STEM Educator: Physics, Math, Engineering

Houston, TX ***** 346-***-**** ***********@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/richard-b-zuo

RICHARD B. ZUO

An innovative STEM educator with proven expertise in teaching physics, mathematics, and engineering concepts to diverse student populations. Skilled in designing standards-based, inquiry-driven instruction that enhances comprehension and performance. Brings real-world context through industry experience, fostering engagement and practical understanding. Committed to academic excellence, equity in education, and preparing students for future challenges in science and technology. Strong classroom management, curriculum development, and student mentoring capabilities aligned with modern pedagogical best practices. PROFILE SUMMARY

Mathematics & Physics Teacher

Ser Ninos Charter High School - Houston, TX Aug 2024 - Jun 2025

• Instructed high school students in Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and Physics using TEKS-aligned materials from CK-12, SAVVAS, and DMAC. Designed multiple-choice finals and researched extracurricular materials to enrich teaching quality, relevance, and depth.

• Independently developed and implemented over 475 original instructional slides, customizing content and style to suit diverse audiences.

• Employed self-reflective, inductive mathematical language (e.g., operand, radicand, multiplicand, logarithmand, addend, etc) to teach with technical precision and flawless execution of problem solving, resulting in a 50% increase in student engagement through innovative, creative teaching strategies reinforced by concrete, hands-on exercises.

• Demonstrated the ability to communicate mathematically sophisticated ideas in a vivid, expressive, and intellectually engaging manner.

• Delivered comprehensive instruction in Algebra II, focusing on 16 core graph types and their transformations using function parameters (a, b, c, d).

• Emphasized power indices of n = 1.0, 2.0, 0.5, and +3 to guide students through graphing key functions, including linear, reciprocal, quadratic, reciprocal quadratic, square root, cubic, and absolute value functions.

• Encouraged students to internalize graph shapes as foundational knowledge, the “ABCs of mathematics,” which led to measurable improvements on graphing unit assessments, showcasing strong skills in conveying complex mathematical concepts to boost learning.

• Utilized PowerSchool to input and track student performance data from Google Classroom systematically.

• Monitored student progress in real time, demanding every student be DOING-NOHTING-BUT-PERFORMING, with all work meeting Flawless Execution standards.

• Taught advanced mathematical concepts such as trigonometric functions and conic sections to prepare students for college-level Pre-Calculus, emphasized criteria for inverse functions using the Horizontal and Vertical Line Tests.

• Trained students in the full functionality of the TI-89 engineering graphing calculator, including function editor, data tables, graphing windows, and all nine regression models (e.g., LinReg, ExpReg, QuadReg) to build data analysis skills,

• Utilized RREF to solve linear systems of equations (2x(2+1) through n x (n+1) augmented matrices for efficiency and effective outcomes, including dependent and inconsistent systems, helping students master matrix-based problem solving.

• Facilitated Physics instruction on circuits, wave behavior, and magnetism, contributing to an 80% pass rate on Physics end-of-course exams.

• Applied differentiated teaching strategies to meet the academic needs of students with varying skill levels and learning styles, enhancing conceptual understanding and retention across all subjects. Physics & College Algebra Instructor

School of Automotive Machinists & Technology - Houston, TX Jun 2023 - Present

• Delivered college-level Physics and Algebra instruction using a hands-on, real-world approach tailored to students in automotive technology, achieving a 100% course completion rate.

• Taught standard college-level topics: kinematics, projectile motion, work-energy principles, conservation of momentum, conservation of charge, conservation of energy, elasticity/inelasticity of materials, and friction.

• Integrated thermodynamics principles—Otto, Diesel, and Carnot cycles—to improve applied problem-solving skills on technical assessments.

• Assigned and assessed weekly Pivot Interactives lab assignments, such as the Gravitron Project, to reinforce lecture content and build analytical thinking, guided students in performing theoretical calculations, collecting lab data, and testing hypotheses.

• Supervised lab sessions and student research projects to reinforce theory through practical experimentation, significantly boosting student comprehension of core physics concepts.

Physics Teacher & Engineering Design

YES Prep North Forest Secondary - Houston, TX Aug 2022 - Jun 2023

• Delivered engaging, standards-aligned instruction in physics and engineering design, leading to a 300% performance increase, with students achieving three levels above the district CA2 Mastery benchmark; structured curriculum into Product Design and Process Design categories.

• Designed and implemented project-based learning using TRIZ methodology, subsea engineering animations, and Power BI to deepen conceptual understanding and data literacy.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Introduced advanced physics topics such as nuclear fusion and collision mechanics, enhancing student exposure to real-world scientific applications.

