Hello all and welcome to science at MRHS! The 24-25 school year will be my fifth year at Mountain Ridge High School, and I am so excited to be here! I have taught Honors Biology, Biology, and Environmental Science here at Ridge. I am practically a Phoenix native, as I have been here since I was two years old. I went to school throughout the PVUSD district and attended Arizona State University for all of my undergraduate and graduate work. I received my undergraduate degree from ASU in Anthropology, with a minor in Global Health. During this time, I focused on research pertaining to evolutionary biology and human origins, including assisting in research into the evolution of primate teeth and diets, early human ancestors, and archeology of the ancient city of Teotihuacan near present-day Mexico City! My master's degree from ASU is in Secondary Education, with a concentration in Biology and a graduate certificate in Environmental Education.
I am so excited to continue to be a part of MRHS this year and engage with you all in learning about the wonders of the natural world and our place in it. One of my favorite things is learning wild and fun facts about weird adaptations and behaviors we can see in nature, so I most definitely look forward to sharing and hearing those from you as well!
Ms. Koistinen (koi-stih-nen) - KOI - like the fish 🐟
P.S. Did you know that humans aren't the only species that participate in agriculture (planting and cultivating food)? Species of ants have been farming fungi for 60 million years!
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelor's of Science - Arizona State University - Anthropology, minor in Global Health
Graduate Certificate - Arizona State University - Environmental Education
Master's of Education - Arizona State University - Secondary Education (Biology)
