CPA Science 7th & 8th
A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.
Marcus Garvey
Ms. Carla M. Jefferson is a 7th and 8th grade science teacher at the College Prep Academy at Jennings Junior High School. Ms. Jefferson has been teaching science in the Jennings School District for more than nine years. Prior to her tenure in the Jennings School District, Ms. Jefferson taught science and mathematics for eight years in the St. Louis Public School District and summers with the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Ms. Jefferson received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Harris-Stowe State University and her Master of Arts in School Administration from Lindenwood University.
Ms. Jefferson is a strong advocate of hands-on, inquiry-based learning. She involves her students in a variety of problem-solving and technology-infused activities that provide them with opportunities to use science in real-world situations. Ms. Jefferson is the Department Chair of the Science Department at Jennings Junior High and has served in this capacity for many years. She has served on curriculum writing committees for the district and participated in curriculum writing programs for the state of Missouri. Ms. Jefferson’s professional duties have included: training staff and coordinating the Missouri Assessment Program (M.A.P.), coordinating science fairs at the school level and entering projects in the Academy of Science St. Louis Science Fairs yearly. Over the years, Ms. Jefferson’s students have had a multitude of ribbons, awards, and placements in the St. Louis Science Fair at Queeny Park. At times, her students projects have brought the first place ribbon back to Jennings Junior High School. Ms. Jefferson’s professional associations include the National Science Teacher Association and the Missouri Interface program. She has had the privilege of participating in the following conferences and training programs: Digi-Scope, Space Camp for Teachers, Science Olympiad Camp for Coaches, National Biology Teacher Conference, Green Chemistry program through Pfizer and G.E.M.S. and Carver Curator training through the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Ms. Jefferson is a two-time nominee for the Loeb Excellence in Science Award and has been a presenter for the National Science Teacher Association and the Missouri Interface Math & Science Share-A-Thon. Ms. Jefferson was named Teacher of the Year in the 2011-2012 academic year at Jennings Junior High School. Her professional interests focus on curriculum writing, developing and implementing innovative science lessons, organizing and coaching robotics teams and organizing and facilitating surgeon, rocket, and archery clubs. While Ms. Jefferson is not teaching junior high students, she is busy assisting with saving children’s lives as a Surgical Technician at Cardinal Glennon Hospital and assisting with heart transplants as a Cardiothoracic Surgical Technician at Barnes Hospital. In her free time, Ms. Jefferson researches and studies new ways to engage students in the learning process to increase their attention, focus, and motivate them to practice higher-level critical thinking skills. She wants her students to become active learners in the classroom, following a pedagogy-first approach to teaching so that her students have success inside and outside the classroom. |