Peter McLaren
President, Council of State Science Supervisors
Science and Technology Specialist, Rhode Island Department of Education
Peter McLaren, before joining the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) as a Science and Technology Specialist in 2005, had been a teacher of science for 13 years at both the high school and middle levels. He served as Science Department Chair for grades 7 through 12 for East Greenwich Public Schools in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Prior to his tenure as Department Chair, Peter taught 8th grade science at Archie Cole Middle School. In addition to his role as a science teacher Peter was also involved as a trainer for several educational technology initiatives such as Project SMART, Rhode Island Teachers and Technology Initiative (RITTI), and Enhancing Education Through Technology (E2T2). He is currently the Electronic Lists Coordinator for RI Network for Educational Technology (RINET)
As an educator Peter was recognized with the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award (2001) and as the Rhode Island Science Teacher of the Year (1995) by the Network of Educators of Science and Technology.
As Science and Technology Specialist Peter has represented RIDE as a member of the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) Science Assessment Development team along with representatives from New Hampshire and Vermont. Peter was also a member of the development team that designed the RI Grade Span Expectations in Science which serve as RI’s standards for science. He is also Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Coordinator for the state and has recently helped to restart the Rhode Island Science Teachers Association.
As a member of the Council of State Science Supervisors Peter has served on the Executive Board since 2007 and, most recently, has been elected as President succeeding Stephen Pruitt. Peter will serve as President until March, 2013. He now serves on the Alliance of Affiliates for NSTA representing the Council.