I received my BS in education from East Stroudsburg State College (now East Stroudsburg University). I am in my twenty - seventh year as an educator working for Portsmouth Public Schools in Portsmouth, VA. In my career I have taught Grade 6, physical science, Earth science, experimental design, oceanography and marine biology. I am currently serving as the Planetarium Director at the Children's Museum of Virginia while in the employ of Portsmouth Public Schools. I have been involved in teacher training and curriculum development for Portsmouth Public Schools. I am married to a fellow teacher Sally, I have a daughter Alexandra and a pooch named Cody. I am a lover of the outdoors, especially hiking, camping, white water kayaking and fishing.

I am a Teacher of Marine & Environmental Science at the
Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School in Virginia.  I was the
Lead Teacher at the Dutchess Academy of Environmental
Studies ( Staatsburg, NY) from 1995 to 2005.  Both programs are ecology-focused college bridge programs for gifted and high achieving high school students.  I have been involved with the GLOBE Program since 1996 as a Teacher, Teacher Trainer, and Partner Coordinator.  Research interests include remote sensing to determine land use change and impacts of climate change on traditional Inuit cultures.

Recreationally, I build and paddle traditional Greenland
kayaks and goof off outside with my family.

My name is Erick Larson. I am going into my fourth year of teaching middle school life science in the great city of Portsmouth, VA.

I received my BS in biology from Old Dominion University, and am currently working on my masters in education. Prior to teaching I spent 3 years as a senior lab technician studying the otoliths of Patagonian toothfish for the Center for Quantitative Fisheries Ecology.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, and playing with my two FANTASTIC children Noah (5) and Hayden (10 months).

erick.larson@pps.k12.va.us

My name is Richard Neefe and I was born in Newcastle, Wyoming in 1970. I came to the east coast when I joined the United States Navy. I served in the Navy for 6 years, as a Nuclear Electrician's Mate on the USS South Carolina. I decided to make the east coast of Virginia my home when my 12 year old daughter, Danielle, was born. I earned my Master's Degree in Science education from Old Dominion University. I have taught in the city of Portsmouth, Virginia, for 6 years—four years as a middle school science teacher and two years as an instructional specialist. I currently spend the majority of my work hours teaching at and coordinating STARBASE Atlantis (www.starbasehr.org), a specialized program which offers sixth grade Portsmouth students a week of “rocket camp.” During this week, students learn about space and flight, and have the opportunity to build and launch their own rocket to reinforce the Virgina Standards of Learning. I currently live in Portsmouth, Virgina with my beautiful wife, Katherine, our 3 year old son Henry, and 12 year old daughter, Danielle. I enjoy camping with my family, taking bike rides, going to the ball park to see our AAA team, the Norfolk Tides, play, and seeing live music.

r.neefe@gmail.com
richard.neef@pps.k12.va.us

I live in Portsmouth, Virginia, I currently teach 8th grade Physical Science, I have been teaching for 17 years. The first 4 years were teaching 4th grade and I have been teaching middle school science ever since. I have been a certified scuba diver since 2001 and also enjoy sailing and fishing. My son and I have been enjoying whitewater canoeing the last couple of years.

paul.sarandria@pps.k12.va.us