Elizabeth Ann Ruark
I. Education
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Masters of Education: Environmental Education Focus, May 1996
Certification course work in elementary education, March 1991
Northland College
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, May 1984
Majors: Sociology and Environmental Studies
II. Certification
Minnesota Teaching License Grades 1-6
Basic First Aid
CPR
lll. Administrative Experience
Faculty Director, Educator’s Institute, (Summer 2006-7) University of Minnesota-Duluth
Curriculum Director- Pre-K through 4th grade (1999-2002) Summit School, Duluth, MN
Elementary Education Director (January-July 2002) Summit School, Duluth, MN
IV. Supervisory Experience
Early Childhood and Elementary Student Teacher Supervisor (2002- present) University of MN-Duluth
Elementary pre-service teachers from University of Minnesota-Duluth and Saint Scholastica (1998 - 2002), Summit School
Intergenerational volunteers from University of Minnesota- Duluth (1998-2002), Summit School
Art pre-service teachers from University of Minnesota- Duluth (1998- 2002), Summit School
Environmental education pre-service teachers and volunteers at Hartley Nature Center (1993-1998)
V. In-service Leadership Experience
Taking Science Outside, (2005) Carlton County Schools Support Services
Teacher In-service Coordinator, (2000-2002), Summit School
Curriculum Mapping, (September 2001 and May 2002) Summit School, Duluth, MN
Early Childhood Environmental Education, (April 2001) ISD 709 Early Childhood Conference, Duluth, MN
Teaching Science Outdoors, (March 2001), Duluth Area Educators of Young Children Quarterly Meeting, Explorations Store, Duluth, MN
Cultural Lake, Physical Lake and Biological Lake for Early Childhood, (April and May 2000) Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth, MN
Early Childhood Environmental Education for Naturalists, (June 1992 through 2000, done yearly) Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Finland, MN
Nature Walk Techniques, (1993-1998, when scheduled through Hartley Nature Center) Northern Minnesota School Districts
VI. Invited Lectures
Natural Wonders: Early Childhood for Environmental Educators, (April 2007) Hartley Nature Center Educators, Duluth, MN
A Sense of Wonder: Guiding Early Childhood Environmental Education, (March 2007) Early Childhood: Global Perspectives, Mesabi Range Community & Technical College
Environmental Education for Primary Grades, (1998 - 2002) University of Minnesota- Duluth, Learning Environments EDUC 3113
Nature Walks Techniques for Early Childhood Teachers, (April 2000) Duluth Area Educators of Young Children Annual Conference, Lake Superior College, Duluth, MN
Using the Great Outdoors: Programming for Childcare Professionals, (June 1997 and 1998) Preschool Education Professional Annual Conference, College of Saint Scholastica, Duluth, MN
Hartley Nature Center Programming, (May 1995) Minnesota Association of Environmental Education Annual Conference, Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
Using Nature Trails, (May 1994) Hermantown Elementary Teachers, Hermantown, MN
VII. Teaching Experience: Higher Education
Elementary Education Courses: Learning Environments and Diverse Learning Communities ELED 3113, Professional Development Seminar for Elementary Education Majors ELED 4400, Student Teaching ELED 4600 (2002-present) University of Minnesota- Duluth
Early Childhood Courses: Inquiry, Social Studies, and Science Learning: Birth-Age Eight, ECH 3030, Student Teaching ECH 4600, ECH 3021 Teaching Math Birth- Age 8, The Early Years ECH 3006 (2002-present)
Education Courses: Science, Technology and Society EDUC 4234, Human Development EDUC 1000, Human Diversity EDUC 1100 (2002- present) University of Minnesota- Duluth
Student Support Service Courses: Introduction to College Learning, SSP 1000
VIII. Teaching Experience: Early Childhood and Elementary
Early Childhood Environmental Educator (June 2003- present) Hartley Nature Center, Duluth, MN
Kindergarten Teacher (1998-2002) Summit School, Duluth, MN
Environmental Education Workshop Presenter (1998-2002) University of MN-Duluth
Environmental Educator (1993-present) Hartley Nature Center, Duluth, MN
Family Vacation Co-Director (1992-present) Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Finland, MN
Substitute Teacher (1991-1995) Mesabi East, Eveleth-Gilbert, Virginia, and Duluth, MN
Third Grade Student Teacher (1990-1991) Hibbing, MN
Fifth and First Grade Pre-Service Teacher (1990) Gilbert and Duluth, MN
Assistant Director Maple Sugarbush Education Program (1989-1990) University of MN- Duluth
Graduate Naturalist (1987-1988) Environmental Learning Center, Isabella, MN
Lowell School Latch Key Director (1986-1987) Duluth, MN
VIII. Professional Activities
Chair- Early Childhood Curriculum Committee (March 2006- present) Hartley Nature Center, Duluth, MN
Field Experiences Committee (2002 – present) University of MN- Duluth
Program Committee (2005- present) Hartley Nature Center, Duluth, MN
Theater House, Production and Technical Assistant, Duluth Playhouse (2001-present)
Middle School Committee (2002-2005) Marshall School, Duluth, MN
Teacher Hiring Committee, Summit School (1999)
Head of School Hiring Committee, Summit School (1999 and 2002)
Destination Imagination Coach (1997-98)
Science Club Teacher (1997-98)
IX. Personal
Birth date 9/14/62
U.S. Citizen