Rabihah's Intro

Hello everyone! My name is Rabihah, and I am currently a junior at Drake University. I am majoring in Elementary Education and receiving endorsements in Special Education and Reading. I plan to work with students with disabilities either as a special educator or speech language pathologist sometime in the near future. I am from the city of Chicago, but am really enjoying my time outside of the big city. The simplicity of life in Iowa has really grown on me, especially the lack of traffic delays! Also, I enjoy drawing, making arts and crafts, and reading.

I think that our team was named after William Kamkwamba because his story illustrates the nature of science. Armed with curiosity, ingenuity, and a driven mindset, Kamkwamba was able to invent a machine that changed the environment of his community. Despite his lack of materials and formal education, Kamkwamba experimented with the resources available to him using diagrams and pictures to help him make sense of the physics of windmill energy. With this knowledge, he created a functional windmill using simplistic materials. Kamkwamba’s experience mirrors a process of science in that through experimentation and inventive thinking, creations can be developed that can be resourceful to society.

Susan's Intro

Hi All. My name is Susan. I am a graduate student in elementary and middle school teaching at Drake University. I have a B.F.A. in music theater and was a professional musician and actor in Chicago and New York until my mid-thirties. I quit theater to raise a family and went back to school in horticulture. I ended up with a focus on organic and sustainable growing. Before I went back to school to get my teaching degree I did a variety of jobs in horticulture: hort therapy, taught organic growing methods, and created eco-art programs. My husband and I have one daughter, Leah, age almost seven.

My background gives me a perspective on science that leads to the creative side of the subject. I think Mr. Kamkwamba was thinking outside the box in his pursuit to find what would save his family. He created something new by gaining every kind of knowledge about the subject, much like a good actor does.

Brad's Intro

Hello,

My name is Brad and I'm currently a student in the act! program at UW Oshkosh. I have a BS in Natural Science and minors in earth science and geology - UW Stevens Point. After UWSP I began graduate studies at Colorado State University. I didn't complete my masters, but rather, after three semester I decided it was time to get a job. I worked for 7 years in the photogrammetry field (computer mapping). This was actually a very interesting career, and allowed me to apply some of my background knowledge to my work. We did the ground control (surveying), aerial photography, and compilation for some very big projects, including Denver International Airport, the I-70/I-25 corridor, city of Denver, and several major ski resorts.
In 1992 my wife and I moved back to Wisconsin to take over a small family business. We're a wholesale manufacturer and distributor (and retailer) in the home furnishing industry. My wife has an education degree and decided to go back into teaching, and I decided that's what I'd like to do as well. We have two daughters, ages 13 and 7, and live in the Village of Kohler. My interests include biking, tennis, and travelling.

Crystal's Intro

Hello everyone! My name is Crystal Galica and I am a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, majoring in Elementary Education with minors in mathematics and spanish. I live with my three year old son Carson and enjoy doing just about everything with him, he's so funny! I have traveled to Peru and Spain in the last two years study math (in Peru) and spanish (in spain). Both experiences were amazing and make me want to study abroad even more! Aside from school and my son I also have two jobs. I work at a daycare here in Oshkosh called Arts for Kids where I teach Spanish to three, four, and five year olds. I also waitress at Fratellos, also in Oshkosh.
I think our team is named after William Kamkwamba because his story in a way defines how we should view our opportunities and learning as teachers. First of all, he knew he wanted to learn and he did everything in his power to make sure that that happened for himself, no one handed anything to him. Also, when things were difficult for him to learn he pushed himself harder and used the resources around him to help him learn what he needed to. This shows his commitment to being a life-long learner. As teachers I think things are often going to be difficult for us with no one handing us the answers or the things we need. We are going to have to commit to learning and learn to use the resources around us to accomplish what we want to.

Nicole's Intro

Hello. My name is Nicole Stern and this is my third year at UW Oshkosh. I previously attended UW Washington County for two years before transferring here. I am majoring in Elementary Education (1-8) with a minor in mathematics. I am very excited for student teaching next semester, and hopefully I'll be graduating this spring. I currently live in Kewaskum with my parents and younger sister, April. I commute to school every day, which can feel extremely long at times.

I think that our team was named after William Kamkwamba because this young man showed perseverance and a willingness to learn, even when it wasn't available to him. I feel that every person should hear the message he has to give! If you trust and believe in yourself and you don't give up, you can do anything you set your mind to.

Anna's Intro

Hi everyone, my name is Anna.  I am a graduate student at Drake University obtaining my Master of Science in Teaching degree (elementary education) with endorsements in reading and ELL education.  Prior to attending Drake, I received my undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa in Communications and Spanish.  After graduation, I worked for an Iowa-based community bank in marketing and investor relations in both Naples, FL and West Des Moines, IA for five years.  Eventually I hope to teach at a Spanish immersion or bilingual elementary school.  I am married and have a 1-year- old son, Jake, as well as a Golden Retriever named Charley.

I was very inspired by the video about William Kamkwamba.  I had to watch it a second time to process everything he was saying and fully grasp the power of his actions.  I am amazed by how young he is and what he has accomplished both for himself and his country.  I think our group is named after him because of his strong sense of curiosity to learn and determination to succeed- even against all odds.  As teachers, one of our goals should be to instill this same sense of motivation and curiosity in our students, and to help them realize the potential of their own learning. 

Megan's Intro

Hello, my name is Megan Ross. I am a senior at Grand View University. I am majoring in Elementary Education and receiving endorsements for reading, language arts, and science. I hope to become a upper elementary or middle school language arts or science teacher. I am currently in a fourth grade classroom earning hours for my reading endorsement. Last year, I was placed in a kindergarten and third grade classroom. I live in Newton, Iowa and have lived there for ten years. I love Iowa. I enjoy reading, being outside, and traveling. I have a bubbly personality and I love to make people laugh. I student teach next semester and I am excited to receive my teaching license!!

I think our team was named after Kamkwamba because of what he did to help his community. He is very young and it shows that anyone can become a scientist. I think it is amazing that he was able to create a windmill from supplies that were available to him. As future teachers, I think we will be able to show students that anyone can be a scientist and can help better a community, a country, or the world.