MEET THE AUTHORS
Picture-Perfect Science authors Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan are both former elementary teachers who’ve honed their approach to teaching science through their presentation of high-energy, hands-on workshops to teachers nationwide. In addition to writing the Picture-Perfect Science book series, they have contributed to the “Teaching Through Trade Books” column for NSTA’s elementary journal, Science & Children, where teachers can find many more ideas for using children’s literature to teach science. Karen and Emily have nearly 50 years of combined experience in the classroom and as leaders in the field of elementary science professional development.
Karen Ansberry
Karen Ansberry co-founded Picture-Perfect Science to give elementary teachers the tools they need to help students learn to read and read to learn. As a former classroom teacher, she understands that teachers are crunched for time and need high-interest, ready-to-use lessons that integrate literature, reading strategies, and science. After graduating from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in biology, she completed an internship in the Cincinnati Zoo’s education department. This experience inspired her to change her career focus from wildlife biology to elementary education, and after earning a Master of Arts in teaching from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, she began teaching fifth and sixth grade science at Mason City Schools, in Mason, Ohio. She served as the Elementary Science Curriculum Leader there for 16 years, and now works with Emily to develop teacher-friendly, standards-based science lessons and facilitate Picture-Perfect Science workshops. She is also a co-author of Teaching Science Through Tradebooks, published by NSTA Press, and the author of the children’s book Nature Did it First: Engineering through Biomimicry. Karen lives in Lebanon, Ohio with her husband, two sons, two daughters, and two dogs.
Emily Morgan
Emily Morgan feels that tapping into students’ fascination with science will give them the motivation to read about it. She believes that every teacher is a reading teacher and enjoys writing lessons that use engaging picture books and integrate reading strategies. Emily has a bachelor’s degree in education from Wright State University and a master’s in education from the University of Dayton. She taught seventh grade science at Northridge Local Schools in Dayton, Ohio, and second through fourth grade science lab at Mason City Schools in Mason, Ohio. She has served as a science consultant for the Hamilton County Educational Service Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and as the science leader for the High AIMS Consortium. She is currently working as the Moonshot Ohio Coordinator for the Ohio Afterschool Network in addition to writing. She is the author of the award-winning Next Time You See nonfiction picture book series and Never Stop Wondering, both from NSTA Press. Her latest book is Balance Screen Time with Green Time: Connecting Students With Nature by Corwin Press. Emily lives in West Chester, Ohio with her husband, son, and a golden retriever named Copernicus.