LeeAnn Vaughan

School: Omaha Public Schools Career Center
Subject: Zoo Partnership

My educational path has allowed me to earn a BS & MS in Education, as well as a Certificate of Urban Education. I am now nearing the point of firming up a Doctoral program. From 1999 to 2008, I called Omaha North Magnet School my home. I taught Physics for several of those years and began a biotechnology program back in 2000 that was nationally recognized. Two years ago, I was transferred to our district's Career Center, where I was given the opportunity to take over the OPS Zoo Partnership course. Since then, I have been able to extend the course into a two-year program of study.

My favorite past time is soaking up the sun while entertaining family and friends on our boat, which was the smartest "splurge" of my entire marriage. My husband, Joe and I enjoy our four children, and are especially blessed this past year with the birth of our first grandchild.

What are your reflections about using media in education?

Tools of technology, especially when fused with the media arts, can be the vehicle that drives learning in the classroom. Students are engaged by the invitation to create, and are much more apt to make meaning, with respect to content, as they take charge of their own comprehension.