Middle Creek High School teacher Carrie Jones was recently elected to a council position with the National Science Teachers Association.

Jones, who teaches biology and earth and environmental science at Middle Creek, will represent North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee in finding solutions to challenges that science teachers face.

Having completed her Ph.D. dissertation in 2009 while teaching, and now serving as an instructional leader at N.C. Virtual Public School, Jones understands the time management issues many students must juggle. She has served as a science consultant for universities, a state science fair and Science Olympiad judge and worked as a state textbook reviewer.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish by serving on the council?

A: Whenever you meet new people, you learn about new innovations. I also try to learn about new technology whenever possible. Middle Creek just got a grant to be in the NC STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) network. We know that in order to be globally competitive, we need to use innovation to create new technology.

Being in the STEM network will mean that Middle Creek will gain a half-time position dedicated to STEM concerns. The new staff member will work on professional development with the staff and talk about topics like how to incorporate STEM into an English class, for example. We also get 10 iPads, which teachers can use in classrooms.

Q: High school science teachers these days seem to differentiate the lessons quite a bit now to reach a variety of students. How do you structure your lessons?

A: Any time you can give kids choices and allow for individuality, it's a good thing. In my class, I use a lot of hands-on learning.

Q: Which of your hands-on learning activities generates the most buzz?

A: Anything that uses technology. My students like to use things that go beyond a Power Point presentation. Things like Web 2.0 skills that I learn through my position with N.C. Virtual Schools. We use Animoto, Glogster and Windows Movie Maker. Kids like to figure things out on their own.

Q: Tell me a little about N.C. Virtual Public School.

A: Students who want to accelerate their learning or maybe pick up a class that they weren't able to take can take a class online through N.C. Virtual Public School. Students at schools that might not have enough students to make up a whole section of a class can take classes like AP Environmental Science or AP Biology, and this helps create equity across the state.

Q: How do you keep up with changing technology?

A: Because I just completed my dissertation in 2009, I am no stranger to research and learning. I believe that, as teachers, we must continue to learn right along with our students.