BRIAN L. FINLEY

National Board¨ Certified Science Teacher

 

Teaching Experience

                          Science Teacher and Department Chairperson                                      Fall 1998 to Present

            Marshall Middle School, San Diego City Schools District,  San Diego, CA

Instruct a hand-on, standards-based science and technology curriculum to seventh graders; in 2000 wrote the course plan and description for the integrated 7th Grade Science and Technology class which was approved by the SDCS Interdivisional Curriculum Committee and adopted by the district; formerly taught the Advanced Science 8 classes and had several of my eighth graders selected to the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair; my students won the 1999 and 2000 San Diego regionals of the PACT2000 Young AmericaÕs Cup Boat Design Competition; my students competed in the national finals of the 1999 PACT2000 Competition in Newport, Rhode Island; founded and sponsored the Y2K Time Capsule Club; founded and sponsored the Model, Rocketry, and Space Club; co-founded and currently sponsor the Golf Club; currently sponsor the Science Olympiad Team which qualified for the 2001, 2002, and 2003 California State Competition, finishing 13th place or better each year; was voted the 1999 Teacher of the Year by the students; was voted 2002 Teacher of the Year by the teaching staff; was the runner-up for 2002 Teacher of the Year for the entire district.

 

            Seminar Science Teacher                                                                 Fall 1995 to Spring 1998

            Correia Junior High School, San Diego City Schools District, San Diego, CA

            Instructed seminar and heterogeneous advanced science curriculum to seventh and eighth graders at a culturally diverse language magnet school; developed and implemented a hands-on, technology-centered, standards-based curriculum; had numerous students selected to the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, on of whom placed third in the California State Science Fair; my students won the 1996 and 1998 San Diego Regionals of the PACT2000, Young AmericaÕs Cup Boat Design Competition; my students made it to the national finals in the 1997 and 1998 PACT2000 Competition held in Maine; established the Kona Kai International Yacht Club and the USS Pogy Submarine as partners in education; founded and sponsored the Sailing Club, recruiting the principal as a co-sponsor and the Institute of Marine Science as a club partner; threw out the first pitch at an August 1998 San Diego Padre game due to the generosity of my students.

 

                 GATEWAYS Science Teacher                                                       Summers of 1995 and 1996

            La Jolla High School, GATEWAYS Summer Program, San Diego, CA

            Instructed secondary Human Anatomy, elementary Marine Biology, and elementary and secondary ÒScience Through SailingÓ enrichment courses to GATE students.

           

            Science Teacher                                                                                  Spring 1994 to Spring 1995

            Keiller Middle School, San Diego City Schools District, San Diego, CA

            Instructed Life, Physical, and Earth Science to eighth graders at culturally diverse science and computer magnet school; taught innovative and hands-on seventh grade computer laboratory science course; students won the 1995 PACT95/Unum/Young America Boat Design Competition for California and finished second nationally; instructed Math 8 courses for one semester; founded and sponsored the Rocket Club and co-sponsored the Hispanics In Action Organization; member of Portfolio Implementation Committee that created KeillerÕs Òportfolio cultureÓ.

 

                 High School Student Teacher                                                                      Fall Semester 1993

                 Sweetwater High School, Sweetwater Union School District, Chula Vista, CA

                 Taught Biology classes to ninth through twelfth graders; instructed the first block science classes at this school, completing a full year of material in one semester; supervised dance and sporting events; assisted the Junior Class Committee. 

 

Education

                 National University, San Diego, CA                                                                   1993 to 1994

             Masters of Education, emphasis in Curriculum Development and Leadership

             Instruction; Single Subject Teaching Credential, emphasis in Life and General Science; Dean's Scholarship and California Assumption of Loans Scholarship winner.

 

            University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA                                     1987 to 1991

            Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, emphasis in Real Estate and Corporate Finance; Dean's Scholar and Presidential Scholarship winner.  (Also received but declined acceptance into Cal BerkeleyÕs Biomedical Engineering Program, The University of Notre DameÕs Engineering Program, and was offered a Naval ROTC scholarship).

 

Credentials/Personal

¥  Biology and General Science Credentialed

¥  National Board¨ Certified in Early Adolescence General Science

¥  Current BTSA Mentor Teacher

¥  GATE Certificated

¥  SDAIE Certificated

¥  Completed the Edna McConnell-Clark FoundationÕs Portfolio and Standards Training Program.

¥  Completed the Science Educators Association of San DiegoÕs Summer Institutes on the study of Genetics in 2002 and on Evolution in 2003.

¥  University Level:  President of USC Honor Society; volunteer for the Best Buddies Program for mentally handicapped children; participated in the USC Joint Education Project teaching elementary students; Member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and Ironman athlete in golf, football, and track.

¥  High School Level:  Graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Poway, CA with a 4.0+ GPA, received varsity athletic letters in track, football, and golf; received the Ben Franklin Award for academics and civic involvement given to one senior each year.

¥  Won second place in Physics at the 1982 Virginia State Science Fair

¥  Lived, studied, and traveled abroad, visiting over 30 different countries. Attended 9th and 10th grade at Jakarta International School.  Achieved basic fluency in French.

¥  Son of an aviator and diplomat which provided opportunities to, on occasions in Washington D.C. and Jakarta, Indonesia, meet President Reagan and Vice President Bush along with other foreign dignitaries. 

 

 

Philosophy and Mission

The following goals will be achieved through the delivery of a sound, standards-based curriculum in a safe, well-managed classroom.  My objectives are to:

¥  To improve the studentsÕ proficiency in solving everyday challenges by using scientific reasoning skills (critical thinking, inquiry, inference, and investigation), hands-on manipulation, observation, resource gathering, research, and technology.

¥  To enhance the ability to communicate concepts and discoveries with peers, both in an oral and written style.

¥  To develop studentsÕ appreciation for the ubiquity, complexity, and beauty of living things by analyzing their unique and unusual attributes.

¥  To augment the studentsÕ esteem through their involvement in the class as a well-rounded, cooperative, disciplined team player who takes pride and responsibility in their work, turning it in neatly and in a timely manner.