Jennifer Lazare
Teaching Experience
Current Employment
Professor, Austin Community College, Austin, TX, 2003-present
- Taught Molecular and Cellular Biology (BIOL 1406/1407), Microbiology (BIOL 2420), Life of Earth (BIOL 1309), Microbiology for Health Science (BIOL 2420), Introduction to Biology (BIOL 1408), Unity of Life (BIOL 1409), The Living Planet (BIOL 2306), Biotechnology 1 (BIOL 1414), Biotechnology 2 (BIOL 1415), QA/QC (BITC 1340), Biology Concepts (BIOL 1308) and Student Success (EDU 1300).
- Received Excellent Annual Reviews based on portfolio submission and student/staff evaluations.
- Served as department mentor for new adjuncts.
- Engaged in development as participant and presenter for TLED: DE Inclusivity, ACC Software Day, Great Questions Seminar, Course Redesign, Hylfex, Dual Credit Seminar
- Served as the STEM Area of Study for student counseling in their career paths.
- Nominated for Teaching Excellence Award (2016/2018/2020).
Senior Personnel, InnovATEBIO, Austin, TX, 2019-present
- Maintain https://innovatebio.org/high-school-network curriculum, resources, and training.
- Developed a national mentor network in Biotechnology and STEM education.
- Consulted on recruiting, training, and retaining highly effective STEM teachers.
Other Education Employment
Academic Dean/AP, Johnson High School, Buda, TX, 2021-2024
- Supervised, evaluated, and supported campus departments/Professional Learning Communities and Instructional Coaches.
- Oversaw data organization for all assessments and diagnostic instruments and developed strategies for intervening with students who were experiencing difficulties.
Science Instructional Coach, Hays CISD 2018-2021
- Developed and implemented an EOC instructional plan focused on all students moving up a level using data analysis, interventions, modeling, scheduling, and teacher training.
- Performed data analysis and created targeted interventions for all EOC-tested subjects, contributing to a campus rating improvement from a C to a B.
- Developed a campus instructional plan targeted to improve reading, writing, and speaking across all grade levels and disciplines.
Dual Credit Science Instructor, Anderson High School, Austin, TX, 2003-2018
- Taught Advanced Biotechnology, Biotech 1, Biotech 2, Dual Credit Introduction to Biology (BIOL 1408/1409), Medical Microbiology and EOC Biology Remediation.
- Instituted the first Science Dual Credit program in Central Texas.
- Coached 15 teams to National Recognition in NSTA ExploraVision Contest.
- Developed statewide Biotechnology High School Pathway Courses.
Professional Affiliations
Quality Matters Certified (2018-2024)
National Science Teachers Association (2005-2024)
Association of Teacher Educators (2010-2024)
Adjunct Faculty Association (2010-2024)
Professional Publications
APPOINTMENTS
2004-Present Adjunct Faculty, Department of Biology/Biotechnology Austin Community College
2018-2023 Senior Personnel, InnovATEBIO National Science Foundation
2021-2024 Academic Dean, Johnson High School Hays Independent School District
2003-2021 Instructional Coach/Instructor, Biotechnology/Dept. Head Hays/Austin Independent School District
2014-2018 Project Manager, NSF AC2 Bio-link Regional ATE Center Austin Community College
2005-2016 Apprentice Teacher Supervisor, Department UTEACH Science University of Texas at Austin
2000-2003 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology University of Texas at Austin
SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES
2024: Developed curriculum and created a Canvas course for a 6-week training program to prepare candidates for the Biotechnician Assistant Certification Exam. This project was part of the "Growing the Biotech Workforce in North Texas" initiative, funded by EDA (ED22HDQ3070118).
2023 – Present: Biotechnology teacher professional development facilitator as a Bio-Rad Fellow.
2021 – Present: Collaborating with InnovATEBIO (NSF# DUE 1901984) to develop national Biotechnology CTE pathways, Career Pathways, curriculum, and teacher training programs across the U.S.
2018 – 2021: Established a national Biotechnology High School Mentor Network and consulted on instructor recruitment, training, and retention for InnovATEBIO (NSF# DUE 1901984).
2017 – 2018: Member of the Steering Committee for the Needed Math Conference (NSF# DUE 1737946).
2015 – 2018: Developed an entry-level Biotechnology certificate aligned with industry standards and college/career pathways for Texas high schools and community colleges (NSF# DUE 1501207).
2008 – 2014: Developed professional development certification modules and curriculum for an Advanced Biotechnology Course for the Texas Education Agency. Led high school teacher workshops on Biotechnology and collaborated with Austin Community College.
2013 – 2014: Created and managed a virtual mentoring network for high school Biotechnology and Biology teachers in Texas through a Perkins Leadership grant (Austin Community College Biotechnology Department).
2013 – 2014: Developed Texas Education Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) courses for Introduction to Biotechnology, Advanced Biotechnology, and STEM Practicum for the Texas Education Agency.
2011 – 2014: Adapted community college tissue culture curriculum for high school settings through the City of San Francisco Stem Cell Pipeline initiative (NSF# DUE 1003852). Created an iBook and related activities for high school students and teachers, piloting the curriculum in various educational settings.
2010 – 2014: Co-authored the NSF-funded ATE project (Articulated Technological Education Pathways, Hofstra University, NSF# DUE 1104253) and developed biomanufacturing online learning modules, including a virtual Technology Park simulation.
2003 – 2008: Contributed to the development of a year-long high school Biotechnology course (ATE grant, BioTechEd, NSF# DUE 0053296), and worked to approve it as a 4th-year advanced science course in collaboration with Austin Community College’s Bio-link.
2007 – 2009: Developed instructional materials to improve retention in freshman biology courses as part of the Biology Course Redesign Project (THECB/NSF). Created assessment activities, interactive online science content, animations, and video demonstrations of laboratory techniques.
Selected Professional Activities
National Science Foundation Panelist (2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2020)
Workshop Presenter, CAST, “Merging CTE and Science in Advanced Biotechnology” (2010-2019)
Member, National Science Teachers Association (2005-2023)
Committee Member, Career and Technology Education textbook and curriculum (2012-2014)
Portfolio Reviewer, University of Texas at Austin (2009-2015)
Panelist, UTEACH Convention, “Mentoring new Science Teachers” (2012)
Published: August 13, 2025