Distinguished Alumni > 2006 > Shelly A. Witham

Shelly A. Witham

• B.S. 1999; Earth and Atmospheric Sciences/Solid Earth Geology, Purdue University
• M.S. 2001; Science Education (College of Education), Purdue University

Shelly Witham teaches earth science, archaeology, and AP environmental science at High Tech High School in North Bergen , New Jersey . Open since September 1991, High Tech High School is a full-time public school of choice that offers a challenging academic curriculum in a technology-based environment.

After earning her bachelor's degree in solid earth geology, Shelly went on to pursue her master's degree in science education under the direction of Prof.Gerald H. Krockover, working on integrating web-based multimedia into a geoscience course for elementary education majors.

Shelly developed the curriculum for the Introduction to Archaeology class she teaches, as well as for her AP environmental science class. She has shown herself to be an excellent and dedicated teacher, as reflected in the numerous awards she has received, including three Teacher of the Year awards and Honorable Mention for the USA Today All-USA Teacher Team in 2005.

In addition to her excellence in teaching Shelly has made valuable contributions to the field of science education. She has authored several publications on the implementation of technology in science classrooms and on inquiry-based science instruction. She has returned to Purdue every summer since 2002 to serve as a Master Teacher in the externally funded Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Standards-Based Integrated Science Instruction (SISI) program for teachers conducted in partnership with College of Science K-12 Outreach .

Career Highlights
2005	Nominee, Disney Teacher Awards program
2005	Hudson County Teacher of the Year
2005	District Teacher of the Year Award, High Tech High School
2005	Honorable Mention, USA Today All-USA Teacher Team
2004	Teacher of the Year Award, Kean University and the New Jersey Center for Science and Technology Education
2002	Earth Science Teacher, High Tech High School, Hudson County Schools of Technology, North Bergen, NJ