F.I.R.E. Up Teaching Team
Robert E. Beckwith
Robert E. Beckwith started his teaching career at Nampa High School. He taught Biology, Ecology, and Photography for eight years. While there he was advisor to the Nampa High Science Club. Robert has also taught in Cambridge, Idaho and for the Meridian School District. He has been awarded the Outstanding Biology Teacher, Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education, and Idaho Environmental Educator of the Year. His intense passion of the outdoors has led many students and teachers into the wilderness. He is a licensed Lead Whitewater Guide on the Main Salmon and Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
Robert, who is currently retired, had directed student learning in the classroom for 33 years. It is and has been projects like the Field Inquiry Research Experience that have kept him "FIRED-Up" for educators and students.
Tobey Jossis
Tobey Jossis has her bachelor and master degrees from Boise State University, in Earth Science Education with a minor in mathematics. She taught Math and Science at Centennial High School for 17 years. She taught all levels of Mathematics, College Prep Physics, Earth Science, and Advanced Geology. She especially enjoyed project based lessons that involved technology and real world application. A favorite project involved her Advanced Geology students and their research on a newly formed landslide in the Eagle foothills.
Tobey thrives on bringing technology to the classroom. She spent a year as a J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation Technology Fellow. During that time she worked with teachers and students developing lessons in many aspects of technology applications. She continually promotes GIS mapping and GPS use in education.
She has been a M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust "Partners in Science" recipient and was granted the GSA Earth and Space Science Technological Education Projects (ESSTEP) Award.
Currently Tobey is an Educational Technology Specialist for the Meridian School District. She trains school staff how to use many different types of technology applications, and has served as an Adjunct Faculty member for Boise State University and Northwest Nazarene University.
Tobey believes one of her finest experiences teaching has been the hands-on FIRE-Up for Summer Program. The level of student learning and participation has been extremely rewarding.
jossis.tobey@meridianschools.org
Gina Lockwood
Gina Lockwood started her career teaching at Centennial High School. She taught A.P. Biology, Honors Biology, General Biology, Ecology, and Botany. A favorite expedition with students was to the Olympic Peninsula and Oregon Coast. She is currently teaching A.P. Environmental Science, General Biology, and Microbiology at Mountain View High School.
Prior to being an educator, Gina, worked with New Mexico Fish and Game as a wildlife biologist and has held various research positions at New Mexico State University. She also has had work experience in the medical field.
Gina has been presented with the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. She is the recipient of the Nature of Learning Grant, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Gina is also the recipient of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certificate.
Gina has helped open Mountain View High School as the Science Department Chairwoman and was chosen as the 2005 Teacher of the Year by her faculty and administration. Her favorite part of the FIRE Up project is bringing her passion to understand nature in an outdoor setting to the students, hoping to instill a greater appreciation for the world around them.
lockwood.gina@meridianschools.org
Steve DeMers
Steve DeMers began his teaching career in Kensal and Thompson, North Dakota. While there he taught Earth Science, Chemistry, Anatomy, Biology, Physical Education, and Health. He moved from Thompson to Eagle High School from 1998 to 2008, where he taught Honors Biology, General Biology, and Anatomy and Physiology. Currently he is teaching both Honors and General Biology along with A.P. Environmental Science at Rocky Mountain High School.
Steve was also the Head Wrestling Coach at Eagle and held the position for six years, from 2002-2008. He was awarded the Idaho State 5A Wrestling Coach of The Year in 2003 and 2004 and also the District 3 Coach of the Year in 2003. Steve is one of the few Idaho coaches to have coached his team to three consecutive state wrestling titles. He is currently an assistant coach at Rocky Mountain High School attempting to help build a successful program.
Steve has been on two teacher expeditions on the Main Salmon River and has been featured on the Boise Public Radio presentation of "Off the Beaten Path". He is a firm believer in using the outdoors to teach his students and frequently takes his students to the Boise River. Steve is a passionate outdoorsman and uses his experiences to help excite kids about the outdoors.