2014 National Executive Board Election Candidate for Vice President

William E. (Bill) Reitz

Retired from Hoover High School, North Canton, Ohio

Education

• B.A.Ed. University of Akron, 1970 Physical Science magna cum laude
• M.S.Ed. Kent State University 1974, M.S. Physics (all but dissertation) University of Akron, 1981

Professional Experience

• Euclid H.S.(OH) Physical Science Teacher 1971-1972
• Streetsboro H.S.(OH) Physics, Math Teacher 1972-1973
• Kent State University, Graduate Assistant, Education Dept 1973-1974
• Dandenong H.S.(Victoria, Australia) Physics, Maths Teacher 1974-1976
• Walsh Jesuit H.S.(OH) Physics, Chemistry Teacher 1977-1980, 1982 - 1987
• University of Akron, Physics Lab Technician 1980-1981
• American School ( Aberdeen, Scotland) Science & Maths Teacher 1981-1982
• Hoover High School (North Canton, OH) Physics, Engineering Teacher 1987-2009
• Cuyahoga Community College Adjunct Instructor of Physics 1985-1987
• Stark State Community College, Adjunct Instructor Math & Physics 1988-1989, 2009-2010
• University of Mount Union, Adjunct Instructor of Physics 2012-2014
• Instructor for Summer Physics Institutes: Case Western University 1987-1991, Kenyon College 1989-1992, The Ohio State 2001-2005

Honors

• AAPT/PTRA 1986-2014
• Martha Jennings Holden Scholar 1995
• North Canton Distinguished Educator 2005
• Ohio Section, AAPT, Distinguished Service Award, 2008

Memberships

• American Association of Physics Teachers
• National Science Teachers Association
• Sigma Pi Sigma
• Ohio Section AAPT
• Science Education Council of Ohio

AAPT Activities

• Committee on Physics in Pre-High School, past member & chair
• Committee on Physics in High School, past member
• Committee on Science Education for the Public, past member and chair
• Ohio Section, AAPT, President 1998-1999, 2012-13

Commentary
In my career I have enjoyed a diversity of experience; having taught on three continents, in middle school through university and in private, public and parochial settings. 

As a member of the Executive Chain I would like to take a look at diversity in the Association. In this area AAPT has both strengths and weaknesses.

Most members understand the need to increase efforts to broaden diversity in the ethnic, gender & “age” composition of our members. We need to represent all of those involved in Physics Education.

In contrast, we need to celebrate the diversity of the missions AAPT encompasses: graduate & post-graduate physics education, 4 yr and 2yr institutions, high school and pre-high school physics & physical science, pre service and in-service teacher training, e-Mentoring, science education for the public and research in physics education. We also represent diversity in how we deliver physics education: traditional classroom, PER based courses, MOOCs, flipped classrooms, outreach and “for the public” and so forth. AAPT needs recognize all of the missions it encompasses and continue to provide programs to accomplish each.

It is also not enough to be all encompassing within the organization. Our greatest challenge lies in “spreading the word,” and increasing awareness of who we are and what we can provide. I would make this my priority.