Ian McLean (cluster coordinator)
Courses: Biology, AP Biology, Marine Ecology
Blurb: Our resident wild life biologist, diver, and most recent winner of "best hair". Never happier than when he is on a boat or teaching students how things work. In one of this classes be prepared to learn how different adaptations allow organisms to do everything they need to do to survive as well as the impact these findings have on modern medicine and technology.
Email: [email protected]
John Cobleigh
Courses: Physics
Blurb: John teaches (or has taught) all levels of Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Science. Our resident engineer tries to connect these disciplines to their related engineering disciplines and encourage students to explore and pursue opportunities in engineering. Outside of school he spends his private time researching anything and everything that interest him.
Email: [email protected]
Dan Legage
Courses: Earth Science, Intro to Robotics
Blurb: Want to know how the various systems at work on earth are interconnected? Explore a range of topics relating from the origin of the universe to seismic activity on Earth. Dan is a former Portland Public Schools student himself and gives back by challenging each and every one of his students to expand their scientific thinking skills. If his first love isn't science and teaching then it is probably basketball.
Email: [email protected]
Karen Shibles
Courses: Biology, Forensic Science
Blurb: Deering's most recent winner of the "Most Athletic Teacher". Referred to sometimes as "superwoman". In class she can be seen developing biology knowledge and skills. She also cultivates interests in Forensic Science where students can learn the science behind solving crimes! Outside of class Karen spends her time coaching the robotics team, teaching coding, running our STORMWATER program, and finding new ways for our students to get involved in STEM.
Email: [email protected]
James Harmon:
Courses: Chemistry, AP Chemistry
Blurb: Jim is the local chemical expert when he is at Deering. He spends his days developing students basic physical science skills that are necessary to be successful post-high school. On his off time Jim can be found running (and running, and running, and more running), conducting shows at the local planetarium, or teaching students about astronomy. Want to learn how to say something in German? Come see Jim!
Email: [email protected]
Sarah Salisbury:
Courses: Anatomy and Physiology, Biology
Blurb: In class, Sarah loves sharing the mysteries of life with her students. Some of these include: Why is the grass green? Why do we have an appendix? How does the brain work? Above all she loves helping students develop their own thinking and learning skills as these are what will serve them for the rest of their lives. When she is not at Deering she spends her time enjoying a plethora of outdoor activities, no matter the season!
Email: [email protected]
Stephen Adams:
Courses: Chemistry, Physical Sciences, Foundations of Science
Blurb: The "padawan" of the department (yes he likes nerdy science jokes). Steve spends his time at Deering helping students learn how the physical sciences, like chemistry and physics, impact their everyday lives. He enjoys doing activities and labs while using humor to get students excited about science as a process and asking questions about the natural world. His goal is that when students leave his class that they are scientific literate and can find solutions to real world problems using scientific principles. He also hopes that they learn one or two corny science jokes to impress their peers with. Outside of class he spends his private time exploring anything of interest to him and looking for another adventure. Always try to think like a proton and be positive!
Email: [email protected]
Hannah Ciechomski
Courses: Biology, Chemistry, Foundations of Science, Summer School
Blurb: Outside of teaching almost every science offered at Deering, Hannah also enjoys teaching students the arts of dancing and yoga as well. She loves to teach science because it is all around us! She spends time in her classes developing students problem-solving skills through inquiry. The goal for Hannah is that the students who leave one of her classes has a strong set of skills that they can use to approach any scientific problem in their world, whether is be their environment, food sources, body processes, or technology. As the most worldly of the department, Hannah spends her private time traveling the world or hiking with her dog.
Email: [email protected]
Audrey Gourlie
Courses: Earth Science
Blurb: Audrey teaches Earth Science at Deering High School and loves the fact that one third of the curriculum is literally "Out of this world". When her students are not discussing space they can be found having intelligent discussions about the various systems located on Earth as well as discussing sustainability. Sustainability effects us all and it is important to her that her students leave with a strong sense of how to make Earth a better place. Through discussions and collaborative work she tries to foster positive communication skills with her students. When she is not in the class, Audrey can be found doing anything outdoors! Whether that be hiking, kayaking, or just walking her dog.
