Ph.D., Science Education, Clark University, Worcester, MA
M.A.Ed., Education, Clark University, Worcester, MA
Interim Dean
Department: Dean - Education
Office: OM 114B
Phone: (845) 257-2837
E-mail: isabella@newpaltz.edu
Web Site: faculty.newpaltz.edu/aaronisabelle
Associate ProfessorProfessor
Department: Teaching and Learning
Office: OM 114B
Phone: (845) 257-2837
E-mail: isabella@newpaltz.edu
Web Site: faculty.newpaltz.edu/aaronisabelle
Career History & Promotions/Job Changes
Associate Dean of Education, 2014-present
School of Education
State University of New York at New Paltz
Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) Coordinator, 2013-present
Department of Elementary Education
State University of New York at New Paltz
Associate Professor of Elementary Education, 2009-present
Department of Elementary Education
State University of New York at New Paltz
Department Chairperson, 2008-2011
Department of Elementary Education
State University of New York at New Paltz
Assistant Professor of Elementary Education, 2003-2009
Department of Elementary Education
State University of New York at New Paltz
Master of Science for Teachers Program (MST) Coordinator, 2003-2008
Department of Elementary Education
State University of New York at New Paltz
Director of Elementary Education Program, 2001-2003
DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
Assistant Professor of Elementary Education, 2000-2003
DeSales University, Center Valley, PA
Science Instructor and Curriculum Coordinator, 1997-1999
Holy Name Junior/Senior High School, Worcester, MA
Science Curriculum Assembly Coordinator, 1997
Clark University, Education Department, Worcester, MA
Teaching Interests
I teach pre-service, novice, and in-service elementary teachers how to use inquiry-based teaching methods to help their students effectively learn science concepts and attain a genuine understanding of the material. Inquiry-based pedagogy forms the foundation of my teaching philosophy and is at the heart of the courses that I teach at SUNY New Paltz. Furthermore, I believe that modeling inquiry-based methods and strategies in the context of learning science content is the most effective way to conduct an education methods course. Rather than approaching a new teaching method through a traditional lecture approach, my students experience the method first hand. Ultimately, my goal is to create a pedagogical “toolbox” for pre-service and in-service teachers which they can draw from during their teaching careers. In addition, by introducing novice and in-service teachers to the Science Workshop pedagogical approach, which is based on a Reading/Writing Workshop model, my students learn that reading and writing in the context of inquiry-based science instruction can enhance their students' skills in both science and literacy.
Research/Creative Activity
My research interests include history-of-science-inspired stories, alternate conceptions (misconceptions) in science, inquiry-based methods for improving science teaching (e.g. Itakura Inquiry Method, Discovery Boxes, Discrepant Events), connecting science and literacy (i.e. contextualized literacy approaches), and strategies for improving students' science process skills.
Awards, Honors & Recognition
Provost Award for Excellence in Teaching, May 2013
State University of New York at New Paltz
Promotion to Associate Professor & Continuing Appointment, June 2009
State University of New York at New Paltz
S.O.F.A. Faculty Award, December 2008
“…For having a positive impact on the student body at SUNY New Paltz.”
Phi Psi Chapter, NRHH, State University of New York at New Paltz
Merit Award (Major), 2011, 2009, 2008, 2006
State University of New York at New Paltz
Cum Laude Recognition, Bachelor of Arts in Physics, May 2000
The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
Valedictorian Award, June 1994
Saint Bernard's Central Catholic High School, Fitchburg, MA
Publications
Millham, R. & Isabelle, A.D. (2013). Revisiting science misconceptions: Has anything changed? Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning, 8(1), 13-36.
de Groot, C. & Isabelle, A.D. (2012). Making in-roads: Connecting preservice and inservice teachers in a school-university partnership centered on inquiry. Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning, 6(2), 3-22.
Isabelle, A.D. (2011). Developing and assessing students’ science process skills: Inquiry centers. The Science Teachers Bulletin, 75(1), 7-19.
Isabelle, A. D. (2010). Station 6: Under pressure. In Lantz, N. and Gesner, S. (Eds.), Sky watchers: Weather learning stations – grades 4, 5, and 6 (pp. 30-37). Toronto, ON: Environment Canada, Sky Watchers Program & Sprout Educational Consulting.
Fink Chorzempa, B., Isabelle, A. D., & de Groot, C. (2010). Our quest for mutualism in university-school partnerships. The Educational Forum, 74(4), 306-317.
de Groot, C. & Isabelle, A.D. (2009). Adding value: Partnering the learning of preservice and inservice teachers. Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning, 3(2), 8-27.
Isabelle, A.D. & de Groot, C. (2009). Leaves: Nature’s solar collectors. Science & Children, 46(6), 38-42.
Isabelle, A.D. & de Groot, C. (2008). Alternate conceptions of pre-service elementary teachers: The Itakura method. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 19(5), 417-435.
Fink Chorzempa, B. & Isabelle, A. D. (2008). A quest for mutualism: The university-school partnership approach for teacher preparation. In C. Lassonde, R. Michael, & J. Rivera-Wilson (Eds.) Current trends in teacher education (pp. 104-119). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, Ltd.
Isabelle, A.D. (2007). Teaching science using stories: The storyline approach. Science Scope, 31(2), 16-25.
Isabelle, A.D. (2007). Discovery boxes: Nurturing open inquiry in elementary and middle school science classrooms. The Science Teachers Bulletin, 70(2), 3-13.
Isabelle, A.D. & Bell, K.N. (2007). Sun catchers. Teaching Children Mathematics, 13(8), 414-423.
Isabelle, A.D. (2004). The Itakura method: An inquiry-based teaching model. In M. Druger, E. D. Siebert & L. W. Crow (Eds.) Teaching tips: Innovations in undergraduate science instruction (pp. 20-21). Arlington, VA: National Science Teachers Association Press.
Certificates & Licenses
Project Learning Tree (PLT) Facilitator Certification
The Project Learning Tree program offers environmental education for K-12 students.
Collaborative Institutional Review Board (IRB) Training Initiative Certification
CITI Course in the Protection of Human Research Subjects, University of Miami
General Science: Grades 5 - 9, 9 - 12
Massachusetts Department of Education
MarcoPolo Field Trainer
The MarcoPolo program provides standards-based Internet content for the K-12 teacher and classroom.
Committee Memberships & Professional Organizations
Assistant Editor, 2013-present
The Science Teachers Bulletin
Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS)
Manuscript Reviewer, 2006-present
Journal of Science Teacher Education (JSTE)
Member, Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE), 2000-present
Member, Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS)
2003-present
Member, National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
2005-present
ASTE Professional Development Committee, 2008-2011
Three-year appointment to a standing committee of the ASTE Leadership Team
STANYS Subject Area Representative (SAR) & College Liaison, 2007-2008
SUNY New Paltz College Liaison for the Southeastern Section of the Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS)
