Travis Rink has been teaching science for 15 years in two different school districts. Currently, he teaches at Goddard High School in Goddard, KS. Classes he has taught (currently and in the past) include chemistry, biology, physical science, geology, and zoology. The main courses he teaches are Honors Chemistry, Chemistry and Physical Science. Travis is the Science Club sponsor and the BEST Robotics coach.
He graduated from Kansas State University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with emphasis in secondary science programs. Travis has earned two masters degrees both from Wichita State University - one is in Curriculum and Instruction (1998) and the second in Educational Leadership/Administration (2006).
Since beginning in education, Travis has always sought out ways to incorporate technology into his classes to enhance the learning environment. He's written and achieved a variety of grants that have allowed him to purchase equipment and resources to help in this endeavor. Recent grants or awards include the RadioShack National Teacher Award, and the ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Grant. Early on, Travis was the Building Technology Coordinator and trained staff and community members in the use of a phenomenon - the Internet and web design. Today, he continues training staff on instructional tools such as Blackboard and Mimio integration. He has always tried to find ways to give his students as rich of learning experience as possible through technology integration. From being one of the first to have a classroom projection system (through grant funding) to one with an interactive whiteboard board system, Travis challenges himself to find ways to bring 21st century learning skills into the classroom. He tries to find a number of ways to allows students to access content learned in class via podcasts they create, interactive Mimio lessons, and use of other digital media.
Travis has received various awards for teaching excellence in both districts and was chosen as his district's teacher of the year recently. He prides himself on keeping current with technology trends and finding ways to engage students in the learning process.
Travis had his first exposure to Mimio while presenting at the National Science Teachers Association Convention in Orlando, Florida a few years ago. From that point on, he was hooked and had to have it. He was able to get one purchased with department funds to try it out and was fortunate a few months later to win a Mimio through an online contest that the early stages of Mimio had running. He gave the second Mimio to the department chair - he was happy. Since getting involved in Mimio, Travis has actively pursued curriculum development to infuse Mimio lessons into daily content. He's very proud and fortunate to have become a Mimio Master and serve as a mimioconnect.com moderator. He enjoys getting to work at this level with many educators throughout the world to help them find ways to incorporate this fantastic tool into their classroom. Travis hopes to continue to find ways to bring Mimio and resources it offers into his district and to others as well to continue training staff members on its use and benefits to all involved.