Eric Kessler

My fascination with biology can be traced to my obsession with capturing turtles by hand on our families annual canoe trips to the spring feed waters of south central Missouri. After completing a series of undergraduate degrees, I became a biology instructor in the Kansas suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri. Soon after beginning this teaching stint, I completed research on the retreat-site selection of woodland snakes, and gained National Board Certification. At the turn of the century, I took great effort in increasing my knowledge of the molecular bioscience, seeking professional development opportunities through the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, the Doland DNA Learning Center, the Center for BioMolecular Modeling at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the PhageHunting Institute at the University of Pittsburgh, among others… Three years ago, I left my position at Blue Valley North, and became the director of our district’s Bioscience Program at the Center for Advanced Professional Studies, where I teach authentic project-based courses in both the environmental , and molecular and microbial biosciences. I have received numerous grants and awards including: Blue Valley School District Secondary Teacher of the Year (2001) RadioShack National Teacher (2002) Milken Award Winner (2007) Kansas Outstanding Biology Teacher (2009) Bronze Salamander Award (2011) Kansas Wildlife Educator of the Year (2011) Otherwise, I enjoy reading and the outdoors, and spending time with my family. I am happily married and have three wonderful children, Maura, Rebecca, and Owen.

March 2013