SCCAO Science Co-ordinators & Consultants' Association of Ontario

HE members of the Science Co-ordinators' and Consultants' Association of Ontario are involved in assisting teachers and school boards to implement quality science programs in Ontario schools. This subject association, like others in the province, initiates and responds to issues of relevance to students and teachers regarding the learning and teaching of science and technology.The membership is diverse reflecting the different curriculum areas associated with science. Members include consultants, coordinators, lead teachers, university professors and researchers, as well as representatives from a wide variety of ‘informal educational organizations'.

Information on becoming a member.

SCCAO Constitution (available for download in PDF format)

Life Members List and Biographies (click here)

Association Executive (2006-2007)

Chair Martin Gabber
Science / Technology Programs Facilitator (K-12), Durham District School Board Teaching

Background: secondary Science, PhysicsTeaching Experience: 28 years with the Durham District School Board;

Science/Technology Facilitator for the DDSB for the past three years;
prior to that I spent 25 years in the classroom, most recently as Head of Science at Henry Street High School in WhitbyTeaching Interests: integrating technology into the curriculum, STSE (Science, Technology, Society, and the Environment) connections, literacy in Science, history and philosophy of Science, scientific literacy

Vice-Chair Sue Paradiso
Consultant: Science & Technology (Grades 1-8), and Science (Grades 9-12), Halton Catholic District School Board.

Teaching Experience: 18 years of elementary and secondary teaching experience in Ontario with the last 9 years at the Halton Catholic District School Board as Secondary Science teacher(Intermediate and Chemistry),
Science Department Head, and Science Consultant.Teaching Interests: Supporting lab-based inquiry with an emphasis on safety, teaching literacy across the science curriculum, and promoting environmental stewardship.

Secretary Catherine Little
Toronto DSB, Science & Technology Instructional Leader 1-8

Educational Issues and Interests: teaching literacy through science & technology, science & technology in the early years,
differentiated instruction for all students (especially learning disabled, gifted, and english language learners),
effective professional development for teachers, co-curriculur science & technology activities
Educational Experience: elementary science & technology teacher, adult learning instructor, educational writer

Treasurer Rasa Pruden
Coordinator: Science and Technology, Secondary Science, and Assessment and Evaluation for Halton District School Board

Teaching Experience: 15 years with Halton District School Board as a Science and Mathematics High School Teacher, High School Science Department Head, and Coordinator.
Teaching Interests: Implementing instructional and assessment strategies based on student needs; providing ongoing feedback to students for the purpose of learning; creating a positive learning environment that is safe and appropriately challenging. Hands on inquiry based learning in science, health and safety, literacy and numeracy across the science curriculum.

Membership Committee Chair Sofia Gallagher
Co-ordinator Science and Technological Studies + coordinator for Specialist High Skills Major Mining for Rainbow District School Board

Teaching Background: Secondary Biology and Chemistry
Teaching Experience: Have worked as a coordinator for 4 years at Rainbow District School Board. Previous to that have taught science, biology and chemistry from grades 9 through 12/ OAC and grade 13 during 19 years.
Teaching interest: Bringing technology in the curriculum. Supporting teachers and providing opportunities for sharing of best practices. Outreaching to the community to help make learning experiences authentic for students.
Exploring pathways that will promote success for all students.
Promoting safety within the board.

Curriculum Committee Chair Otto Wevers
Toronto DSB, Science and Technology Instructional Leader 1-8 Educational Issues

Interests: Risk management and safety, balancing student led technological design and scientific inquiry processes with content and context teaching,
data analysis for improving teaching and learning, elementary teacher science and technology teaching capabilities,
innovation and research mentoring outside the school,
environmental issues based teaching and learning,
assessment and evaluation practices and designing good spaces to learn for science, science and technology.
Educational experience: teaching students (1-9), teachers (science and technology AQs) and other adults,
writing, devising and reviewing curricula and resources for both science and technological education,
observational research about 1-8 teacher “& Technology” best practices

Communication Committee Chair Mike Newnham
Learning Co-ordinator, Thames Valley District School Board
- Teaching Interests: Grades 7-12 Science,
- Teaching Experience: 25 years with Kent County School Board, Upper Canada College, Thames Valley District School Board as Teacher (Grades 9-12 Science, Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry, English), Enrichment Resource Teacher, Information Technology Consultant, Science Department Head and Learning Coordinator.
- Interests: promoting inquiry-based teaching and learning in science and technology, teaching critical reading and writing skills through science and technology, effective assessment and evaluation.

Past Chair Shawna Hopkins
Consultant: Science, 7-OSSD, Niagara District School Board.
- Teaching Interests : secondary Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Intermediate Science (and Technology)
- Teaching Experience: summer with Toronto based private school, 16 years with District School Board of Niagara as Science and Mathematics High School teacher and Study Skills Coordinator, Major Science Department Head, Mathematics and Science Consultant 7-OSSD, Science Consultant 7-OSSD
- Teaching Interests :identifying and promoting equitable, purposeful and collaborative assessment and evaluation practices leading to quality education through accountability, investigating the effectiveness of the portfolio as a tool to enhance reflective practice and help facilitate growth in students and educators, supporting the development of web based simulations to bolster student learning, developing a variety of performance based assessments with the collection of data for instructional adjustments

SCCAO Representative to STAO/APSO Executive Jeff Major
STAO/APSO Representative to SCCAO Executive Chuck Cohen
- Head of Science; Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto Richmond Hill Campus
- Teaching Interests: Hands on materials for Chemistry and Physics students
- Teaching Experience:Undergraduate After 3? Years of teaching in North
  York / TDSB I retired to teach and CHAT. Interested in using technology
  in the teaching of Science
- Interests: inquiry-based science and the nature of science and
  technology; interdisciplinary teaching; professional development of
  science teachers