Cindy Kern of North Haven has been named visiting assistant professor of education and director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Center for Science Teaching and Learning at Quinnipiac University.
Cindy Kern of North Haven has been named visiting assistant professor of education and director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Center for Science Teaching and Learning at Quinnipiac University.
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Center for Science Teaching and Learning is a network of scientists, engineers and educators collaborating to advance the art of science, technology, engineering and math education from kindergarten to the university level.
“Cindy brings tremendous knowledge of science and science education, as well as experience with teacher development, to the position,” said Kevin Basmadjian, dean of the School of Education. “We are thrilled to have her join us as director of the BMS Center and as a visiting professor in our School of Education.”
Kern said her goal is to help future teachers as well as young and veteran educators “better understand how the next generation science standards relate to meaningful science teaching and learning.”
Kern grew up in Henderson, Nevada and earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary science education, a master’s degree in curriculum instruction in secondary science education, and a doctoral degree in science education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
She taught science for 16 years at Green Valley High School in Henderson, earning a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, while also serving as an adjunct science professor at UNLV.
“Eight years into my teaching career, I came to the realization that we need more great science teachers out there,” said Kern, who became heavily involved in professional development for middle and high school science and mathematics teachers.
A few years ago, Kern, her husband, Jason, and son, Khorbin, decided they were ready for a change of scenery.
“I spent 40 years in Henderson,” Kern recalled. “We decided, ‘Let’s go somewhere that has seasons, trees and water.”
That somewhere was Connecticut. Kern was hired as an assistant professor at the University of New Haven in May 2013 before joining Quinnipiac earlier this month.
“This is my dream job,” she said. “About 10 or 12 years ago, one of my advisors asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said I wanted to help science teachers. I’m incredibly excited to have that opportunity.”