Email: [email protected]
Courses: Biology, AP Biology, Marine Ecology
Blurb: Our resident wild life biologist, diver, and most recent winner of "best hair". Never happier than when he is on a boat or teaching students how things work. In one of this classes be prepared to learn how different adaptations allow organisms to do everything they need to do to survive as well as the impact these findings have on modern medicine and technology.
Email: [email protected]
John Cobleigh
Courses: Physics
Blurb: John teaches (or has taught) all levels of Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Science. Our resident engineer tries to connect these disciplines to their related engineering disciplines and encourage students to explore and pursue opportunities in engineering. Outside of school he spends his private time researching anything and everything that interest him.
Email: [email protected]
Dan Legage
Courses: Earth Science, Intro to Robotics
Blurb: Want to know how the various systems at work on earth are interconnected? Explore a range of topics relating from the origin of the universe to seismic activity on Earth. Dan is a former Portland Public Schools student himself and gives back by challenging each and every one of his students to expand their scientific thinking skills. If his first love isn't science and teaching then it is probably basketball.
Email: [email protected]
Karen Shibles
Courses: Biology, Forensic Science
Blurb: Deering's most recent winner of the "Most Athletic Teacher". Referred to sometimes as "superwoman". In class she can be seen developing biology knowledge and skills. She also cultivates interests in Forensic Science where students can learn the science behind solving crimes! Outside of class Karen spends her time coaching the robotics team, teaching coding, running our STORMWATER program, and finding new ways for our students to get involved in STEM.
Email: [email protected]
James Harmon:
Courses: Chemistry, AP Chemistry
Blurb: Jim is the local chemical expert when he is at Deering. He spends his days developing students basic physical science skills that are necessary to be successful post-high school. On his off time Jim can be found running (and running, and running, and more running), conducting shows at the local planetarium, or teaching students about astronomy. Want to learn how to say something in German? Come see Jim!
Email: [email protected]
Sarah Salisbury:
Courses: Anatomy and Physiology, Biology
Blurb: In class, Sarah loves sharing the mysteries of life with her students. Some of these include: Why is the grass green? Why do we have an appendix? How does the brain work? Above all she loves helping students develop their own thinking and learning skills as these are what will serve them for the rest of their lives. When she is not at Deering she spends her time enjoying a plethora of outdoor activities, no matter the season!
Email: [email protected]
Stephen Adams:
Courses: Chemistry, Physical Sciences, Foundations of Science
Blurb: The "padawan" of the department (yes he likes nerdy science jokes). Steve spends his time at Deering helping students learn how the physical sciences, like chemistry and physics, impact their everyday lives. He enjoys doing activities and labs while using humor to get students excited about science as a process and asking questions about the natural world. His goal is that when students leave his class that they are scientific literate and can find solutions to real world problems using scientific principles. He also hopes that they learn one or two corny science jokes to impress their peers with. Outside of class he spends his private time exploring anything of interest to him and looking for another adventure. Always try to think like a proton and be positive!
Email: [email protected]
Hannah Ciechomski
Courses: Biology, Chemistry, Foundations of Science, Summer School
Blurb: Outside of teaching almost every science offered at Deering, Hannah also enjoys teaching students the arts of dancing and yoga as well. She loves to teach science because it is all around us! She spends time in her classes developing students problem-solving skills through inquiry. The goal for Hannah is that the students who leave one of her classes has a strong set of skills that they can use to approach any scientific problem in their world, whether is be their environment, food sources, body processes, or technology. As the most worldly of the department, Hannah spends her private time traveling the world or hiking with her dog.
Email: [email protected]
Audrey Gourlie
Courses: Earth Science
Blurb: Audrey teaches Earth Science at Deering High School and loves the fact that one third of the curriculum is literally "Out of this world". When her students are not discussing space they can be found having intelligent discussions about the various systems located on Earth as well as discussing sustainability. Sustainability effects us all and it is important to her that her students leave with a strong sense of how to make Earth a better place. Through discussions and collaborative work she tries to foster positive communication skills with her students. When she is not in the class, Audrey can be found doing anything outdoors! Whether that be hiking, kayaking, or just walking her dog.
Email: [email protected]