About The Teachers

LARRY BLANCHARD hails from Warren Easton Fundamental High School, New Orleans, Louisiana. He has taught for more than 35 years, 30 at his current post. Blanchard has taught a variety of subjects including all levels of mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry giving him a broad range of experience with both subject matter and students. He has been the State Olympiad Physics Event Coordinator and coaches the Easton High Science and Engineering Club. Past mentoring experiences include the Chess Club, Black History Club, Asian Club and the Bowling Clubs.

Blanchard devoted three years to increasing student achievement in his role as a physics support teacher with the New Orleans area schools funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Blanchard has a B.S., Secondary Education, and a M.S. Physics Teaching, Loyola University, New Orleans, LA. He also has a Masters Plus 30, M.A.T., Latin American Studies, Tulane University.

Blanchard is active in astronomy, physics, and education societies including the Pontchartrain Astronomy Society, the Metro Orleans Physics Organization (MOPTO), and the Kappa Delta Pie Honor Society in Education.

Larry Blanchard has been awarded several fellowships in science education from cotton research to physiology and presented workshops at many teacher conferences. In 1998, the American Physical Society (APS) recognized him as the "Distinguished Physics Teacher from Louisiana." He is an instructor in the University of New Orleans Louis Stokes minority program. During the summers of 2002 and 2003, he was one of three teaching fellows as part of the outreach program at the Laser Interferometer Gravity-wave Observatory (LIGO) in Livingston, LA, one of two observatories operated by Cal Tech and MIT for the National Science Foundation.

To contact Larry Blanchard: lblancha@uno.edu

ERNESTO A. ABAD teaches in San Diego, California. He formerly taught in Leesville High School, Vernon Parrish, and Louisiana. In Louisiana, Abad taught calculus, physics, Principles of Technology and Honors physical science from 1989-1998. He annually coaches students for the Greater San Diego County Science and Engineering Fair. Ernesto Abad has been recognized for outstanding achievement in education wherever he hangs his hat whether it is teaching in urban or rural communities.

Abad has distinguished himself with a web site teaching lessons, articles, and links that provide valuable resources for his students and fellow teachers. He believes in using "technology to restructure and integrate the math and science curricula."

Abad has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a M.Ed. He entered education after a career in industry spurred by his love of working with young people and his passion for mathematics, science and technology.

Abad was the 2000 San Diego Science Alliance Teacher of the Year. In 1997, he received the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Award. He has received numerous awards including "Teacher of the Year," "Presidential State Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching," "Tandy Technology Scholars Champion of the Classroom," and more.

Abad regularly attends and presents workshops for teachers at local and national levels because he is committed to making learning a "life-long vocation for both students and teachers alike."

To contact Ernesto Abad: eaabad@email.msn.com

CARYN HOFFMAN taught general science and physics in middle schools and junior highs in Los Angeles and Chula Vista, California for more than ten years. After counseling young women in science, math and technology careers with the National Science Foundation funded program, GIRL POWER, she joined the Eastlake High School staff and is currently an academic counselor. She advises Girls E-Mentoring in Science, Engineering and Mathematics (GEM-SET), sponsored by the US Labor Department's Women's Bureau and the Breakfast Club. She also works with the Chula Vista Chapter of the AAUW for the selection of students for Tech Trek, a summer science enhancement program for middle school girls held at UCSD.

Hoffman has a B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz, California Teaching Credential in Secondary Education, Life Science and Art from California State University, Los Angles, P.P.S. Credential and M.S. in Educational Counseling from National University, San Diego.

Hoffman has presented at numerous teacher, parent and student workshops at local, state, and national science conferences since 1985. She has been awarded several science curricula fellowships and participated in grants including the California State Science Project and Middle School Demonstration Grant. In 1998, she was presented with the "San Diego Science Alliance Teacher of the Year Award."

Hoffman coached school clubs and competitions such as the Science Olympiad, Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA), the Greater San Diego Science And Engineering Fair, and Ecology and Environmental Club.

Hoffman is a founding teacher of the Math, Science, and Technology Academy (MAST), and the creator of Science, Technology, And Research for Gifted And Talented Education (STAR GATE) enrichment programs.

To contact Caryn Hoffman: choffman@cox.net

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