Education
Ph.D., Florida State University
M.S., Florida State University
B.A., University of North Florida
B.S., University of North Florida

Highlights

• 12 years of teaching experience
• Science Department Head, Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School
• School Leadership Committee
• 2009-present – Shared Decision-Making Committee
• 2011 – presenter at annual conference of the Magnet Schools of America
• 2010 – present – Mentor for Novice Teachers within Duval County MINT/TIP Program

Dr. Sowell is a science teacher with a deep appreciation for the impact his lessons have on the “here and now.”  He is passionate about his students’ understanding of what science is as a discipline, how science works and how scientific knowledge is generated.  He works to excite, engage and empower his students everyday to understand and improve the world around them. 

Dr. Sowell’s students learn science by doing science.  Instead of putting the lecture before the lab so that his students show him what he said was correct, Dr. Sowell places the experience before the lecture so that his students create their own learning by exploring real-life scientific situations.  He develops a strong community of learners in his classroom, fostering a climate of collaboration, empathy and kindness where critical thinking and creative expression are valued. 

As a novice-teacher mentor and professional development facilitator, Dr. Sowell works directly with the newest faculty members at Darnell-Cookman, encouraging them to constantly improve by seeking new knowledge.   His passion for his practice is evident inside the classroom as well as in the time he gives back to bettering his profession and the field of scientific inquiry.