Meet Mr. Skirbst

(Resume)

Henry M. Skirbst grew up in Harmony Township, New Jersey, and graduated from Belvidere High School in 1986. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Stockton State College in 1990. After spending a few years working as an environmental scientist for a large consulting firm, he continued his education at Rutgers University working on a Masters degree which he obtained in 1995. Over the years, Mr. Skirbst has taken hundreds of hours of continuing education hours related to his field of interest, and has additional graduate credits toward a Supervisor’s Certificate as well as in Educational Technology.

Mr. Skirbst has an extensive background in and love for education. From the early days of serving as a peer tutor and environmental camp teen counselor while in high school, Mr. Skirbst has always loved helping others learn. In college, he worked in the skills center as a professional tutor and small-group instructor for four years. During that time, he spent summers as a youth camp educator; and was invited to lead programs for local groups interested in his research. He developed a number of science-related education programs before even becoming a teacher.

After gaining valuable, “real-life” experience working as an environmental scientist, Mr. Skirbst was ready to make the professional jump into education full time. While working as a substitute teacher, he pursued a career via the alternate-route program offered by the State of New Jersey. In 1994, he was hired as the science teacher at White Township Consolidated School. He has been employed there ever since. In 1998, he received the honor of being selected to represent his school as the Governor’s Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Skirbst currently teaches 6^th, 7^th,and 8^th grade science. Starting in the 2002-2003 school year, Mr. Skirbst made extensive use of technology and developed a “paperless program” (long before its time). This program was based on the use of pocket PC’s by each science student and the use of this web site.

Over the years, Mr. Skirbst has made other contributions to the White Township School Community. For several years, he led a Science Club which created Project EARTH. This project involved all students of the school and included such events as annual Arbor Day and Earth Day celebrations (when our students planted many of the trees on the school’s property), developed an outdoor classroom area, and started the annual time capsule event.

For years, he also coordinated the annual Science Fair (Sci-Tech Expo). This event allowed students to research, design, and create their own science project during the year. Often, this resulted in a public presentation of their projects. During some years, this was done in conjunction with the annual Art Show.

In the past, he also created the “Trailblazers” program. This was a field-based program that involved earth-science field studies at various locations throughout Warren County. Students during that time had the opportunity to study science while exploring our local environment as their textbook.

Mr. Skirbst has also worked as a Teacher-Ranger with the National Park Service. Students benefitted from a series of field trips and guest speakers from various levels of government. The culminating project of that year was the production of numerous video podcasts to help students learn about the geology of Mount Tammany at the Delaware Water Gap.

More recently, Mr. Skirbst published a series of science (and health) books which students are currently using as part of the science curriculum at White Township School. At the end of each school year, students provide their input to improve the following edition. These books are a lasting testimony to his dedication to the field of science education.

Mr. Skirbst has devoted his life to science and education. He has called White Township School “home” since 1994 and considers his students as his “kids” as well.