Frances Poodry2026 National Board of Directors Election Candidate for Vice-President

 
 

Frances Poodry

Science Solutions Advisor/Director of Physics
Vernier Science Education
fpoodry@vernier.com

Education

BA, Physics, Swarthmore College 1992
MSEd, Science Education, Temple University, 1999

Professional Experience

• Educational Technology Specialist/Director of Physics/Science Solutions Advisor 
Vernier Science Education, 2013 to present
• Physics/Physical Science Teacher
High Schools and Colleges in Pennsylvania and New Jersey 1993-2013
(West Chester East High School, St. Joseph’s University, Williamstown High School, Haddonfield Memorial High School, Lincoln High School, Furness High School, Torah Academy of Greater Philadelphia)

Memberships

  • AAPT member since 1991
  • National Science Teachers Association member since 1993
  • Southeastern Pennsylvania Section AAPT member 1993 to 2013
  • Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association member 1993 to 2013
  • New Jersey Section AAPT member 1998 to 2001
  • American Modeling Teachers Association member since 2010
  • Oregon Section AAPT member since 2013

AAPT Activities 

  • AAPT Special Projects and Philanthropy Committee, 2026
  • Vice/Co-Chair, Committee/Community for Women in Physics, 2024-present
  • STEP UP Ambassador, 2018-2021
  • Advisory Member of Physics Master Teacher Leader Taskforce 2016-2017
  • Manuscript Reviewer, The Physics Teacher 2016-2017
  • Oregon Section of AAPT Secretary, 2017-2021
  • Southeastern Pennsylvania Section of AAPT - Vice President, 2006-2007
    - President, 2007-2008
    - Past President, 2008-2009
    - Corresponding Secretary, 2009-2011

Other Activities

  • American Modeling Teachers Association
    - President Elect 2011-2012
    - President 2012-2013
    - Past President 2013-2014
  • Manuscript Reviewer, The Science Teacher 2019-2020  

Candidate Statement

Since I was an undergraduate, I have been passionate about women belonging in physics, and physics education for all. In fact, the first professional conference I attended was the fall 1990 Conference on Recruitment and Retention of Women in Physics in Washington, DC, which I attended with one of my professors. Since then, the importance of making physics accessible to all underrepresented populations has become very clear. 

Diversity in physics and physics education makes us stronger as a species. Physics cultivates analytical thinking and understanding of how the world works, and conceptual physics is just as important as (if not more important) than AP physics and college physics.

In order to reach the most students, the most teachers need to be prepared to teach physics well. Professional development is key.

AAPT already has great programs such as OPTYCs and PTRA. In addition, programs such as AMTA and STEP UP provide professional development, and many local AAPT sections provide professional development. The introduction of the online PLC is a fantastic addition that has the potential to support teachers who for whatever reason cannot access other PD. I hope AAPT can continue and build on these programs.

Many teachers who teach physics in the USA do not have a specific physics background. I hope to reach out to these teachers and provide them with materials, resources, and options for professional development both in content and pedagogy. Reaching out to science teachers teaching physics outside their specialty could grow our membership. I’d like to offer more workshops associated with our annual meetings, and more virtual workshops. I think PTRA could be a good resource for this.

In my career, I have been on many committees for various non-profits, and I have been president of both my local AAPT section and the American Modeling Teachers Association. I have time and availability to work for my fellow physics educators at AAPT. I would be honored to work for you, to grow our membership, and carry out the strategic plan of AAPT.