Welcome to my site! I hope that it is an informative and helpful resource for both you and your student as they begin their studies in advanced biology.

You are your child's first and most important teacher, and even though your student is a high schooler on the brink of his or her adulthood, your expertise as teacher at home is still needed. To help your student achieve their maximum success in AP or IB Biology, your help at home is key. Below are some tips that I share with parents each year that have aided my students in the past.

• Ask your student what they learned in class today. Starting a conversation about what they learned in class is often the best indicator of what's going on at school!
• Encourage your student to study and keep up with the reading.
• Encourage your student to attend tutorials if you see that they are struggling with a concept or assignment.
• Keep up with your student's grades on assignments by checking Parent Connect.
• Keep an open line of communication with your student and with your student's teacher. The best (and preferred) way to reach me is via email, as I check it frequently during the school day and can get you a rapid reply.
• Encourage your student to get an adequate amount of sleep each night...this is crucial to their success not just in this class but in ALL their classes! A well-rested student is a happier, better prepared student!
• If your student is enrolled in AP Biology, encourage your student to buy (or buy it for them) the AP Biology Cliffs Notes Study Guide...it is an invaluable study resource!
• If your student is enrolled in IB Biology, encourage your student to buy (or buy it for them) the Biology for the IB Diploma Study Guide. It is a great resource which will be referred to often in class.
• IB parents, attend the Group IV poster presentation night...you will be impressed by the work your students do!
• Encourage your student to form study groups with other kids in their class.
• At home, provide your student an environment conducive to study.
• Make sure your student attends class each day.
• If your student is absent, encourage them to come in and complete their makeup work in a timely manner.
• Make sure your student has this site bookmarked so they have ready access to it while studying.

If you have questions about your child's progress, or want to know more about a particular unit of study or have any other concerns, please feel free to send me an email. I will respond within 24 hours of your message's receipt.

I hope that your student's experience in my class is a positive one!