Home  |   Prospective Parents  |  Students  |   News  | Contact

 
 

Founders / Faculty
  
Parents
About HOLA / Philosophy
Goals
Faculty
Academics
Admissions
School Activities
Policies
Frequently Asked Questions
Location
Summer Program

Dan Zimmerman

Dan Zimmerman

Education and Certification
Bachelor of Arts in Science Education, Univ. of Oklahoma, Overall GPA: 3.46 
Lifetime Teaching Certification in Secondary Math and Sciences
Vocational Education
Escuela de Maya, Antigua, Guatemala: School for Language Study
National Outdoor Leadership School, Lander, Wyoming: Semester course in Outdoor Education
Southwest Technical College, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Auto Mechanics Degree
Boulder Outdoor Survival School, Utah: Intensive training in primitive outdoor skills and survival
Centro Linguistico, Quito, Ecuador: School for language studies and foreign exchange living
Chapman School of Seamanship, Stuart, Florida: Course included ocean navigation, sailing and boat handling
Oklahoma School of Photography, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Commercial Photography Training
Reis Biological Station, Missouri: Field Biology Techniques
Teaching Experience
8 years public school experience (Waltrip High School and W.I. Stevenson Middle School-Houston Independent School District)
Taught Biology, Earth Science, Algebra, Physical Science, Middle School Science and Math
Camp Counseling-13 summers, trek leader, instructor in field sports, nature, rock climbing, backpacking, and orienteering
Responsible for the safety of large numbers of campers in an outdoor setting.
Coaching
Head Soccer Coach and Cross Country Coach at Waltrip High School, Assistant Coach for Noble High School tennis team, instructor of tennis at Oklahoma City Community College
Travel
Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador; Nine months of backcountry travel and language study
Outdoor Recreation
Extensive experience backpacking, cross-country bike touring, white-water canoeing, mountaineering, rock climbing/rappelling, spelunking, and jungle trekking
Awards and Honors
Eagle Scout
Honor Student, Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, TX
Future Teacher Scholarship Recipient
President's Honor Roll, Central State University, Oklahoma
Outstanding College Students of America
Alpha Beta Kappa Honor Student, Chapman School, Florida
Who's Who Among America's Teachers
Tandy Technology Scholar's Outstanding Teacher 1996-1997
Coca-Cola Coach of the Year, Cross-Country 1999
Teaching Accomplishments
Highly evaluated classroom teacher in public school
Founded and sponsored school outdoor clubs which had field trips of canoeing, offshore fishing, rock climbing, camping, and environmental projects
Planned, successfully raised funds for, and led two 12-day backpacking treks for Waltrip High School; recruited parent assistance and raised $2,000 from the local community
Sponsored and coordinated Odyssey of the Mind (a creative problem-solving academic competition). Handled administrative duties for the OM Program, including organization of in-school tournaments and recruitment of parent coaches. Teams advanced to the state tournament every year
UIL Academic Coordinator for Waltrip High School. Waltrip team won district championship
Varsity soccer and cross-country coach. Soccer team advanced to playoffs each year and went to the 4th round of state in 1999. Cross-country teams won district championships
NHS (National Honor Society) Sponsor. Handled all administrative tasks, planned banquets, coordinated service projects, such as a house painting project for a disabled veteran and his wife
Chess Coach. The Waltrip chess team Placed 5th and 2nd in state tournaments
Tutoring (at school and in the community); have provided individualized tutoring in biology, middle and high school math, standardized test preparation, and ESL

Laura Zimmerman

Laura Zimmerman

Education and Certification
Sam Houston State University, B.A. in English, Sociology Minor, G.P.A. 3.12, graduated in top quarter
University of Houston, supplemental education in Secondary Reading & Assessment, G.P.A. 4.00; 
Lifetime Teaching Certifications in Secondary English and Reading
Qualifications and Skills
Fluent in verbal and written Spanish
Consistent "Exceeds/Proficient" Appraisals in Public Schools
Knowledgeable in experiential & hands-on learning approaches
Detail-oriented and conscientious
Computer literate
Creative, insightful, and motivational teaching strategies
Experience with special needs students and legal issues
Related Work Experience
4 years owner,  co-founder, and teacher at Houston Outdoor Learning Academy
8 years of public school experience-Campbell Middle School, Cy-Fair I.S.D., Edison Middle School and W.I. Stevenson Middle School in Houston I.S.D. and Kenneth White Junior High in Mission Consolidated I.S.D. in Mission, Texas.
Currently teaching 6th - 12th Grade. All subjects.
Taught 7th & 8th Grade Language Arts, Reading, and English as a Second Language
Tutoring, Simply Tutoring, Inc.
Tutored special needs/regular students in grades K-12 in Language Arts, Math, Test-Taking, Study Skills, and Time Management
Personal Interests and Goals
Outdoor Education/Environmental Awareness Issues
Chess/Critical Thinking & Academic Pursuits
Urban Sociology/Population Studies
Freelance Magazine/Website Writing
Pursuit of Wilderness Medicine/SCUBA Certification
World Travel/Photography
Teaching Accomplishments
Served as Lead Teacher in H.I.S.D.
Red Cross certified in CPR and First Aid
Served as Language Arts Chair at Stevenson Middle School; coordinated training and department projects to improve student performance in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills
Assisted with Drama Club, chess tournaments, Odyssey of the Mind tournaments, "Art Car" projects, Writers in Schools Initiative, and Houston International Festival Curriculum activities
Coached girls at-risk soccer team, co-sponsored Chess Club, and sponsored an English as a Second Language Club; judged UIL poetry, speech and debate competitions
Voluntarily provided tutorials before and after school, at lunch, and on Saturdays for students behind grade level, at risk of failing, in need of test-taking strategies, confidence building, one-on-one encouragement, and mentoring (ongoing commitment)
Presented workshops at the Attention Deficit Disorder Parental Support Group of Montgomery County and at Simply Tutoring Share and Support Meetings, providing general overviews of the disorder. Offered practical advice on time management/organizational strategies, as well as hands-on teaching ideas, and capturing reluctant learners with fun learning activities
Acquired training in Kagan Cooperative Learning, The 4-Mat System, Michael Eaton, Neuhaus Center's Balanced Approach to Reading and Scientific Spelling, and numerous other professional development opportunities
Favorite Saying
"You can't make footprints in the sands of time if you are sitting on your butt, and who wants to make butt prints in the sands of time."       -  Bob Moawad
 

© 2003 Houston Outdoor Learning Academy
Site Maintained by
Bryan Ellis -  www.acpwyll.com