Bob Murphy
Being a native Texan, growing up in southeast Texas and living over thirty years in central Texas, it is with pride that I can serve the Westlake community by sharing my experiences with students in Astronomy and Environmental Systems. I had a very rich outdoor life as my father shared his love of fishing, shrimping and hunting with me in my formative years. An active Boy Scout troop provided opportunities to acquire many outdoor skills and develop leadership and goal accomplishment values. I am proud to be an Eagle Scout. I attended Lamar University and received a B.S. in Biology. Early interests included photography, tennis and water skiing.
My wife of 37 years and I are both graduates of Stark High School in Orange, Texas. Our daughter was born in Austin and graduated from Eckerd College on the Florida Gulf coast with a degree in Marine Science and Environmental Studies. She is now a science teacher in the Leander school district.
This is my eleventh year teaching science at Westlake. I have taught IPC, Conceptual Physics, AP Environmental Science, Biology and Astronomy. I worked for over thirty years as a biologist and in various conservation and education programs for two river authorities and two state agencies. Most of that time was spent with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (22 years), where there were opportunities to work in most of the 254 counties of Texas, alongside a premier set of conservation professionals in roles that included Branch Chief of Endangered Resources, Special Projects Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator, and Artificial Reef Specialist. Today, my outdoor pursuits include saltwater fishing, kayaking, stargazing, bicycling, photography, and birding, though all species interest me. I have a love and appreciation for nature that is very deep rooted in my life experiences.
I have been a proponent of technology throughout my career, serving on the initial Web Development Team for TPWD in the mid to late 1990s, writing web pages and serving as the initial page editor for the Nature Page. That team received an award for Innovation in the agency Employee Awards Program. I have also been a proponent of education, serving as the Education Team Coordinator for TPWD, representing the agency on the Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC), and promoting student involvement as a board member of the Texas Academy of Science. I mentored students at two elementary and two middle schools in east Austin in both AISD and Del Valle ISD. I led the development of Little Critter Corner at Texas Wildlfe Expo, an area devoted to younger children experiencing outdoor adventure. I received an Eanespiration Award for work done on the WIFI pilot using iPads in our APES classes. Again this year, we will be pushing the technology envelope. Here at Westlake, I can combine my appreciation of nature, fascination with technology as a tool, and desire to provide a learning experience to our students. I look forward to this year. Go Chaps!
My wife of 37 years and I are both graduates of Stark High School in Orange, Texas. Our daughter was born in Austin and graduated from Eckerd College on the Florida Gulf coast with a degree in Marine Science and Environmental Studies. She is now a science teacher in the Leander school district.
This is my eleventh year teaching science at Westlake. I have taught IPC, Conceptual Physics, AP Environmental Science, Biology and Astronomy. I worked for over thirty years as a biologist and in various conservation and education programs for two river authorities and two state agencies. Most of that time was spent with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (22 years), where there were opportunities to work in most of the 254 counties of Texas, alongside a premier set of conservation professionals in roles that included Branch Chief of Endangered Resources, Special Projects Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator, and Artificial Reef Specialist. Today, my outdoor pursuits include saltwater fishing, kayaking, stargazing, bicycling, photography, and birding, though all species interest me. I have a love and appreciation for nature that is very deep rooted in my life experiences.
I have been a proponent of technology throughout my career, serving on the initial Web Development Team for TPWD in the mid to late 1990s, writing web pages and serving as the initial page editor for the Nature Page. That team received an award for Innovation in the agency Employee Awards Program. I have also been a proponent of education, serving as the Education Team Coordinator for TPWD, representing the agency on the Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC), and promoting student involvement as a board member of the Texas Academy of Science. I mentored students at two elementary and two middle schools in east Austin in both AISD and Del Valle ISD. I led the development of Little Critter Corner at Texas Wildlfe Expo, an area devoted to younger children experiencing outdoor adventure. I received an Eanespiration Award for work done on the WIFI pilot using iPads in our APES classes. Again this year, we will be pushing the technology envelope. Here at Westlake, I can combine my appreciation of nature, fascination with technology as a tool, and desire to provide a learning experience to our students. I look forward to this year. Go Chaps!