SUSAN PRITCHARD, Ph.D.
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Having earned my National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Science, my professional credentials also include a Bachelor of Arts from University of California, Irvine, a master’s degree from California State University, Fullerton and my doctorate from Claremont Graduate School.
I loved being an educator for over four decades, mostly having great fun teaching in the La Habra City School District. Whether at Las Positas or Washington Middle School, I asked for parental help, and here is how:
“If you are an engineer, chemist, or physicist...and have a student in one of Dr. Pritchard's classes...be prepared. I will probably put you to work! I teach eighth grade science and pre-engineering courses, including Project Lead The Way. I enjoy using a variety of resources to teach my students-including their parents. Parents working in science and technology-related fields speak to my classes, providing the students with real-world applications of science and engineering curricula.”
Outside of my fulltime classroom teaching, I loved teaching part-time both online for the University of San Diego and for California State University, Fullerton. I served on the board of the California Science Teachers Association for ten years, including as president from 2007 - 2009. As a member of the California Teachers Advisory Council from 2007 - 2011, I worked diligently with the California Council on Science and Technology to enhance education with exciting and appropriate inclusion of technology.
I have had the privilege of earning many awards including the Hughes Excellence in Science and Math Education, Project Tomorrow's Vision for Excellence Award, and was a Top-Ten semi-finalist for the NSTA Shell Outstanding Science Educator Award. I was honored as a Hero in the Classroom in Orange County, and a very special STEM Award topped it all.
My greatest dream, a K-16 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Career Pathway, is becoming a reality. I strongly support the STEM opportunities at all nine district campuses. To that effect, receiving California STEM Teacher of the Year, April 8, 2016, from California Senator Ling Ling Chang, was truly amazing. The Water Guardians’ six incredible young ladies introduced me that day at the La Habra Children’s Museum. Please read about the Water Guardians and the two teams they inspired, Tree Titans and Wind Wolves, on this website. Please enjoy learning how students, our future, have made a difference! Please also experience the “fruits of their labors” when you visit Washington Middle School and enjoy their beautiful garden and gorgeous amphitheater make over!