I enjoy teaching face-to-face geology at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. I believe geology should be taught both as content & a process, with a hands-on, discovery-based approach & with a sense of humor. I also have taught hands-on science to little folks in China during our winter and summer breaks.

For 25 years I served as a technical writer for the Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES-3) and Nonlinear Geophysics (EES-17) Groups at Los Alamos National Laboratory and still do minor work for scientists from time to time.

I am a native of the Colorado Plateau - Winslow - and have worked for the BLM at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado and for the National Park Service as an interpretive ranger at Kilauea (Volcanoes National Park) and Glen Canyon/Lake Powell. I have lived and worked in Pago Pago, American Samoa and Athens, Greece. I enjoy mountain biking, hiking, travel, playing acoustic guitar badly, gardening, writing, studying environmental issues focusing on sustainability and alternative architecture including building energy efficient tiny homes, & spending time with loved ones.

Education
M.S., Earth Science, Northern Arizona University (1991)
B.A., Behavioral Science and Education, Grand Canyon University (1976)

​Experience
2006-Present, CGCC, SMCC & PVCC, Geology
1996-2023, Los Alamos National Laboratory, EES-3/11/17 (Geophysics), Technical Writer
2000-2006, North Canyon High School, AP/IB Physics, Earth Science, Webmaster, Science Bowl
1995, Grand Canyon University, Adjunct-Arizona Geography
1992-2000, Sunrise Middle School, PVUSD, 7th Grade Science, Department Chair
1995, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, National Park Service, Summer Interpretation
1991-1992, American Community School of Athens, Athens, Greece, Science and Math
1986, Anasazi Heritage Center, Bureau of Land Management, Interpretation
1985-1991, PVHS, Advanced Earth Sci, Earth Sci, Biology, Soccer
1985, Glen Canyon/Lake Powell National Recreation Area, National Park Service, Summer Interpretation
1984-1985, Shadow Mountain High School, General Sci and Biology
1981-1983, Samoana and Tafuna High Schools, American Samoa, Physics, Physical Science, Yearbook
1977-1981, Paradise Valley High School, Earth and General Science, Cross Country, Track

Publications
A Series of 14 Original Objective-Based & Tested Interactive Lab Exercises for Environmental Geology
Energy: A Historical Perspective in Dynamic Planet: Exploring Geological Disasters and Environmental Change
CGCC Geology 110/111 Course Curriculum & Lab Manual, Environmental Geology and Disasters, 2019-25
CGCC Geology 101/103 Course Curriculum & Lab Manual, Introduction to Geology, 2019-25
CGCC Geology 102/104 Course Curriculum & Lab Manual, Historical Geology 2019-25
Northern Arizona Study - Field Trip in a Can
EES-17 (Geophysics) - Los Alamos National Laboratory Website (Site no longer maintained.)
Earth Science 1 & 2: A One-Year On-Line Course for pvONLINE & Lecture Series
Campsite Beach Suitability Survey in Grand Canyon Survey 1991
Letter to Mom, 1985
Science in the Wilderness: A Field Guide, 1981
Sunrise Middle & North Canyon High School Web Sites - Original

Awards
Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award CGCC, 2020
Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award Nominee, PVCC, 2015
ExxonMobil Bighorn Basin Field Camp Faculty Award, 2015
Educator of Distinction - Claes Nobel Award, 2004

Conferences / Workshops
Improving the Sustainability of Data-Rich Activities through the Community Contribution Tool 2024
Subsidence Features of Central Arizona Workshop 2020
GSA Conferences 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
AGU Conference 2019
2YC GSA Workshop, Seattle, Advancing Research in Community Colleges 2017
Arizona Energy Futures Conference 2016, 2017, 2022

Memberships
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Geological Society of America (GSA)
Arizona Geologic Survey (AGS) - Former Education Liaison
National Association of Geology Teachers (NAGT)
En-ROADS Climate Ambassador

Miscellaneous
Bringing Real-World Geologic Data to the College Classroom: A Conversation with Professor Jeff Simpson - Arizona Geological Survey

Planting tomatoes in a hoop house in Salida, Colorado.

Lava from the Pu'u 'O'o volcanic vent on Kilauea runs to the ocean beneath me in 1995, standing next to a skylight - a collapsed lava tube roof.

Student Reviews

I was completely overwhelmed with emotion while Jeff was speaking. I was so incredibly grateful to be alive at that moment. That night changed the trajectory of my life because I had some stupid ephihany that life can and will continue to have moments like that as long as I commit to living it. It was such an incredible end to the day. Thank you, Jeff. - Audrey W., Spring, 2025 (Regarding a field trip.)

Thank you for the semester, you have been one of my favorite teachers with how you taught our class. It meant a lot joking about with me.... I already miss our class. - Aries D., Spring, 2025

Thank you for everything you have done for me and teaching me geology. - Laith D., Spring 2025

Thank you for an amazing class and making it a memorable one. - Esmerelda M., Spring 2025

Thank you for being a professor who has made the class very enjoyable. I'm gonna miss geology class and the field trips. I wish you the best. Karaoke with you wast awesome. - Victoria A., Spring 2025

Thank you for making geology fun. This pass grants the owner the ability to make fun of my car accident. - Chase G., Spring ,2025

I appreciate you and can't wait to be in your class again this upcoming semester. - Evo C., Fall, 2024

You made class very fun. I had to take this class for my major and originally wasn't excited as I thought it was going to be boring, but I had a really good time and made some friends. - Anonymous, Fall, 2024

Thanks for everything this semester. This was definitely one of my more fun classes. Rocks are cool! - Anonymous, Fall, 2024

No more burnt popcorn. More Moo Deng - Anna R., Fall, 2024

Honestly, I didn't think I was going to like this class, but I did. So thank you. - Sam S., Fall 2024 (You are missed, Sam!)

