KENNETH WESTER

Coordinator
Physics Teacher Education Program
Illinois State University

322 Moulton Hall

(309) 438-2957

kwester@ilstu.edu

EDUCATION

2004            University of Alabama

Ed.S. Secondary Science.

1988            Mississippi State University

M.Ed. Secondary Science.

1984            Mississippi State University

B.S. Biological Engineering.

EMPLOYMENT

                        2008-present        Illinois State University

Coordinator Physics Teacher Education Program

                        1989-2008            Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science

Taught Physics, Advanced Placement Physics (C), and Modern Physics.  Duties in addition to teaching included managing department budget, overseeing the hiring and supervision of lab assistants, coordinating summer training sessions for teachers' state wide and managing the upkeep and requisitions of laboratory equipment, and supplies.  Columbus, MS.

                        2000-1996            Mississippi State University

Taught Engineering Physics, General Physics, and Physics for teachers during the summer semester.  Starkville, MS.

                        1989-1984            Houston High School

Taught Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.  Houston, MS.

ACTIVITIES

• Member, Mississippi Association of Physicists
• Member, American Association of Physics Teachers
• Member, Mississippi Science Teachers Association
• Member, National Science Teachers Association
• Member, Mississippi Academy of Sciences
• Member, Mississippi Professional Educators
• Member, East Mississippi Physics Alliance
• Co-sponsor of Physics Club
• Co-sponsor of Jets Competition
• Former sponsor of Beta Club, Science Club, and Senior Play
• D.O.E. Teacher Research Associate Participant
• Grant Review Committee, 2002 State Department of Education
• Member of 2001 Mississippi Science Framework Committee
• State Coordinator, Mississippi Middle School Science Bowl, sponsored by the Department of Energy
• Grant Coordinator, Making Physics Fun Workshop, an IHL Eisenhower funded program, summer 2000 & 2006
• Coordinator for Technology in the Physics and Chemistry Classroom, a week long workshop funded through MSDE, summers 2000, & 2002
• Coordinated workshop "Sharing Ideas."   A three-day workshop for elementary math and science teachers summers of 1992, 1993, 1994 and 2000
• State Coordinator, Mississippi Region Department of Energy High School Science Bowl Competition, 1993-1999
• Co-coordinated Woodrow Wilson Summer Institute of Physics, located at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, summers of 1990 - 1995
• Coordinated and presented three-day workshop on "Science in the elementary School" 1991
• Presented workshops at the Mississippi Science Teachers Association Conference, 1990 - 2000
• Presented numerous staff-development sessions for both elementary and secondary science and math teachers throughout the state of Mississippi
• Presentations made at the Mississippi Association of Teachers for the Talented and gifted Conference
• Board Member Mississippi Science Teachers Association
• Past Board Member, High School Representative of Mississippi Association of Physicists
• Past Co-chair of East Central Mississippi Physics Alliance
• Past Advisory board member for the Sloan Minority Enhancement Grant
• Member of the NSTA standing Committee on Student Programs
• Member of the AAPT Committee Science Education for the Public
• Past Member of Mississippi Project 2061 Benchmark Review Committee
• Past Coordinator for Columbus Hands on Science Outreach, an after-school program for elementary children
• 1993 AAPT Judge in the 44th International Science and Engineering Fair
• Coordinated/presented 1994 Christa McAuliffe Hands-on Science Workshop for elementary teachers
• Presented "hands on science in the elementary classroom", University of Cape Breton College, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1994
• Presented "hands on science in the elementary classroom", Mississippi University for Women, 1995 - 1998
• Presented a three day workshop on technology applications in the physics classroom, June 1995

HONORS

• Star Teacher (several times)
• Outstanding Young Educator, 1986
• D.O.E. Teacher Research Associate 1991
• 1991 Distinguished Science Teacher Award (presented by the Mississippi Science Teachers Association
• 1993 Tandy Technology Scholars National Winner
• NSTA certification in physics
• 1993 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, (State Awardee) 
• 1993 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching
• 1993 Christa McAuliffe Fellow
• 1993 Outstanding High School Science Teacher (presented by MSTA)
• 1995 E. Scott Barr award for excellence in physics teaching, presented by the University of Alabama
• 1999 Received National Board Certification in Science
• 2000 Mississippi Master Hall of Teachers finalist
• 2001 Outstanding Mississippi High School Physics Teacher
• 2001 Lead Teacher Project Quark Net, University of Mississippi
• 2002 Selected as an OME (online Museum Educator), Franklin Institute
• 2005 Inducted into the Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers

(Last updated 10/24/02008)