Sharon Baines

ents barometer, anemometer, thermometer, hygrometers , keep tract of data daily and enter it into the student data entry of The GLOBE Program and be able to share this data with GLOBE students, globally. As a 6th through 8th Grade science teacher at Pine Ridge Middle school, Sharon Baines incorporated lessons, strategies, and technology found in the NES, NASA Explorer Schools, Program, GLOBE Program, Jason Project, and provided STEM-G experiences to best teach the Florida Sunshine State Standards of the appropriate grade level and keep each student authentically involved.

*Mrs. Baines developed suitable curricula and engaging and effective teaching methods based on student needs, standardized assessments and classroom teacher observation and evaluation, the FCAT as well as the learner’s previous teachers’ assessments. An educational plan was developed which would build upon the student’s strengths and successes to create a learning environment where the student would be successful, able to strengthen his/her weaknesses as well as increase his/her self esteem.
*Mrs. Baines organized and led whole school and community events and activities designed to promote community involvement with their school, love of science, physical, mental, and social development as well as bring adults from the community to mentor students and provide positive role models in such activities as "NASA Nights", Video Conferencing in real time with astronauts aboard the ISS, contacting astronauts aboard the ISS via ham radio, mentored by members of the Amateur Radio Association of Southwest Florida (ARASWFL) field trips to Naples Conservancy to take part in the Jason Project, organized FL Park Ranger led trips into the Everglades to observe and take part in student workshops on the flora, and fauna and the complexity of the Everglades environment, and to develop a love of nature and awesome respect for it so that when they able to vote, they will use their voice to protect the Everglades. Mrs. Baines taught the children "The Scientific Method," and how to apply it to every day situations. Students learned how the health of the Everglades ecosystem influences the food chain, SWFL water supply, the health of the oceans, coral reefs, fishing industry. She organized student trips to NASA Kennedy Space Center where students engaged in experiments, and demonstrations designed by NASA scientists to develop critical thinking, creativity, and team work.

*Mrs. Baines conducted assessments to determine individual reading levels and model meta-cognitive behaviors by teaching students how to outline, take notes, and build their own study guides, and science experiments. Students were taught how to make multimedia presentations using PowerPoint, the internet, drama, drawings, painting, model construction, video conferencing, and the mentoring of experts in the field.

*Student progress was monitored through the use of standardized tests, panel discussions, and the student created multimedia presentations at the end of each unit of study. Students were given Rubrics so that they could check the development of their project and evaluate their own work.

*Mrs. Baines worked closely with parents to inform them of their child's progress by writing a weekly (five day) lesson plan which was given to each child on Friday. On this guide was the daily plan for the week, the Sunshine State Standards to be taught, and deadlines on assignments. If this plan were signed by the student’s parent and returned to her by the following Friday, the student would receive +2 bonus points to be used on an assignment or test score.

*Mrs. Baines prepared and helped students transition from grade to grade and by contacting high school teachers and asking them what skills they would like the learner to have when they arrived in their classroom the following year.

Mrs. Baines supervised students in classrooms, school buildings, and social, extra-curricular activities. For many years she was the Advisor for the annual yearbook at East Naples Middle School and then advisor for the Student Council at Pine Ridge Middle School. In both of these roles she taught students how to set long as well as short range goals. Mrs. Baines instructed students how to divide work into small, manageable tasks, work as a team to accomplish goals, follow a timeline, and develop check lists to insure that the work was completed on time.

*Mrs. Baines assisted in securing funds under NASA's "NASA Explorer Schools" Programs to develop a district wide, FL Sunshine State Standards-based curriculum, presenting outcomes to regional administrators, educators, and NASA engineers as the lead teacher for the NASA Explorers Schools Program of Collier County

Mrs. Baines and her team attended many workshops at different NASA centers, then returned to their school district to give teacher workshops on the material which had been covered. Also, the team instructed teachers how to use cutting edge technology such as websites, digital cameras, video conferencing, and incorporate NASA STEM-G strategies to maximize student success.

*Mrs. Baines was responsible for overseeing classroom arrangement, appearance, and overall learning environment by providing proper lighting, display of student work, materials necessary for student success, as well as Kleenex, hand sanitizer, and bottled water to make the environment conducive to learning.

