If you like zoos, science, and teaching, you'll like shadowing Matt...

 

Matt Lonsdale '08, MAT'09
He/Him/His
Major: Biology
Role: Science Teacher
Organization: SAMi; iDEA (Tacoma Public Schools)
Host Date: Monday, Jan. 14, 2019 and Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019*
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Host Location: Tacoma, WA

*Please note: Matt will be hosting two separate groups of students on two separate days.

 

 

We asked Matt...

How would you describe your role and organization to a college student?
I typically work at the Science and Math Institute, a local public high school as part of the Tacoma Public Schools. SAMi is located in Point Defiance park and our mandate is to use the park and its resources to engage our students in authentic learning. My role in this organization is science teacher.

Because SAMi, SOTA, and iDEA are all sister schools, we trade classes in January, and I will not be at the SAMi location, but instead will be at the iDEA site during Take a Logger to Work 2019.

What can a student expect to experience by job shadowing you?
Students can expect to see something in education that they will not see at any other time. By visiting in January, students from UPS will see students at iDEA participating in a mini-term which is modeled on the concept of a January term similar to what many universities do. We will be exploring water quality issues in Puget Sound through the installation of permeable pavements. My students (high school, not UPS) will be deep into project time and it will be a good time to host a Logger because I can talk with them and have them explore many other classes that are being taught by other teachers at the same time. During the visit, the Logger will get a tour of the facilities, meet with staff and students, and get to teach lessons (if they want) under the guidance of two or more educators.

Why do you want to host Logger Students?
I want to host a Logger student because I fundamentally believe that everyone should experience something they are interested in to see if that is truly the path they want to take. I remember I really wanted to go into medicine when I was in high school and I shadowed a doctor for the day, and while that was really awesome, I quickly realized that I did not want to go into medicine anymore. Then, when I was tutoring in college, I realized that education was my passion and I want to provide that opportunity for current Loggers.