Ruth possesses rich experience in diverse educational settings. Her career has had an emphasis on implementing project-based curricula, facilitating experiences that teach valuable skills to youth, and utilizing different learning technologies to create an optimal online learning environment. Ruth will be joining the research team and is bringing her expertise to our developing climate change project: Songs of Adaptation.

Taylor, R., B. Shneiderman & S. Moeller. (in press). Using NodeXL in a Course Context: Short-term Graduate Student Projects. In M. A. Smith, D. Hansen & I. Himelboim. (Eds.), Think Link: Connecting to the Power of Social Networks with NodeXL. Morgan Kaufmann.

Internationally Touring Musician, Worldwide (8 album releases under “Shane Palko” 2009-2017). Years of music writing and performance have brought about 8 full-length albums, and numerous international collaborations, which have made possible a host of unquantifiably beautiful experiences. Music is more than an art: it is a means of connection, a way of building community and connecting people to what they already have, which sometimes goes unnoticed. It is a way of speaking across cultural divides, as was evidenced by official performances both for charity and profit in 27 countries including China, Thailand, South Africa, Nicaragua and many more. These tours have been self-organized in terms of destinations, funding and logistics.Socioenvironmental Education Specialist, NorthEast, MD (2017-Present). Position created specifically based on skills and passions, and to maintain connection with NorthBay Education. Entails research, writing, training of staff, and instruction. Connecting diverse populations to various environments, enabling student-centered learning, examining the interplay between social structures and natural phenomena.

Program Coordinator of Chesapeake Wilderness Institute, North East, MD (2016-2017). CWI is a small organization, umbrella’d under NorthBay Education. Coordinating this program involves developing curriculum to engage diverse populations of teenagers in character and environmental education in an outdoor setting, procuring donations, maintaining gear, training and managing a staff of educators and outdoor guides, scouting, designing trips, logistical planning, and running a restorative discipline program for students that struggle to acclimate to the outdoor context.

Educator, North East, MD (2013-2015). Full time position at NorthBay Education, working with diverse populations from the Mid Atlantic Region in the context of a one-week residential education program.

Part Time Instructor, Fair Hill Nature Center, Fair Hill, MD (May 2009-2012). Teaching various scientific units to public school classes, grades 2-5, 1 to 2 days per week. Requires an active and resourceful individual to instruct 10-20 students in an engaging manner. Lessons differ per grade. In summer months, instructs mountain biking classes to groups of approximately 15 children ages 10-14.

Intern, Urban Promise, Wilmington, DE (January 2011*). Assist teachers in the classroom setting. Instruct students in one-on-one tutoring situations. Work with students grades 1-7 in the after-school program. Teach guitar and drum technique to students during scheduled times. (*Internship ended in February, but regular volunteering continued until June.)

Camp Employee, Camp Josiah, Port Jervis, NY (Summers 2003-2009). Positions held: lifeguard, teacher, counselor, audiovisual producer. As counselor, responsible for groups of 8 youths from low-income and/or foster families from New York City. This position teaches flexibility and adaptation. As teacher of specialized classes like canoeing or fishing, communication skills are fostered. Audiovisual producer is required to have knowledge of related software and hardware; this position requires a dependable individual with superior work ethic.

Volunteer, Freedom Outreach, Wilmington, DE (2006-2012). Fostering community and engaging in both formal and informal mentoring with individuals from high-risk areas. Living by example and playing games and putting on programs in troubled neighborhoods. Stands for empowering individuals including high-risk youth, adults of low socioeconomic statuses and teens struggling to make positive choices in socioeconomically challenged communities. Volunteering at freedom outreach requires sacrifice and spending considerable amounts of time in risky areas, but is extremely rewarding getting to see networks of constructive relationships being formed and healthy growth in struggling youth.

Catchbasin Marker, part time position at the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Newark, DE (2010-2011). More important than the number of hours available to work or the pay was the meaning of the tasks. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety worked in conjunction with the Water Resources Agency on the Stormwater Program in order to locate, mark and record nearly 1,000 catchbasins to make managing of stormwater at the University of Delaware more environmentally friendly.