Henry M. Skirbst

115 Frace Street

Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

 

 

EDUCATION:

 

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. 1995. MA, Geography.

Thesis: Evaluating the Effectiveness of a River-Based Interpretive Guide on the Delaware.

 

Stockton State College, Pomona, NJ. 1990. BS, Environmental Studies.

Emphasis: Soil and Water Resources.

 

Belvidere High School, Belvidere, NJ. 1986.

National Honor Society member; American Legion Boy’s State Delegate.

 

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

 

SCIENCE TEACHER: September 1994 to present.

White Township Consolidated School - Belvidere, New Jersey

* Authored and published standards-based science program used in the classroom.

* Developed and implemented a laboratory and fieldwork-based science curriculum.

* Produced a science curriculum based upon local and regional natural science features.

* Created successful "paperless" program utilizing Pocket PCs and the Internet (2002).

* Encouraged student learning through a variety of creative, constructivist methods.

* Related classroom problem-solving techniques to real-world applications.

 

TEACHER - RANGER: April 2008 to April 2009.

National Park Service – Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

* Produced educational video podcast series on the geology of Mount Tammany.

* Presented formal and roving interpretive programs on trails and river.

* Provided in-class educational programs promoting the NPS at local schools.

* Assisted with visitor services at visitor centers throughout park.

 

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER: June 1993 to September 1994.

Belvidere School District - Belvidere, New Jersey

* Provided classroom instruction during teacher absence (grades 2-12).

* Adapted to grade-specific classroom management requirements.

* Invited to provide the Keynote Address at the National Honor Society Induction ceremony.

 

TEACHING ASSISTANT / INSTRUCTOR: September to December 1993.

Rutgers University - New Brunswick, New Jersey

* Instructed undergraduate Physical Geography Lab course.

* Prepared original lesson plans, exams, and visual aids.

* Offered individual instruction during office hours.

 

SKILLS CENTER TUTOR: September 1986 to 1990.

Stockton State College, Pomona - New Jersey

* Lead small-group instructional modules and prepared individual progress reports.

* Motivated students lacking in positive self-esteem and confidence.

* Instructed students in mathematical and scientific concepts.

* Assisted students with reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR: June to September 1989.

Bernie Environmental Education Center, YMCA - Port Murray, New Jersey

* Planned and organized environmental awareness program for ages 7-14.

* Encouraged student involvement in life-long environmental activities.

 

 

OTHER EXPERIENCE:

 

FREELANCE WRITER: January 2010 to January 2016.

Highlands Tourism Partnership – Phillipsburg, New Jersey

* Cut your Own Christmas Tree

* Autumn in the Highlands

* Remnants of an Ice Age

* All Roads Lead to Adventure

* Washington’s Horses Slept There

* Six Miles of Separation

* Don’t Drive Through – Drive To

* and others …

 

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST: January 1991 to August 1993.

Handex of New Jersey - Morganville, New Jersey

* Managed over 30 groundwater remediation sites across New Jersey.

* Conducted site evaluations and supervised monitor well placement.

* Maintained remediation systems and collected water, soil, and air samples.

* Designed and performed aquifer pumping and vapor extraction tests.

 

PROJECT DIRECTOR, (Volunteer): March 1989 to December 1990.

Terminal Moraine Research Project - Warren County Historical Society

* Studied physical and cultural effects of glacial features in Warren County.

* Compiled data and performed geomorphological mapping of study area.

* Presented research with report, lectures, and bus tour to interested groups.

 

RESEARCH ASSISTANT: May to September 1990 and 1994.

NJ Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife - Clinton, New Jersey

* Collected, compiled, and analyzed endangered species population data.

* Performed intensive field work in habitats of NJ endangered species.

* Interacted and exchanged information with interstate officials.

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS:

 

* Teacher of Earth Science, Standard Certificate, State of New Jersey

* Elementary School Teacher, Standard Certificate, State of New Jersey

* New Jersey Geoscience Educator Certificate, Sterling Mineral Museum Education Institute

* CPR, AED, Epi-pen, and First Aid Certified

* Right-to-Know Bi-annual Training

* Canoeing Instructor (currently inactive)

 

 

HONORS / PUBLICATIONS:

 

* Authored and Published Earth & Space Science, Life Science, Physical Science, & Health, 2016

* Edited and Published Alaska: America’s Great Northwest Frontier, 2015

* Authored and Published Trailblazer’s, 2014

* Edited and Published Westward Surge, 2013

* Authored and Published Life and Earth Science, Curriculum Resource, 2011, 2013

* Authored and Published Physical and Space Science, Curriculum Resource, 2010, 2012

* Presenter: NPS - Teacher-Ranger-Teacher Program, ANJEE Conference, 2009

* Presenter: Trailblazers: Curriculum and Local Resources, ANJEE Conference, 2008

* Edited and Published Tales of a Frontier Land: NJ’s Role in the Age of Exploration, 2007

* Authored and Published Epidemic Stupidity: Creating a Society of Intellectual Invalids, 2007

* Edited and Published Tales of a Battleground: NJ’s Role in the American Revolution, 2006

* Presenter: Creating a Paperless Program with Smartboad and PocketPC, TechSpo, 2004

* Edited and Published Tales and Trails: New Jersey's Places, People, and Past, 2003

* Governor's Teacher of the Year recipient, White Township School, 1998

* The Delaware River Greenway Partnership Honorable Mention, 1995

* Authored and Published The Rise and Fall of Timber Rafting on the Delaware River, 1993, 2011

* James F. Akers Resource Conservation Award, 1990

* Authored and Published Our Icy Past: Living on a Moraine, 1989, 2011

* National Honor Society member, 1985

 

 

AFFILIATIONS:

 

* National Science Teachers Association (current member)

* New Jersey Science Teachers Association (current member)

* Education Association member, NEA, NJEA, WCEA, WTEA (former President)

* Warren County Municipal and Charitable Conservancy Trust Fund (former committee member)

* Warren County Board of Recreation Commissioners (former commission member)

* Harmony Township Environmental Commission (founding, former member and co-chair)

* Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River Study Task Force Committee (former member)

* New Jersey Chapter of the American Water Resource Association (NJAWRA) (former member)

* National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) (former member)