The Oklahoma State Department of Education has named Jody Bowie as state Science Director, replacing Jana Rowland, who left OSDE to join the staff at Western Technology Center. Jody recently received his M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Nazarene University and for the past four years has been teaching AP Physics, Physics, and Earth Science at Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Southern Nazarene.
OSDE Science Director Jody Bowie reviews data from a sonic range finder with Putnam City West Physics teacher Jan Watson.
Jody has gained notoriety as a user and promoter of educational technology application. He has presented numerous technology workshops to participants at the Oklahoma Technology Conference, the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association fall conference, the National Science Teachers Association, and the International Society of Technology in Education. Most of his workshops focus on the use of technology to foster student collaboration and the use of reflective writing as a tool for learning. “Everything I Need to Know About Life I learned from Isaac Newton”, Google Will Change Your Life”’ and Wiki’s and Discussion Boards in the Secondary Classroom” are some of his most recent workshop titles.
This past school year he was named the 2011 Putnam City Schools Teacher of the Year and in July, was named by State Supt. Janet Barresi as one of 12 finalists for 2011 Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year. He was also named 2011 Technology Teacher of the Year by the Oklahoma Technology Association.
Jody currently holds memberships in the National Association of Physics Teachers, the National Science Teachers Association, and the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association. In addition to his new duties with OSDE, Jody now joins the OSTA Board as an ex-officio member and will be featured in regular “Jody-Gram” articles publicizing opportunities and programs of interest to Oklahoma science teachers.
You can contact Jody at: jody_bowie@sde.ok.state.us