Teacher+Bios

**Teacher Bios **

 * [[image:gatorpod/Mr._Kitteringham.png width="225" height="305" caption="Mr. Kitteringham"]] || Logan Kitteringham teaches social studies, sciences, and physical education at Walnut Grove Secondary School. His passion for coaching basketball is only surpassed by his love of teaching History 12. A former student at Walnut Grove, Logan has returned with a Master of Education degree (Educational Leadership) from Simon Fraser University. His action research project, as part of his Master’s requirements, focused on the use of enriched PowerPoint and the use of technology in the classroom. He has also been fortunate enough to be part of the district’s Smartboard initiative. ||
 * [[image:gatorpod/Mr._Despotakis.jpg width="240" height="292" caption="Mr. Despotakis"]] || Nick Despotakis is the Head of Science at Walnut Grove Secondary School. In his 20 years at WGSS he has taught many of the sciences (and Logan Kitteringham) and is now currently teaching Science 8, Biology 12 and Advanced Placement Biology. As a result of obtaining his Master of Education in Curriculum Studies from UBC, Nick has continued to pursue his passion for learning by becoming an assessment and literacy specialist. Nick is always looking for ways to improve his teaching and is now focusing on the flipped classroom model and 21st century learning. Nick is equally passionate about student leadership initiatives. He is involved with the GQ student mentorship program, the Gator Leadership Club and the Environmental Club. Walnut Grove's yearly Mini Student Leadership Conference for grade 8s is a result of the GLC students that Nick works with. ||
 * [[image:gatorpod/Ms._Robinson_2.png width="220" height="331" caption="Ms. Robinson"]] || Kim Robinson began her teaching career at WGSS in 1992 and continues to love both the school and the students within it. In recent years, her focus has been on the senior students in the Literature 12 and English 12 Advanced Placement classes; now, she is excited to turn her attention to the grade 8s in the GPod program. Kim also works on several Ministry of Education provincial exam committees. She has a Masters of Education with a focus on making classrooms safe for all students. She has been actively involved in teacher professional development and believes strongly that the philosophies behind 21st Century learning will help students become imaginative, innovative, thoughtful and skilled students and citizens. ||
 * =====[[image:Mr._Balzarini.jpg caption="Mr. Balzarini"]]===== || Eric Balzarini has been teaching at WGSS since 1994. He is the head of the Math department, and currently teaches Math 8, 10, and 12, as well as Calculus 12AP. He completed his Master’s degree in Educational Practice, focusing on technology in education and student-centred learning. More recently he has been fairly involved in implementing the new Math 8 to 12 curricula as an author of textbooks and other learning resources. Eric consistently strives to improve teaching and learning. His current focus is on 'flipping' his classroom - students get the 'lessons' outside of class and do the 'homework' in class. Hooks forward to working with grade 8 students in a 21st century Gator Pod classroom. ||