John O'Brien has over 10 years of experience teaching high school science courses. He has a master's degree in secondary chemistry education and bachelor's degree in English literature. His teaching experience includes positions at several Chicago public schools where he taught chemistry, physics, biology, and anatomy and physiology. He also has research experience in bioengineering.

1. John O’Brien
2614 W. Iowa #1 Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 263-9793 jpobri@gmail.com
Certification
Illinois High School Certificate in Chemistry – IEIN# 729238 Expires 2021
 Additional endorsements in General Sciences, Biology, Environmental Sciences, English Language Arts
 Middle School Endorsement in Physical Science
Teaching Experience
Microfabricated Tissue Models Lab, UIC (BEST Research Fellow, via NIH) Summer 2016
 Currently developing an Anatomy-Physiology / Biotechnology / Biology Unit, under the lens of BioEngineering.
The idea is to translate micropatterned co-culture technique for high throughput, long-term pre-clinical testing of
drug / nutrient effect on physiologically relevant liver models – but for the High School classroom. Inquiry topics /
lab skills will include spectrometry, microfluidics, drug/nutrient effect on fibroblast culture, PCR assay,
transcription / translation, history of drug testing, healthcare economics and ethics, pipette/serologic technique.
Wells Community Academy HS, Chicago, IL August 2014 – August 2016
AP Physics, Physics, and Chemistry
 Year 1: Taught 5 sections daily, using a modeling curriculum in a Physics 1st milieu, including 1 Honors section.
Started with Electricity with daily interaction with resistors and power sources. Year culminated in a crosscut
Energy Study of Sound and Vision. Also taught Saturday School, English Lit. Daily tutoring, Lunch and AS.
Initiated Green Team with Joshua Strand, a Civic Engagement and Extracurricular Science project, involving
many students in weekly separation of recyclable materials to reduce Wells’ Landfill impact. Designed Large
Scale Compost bin and directed Service Learning Project to build it. Co-Led SLP in Wells courtyard
beautification.
 Year 2: Taught 6 sections daily all year, and Saturday School (Physics) 1st semester. 3 Chemistry, 1 section
Honors Physics-1st, 1 section Junior / Senior Physics, 1 AP Physics. Daily tutoring, Lunch and AS. Participated
in Green Team, and Co-led Service Learning Project at the Chicago History Museum.
 Designed and performed all Science Demos on Jr. High Recruitment Days.
Laboratory for Product and Process Design, UIC Summer 2014
 RET Fellowship at UIC Bioengineering (Masters credit in Bioengineering), funded by NSF
 I wrote a paper for the laboratory for product and process design at UIC on circulation eddies during systole and
diastole based on my hypothesis that cumulative cephalad eddying via decreasing caudal CSF flow velocity are
responsible for cephalad movement of injected particles in the subdural space of the spinal cord.
 The hypothesis was supported by wet-bench experiments on spinal analogues I had built in their lab; controls without
dentate ligament analogs showed no cephalad bias, but models with the analogs -- which induce eddying during systole
and diastole -- did show the bias. Andreas Linninger, PhD, advised and my research was supported by Kevin Tangen,
CY Hsu, and Indu Venugopal. Video, Poster, Paper, and Powerpoint available upon request.
Ogden International High School, Chicago, IL August 2013 – June 2014
Honors / Reg Human Anatomy and Physiology (3 sections) Honors / Reg Chemistry (2 sections)
 AnaPhys: Covered all human body systems, focusing on health and community impacts of human anatomical
systems. Notable: Cartoon Skeleton Project, Digestion – Beginning at the End, Reproductive System Seminar.
 Chem: Using ChemCom curriculum, which frames traditional HS Chemistry subjects contextually, we taught 4
subjects – Metals, Air, Petroleum, and Water Chemistry. Heavy emphasis on bonding, atmospheric chemistry
and pollutants, organic chem (polymerization, covalent bonding, mid-level org nomenclature, ester synthesis),
Concentration calculations and Dimensional Analysis – Rolled out Standards-Based Grading.
 Coach: High School Debate, Coach: Middle School Boys Softball
Walter Payton College Prep, Chicago, IL Sep 2012 – June 2013
Honors Chemistry (2 classes) / Honors Biology (1 class)
 Bio: In collaboration with Jacqueline Barge, debuted Modeling Curriculum (developed at Arizona State
University). This brings the focus of Biology away from rote memorization of living systems and their components
in an effort to create enduring understanding and insight via model construction, experiment, then modification.
This relies heavily on white-boarding strategy and intensive small-group work.
 Chem: Topics: MAT / Subatomic particles, Ions, Equation balancing, Solubility equations, Stoichiometry,
Solutions, Gas Law, Acids/Bases, Equilibria, Redox, Electrolysis, Lewis Stuctures, Molecular Geometry, VSEPR.
 Coach: Debate, Coach: Girls JV Softball, “Frizzlies” Sponsor (Disc Sports)
Lindblom MSA, Chicago, IL Nov 2011 – June 2012
 Initially hired as a TAT for Forensics, Environmental Sciences, and the city’s first Biotechnology curriculum, I was
then a daily Cadre there from February through mid-March. I then resumed TAT duties in Biology and Horticulture
through the year’s end. In depth lab topics include: Buffers, Restriction Enzyme Analysis, Polymerase Chain
Reaction, Electrophoresis, Transcription / Translation, Immunoresponse, Microassay, Weather Inversions and Air
Toxicity, Thermal Conduction, Dimensional Analysis, Kinetics, Dactyloscopy. Asst. Coach: Baseball
CPS Cadre, Chicago, IL Sep-Nov, 2011
 Daily substitute at a large cross section of Chicago Public Schools