*Mrs. Baines created and maintained a positive, encouraging classroom environment by displaying student work, and using these as examples of how something should be done, and rearranging the classroom to best suit the activity for the day.

*Mrs. Baines attended all open houses, professional development meetings, and parent /teacher conferences. She secured funds and with the assistance of science mentors such as NASA scientists, and members of the Everglades Astronomical Society of Naples, and members of the Amateur Radio Association of Southwest Florida (ARASWFL) created NASA Nights," and "Star Parties" for the the Collier County community. NASA scientists and local astronomers would use telescopes to engage the community in learning about the solar system, moon, and NASA expeditions to space.

*Mrs. Baines established and enforced rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order in the classroom. She wrote lesson plans, using a variety of techniques and learning strategies to meet the various learning needs and modality of each student and set objectives aligned with Florida's Sunshine State Teaching Standards for the appropriate grade level.

Mrs. Baines designed units and lessons aligned with and exceeding common core state standards for middle, non-honors, and honors students.

Mrs. Baines developed and administered exams to assess student learning.

She coordinated extracurricular activities such as the annual yearbook and Student Council to foster student engagement, critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork in real life situations. She provided individualized instruction to struggling students.

Mrs. Baines guided students in individual and group activities to foster social and academic development, motivate students by employing them to use such technologies as PowerPoint, videoconferencing, computer charts, graphs, and model model making. She taught students to break down tasks to incrementaly small steps to increase success rates. She assisted students in developing study skills and organizational strategies to increase the understanding of complex material.

Mrs. Baines created and implemented innovative teaching strategies to engage students and empower them to use technologies such as PowerPoint, building websites, digital cameras, and videoconferencing with NASA scientists. She developed and implemented creative lesson plans to engage and motivate students such as employing hand held gps for wayfinding and discovering cashes hidden around the schoolyard. She taught students to set up a schoolyard weather station in The GLOBE Program and use instruments such as a rain guage, barometer, anemometer, variety of teaching methods such as panel discussions, using community members to mentor students on their field of expertise, instructed students how to create multimedia presentations to accommodate different learning styles. Mrs. Baines collaborated with colleagues to develop curriculum and instructional materials. She employed and taught students and teachers how to use cutting edge technology, such as interactive whiteboards, digital cameras, and video conferencing to enhance student and colleague learning.

Mrs. Baines developed and maintained positive relationships with students and families.

Mrs. Baines participated and led professional development activities to stay current on best practices, assisted students in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, facilitated student-led discussions to promote critical thinking, implemented behavior management strategies to create a safe and productive learning environment, and engaged in team planning meetings to develop curriculum.

*Ms. Baines encouraged student reflection and self-assessment, created a positive learning environment in the classroom, served as a mentor to new teachers, collaborated with other teachers to provide differentiated instruction, developed and implemented assessment tools to evaluate student performance.

* By introducing her 6th through 8th Grade students to the STEM-G Program, students were able to explore challenging concepts from their everyday world, use technology to solve problems and create new solutions. Students explored concepts in structural & mechanical engineering, physics, rapid prototyping & 3D printing, computer science, video conferencing and robotics.

• As Collier County Youth Guidance Director, Mrs. Baines wrote, taught, and led programs for at risk children, ages eight through eighteen to learn how to use team work to set goals, overcome obstacles, and create positive outcomes for their group as well as themselves.
• Mrs. Baines helped students develop organizational, time management and life skills.
• As as counselor, she worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.

As a Reading Specialist, Mrs. Baines used standardized test scores, teacher assessment, and observation to develop a specific educational plan based on the student’s interests and strengths to engage the students in multi sensory activities and experiences to strengthen the learner’s skills in reading, writing, creative thinking, and problem solving. Mrs. Baines facilitated small group instruction, whole classroom, and on an individual basis to accomplish the set goals for each student under her supervision.

• Mrs. Baines collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies for individual students, grade level, and whole school events.

Mrs. Baines taught a self contained Third Grade class which included instruction in Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, Geography, Library Skills, Physical Education, Art, and Music. Once per month a content area teacher would present a lesson on Art, Music, Library Skills, and Physical Education. Three times per month, Mrs. Baines would be responsible for instruction in these subjects. She also took turns with other teachers to supervise students in the lunchroom, at recess, in the buss line before and after school. Mrs. Baines worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives. She incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom as well as communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.