Karen Jo Matsler2015 Executive Board Election Candidate for Four-year College Representative 

Karen Jo Matsler

University of Texas Arlington, UTeach Master Teacher, Box 19043, Arlington, TX 76019

Education
Argosy University, Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, 2004
University of Sarasota, Education Specialist, 2003
Texas Tech University, MS (Secondary Education), 1986

Professional Experience
UTeach Master Teacher, University of Texas @ Arlington, 2011-current
Dallas Baptist University, adjunct professor, 2000-current
Argosy University, adjunct professor, 2006-2013
Southern Methodist University, adjunct professor (Education), 2011-2013
K-12 Science Coordinator, Birdville Independent School District, 2003-2005
K-12 Science Coordinator, Lancaster Independent School District, 2002-2003
Lamar High School, Arlington (physics, physical science) 1989-2002
Atkins Junior High, Lubbock (physical science teacher),1987-1989
Texas Tech University, Teaching Assistant, 1982-1983
Hutchinson Junior High, Lubbock, 1980-1982
Lamar High School, Arlington (physics) 1977-1980

Honors and Leadership positions
AAPT Inaugural Fellow 2014
Katherine Mays Award, Outstanding Contributions to Texas Physics Education, 2014
Fort Worth Museum Board of Directors for Educational Programs, 2012-current
American Physical Society (APS) Excellence in Education Award, 2011
American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Distinguished Service Citation, 2008
NSTA Science Scope Publishing Advisory Board, 2013-2016
Teacher of the Year, Lamar High School, 2002
RadioShack American Teacher Award, 2000
Assoc. of Texas Professional Educators, Secondary Teacher of the Year, 1996
President Texas Science Education Leadership Association, 2008-2009
Science Teacher Association of Texas, Executive Board, 2002-2006, 2011
Secretary Science Teacher Association of Texas, 2009-2010

Memberships
American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
American Evaluation Association (AEA)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
National Staff Development Council (NSDC)
National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA)
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT)
Texas Association of Physics Teachers (TSAAPT)
Texas Science Education Leadership Association (TSELA)

AAPT/APS Activities
Presidential chain Texas Section AAPT, 2010-2013
AAPT e-Mentoring Committee, 2011-2015
American Institute of Physics, Governing Board Advisory Committee on Physics Education, 2007-2012
AAPT Nominating Committee, 2013
AAPT Committee on Physics in Pre-High School Education 2012-2015
AAPT Committee on Physics in High School, 2007-2010
AAPT/PTRA 2003-2015;AAPT/PTRA Director, 2013-2016
Site coordinator for Dallas APS Teacher Expo,2008-09
Texas Section AAPT Executive Council or Representative, 2002-09
AAPT Committee for Preparation of Pre-service Teachers, 2002-2003

Commentary
I have had the privilege of impacting the lives of thousands of students over my 35+ years in education as a secondary classroom teacher, administrator, and now as a faculty member at UT Arlington. AAPT and PTRA have been influential in my role as an educator and I would never have survived if it were not for the friends and colleagues in AAPT that guided, encouraged, and supported my efforts to become a master teacher of physics. I have always felt that if you benefit from joining an organization, you need to be willing to serve in whatever capacity needed to keep the organization moving forward. Change can be painful, but times are changing, and as educators we must change with them. The mission of AAPT is to "ensure the dissemination of the knowledge of physics, particularly by way of teaching". I am proud to have had a lifelong career as an educator and I owe it to those that taught me to pass that passion and expertise on to the next generation. As I supervise STEM student teachers, I try to encourage, support, and equip them to find the same joy and satisfaction that I have experienced. My work in K-16 education will hopefully be an asset to the board as we move forward in this new age of NGSS, technology, and changing educational philosophies.