and utilized strong communication and interpersonal skills to establish positive rapport with students, parents and fellow educators.
- Used videos, lectures and moderated discussions to engage students during class.
Co-owner
Coonfare’s Sports Café
Tampa, Florida
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Cultivated and maintained industry relationships and customer partnerships to capitalize on opportunities and maximize business success.
- Oversaw facility maintenance and upgrades to ensure a safe and efficient working environment.
- Oversaw the recruitment, training, and development of staff to build a high-performing team.
Managing Partner
Ruby Tuesday Restaurant
Tampa, Florida
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Maintained customer relations and coordinated promotions to increase and create new revenue.
- Supervised recruitment, training, and development of staff to build a high-performing team.
- Analyzed performance metrics and financial data to inform decision-making and strategic adjustments.
Executive Chef
GameWorks / Pixar Studies
Tampa, Florida
06.2000 - 01.2002
- Supervised dramatic changes to kitchens, adhered to health department standards and handled customer requests for healthier food options.
- Managed ordering, inventory levels, receiving, invoice settling, and equipment maintenance.
- Focused on customer satisfaction, creating delicious cuisine to impress diners.
Director of Catering & Assistant Director of Dining Services
College of Wooster
Wooster, Ohio
01.1991 - 01.2000
- Planned ahead to set catering budgets and goals, evaluated success via analytics and order tracker system and tracked catering trends with focus on quality and food cost controls.
- Tracked and monitored labor and food cost for each event and teamed with chef to design and develop creative food and beverage menus to meet and exceed customer expectations.
- Oversaw banquets, trained new associates and directed temporary personnel in proper setup, cleaning, breakdown and delivery procedures.
Education
Associate of Arts - Culinary Arts
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI05-2000
Bachelor of Arts - Business Economics
The College of Wooster
Wooster, OH05-1982
Skills
- Student relations and motivation
- Continuing education and professional training
- Group and individual instruction
- Team collaboration
- Educational technology
Affiliations
- Alabama Air & Space Forces Teacher of the Year 2026-2017
- Sparkman High School Teacher of the Year 2024-2025
- The Right Stuff Award US Space & Rocket Center 2024
- The State of Alabama Earth Science Teacher of the Year 2023 – 2024
- Teacher of the Year HCPS 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012
- Florida Technology Educator of the Year 2016
- HCPS Technology Educator of the Year 2015
- Mars Student Imaging Award, Jet Propulsion Lab 2014
Timeline
Educator
Sparkman High School
01.2022 - Current
Educator
Hillsborough County Public Schools
01.2008 - 01.2022
Co-owner
Coonfare’s Sports Café
01.2004 - 01.2007
Managing Partner
Ruby Tuesday Restaurant
01.2002 - 01.2004
Executive Chef
GameWorks / Pixar Studies
06.2000 - 01.2002
Director of Catering & Assistant Director of Dining Services
College of Wooster
01.1991 - 01.2000
Associate of Arts - Culinary Arts
Johnson & Wales University
Bachelor of Arts - Business Economics
The College of Wooster