Mr. Keith Blackston- 7th Grade Mathematics Teacher
Keith Blackston grew up in the St. Louis area all of the way through high school. He then moved to Oklahoma, working in the retail business for about15 years and as a contractor for utility companies for about six years. He has been married for 20 years and has four children, ages ranging from eight to sixteen years.
Although he was working in other fields he realized that it was his calling to get into teaching, so he decided to go back to school in 2001. In the spring of 2006 he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Studies at Southern Nazarene University, and received an award for distinguished achievement (voted on by his peers and instructors).
This will be Mr. Blackston's third year teaching at ASTEC and his second year teaching 7th Grade math. He has also been involved in after school programs including outdoor games and wrestling. This year he is looking forward to teaching 7th Grade Math and having the opportunity to work with students in after school programs once again, this year focusing on games that have bases.
Mr. Blackston enjoys spending time with his family and friends, as well as playing and watching a wide variety of sports. His favorite team is the St. Louis Cardinals (2006 World Series Champions!!!) and he will find ways to tie them into a few lessons during the school year. He has a passion for working with middle school students and desires to see them succeed and grow into lifelong learners and quality individuals.
|
Mr. Jeff Brown- 7th Grade Science Teacher
Jeff Brown was raised in Oklahoma City K-12. He drove his parents crazy with unusual pets, chemistry sets, Estes rockets, mad scientist experiments, window shaking firecrackers and a huge fascination with all things plant, animal and mineral!
He earned a BS from Oklahoma State and then a MS at Purdue University, both in Animal Sciences. His masters' research merited being published in the industry respected Journal of Animal Sciences. He is a lifelong astronomer and passionate learner of all things scientific.
In 1980 he joined the Peace Corps, volunteering for two years as a dairy extension agent in Tunisia. 1982-90 he worked in agricultural management and sales in dozens of countries in Africa and the Middle East. 1990-97 he continued in management of businesses in China, as well as opening a US style business in France 1997-2001. Returning to Oklahoma in 2001, he and his wife developed a real estate business.
Jeff has been married for 20 years with Florence Langlois, who is from France. They have one daughter in middle school and another in high school. They speak French at home. Jeff's Arabic is still quite good and his Chinese is little rusty! Jeff always has his nose in a book (history, philosophy, politics, biographies, science) and commits himself to an hour a day of exercise. He loves perusing the Internet for articles on science and current events. His free time is mainly spent with family, including his parents. His "bucket dream" is to travel to over 100 countries, with 15 more to go to reach this century mark!
|
Ms. Carrie Fox- 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Carrie Fox Carrie Fox graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2002 with a Master's degree in History. Ms. Fox's favorite subjects are the 1960s, popular music, and the power of the individual to make a difference. Her teaching experience also began at UCO, where she started teaching history courses in 2004. In addition, she maintained a full-time position at FedexKinko's for eleven years.
During her academic career, she won a number of awards for writing and research. Subsequently, she has contributed several chapters to a history workbook for college freshmen.
When not learning, Ms. Fox enjoys martial arts, watching Science Fiction television, and music videos. In the future, she hopes to travel the world she teaches about.
She really likes teaching and she really likes seventh graders.
|
Ms. Barbara Harrison- 7th Grade English Teacher
Barbara Harrison has had articles published in the Payson Schools District paper, and The Arizona English teachers' publication, and was a collaborator for a textbook written by Dr. Gary Moore. She was a finalist for ASTEC's teacher of the year in 2007. She has been a three - year recipient of the "Who's Who of American Teachers" (this award is given to teachers who are nominated by a student in their class), and she is currently in the Cambridge Who's Who. She has taught elementary, middle, and high school level classes, has been a grader for the state writing tests, has planned and implemented tutoring programs, planned and implemented credit retrieval programs, and has sponsored student recycling and beautification projects.
In 2007-2008, her classes entered a mural in the Respect Tolerance competition. That mural is presently on display in the Children's Center across from the Children's Hospital.
Mrs. Harrison has two adult children: Rachel - a graphic designer in Dallas, TX; and Albert - a plumbing contractor in the Oklahoma City area. She has four grandchildren.
Her outside interests include: reading, sewing, gardening, fishing, and spoiling the grandkids.
This is Mrs. Harrison's fourth year at ASTEC teaching 7th grade language arts.
|
Ms. Cassie Ricks- 7th Grade Technology Teacher
Cassandra Ricks graduated in 2004 from the University of Central Oklahoma with a B.S. in Business Education. She has a diverse work background including: customer service, retail, management and training. She came to ASTEC in 2006 and teaches 7th grade Technology. Ms. Ricks is looking forward to her third year at ASTEC teaching 7th grade Technology. She has skills in Microsoft Office, Macromedia, Adobe, Web Design, and Photo editing.
Cassie’s desire for teaching started at an early age. She was actively involved in several sports throughout junior high and high school, and would help fellow teammates in those sports. She received a black belt in Mixed Martial Arts in 2001 after seven years of hard work and dedication. She offers a martial arts class in the after school program at ASTEC.
Her outside interests include: going to rock concerts, scrap booking, watching movies, and decorating her house.
Her motto is: “The downfall of excellence is the acceptance of average.”
|
|
