Tulare County Office of Education

Interns that have completed the
SCICON / Fresno Pacific University
Teacher Credentialing Program

Niki Buada did an outstanding job as a SCICON intern during the 1999-2000 school year. Her prior experience included a B.A. in biology from Fresno State and fieldwork with the California Department of Fish & Game helping citizens solve wildlife problems. Her love of wildlife and natural teaching abilities further developed through the internship. Her experience at SCICON led Niki to decide to continue pursuing a teaching credential through the Fresno Pacific program. She landed a teaching position in Lemon Cove, one of the top schools in central California, where she teaches 4th grade. Niki says, "If you love the outdoors and are thinking about teaching in the classroom or outdoors, this is the place to be!"

Kristen Zittle teaches fifth grade at Jefferson Elementary School in Dinuba, California. "I love my job and I love the kids!!" Kristen's emotion for the students and passion for teaching was evident as she was completing the internship at SCICON during the 1997/98 school year. During the spring of that year she began contacting districts about possible teaching positions. She was quickly hired by Dinuba Unified School District and began teaching . She has finished her credential program and is currently in her second year of teaching.

Marlyn Akins teaches sixth grade at Lincoln Elementary School in Lindsay, California. She came to SCICON for the internship in 1997/98 with some previous environmental education and wildlife rehabilitation experience. After working with children at SCICON for less than a month, she realized that she wanted to continue working with children and signed up for the teaching credential program. In the spring she was immediately offered a teaching position on her first interview. She has likewise finished her teaching credential and is in her second year of full-time teaching. Marlyn hopes to return to the fields of environmental education and wildlife care someday, but for now is enjoying her new found career.

Jessica Meuhlhauser came to SCICON as a sixth grade student and again as a high school cabin counselor. Her dream was to come back as a staff member and then ultimately go into teaching. Jessica was able to come to SCICON for the internship and the credential program during the 1998/99 school year. She is now teaching third grade in Tipton, California, a small rural school and community. Jessica does not have email, but you can call her at (559) 595-9570.

Rob Wittenmyer recently graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts with a double major in both astronomy and biology. When he came to SCICON for the internship (1998/99) a whole new world of teaching opened up for him. Rob quickly signed up for the SCICON/Fresno Pacific University credential program and landed a job at Alta Vista School near Porterville, California. Rob teaches seventh and eighth grade math and science.

You are welcome to contact the above individuals with questions about the SCICON internship or the SCICON/Fresno Pacific University teaching credential program.

Tulare County Office of Education
SCICON
P.O. Box 339
Springville, CA 93265

Rick Mitchell, Administrator
(559) 539-2642
fax: (559) 539-2643

Please direct web site problems or comments to tcoeweb@tcoe.org.

Interns that have completed the SCICON / Fresno Pacific University Teacher Credentialing Program

Interns that have completed the
SCICON / Fresno Pacific University
Teacher Credentialing Program