About your teacher...

Welcome to 8th-grade Science, and I am very happy to say that this is my 13th year teaching science at College Prep Middle School! 

A little bit about me:  I grew up in the great state of Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee, where I played French horn in the marching band, so I love to watch college football and pay close attention to halftime, too! I received my Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where I participated in DNA and muscle research that went up on the space shuttle! After college, I worked at several universities and laboratories throughout the South, where I gained real-world experience in scientific environments. When I started my family of three sons, I became a stay-at-home mom who volunteered at their schools, which led me to my career in teaching.

I became a teacher in 2009 when I received my middle level credential from Cal State San Marcos, then I continued my teaching credentials with SDSU in secondary education, followed by a Master's degree in Science Education at Western Governors University. I continually add to my professional development by volunteering with scientific and educational groups both online and in person. These include presenting at state conferences, grading digital science fairs, and mentoring educators through digital science panels. In June 2022, I was chosen by Western Governors University as a recipient of the National 2022 WGU Distinguished Graduate Award for my dedication and impact on both my community and career field.

As you can see, I have extensive scientific experience in both academia and industry, and I look forward to passing on my knowledge and passion for science to my students in the classroom through hands-on labs, active discussions, and scientific inquiry.

Cathy Spencer

Steve and I like to fish for bass and complete 5K walks! I also do a bit of kickboxing.

Recognition as a top alumna from Western Governors University was both amazing and humbling!