Teacher Biographies for AdLIT Video Project

Pat Stephens, 7th grade Language Arts
Patricia Stephens has enjoyed a variety of experiences in her 27 years of teaching. From East Los Angeles, to the American Cooperative schools in Bolivia and Liberia, to the university town of Oxford, Ohio, her desire to spark students' interest in learning remains strong. Integrating curriculum, inclusion, and differentiation continues to remain a focus for Pat's roles as a teacher and learner. A graduate of California State University, Northridge and Miami University, Patricia is currently the language arts instructional leader for the Talawanda School District.

Bonnie Wachter, 6-8th grade Gifted Education
Bonnie Wachter has been teaching gifted education for the past nine years, with six of those at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts in Akron, Ohio. She is a graduate of Miami University and received her master's degree from Ashland University in 2002. That same year, she was awarded the OAGC (Ohio Association of Gifted Children) Teacher of the Year Award for Region 9. At Miller South, in addition to teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade language arts to the students identified as gifted in that subject area, she is a coach for Power of the Pen, Spelling Bee, and the Future City Competition.

Marcia Skidmore, 7th grade Social Studies and Language Arts
Marcia Skidmore has been teaching at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts in Akron, Ohio for the past five years. Her daily assignment is 7th grade social studies and language arts. Mrs. Skidmore believes in classroom practice focused on academic curriculum infused with the arts. Mrs. Skidmore is an uncommon portrait, having started her career in corporate America as a visual artist, and is now using her professional arts background as the means to communicate with and inspire her students. Mrs. Skidmore is active on the Social Studies Middle School Leadership Team, has numerous grant and ambassador awards, and was an Akron Public School Division Teacher of the Year.

Thomas Trang, High School Science
Thomas Trang is a science educator at Metro High School in Columbus. He is a graduate of University of Dayton and The Ohio State University, receiving a master’s degree in science education. He has taught science for 11 years with Columbus Public Schools. In 2003, Mr. Trang traveled throughout Japan as a Fulbright Award Teacher to study the Japanese education system, exploring ways to raise student achievement and the quality of teaching in the classroom. Mr. Trang is also a National Board Certified Teacher (AYA- adolescent Science). He frequently works to provide professional development for teachers throughout the state and is dedicated to bringing teaching the respect and recognition this important work deserves. Mr. Trang has served on the ODE Ohio Proficiency Science Content Advisory Board and has developed and written curriculum guides and end-of-course exams for Columbus Public Schools. In 2006, President George W. Bush honored Mr. Trang with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Kriston Crombie, High School Language Arts
Kriston Crombie has been teaching at Centennial High School in Columbus since 1998. She teaches 9th grade humanities, Advanced Placement English, and Composition 11. In addition, she is the department chair and the advisor for the high school’s newspaper. Crombie has earned National Board Certification.