Millbrook High School Academics

Mr. Prim's AP PHYSICS Students

Study Rocket Science

The Millbrook High School Science Department is proud to offer a wide variety of core and elective science courses. We recommend planning out your science course selections when you enter Millbrook and to not decide as you go. College bound students should strive to exceed minimum college admission requirements. That said, be cautious not to overextend yourself. Earning an "A" in regular physics looks much better than a "D" in honors.

Please note important information, such as courses that have End-of-Course State Exams and what courses must be taken before enrolling in advanced classes. All students are required to successfully complete an Earth/Environmental course, a Biology course and a Physical Science course (Chemistry, Physics or Physical Science). Elective courses may be taken at any time. Visit Meet the Teachers for individual teacher web sites and e-mail address. All teachers have web sites at blackboard.wcpss.net.

Science Courses - The following courses are being offered Fall 2004 and/or Spring 2005 (Bold courses have End of Course State Exam.)
Earth Science Honors Earth Science AP Environmental Science Astronomy/Marine Science Forensic Science	Biology Honors Biology AP Biology Anatomy/Physiology Honors Anatomy/Physiology
Physical Science Chemistry Honors Chemistry AP Chemistry	Physics Honors Physics AP Physics

Click on the following to view the official Standard Course of Study for Science, Grades 9 - 12, from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Building Better Study Skills
Jonathan wants to improve his grades from C’s to B’s. He pays attention in class, but studying is tough for him. When test time comes, he doesn’t feel like he’s ready. What can he do? High schoolers need good study skills to organize, review and remember information. Improving these skills can help students get better grades. Share these study tips with your teen.

Focusing on important ideas
Encourage your teen to focus on what the teacher discusses and writes on the board. When she’s reading at home, she should pay attention to the titles that divide each chapter. These titles help point out main ideas in the text. Also, have her look over past homework assignments.Making study time count
Setting aside study time every day is important. Most students remember more by reviewing in shorter, daily sessions. Your high schooler should divide big projects into small goals. Example: He could study one chapter a night for a week instead of all five chapters the night before a test.

Dealing with distractions
It’s natural for a teen’s mind to wander while studying. Encourage your high schooler to control stray thoughts by writing them down and setting them aside until later. This helps clear her mind and puts the focus back on her work. She can review the thoughts after she finishes studying. When it comes to study techniques, it’s important for your teen to find methods that work – and turn them into habits.

Faculty

Judy Bundy

Degree(s) & Awarding University: BA Biology Barton College

Email: jbundy@wcpss.net

Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): Honors Biology

Started at Millbrook:

Personal Bio : Most of my teaching career has been at Millbrook. Each year I look forward to returning and enjoying another year with the people of the Millbrook community. In our spare time, my husband, Sam, and I relax at the beach, travel, and spend time with our daughter and son-in-law, Beth and David Herring.

Wendy Edwards

Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS Geology, Minor Chemistry
UNC-Chapel Hill

Email: wedwards2@wcpss.net

Web site:http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): Academic Earth Science, Honors Earth Science

AP Environmental Science

MHS Activities: JV Softball

Started at Millbrook:

Personal Bio : My hometown is Greensboro, NC. In addition to teaching at Millbrook, I am also the JV softball coach. I am married and enjoy anything involving sports or the outdoors. GO HEELS!

Eric Hood

Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS, NC State University

Email: ehood2@wcpss.net

Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): Academic Chemistry
Earth Science

MHS Activities:JV Baseball Coach

Started at Millbrook:

Personal Bio : I grew up in Buies Creek, North Carolina. I am married to a wonderful lady and have a dog named Zoe. I enjoy all types of sports (especially golf), watching movies, and spending time with my friends. This will be my 7th year at Millbrook.

Lou McKeand - Department Head

Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS, N.C. State University

Email: lmckeand@wcpss.net

Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): AP Chemistry
Honors Chemistry

MHS Activities: Millbrook Learning Community Leadership Team

Started at Millbrook:

Personal Bio : My hometown is Indianapolis, Indiana. I am married and have 4 children (2 daughters/2 sons) and 3 grandchildren (2 girls/ 1 boy). Some of my hobbies are crocheting, fishing and playing with my grand kids. All of my teaching experience, including student teaching, has been at MHS.

Brian Murphy

Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS Wildlife Biology, North Carolina State University, N.C. Teacher Certification, East Carolina University

Email: bmurphy@wcpss.net

Blackboard Website: AP Environmental Science
Earth Science

Subject Area(s): AP Environmental Science, Earth Science

MHS Activities: MHS Webmaster, Wildcat Academy, Recycling Coordinator, Advisor-Environmental Science Club, Earth Science Curriculum Team

Started At Millbrook: 1994

Personal Bio: After almost 20 years in the restaurant industry, returned to college for teacher certification in 1994. Transplanted from Hartsdale, NY a LONG time ago, I love North Carolina outdoors, spending time camping, birding, kayaking and gardening whenever possible. I have three grown children and one grandson. My daughter runs a horse operation in Knightdale, my youngest son and his fiancee work at a local veternarian hospital and older son is presently with the USMC in Okinawa, Japan.