2. Walter Payton College Prep, Chicago, IL May 2 – June 2011
Honors Chemistry (4 classes) / ARISE Biology (1 class) - TAT
 Topics: Nuclear Chemistry-Inquiry; Organic Chemistry: nomenclature, functional groups; and Evolution (Hardy-
Weinberg Equilibrium, Micro / Macro Evolution, Biochemical study of descent with modification, including pGLO
lab). Dimensional Analysis camp / extensive tutoring hours: lunch, after school, 7am-8am.
Education
Master of Education, Secondary Chemistry, DePaul University June 2011
 Cumulative GPA: 3.89
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, University of Wisconsin-Madison
 Cumulative GPA: 3.83 – with heavy Sciences coursework
 Focus: Modernity, Graduated with Distinction, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Dean’s List twice
Interesting Professional Developments
 BEST Program Research Fellow, 2016, via NIH grant, MTM Lab, PI: Dr. Salman Khetani (180 PDU hours)
 RET Fellow, 2014, via NSF grant, LPPD at UIC BioEngineering, PI: Dr. Andreas Linninger (210 hours)
 Teaching the new AP Chem standards, year-long workshop, UIC, with Don Wink and Dean Grosshandler (2013-
2014)
 Teaching AP Physics Certificate Program
 Year-long AP Physics mentorship with Dr. Henry West (2015-2016)
 Northwestern University NUBIO Oncofertility Curriculum
 Biotechnology School of Excellence – Hortense Bryce
 2012 iBIO Institute EDUCATE Center’s TalentSparks! Workshop, July 2012, Roosevelt University
 CPS beginning teachers workshop (summer 2011)
Interactive Field Experience
Whitney Young Magnet School November, 2010 – March, 2011
Observations (Nov-Dec, 2010); Student-Teacher (Jan-March, 2011)
 Taught 2 Honors Chem, and 3 AP-Environmental Science classes. Topics: Modern Atomic Theory; Orbital
Configuration; Thermochem; IMFs; Air Pollution and Ozone Chemistry; LD50 – toxicity and human health; Global
Climate History (anthropogenic and natural effects); Water Resources, Diversions, and Policy; Water Pollution.
Walter Payton College Prep – Observer, Volunteer April-June / August 2010
 Executed LP on Ozone Chemistry for AP and Honors Chem students. Assisted chemistry teacher in summer
head-start chemistry program for incoming sophomores who underperformed in sciences during freshman year.
Taught Sig-Figs A-P strategy, Chem/Phys Change Demos, assisted with lab prep.
Harold Washington College - Tutor / Lab Assistant, Chicago, IL January 2008 – January 2009
 Tutored students in the Physical Sciences Lab: principles of Organic and General Chemistry, Physics, Math.
Ensured safety and instructional procedures were followed during Organic and General Chemistry Experiments;
modeled equipment usage and material handling; related lab concepts to classroom principles.
Observations:
Chicago Youth Development Institute, Chicago, IL January – May 2010
 Secondary / Voluntary: Implemented “Proficiency in Sentence Writing” program (developed at University of
Kansas) in coordination with Physical Sciences teacher.
Latino Youth Alternative High School – 2nd level observations January – March 2010
Roberto Clemente Community Academy, Chicago, IL – Leading small groups September – November 2009
Bloom Trail High School, Chicago Heights, IL – Leading small groups March – May 2009
Skills, Interests, (Perhaps) Useful Miscellany
IMPACT, MS-Office, various proprietary databases. Studied under Dr. Elizabeth Hardman, then implemented
“Proficiency in Sentence Writing” strategy, developed at The University of Kansas. Creative-and-copy writing, copy-
editing (since 2003 – end-clients include Kohler, Ann Sacks [through Royal Order of Experience Design] and
McGraw-Hill). I’ve been to 25 countries. I’d love to assist with coaching a sport, time management, college planning.
I give a lot of time to tutoring in several subjects. Many awesome References / Transcripts / LoR’s available on
request.
Recent References: Rita Raichoudhuri, Wells Community Academy, Principal, 773-534-7010
Amy Vondra, Wells Community Academy, Assistant Principal, 773-534-7010
Erin Kaminski, Wells Community Academy, Science Department Chair, 269-861-1753

3. Previous Professional Experience
TSG and TEKSystems (after TSG acquisition), Chicago, IL
Senior Technical Recruiter June 2005 – December 2007
Tribune Co. and its former subsidiary, The Los Angeles Times, Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA
Technical and Executive Recruiter June 2000 – September 2003
UQ Solutions and K-Force (after UQ’s acquisition) Chicago, IL June 1995 – June 2000
Technical Recruiter, Trainer, Supervisor of Mainframe Talent Acquisition for Y2K