Free Professional Development
My name is Janice Prince Betian. When you pronounce my last name it sounds like Betty-Ann. But, I am very comfortable with everyone calling me Janice.
I have a master's degree in education and a bachelor's degree in communication. I just completed my last class for a doctorate in Education Curriculum and Instruction, and I am currently working on a dissertation that addresses charter school success.
I am currently an instructor for two universities, University of Phoenix and Ashford University. After working for public schools as an English teacher for nearly a decade, I do believe that our public education system needs to be updated. Charter schools are breaking new ground in education, and that is what I am studying. My dissertation explores the successes of charter schools in Southern California. My goal is to teach education at the university level and to find an effective way to change how our education system runs today. I think charter schools are the future of education because they can be tailored to meet the needs of the community they serve.
My husband and I are parents of seven children, six boys and one girl. We also have three grandchildren. We are expecting our fourth grandchild, a granddaughter in June.
For fun, our family follows the PRCA Rodeo Circuit. We have been as far north as Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and as far south as Houston, Texas, to attend rodeos. We attend the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas the first week of December each year, where we are season ticket holders. What we love most about this sport is the competition, teamwork and camaraderie shared by the cowboys and the fans.
In my spare time, I like to write, perform community service and visit dinosaur digs.
Bill Nye is a man with a mission: to foster a scientifically literate society by helping people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Nye has spent the past 20 years educating students young and old about science and understands the importance of keeping minds active after the last school bell rings. “Learning can happen anywhere and at anytime – the important thing is that it should never stop,” Nye said. “We’ve put together fun, free and easy activities that will make this the summer of learning versus the summer filled with the dreaded words ‘I’m bored.’ ” AN EARLY KNACK FOR HOW THINGS WORK Making science entertaining and accessible is something Bill has done most of his life. Growing up in Washington, D.C., he spent afternoons and summers de-mystifying math for his classmates. While working for Boeing in Seattle, Bill combined his love of science with his flair for comedy. After winning a Steve Martin look-alike contest, he became an engineer by day and a stand-up comic by night. Eventually, Bill made the transition to comedy writer and performer on Seattle’s home-grown ensemble comedy show “Almost Live.” This is where “Bill Nye the Science Guy®” was born. The 18-time Emmy Award-winning show appeared before Saturday Night Live and later on Comedy Central. During this time, he also wrote five kids’ books about science, including his latest title, “Bill Nye’s Great Big Book of Tiny Germs.” BROADENING HIS MISSION Bill’s passion for math and science translated into a love of space. His role as CEO of The Planetary Society, the world’s large space interest organization, has taken him across the globe. And one thing Bill is very proud of is the MarsDials, two sundials on residing on Mars he created with Cornell scientists. America’s favorite stand-up scientist hasn’t changed much from that kid growing up in Washington, DC. He still rides his bike to work. He’ll pull out his Periodic Table of the Elements from his wallet. And his drive for helping others understand science is as strong as ever.
