Albert E. Menard Woonsocket, RI | K-6, Science, 1991

After a year as a substitute teacher, Albert “Al” Menard was hired to teach fourth graders at Leo A. Savoie Elementary School where he would spend the next 29 years. When the fourth grades became departmentalized, he taught Science to all fourth graders. This made it possible for him to create a robust daily science curriculum for his students and to develop lessons taught in a lab-type atmosphere. He trained for the GEMS (Great Explorations in Math and Science) program at Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California. He also trained at Miami University in Ohio for the Terrific Science Programs. In addition to incorporating these programs into his science curriculum, he presented sessions on Hands-On Science at several state and city conferences. He retired in 2002 and worked as a Consultant for Pearson Publishing Company for nine years. There he trained teachers in using science textbooks and ancillaries including technology. His work with Pearson brought him all over the US, to Colombia, and to the Virgin Islands. At this time, Al also volunteered as Administrative Assistant for Safe Schools South Florida, a non-profit organization based in Ft. Lauderdale. This organization services Miami-Dade schools and addresses bullying and LGBT issues. Every summer, Al taught science classes at the Mt. St. Charles Academy Fine Arts Summer Camp. He received his B.S. in education and his M.Ed. in elementary education from Rhode Island College. He received continuing education credits from universities in Utah, Illinois, California, and Thailand. He won the Honors Teacher Award at the NEWEST (NASA Educational Workshops for Elementary School Teachers) program at NASA Langley Research Center in 1992. He now volunteers as archivist for the local historical association.

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