Brian Kays

Teacher
San Diego State University – B.A.
Mount St. Mary's College – M.S.
bkays@webb.org

Professional focus: Teach Integrated Physics & Chemistry and Science & Engineering; coach the VWS basketball team; expert in educational policy on gender in science

Scholarly or professional activities: I was a master teacher policy fellow 2018-19 for the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)/American Institute of Physics (AIP), where I specialized in educational policy in physics surrounding gender and minorities. I am a lead ambassador of a group of Teacher Advocates for STEPUP, which is a national community of physics teachers, researchers and professional societies. We design high school physics lessons to empower teachers, create cultural change and inspire young women to pursue physics in college.

I am a co-program designer and co-founder of Underrepresented Teachers of Physics Fellowship (UTOP) for AAPT/AIP. The effort will help to create master teacher Instructional leaders by partnering early career or preservice physics teachers from underrepresented populations with more established physics teachers who are also from underrepresented populations to build a community of experts. The effort launches in fall 2022. Along with all this, I am an educational makerspace consultant, where I lend insight to the building and creation of makerspaces in academic environments.

I also recently received my Ham Radio License Technician Level to access ECS in case of emergency and I attended the NSF STEM Guitar Institute in Dayton.

Years in education: 19 years, with two years at Webb

Grew up: I was born in Montclair, California, and spent my early years in Belgium.

Favorite spot at Webb: The gym. Being on the hardwood floor is soothing after coaching for 20 years at the high school and college level.

Favorite music or musician: Too many to name.

Favorite book or author: Survival of the Sickest

Favorite TV show or movie: I really enjoyed Mr. Robot.

Saturday routine: Breakfast with the family, chores, errands, something fun with the family.