I never thought geology would be so fun. Thank you for being an honest and interested teacher. - Anonymous, Fall, 2024

I appreciate the jokes and your funny sense of humor. It helped make class fun - Anonymous, Fall, 2024

I have never been a good student academically, and, for the first time in my life, I felt smart because of you and this class. Because of this class, I have grown confidence in myself and my intelligence. Not only are you a great teacher but you are also a great friend and we can all tell you actually care about your students. Thank you. - Anonymous, Spring, 2024

Just wanted to thank you for everything, Jeff. You have inspired myself and many others through your passion. I think you for your time and efforts, but as well for your compassion. This semester has been a blast, so don’t change 1 bit. Glad to have you, Professor, and take care! - Anonymous, Spring, 2024

Thanks for being a wonderful professor. There were times that I was really struggling in other classes, but I always looked forward to this class. Your passion for the topics helped me learn the most. Keep on doing what you do because it really does make a difference. :) - Anonymous, Spring, 2024

I don't know how to fully express how thankful I am that I got to have you as a teacher. You never gave up on me, and I always knew you were in my corner, willing to help me be my best self. - Maci M., Fall, 2023

This semester was very challenging but I always looked forward to our class discussions and the overall experience you provided to your students. I will keep in touch! This was my last semester at CGCC and I'm glad I got to experience such an awesome course. Thank you for all your help and incredible teaching throughout the semester. I’ll be keeping in touch! - Annette C., Fall, 2023

Best course if have taken at CGCC so far. Professor Simpson is so helpful and interactive. Love it! - On-Line Anonymous, 8/15/22

Thank you for your teaching style with the hands on activities and having the class introduce each other (especially virtually), along with the constant comments and assurance you provide with every assignment. It is not something I am used to and wish other instructors would take up in their teaching methods. I am really grateful I had the opportunity to participate in this class, one of the best experiences with school and learning I have ever had. I wish that it could have been in-person, but I will carry this information with me everywhere. Thank you... - Lilian G., Summer 2021, GLG110IN

I just wanted to personally thank you for making this class the great experience that it was. This is the first time in a while that I took a science class, excelled greatly, and actually enjoyed the homework. This semester surely ignited a passion for geology, and a personal goal will be to continue learning about this subject. - Joyce S., Summer 2021, GLG101IN

This class was very well done. It was refreshing having a course with a professor that is passionate about the material and conveys it even in an online platform. The case report video presentations were a really nice touch to add a personal element to the course. I also thought you did a good job of presenting the information in a "lighter" fashion even when the material can be ominous. Keep up the dad-jokes! :) Lastly, I want to thank you for being a great teacher! You do a great job and this was one of the only courses that I really had wished I had done in person for some of the elements. I thoroughly enjoyed the material and noticed your hard work and dedication in formatting an efficient and fun course. I'm very appreciative of your work! :) - John O., Summer 2020, GLG110IN

Your class was so fun, and I loved expanding my knowledge on geology, thanks again. - Camille K., Summer 2020, GLG110IN

Thank you for all your help last semester; you really affected my life greatly. Keep it up! I hope we can stay in contact, I'd enjoy having you as a resource as I continue my path into sustainability and conservation. - Christian L., Summer 2020, GLG110IN

Thank you for being a wonderful teacher! I will miss geology class! Take care. - Rylee H., Spring 2020, GLG101IN

​I really enjoyed this class, one of my favorites for sure. I'll be sure to try to find you teaching other geology classes and register for those. I'll keep in touch, thanks for a great class. - Kyle C., Spring 2020, GLG101IN

I just have to say thank you for all your hard work put into this class! You are passionate about what you do and what you teach and it shows. You have been very flexible and helped me learn a lot of new and great things in this class. One of the best courses I have taken during all my time in college. I may be graduating next December but I will always remember this class. I also noticed how you grew and adapted in your accessibility to the course content and Canvas as a whole. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas! - Coleton W., Fall 2019, GLG110IN

Thanks for the hundreds of hours you spend on helping us learn and develop new interests. I have loved learning about the miracle of our amazing planet and how things work. It fascinates me . - Erin S., Fall 2020, GLG101

Jeff is the best professor I have ever had. He is extremely funny, but also makes the class very easy to understand. Every time you have class you will laugh at least 1-5 times. Everything he teaches is taught in a very understandable manner. There will be no other class as easy and fun as this, and there will rarely be another professor like Jeff. - May 7, 2020, RateMyProfessor.com

Jeff is by far the most enjoyable teacher I've ever had. He is incredibly charismatic and brings this energy to make an enjoyable atmosphere within the class. The class felt more like a group of friends learning about geology rather than a college lecture. It's also very clear that Jeff cares deeply about students and he wants to make learning fun. - May 7, 2020, RateMyProfessor.com