1. Matthew J. Stephens
2509 Berkley Ave. mattstephens1064@yahoo.com
Austin, TX 78745 (512) 825-1384
Objective:
To find a teaching position in a positive team and community based educational environment with
opportunities for continuing professional and personal growth. And share my love of nature with the
next generation.
Summary:
Composite Science and Special Education Certification
Engaging Science labs and lessons
Texas Naturalist/Aquatic Scientist
Lead field trips in Texas and Mexico
Education:
Texas Teaching Certificate, grades 8-12, Composite Science, 2004
Special Education Supplement, 8-12, 2009
MS in Aquatic Biology, Texas State University, 2002
BS in Aquatic Biology, University of Texas, 1995
CPR and First Aid Certification Aug 2012
Languages: English, Spanish proficient, Dutch adequate
Grants and Awards:
Lola Wright Foundation Odyssey STEM Initiative Grant -$25,000 - 2014
National Science Foundation Education Grant IOS- 1045226, $14,500 - “EAGER-Enabling
Partnerships to Enable Science (TOOLS): - 2011
Limbarger Academic Achievement (Top 10% of graduating class nominate their most influential
teacher)– 2009
Limbarger Academic Achievement – 2008
Innovative Teaching Grant/Hays CISD Education Foundation – $919.00 – Testing the Waters, 2007
Innovative Teaching Grant/Hays CISD Education Foundation – $3,176.70 – Measuring our World,
2006
Guy Jordan Endowment Grant/American Cichlid Association – $1,495. -- Temporal and Spatial
Dynamics of Herichthys minckleyi. 1997
Experience:
Odyssey School, Austin, Texas 2011-present
• Head of Science Department
• Mentor new Science teacher, developed Science cirricullum
• Teach: Middle School Science, High School Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Aquatic Science
• Secured funding for innovative technology instruction
• Plan School trips and integrate cirriculum with trips
Odyssey School, Austin, Texas _ __ 2010-2011
• Taught Middle and High School Science courses
Cedar Creek Elementary School, Eanes Independent School District 2009-2010
• Lead Provider for after school program
• Supervising four after school care teachers
Griffin School, Austin, Texas Summer 2009
• Courses Taught: summer sections of Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Academy High School, Hays CISD, Buda, Texas 2005 - 2009
• Courses Taught: Biology, IPC, Chemistry, and Aquatic Science
• Improved Science TAKS scores for last two years working with at risk students (> 10% a year for
10th grade TAKS scores for 2007-8, and 2008-9 school years)
• Limbarger Academic Achievement Award recipient for 07-08, and 08-09 School years.
Webb Middle School, Austin ISD, Austin, Texas 2004 - 2005
• Science Teacher, 7
th
and 8
th
grade Science.

2. Matthew J. Stephens
Other work experience:
Zara Environmental Consultant 2004
• Endangered species management
North Sea Foundation 2002-2003
• NGO working for protection of North Sea
• Creating educational pamphlets
Substitute Teacher, Eanes ISD 2000-2002
• Teaching a variety of courses at various grade levels
Research Biologist – Texas Memorial Museum 1996-2002
• Building and maintaining two fish labs for endangered species research
• Completing graduate thesis including lab experiments combined with field investigations
• Collaborating with other scientists from other universities on other research projects
• Creating educational exhibits related to the Central Texas aquatic ecosystem at Texas Memorial
Museum
Aquarist/Retail 1985-1999
• Maintaining aquariums and caring for fresh and salt water fish at local aquarium stores (Aqua Dome
and Amazonia Aquariums)
• Providing customer service
Publications
Stephens, M.J., and D. A. Hendrickson. 2001. Larval development of the Cuatro Ciénegas Cichlid,
Herichthys minckleyi. Journal of the Southwestern Naturalist 46(1): 16-22.
Stephens, M. J. 2001. Temporal and spatial dynamics of the polymorphism
Cuatro Ciénegas Cichlid: Herichthys minckleyi. Guy Jordan Endowment report Bunterbarsch 204.
G. G. Rosenthal, D. Morizot, S. Kazianis, X. F. de la Rosa Reyna, M.J. Stephens, F. J. García de León,
and M. J. Ryan. 2003. Dissolution of sexual signaling complexes in a swordtail hybrid zone.
Copeia 2003: 299-307.
Hendrickson, D.A. and Stephens M.J. 1998. Historic and current status of the Cuatro Ciénegas Cichlid
polymorphism. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council 1998 annual meetings.
Stephens, M.J. 1997. Notes on natural history of the Cuatro Ciénegas Cichlid: Herichthys Minckleyi.
Cichlid News, Aquatic Promotions, Vol. 6(4): 26-29.
Stephens, M.J., and D. A. Hendrickson. 1997. Larval Development of the Cuatro Ciénegas Cichlid
Herichthys minckleyi. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council, 1996 Symposium. Vol. XXVIII.
Scholarly Presentations
Stephens, M.J., Hendrickson, D.A., Arsuffi, T.L. Heritability of trophic polymorphism in Herichthys
minckleyi. 2001. Desert Fishes Council, Alpine, Texas
Stephens, M.J., Hendrickson, D.A., and T. L. Arsuffi. Morphological variation in the trophic polymorphisms
in a Cichlid Fish, Herichthys minckleyi, from Cuatro Ciénegas, Mexico. 2001. Texas Academy of
the Sciences, Kingsville, Texas
Hendrickson, D.A. and Stephens M.J. Historic and current status of the Cuatro Ciénegas Cichlid
polymorphism. 1998. Desert Fishes Council, Death Valley, Nevada.
Stephens. M.J. and Hendrickson, D.A. Larval Development of the Cuatro Ciénegas Cichlid Herichthys
minckleyi. 1996. Poster presentation at the annual conference of The American Society of
Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.