Mrs. Xan Simonson
Email: Click Here
Phone: 480-472-5783
Welcome to My Website
Currently I am working as the CTE Biotechnology specialist for Mesa Public Schools and as the coordinator for Mesa High Biotechnology Academy.
I began teaching science for Mesa Public Schools in 1986. During my tenure with Mesa Public Schools I have had the privilege to serve on several curriculum and standards committees. I am a science adjunct faculty member for South Mountain Community College and Mesa Community College. I am currently working in partnership with ASU, The U of A, and MCC to train teachers to implement authentic genomic research into their biology/biotechnology courses. My educational philosophy is that all students can learn and they do, when educators work together, teaching and practicing the three R’s: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology from McMurry University, Abilene, TX
- Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
- Administration Certificate for Principal from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
- Holds a secondary certification for Biology with a CTE endorsement for Agriscience.
Achievements
- Serve on the advisory board for Mesa Community College’s Biotechnology Outreach Program
- Honored as 2000 Arizona Biology Teacher of the Year
- 2001 Junior High Science Teacher of the Year
- 2003 State Finalist Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
- 2005 Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Awardee (Bio2005, Philadelphia, PA)
- Honored as 2007 Bioscience Educator of the Year by Arizona BioIndustry Association
- Served a two-year tenure as Arizona Science Teacher Association President
- Governor’s P-20 Council for Education Committee as the K-12 Teacher Representative
- Member of the Flinn Foundation Bioscience Education Steering Committee
ASU-MCC-MPS Partnership Grant Team Bioscience Educator Award 2007