Phone: (925)606-4800 ext. 3613

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

BS, Physics & Applied Mathematics, Western Michigan University 1997 MA, Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of California at Berkeley 2000

Mr. Shefler

I received a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and applied mathematics from Western Michigan University in 1997 and a Master of Arts degree in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of California at Berkeley in 2000. While at Berkeley, I researched analyzed and cataloged Hubble Space Telescope images of galaxies, observational research involved in the detection and study of exoplanets, and discovered Supernova 1998DT while working with the Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope team. During my graduate studies I fell in love with teaching and entered the teaching profession in 2000 at Granada High School.

In addition to teaching at Granada High School, I also work as a faculty scholar at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory,  where I've helped present several lectures in the Science on Saturday series.  I also teach the Level I and II Fusion & Astrophysics Teacher Research Academy every summer at LLNL.  This two-week workshop offers current and soon-to-be middle- and high-school teachers opportunities to learn about research at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as well as curriculum and activities they can take back to their classrooms through a series of lectures, hands-on activities, guest speakers, and tours.

Since 2016 I have also been a workshop leader for PTSOS ("Physics Teacher S.O.S.").  In this workshop series, which meets all day on a Saturday three times a year, participants learn about the craft of teaching Physics, get ideas for activities, demos, and labs they can do in their classrooms, and leave with free physics lab equipment!

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy science fiction and fantasy, hiking, and playing with my cats.