About Me
Hello! My name is William Mclain. I was born in Newnan, Georgia, a few miles south of the city. My family soon moved, and I grew up mostly in the Fayetteville/Tyrone area. I actually attended Sandy Creek High School, where I spent most of my time playing football, fishing, hunting, and "mudding" on my family's farm. I was fortunate enough to have an adventureous father and have hunted or fished in Saskatechewan Canada, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Florida Keys, and South Dakota.
I graduated in 1998, and was thrilled to be leaving. However, I still miss the farm.
I attended Auburn University, and after many changes, majored in Ecology. My times at Auburn were some of my best, and I suggest to everyone consider Auburn for furthering their education. At Auburn I had some especially unique opportunites. I worked in 2 research groups. One was entomology based; studying fire ants (Solenopsis invictus van burens) and how they interacted with beneficial insects. The other was mammology; experimenting with hormone uptake in the brains of Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Both were extremely gratifying experiences, giving me an up close look at the Scientific Method in progress.
My favorite subject was, by far, Herpetology (the study of amphibians and reptiles). While learning the identities and natural history of these unique animals, I was able to participate in many intense field experiences. The "lab" activities included how to properly trap and release alligators, and how to safely handle venomous snakes. In addition to being totally cool, it allowed me the opportunity to see animals and natural habitats that most people never will. If you think science is all googles, scales and lab aprons, think again.
In 2003 my time at Auburn drew to a close. Unlike high school, I wasn't at all thrilled. I wasn't sure what I wanted, but I didn't feel that 2-4 years of gradutate school was in the cards for me. I enrolled in a National Outdoor Leadership School course that summer and spent 2 months hiking in the Austrailian outback.
-To all my students who are about to graduate, and love intense outdoor activities: Do a NOLS course. Even if you have to save for 4 years and go after college. It will be worth it, I promise. NOLS provides the best outdoor education around, are highly professional, and will take you places people rarely go. You learn skills, techniques, and even attitudes that you'll carry with you all your life. I cannot emphasize the impact it had on me.
After Oz, I got a job working for Tru-tech pest and animal control as a Sales Representative and Wildlife Specialist. I trapped squirrles, flying squrirles, rats, birds, snakes, racoons, and possums that had strayed into human living spaces (attics, basements, and often living rooms) and were a nuisance or threat.
I'll say 2 things about working as a trapper:
-Where you think there is one rat, there are probably six.
-Never, ever, mess with a raccoon. Seriously.
In 2005 I was accepted to Georgia State University as an graduate student in the college of education. During my time there I completed 2 internships.One with Crabapple Middle School, teaching Earth Science. The second with Wheeler High School, teaching Honors Physics.
While at Chattahoochee, I've taught Evironmental Science, Chemistry, Meterology, and Phyisical Science. In 2007 I sponsored the Fencing and Interactive media clubs.
Currently, I can be found in H107.
