No office hours

M.S. Geology (Sedimentology), San Jose State University
B.S. Natural Sciences, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington

The west coast is an incredible place in which to study or teach geology. We're also lucky to be living in beautiful Sonoma County, a mecca for sustainable agriculture and for delicious food. Geology and the environment are all around you! Enjoy!

Work and Consulting Experience

Environmental Consultant, Groundwater and Engineering Geology, 20 years

Professional Areas of Interest

I have a particular interest in sustainable agriculture. We live in one of the best places in this country to eat sustainably. I co-authored a sustainable agriculture learning module for the National Association of Geoscience Teachers' Science Education Resource Center(SERC), a group that provide learning materials, classes, training, and support to geoscience educators. I also taught a class titled "Soil, Sustainable Agriculture, and the Future of Our Food" at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Sonoma State University.
 

Professional Involvement and Community Service

CA licensed Professional Geologist

Member, National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Volunteer, Village Network of Petaluma

Contacting me either by email or through Canvas is your only way of reaching me unless I am in my office. I prefer to meet with students during established office hours. However, if my office hours do not work with your schedule, please feel free to contact me to set up an alternative time.
 

Presentations and Publications

Online Publication (Learning Module): "A Growing Concern: Sustaining Soil Resources through Local Decision-Making", National Association of Geoscience Teachers, Science Education Resource Center (SERC), 2014.

Print: "My Favorite Demonstration: The Reason for the Seasons", National Association of Geoscience Teachers "In the Trenches" magazine, October, 2014.

Masters Thesis, San Jose State University, "Analysis of Sediment and Sedimentary Processes in Perennially Ice-Covered Lake Hoare, Antarctica."

Sarah K. Fortner, Hannah H. Scherer, and Martha A. Murphy (2016) Engaging Undergraduates in Soil Sustainability Decision-Making Through an InTeGrate Module. Journal of Geoscience Education: November 2016, Vol. 64, No. 4, pp. 259-269.

 

Presenter: Building a Strong Collaborative Team: Factors for Success, and Teaching with InTeGrate Materials in a 2YC Environment (co-presenter): Earth Educators Rendezvous, June 2015

SERC webinar co-presenter: Teaching about Soils as a Critical Resource: Materials and Activities for your Classroom, April 2016