Dear Parents, Guardians, and Scholars:

Hello. My name is John Giacobbe and I am one of your returning science instructors at Paideia Academies. Please allow me to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about my background. I have been a teacher for fifteen years now. I have taught from 5th Grade to college, and worked in Florida, New Mexico, and Arizona.

I have Master of Arts degree in Physical Anthropology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology with a Biology minor, and my education included a heavy emphasis on the biological sciences and scientific laboratory techniques. For many years before I became a teacher I worked as an archaeologist with a specialty in forensic anthropology, where I had a chance to apply my scientific knowledge to real world problem solving, and gain new skills along the way.

As an archaeologist I was involved in the survey, discovery, and excavation of prehistoric and historic sites from Central Florida to Northern Arizona, ranging from a 15,000-year-old mammoth site in New Mexico, to an 800-year-old human burial in Palm Beach, to a 100-year-old historic mine in Prescott. As a forensic anthropologist I analyzed the skeletal remains of prehistoric people to reveal their diet and behavior and assisted in the analysis of modern crime scenes to ascertain time and manner of death - to help police in their investigations.

Although the first part of my professional life involved serving primarily as a private sector consultant, a large component of my interest has always included education and public outreach, which I found to be one of the most rewarding aspects of my former career, and current vocation.

I believe in a holistic method of teaching. This means that into every lesson I try to integrate both a scientific perspective and a pragmatic view of science's applicability to the world around us. In addition, I believe that critical thinking and a firm foundation in scientific method and reasoning are vital components to the development of a full education - one that will serve scholars in whatever profession they choose to follow. The principles of the scientific method, in fact, are only a refinement, by analysis and controls, of the universal process of learning by experience and observation. What this means to me is that humans are hard-wired to do science, and that the use of science is the key to our success as a species. It is the literal meaning of the old Latin phrase, scientia potentia est, which translates as "knowledge is power." To me, that's a great place to start.

I also believe that frequent and vigorous communication between teachers and parents/guardians is vital to the success of our scholars. I offer several options for parents and scholars to stay in touch and up to date about what's going on in my classroom. This includes regular email updates outlining what we are doing in our classes; an informal blog with daily updates, links, and comments; and a dynamic series of World Wide Web pages, created with scholar participation, that will provide a showcase of scholar lessons and activities.

It is my goal to instill in my scholars the love of learning, inspire and encourage them to excel, and provide a firm educational grounding for their future. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, I hope that you will feel free to email me at jgiacobbe@paideiamail.com, visit your scholars Google Classroom class page, phone or text me at my Google-Voice# 928-793-3476, or visit my webpage at www.nakedscience.org/mrg at any time.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to working with the scholars, parents, and staff of Paideia Academies!

Sincerely,

John Giacobbe, BS, MA