Michael Prim

Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS, UNC-Chapel Hill

Email:mprim@wcpss.net

Website: www.michaelprim.com or http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): AP Physics
Honors Physics

Started at Millbrook:

Personal Bio

Lisa Siegerman

Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS University of Pittsburgh
DC Northwestern College of Chiropractic
NC Teacher Certification -NC State University

Email: lsiegerman@wcpss.net

Web site :http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): Honors Earth Science Honors Anatomy and Physiology Forensic Science

Started at Millbrook:

Personal Bio : I am from Southern California and I have three daughters and we are all Girl Scouts. I enjoy cooking and camping. I have taught at Green Hope High School and Southern High School.

Matt Spottswood

Degree(s) & Awarding University: BA, Ball State University

Email: mspottswood@wcpss.net

Web site :http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s):Honors and Academic Earth Science

Started at Millbrook: 4

Personal Bio :

I come from a wide range of different places, but I now call Raleigh my home. This is my fourth year teaching at Millbrook, and I am loving it. I enjoy spending time in the outdoors, camping, rafting, hiking etc. I also enjoy playing sports, however soccer is my first love. My other hobbies include playing guitar and jamming with my friends, music is one of my true passions.

Thanks to coach Schneidewind, I have had the opportunity to start coaching, and it has been a blessing to work with such great kids. I look forward to many years at Millbrook, one day hopefully as an administrator.

Steven Wolf

Degree(s) & Awarding University: Bachelors of Science in Education from Central Michigan University

Email: swolf@wcpss.net

Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): Honors and Academic Earth Science, Marine/Astronomy

MHS Activities (clubs, sports, etc.): Indoor/Ooutdoor Track & Field Assistant Coach

Started At Millbrook: 2006

Personal Bio:I am recently new to the Raleigh area and North Carolina . I am originally from Detroit , Michigan where I grew up and spent most of my life. I attended Central Michigan University on a track scholarship where I studied Earth Science and Physical Education. I have two sisters, a brother-in-law, and a beautiful niece named Vanessa. My hobbies include track and field, playing basketball, kinesiology and going hiking/camping. I enjoy being physically active and consider it a true passion. Another passion of mine is coaching. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of track & field as well as the biomechanics of athletics with others. I look forward to teaching and coaching at Millbrook High School .

Jordan Trull

Degree(s) & Awarding University: Bachelor of Arts in Biology, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC, December 2002, Master of Arts in Teaching Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, May 2006

Email:jtrull2@wcpss.net

Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): Academic Biology, Honors Biology

MHS Activities: Scholarship Committee

Started At Millbrook: Fall 2007

Personal Bio: I am originally from the Asheville, NC area. I moved to Raleigh in July of 2007 because it was simply time for a change. Before teaching I was a manager for The Home Depot but, it just wasn’t what I was meant to do. Since I left the corporate world I have assisted in a program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, taught summer sessions at Western Carolina University, and spent several years teaching at my high school alma mater. For personal enjoyment I travel, frequent the lake, and trout fish. I look forward to working with your children in my years to come at Millbrook!

David Vallett

Degree(s) & Awarding University: Bachelor of Arts in Biology (Marine) , UNC Wilmington; Master of Arts in Teaching (Science), UNC Wilmington.

Email: dvallett@wcpss.net

Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): Physical Science, Biology

MHS Activities: Assistant Football, JV Girl's Basketball

Started At Millbrook: 2007-2008

Personal Bio: I recently relocated to Raleigh after 11 years in Wilmington, 4 of which were spent teaching in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties. I look forward to becoming a part of the Millbrook community.

Michel Weston

Degree(s) & Awarding University: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Email: mweston@wcpss.net

Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): Academic Biology, Honors Earth Science

MHS Activities: none at this time

Started At Millbrook: 2007

Personal Bio: I am so excited to be a new addition to the MHS community. I bring with me a love of the sciences and outdoors. I am originally from Oklahoma, but have recently moved from Wisconsin and look forward to finding the good camping and hiking spots this part of the country has to offer. I also have a background in organic vegetable farming and a strong interest in local food systems. Go Badgers!

Jessica George

Degree(s) & Awarding University:

Email:

Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s):

MHS Activities:

Started At Millbrook: 2007

Personal Bio:

Beth Vaughn

Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS in Meteorology - NC State MS in Meteorology - Florida State University; NC Teaching Certification - Fayetteville Regional Licensure Center

Email: evaughn2@wcpss.net

Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net

Subject Area(s): Earth Science and Biology

MHS Activities: None at this time

Started At Millbrook: December 2007

Personal Bio: Personal Bio: I have recently moved back to the triangle after a leave of absence since I went to school here. I have taught at 3 different high schools, one in Florida and two in North Carolina, one each in Cumberland and Onslow counties. I look foward to becoming part of the Millbrook Community.