Robert W. Simmons III has been active doing presentations on the education of African American children, the achievement gap, urban education, gender equity in science education, and the development of successful science programs in urban schools. Robert spent six years teaching middle school science in Detroit , MI , in the Detroit Public Schools.

Robert's experience as an award winning science teacher, nominated twice as the national teacher of the year, adds to his expertise and understanding of what it takes to be a successful teacher in urban schools and working with African American students. Robert helped create an award winning science program that regularly produced science fair awards, and superior standardized test score results. His proudest accomplishment is his many former students, from Detroit , who have gone on to college. Robert is a contributing author to White Teachers in Diverse Classrooms: Creating Community, Combating Racism (2006). Robert has a Masters in Science Education and is completing his doctorate at Hamline University .

Areas of specialty:

• urban education
• multicultural curriculum development in science, math, and social studies
• education of African American children
• gender equity in science
• science education in urban schools, elementary and middle school
• issues associated with the achievement gap