• Applied the Universal-Particular-Precise (UPP) problem-solving method to strengthen analytical thinking and improve academic performance across diverse learning levels.

Science Instructor

Southwest Schools Charter School - Houston, TX Aug 2021 - Jun 2022

• Instructed multiple science subjects across grades 7–11, including Chemistry, Biology, IPC, and General Science, aligning lessons with state standards and STEMscopes by Rice University.

• Applied the 5-E instructional model and a performance-based learning framework to build student independence and deepen content mastery.

• Integrated tools such as STEMscopedia, CER strategies (including rebuttal), instructional videos, and formative assessments to support diverse learning styles.

AP Physics Teacher

HISD Houston Charter School, Energized for STEM Academy H.S. - Houston, TX Aug 2020 - Jul 2021

• Developed engaging, inquiry-based labs and real-world applications to deepen conceptual understanding and spark student interest in physics and STEM careers.

• Drove a 1000%+ performance increase in College Board Unit Progress Checks, elevating mastery-level ("dark greens") benchmarks from 1.0 to 12.0 units of study, and earning formal recognition from school leadership.

• Actively contributed to a high-performing academic culture through data-driven instruction, continuous improvement, and collaborative engagement with faculty, families, and school leadership. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mathematics Teacher

HISD Houston Charter School - Houston, TX Feb 2020 - Jul 2021 Substitute Teacher

Kokua Education - Houston, TX Sep 2019 - Jan 2020

Consultant & Educator

Self-Employed -Houston, TX Oct 2016 - Feb 2020

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Member

American Association of Physics Teachers Dec 2020 - Present Tau Beta Pi, National Engineering Honor Society Jul 1987 - Dec 2025 AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Most Memorable Teacher by 11th Grade AP Physics students (120 votes), YES Prep North Forest Secondary. The Teacher President - YES Prep North Forest Secondary 2 GLC Certificates - YES Prep North Forest Secondary My Best Teacher for College Board AP Physics after achieving a 1000% student performance increase from 1st to 2nd semester. PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Curriculum Development

• Differentiated Instruction

• Professional Development

• College Algebra Instruction

• Engineering Design Principles

• Laboratory Safety & Equipment Handling

• Data Analysis & Interpretation

• Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS)

• Curriculum Mapping

• Classroom Technology Integration

• Assessment Development

• Instructional Planning

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

• Student-Centered Learning

• Academic Advising

• Learning Style Adaptation

• Classroom Engagement Strategies

• Conflict Resolution

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE

Statement of Eligibility (SOE) - Texas Teachers Alternative Certification Program (ACP) Jul 2024 - Jul 2026 Texas State Board for Educator Certification - Intern Credential Aug 2020 - Dec 2025 Texas State Board of Professional Engineers Feb 1999 - Dec 2025 Statement of Eligibility (SOE) - Texas Teachers Alternative Certification Program (ACP) Jul 2020 - Jul 2022 AP Physics 1 Teachers’ Training Certification - Rice University Summer Institute Jul 2021 Physics/Math (Grades 7 - 12) 243 Test Code - Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) Passed Mar 2020 Chemistry (Grades 7 - 12) - 240 Test Code - TExES Passed Dec 2019 Physical Science (Grades 6 - 12) 237 Test Code - - TExES Passed Nov 2019 Mathematics (Grades 7 - 12) - 235 Test Code - TExES Passed Aug 2019 TECHNICAL SKILLS

Instructional & Assessment Platforms: DMAC (Data Management for Assessment & Curriculum), SAVVAS Realize, CK-12 Productivity Software: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Paint, Nitro PDF Design & CAD Tools: AutoCAD, Pro/ENGINEER (Pro-E), ME10 Diagramming & Visualization: Microsoft Visio

Document Management: Agile Document Management System Content & Markup: XML Editor

EDUCATION

Post-Master’s (PM) Certificate in College Teaching, (Tuition sponsored by United States Government) Capella University - Minneapolis, MN 2018

• GPA: 4.00

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Oil & Gas Middlesex University - London, England 2016

• Graduated with Merit

Bachelor of Science - BS Mechanical Engineering (BSME) San Jose State University - San Jose, CA 1988

Science & Pre-Engineering (2-Year Program — Transfer to 4-Year University) San Jose City College - San Jose, CA 1985

• GPA: 4.00 in Science & Mathematics

REFERENCES

Available upon request

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