2016 National Board of Directors Election Candidate for At large High School Representative
William E. (Bill) Reitz
Retired from Hoover High School
North Canton, Ohio
wreitz@neo.rr.com
Education
B.A.Ed. University of Akron, 1970 Physical Science magna cum laude
M.S.Ed. Kent State University 1974, M.S. Physics (all but dissertation) University of Akron, 1981
Professional Experience
Euclid H.S.(OH) Physical Science Teacher 1971-1972
Streetsboro H.S.(OH) Physics, Math Teacher 1972-1973
Kent State University, Graduate Assistant, Education Dept 1973-1974<
Dandenong H.S.(Victoria, Australia) Physics, Maths Teacher 1974-1976
Walsh Jesuit H.S.(OH) Physics, Chemistry Teacher 1977-1980, 1982 - 1987<
University of Akron, Physics Lab Technician 1980-1981
American School ( Aberdeen, Scotland) Science & Maths Teacher 1981-1982
Hoover High School (North Canton, OH) Physics, Engineering Teacher 1987-2009
Cuyahoga Community College Adjunct Instructor of Physics 1985-1987
Stark State Community College, Adjunct Instructor Math & Physics 1988-1989, 2009-2010
University of Mount Union, Adjunct Instructor of Physics 2012-2014
Instructor for Summer Physics Institutes: Case Western University 1987-1991, Kenyon College 1989-1992, The Ohio State 2001-2005
Honors
AAPT/PTRA 1986-2014
Martha Jennings Holden Scholar 1995
North Canton Distinguished Educator 2005
Ohio Section, AAPT, Distinguished Service Award, 2008
Memberships
American Association of Physics Teachers
National Science Teachers Association
Sigma Pi Sigma
Ohio Section AAPT<
>Science Education Council of Ohio
AAPT Activities
Committee on Physics in Pre-High School, past member & chair<
Committee on Physics in High School, past member
Committee on Science Education for the Public, past member and chair
Ohio Section, AAPT, President 1998-1999, 2012-13
Commentary
I have taught high school physics for 40 years on three continents in private, public and parochial settings. During that time, the AAPT has been a constant influence on my career. I was introduced to The Physics Teacher magazine during my college methods classes and took old copies with me when I journeyed to teach in Australia. Later, I was able to share TPT with colleagues in Europe when I taught there. After those overseas forays, my local AAPT Section provided support and guidance to further my career. Participation in the PTRA program boosted me to feel like a bonafide professional. Being a member and chair of AAPT area committees has furthered my understanding and appreciation of all the things that AAPT is and can be.
Looking at recent trends in AAPT membership, we see that the number of high school members has decreased at a time when more US high school students are taking physics. As we lose "Baby-boomer" retirees (often AAPT members), will we be able to attract and support more of their successors? Technologically skilled and socially connected, these Next Gen physics teachers can add richness to our organization. I am sure they will likewise benefit from this organization and its programs as I have throughout my career.
I feel the High School Representative to the AAPT Board of Directors should be an active conduit between the Pre-College community and the Board. I would work hard to help that community and the Board address the changing conditions facing high school and pre-high school teachers.
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