Sonja Calderara
Candia,NH
Summary
Passionate Ph.D. in Science Education with 27 years of teaching and education experience, including a successful tenure as a Curriculum Director. Dedicated to creating engaging and effective learning environments for children and providing mentorship for fellow educators.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Curriculum Director & Science Instructor
Academy for Science and Design
Nashua, NH
06.2020 - 06.2023
- Facilitated the Board of Trustees Academic Committee's work on course development and registration timelines, translating initiatives into actionable items for school personnel.
- Collaboratively developed the Program of Studies and Academic Policies and Procedures.
- Directed all major academic initiatives, programs, projects, grants, and partnerships with educational institutions, fostering collaboration with district schools.
- Oversaw the identification and recommendations for significant resource and materials requirements for new courses, initiatives, and projects.
- Enhanced curriculum to align with college preparedness, career readiness, and evidence-based practices.
- Instructed and educated Middle School students in the subjects of chemistry and physical science.
- Designed and implemented an honors biology curriculum tailored for online learning within the constraints of COVID restrictions.
Middle School Science Teacher
Alexandria City Schools
Alexandria, VA
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Instructing X and X-grade students in the subjects of X and X.
- Collaborated with Virginia America Water in the AlexRenew water quality environmental education program, fostering the delivery of inquiry-based environmental lesson units to middle school students tailored to their community.
Program Manager
Essentially Science Grant
Lee County, North Carolina
06.2011 - 08.2017
- Wrote, spearheaded, and successfully secured the Essentially Science $500,000 grant program, dedicated to enhancing educational initiatives within the district-wide science program.
- Managed all aspects of the program to include requirements identification and schedule/budget development.
- Led grant research, collected qualitative and quantitative data, and tracked program progress for updates to upper management and grant partners.
- Delivered outcomes of program at professional symposiums, influencing the direction of science education curriculum and focus.
- Leveraged Business Development expertise to propose, lead, and secure a second program grant with the NSF and Department of Education, totaling $500,000.
- Responsible for the professional development of 96 science teachers in 11 schools.
Middle School Science Teacher
West Pine Middle School
West End, NC
01.1999 - 01.2009
- Instructed and educated middle school students in science, social studies, and language arts.
- Initiated and managed Extracurricular Science Programs, including the National Science Olympiad who won regional competition in NC.
- Directed teams of teachers at both seventh and eighth-grade levels for X years.
- Served as Science Chair for X years.
Sixth Grade Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher
New Century Middle School
Carthage, NC
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Sixth grade language arts and social studies teacher.
- Engaged in the Disney "Yes" program, facilitating a visit for an entire sixth-grade class to Disney for specialized science programs.
Sixth Grade Science and Social Studies Teacher
New Providence Middle School
Clarksville, TN
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Sixth grade science and social studies teacher.
Education
Doctor of Science Education -
North Carolina State University
01.2019
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction -
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
01.2007
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies With Certification in Elementary Education -
Austin Peay State University
01.1996
Skills
- Curriculum Development and Implementation
- STEM Pedagogy
- Professional Development and Mentorship for Educators
- Public Speaking
- Child Development
publications
- Published collaborative project with NCSU Chemistry Department and Lee County Schools titled "Seeing Stars in Chemistry" in the AAACT Periodical (March 2017).
Presentations
- Presented a cooperative workforce development project, “Creating a Heart for Science, with ARMI (Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute) at the NCSSS conference (November 2022).
- Presented at the North Carolina State University STEM Symposium, reflecting on grant-funded work with the National Science Foundation, Department of Education and Lee County Schools, NC (2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017).
- Presented on inquiry-based genetics in middle school, at the North Carolina Science Teachers Association Annual Conference (2006).
Grant awards
- Won and staffed two separate three-year, $500,000 awards for teaching science through the Essentially Science program of the NSF/Department of Education in Lee County, NC (2011-2013 and 2014-2017).
- Awarded the Biogen Idec Foundation Micro Grant, Raleigh (2013).
- Awarded the Bright Ideas Grant (2012), Raleigh NC.
Awards
- North Carolina Science Teachers Association Science Teacher of the Year (2004).
- Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching, Moore County Schools, NC (2002).
Professional memberships
- Member of North Carolina Science Teachers Association (2001-2012)
- North Carolina Science Leadership Association (2010-2015)
- Professional Educators of North Carolina (1998- 2015)
- National Association of Research in Science Teaching (2015-present).
Timeline
Curriculum Director & Science Instructor
Academy for Science and Design
06.2020 - 06.2023
Middle School Science Teacher
Alexandria City Schools
01.2019 - 01.2020
Program Manager
Essentially Science Grant
06.2011 - 08.2017
Middle School Science Teacher
West Pine Middle School
01.1999 - 01.2009
Sixth Grade Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher
New Century Middle School
01.1998 - 01.1999
Sixth Grade Science and Social Studies Teacher
New Providence Middle School
01.1996 - 01.1998
Doctor of Science Education -
North Carolina State University
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction -
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies With Certification in Elementary Education -
Austin Peay State University