Ice climbing
About Queen Nerdling
Greetings my name is Heidi Tarr aka "The Queen Nerdling" as my students call me. I am an Advanced Biology and Advanced Biotechnology teacher in Waltham, MA. I also work as an AP Biology content developer for NMSI, lead AP biology professional developments for teachers and review sessions for students through Mass Insight and NMSI. I was the 2019-2020 recipient of the Houston Museum of Natural Science "Excellence in Teaching Science" award. Previously, I was an AP biology teacher at Northbridge High School in Massachusetts, an AP Biology, Advanced Scientific Research and Seminar, Honors Biology and AP Environmental science teacher at The Emery/Weiner School in Houston, TX and Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena Texas. Throughout my teaching career I have sponsored The National Honor Society at two high schools, been the advisor for Student Council, served as the director of Academic UIL, new teacher mentor, and Envirothon coach. To me there is nothing more gratifying than watching a student who thought "I can't" achieve more than their wildest dreams. Those are the moments that have changed my life and shaped my teaching career.
When I am not working on something with my Nerdlings (which isn't very often) I enjoy hiking, playing golf, skiing, traveling, and yoga as well as attending various professional developments. I have a love for adventure and the great outdoors. In the past decade, I have climbed the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska, skippered a research vessel in Kaikoura, New Zealand, summited mountains in Iceland and seen the beautiful fjords of Norway with my amazing husband (who by the way loves all of my Nerdlings as much as I do). I have also attended a two-week molecular biology course at Princeton University, and numerous week long AP biology trainings at Rice University.
Skippering the Kiko Rangi research vessel in Kaikoura, New Zealand while working as part of the Dusky Dolphin Research Team.
Top of my glacier trek in Rosendal, Norway
Celebrating a past Nerdlings success and posing for our "Shining Stars" picture.
