Dean Howarth is veteran teacher with over 30 year of experience in both public and private high schools in Northern Virginia and Washington DC. He teaches physics, astronomy, science history, and living history. He has been recognized for outstanding contributions to classroom education and is the namesake of the Observatory at McLean High School in Fairfax County, VA. He has collaborated with scientific and educational institutions such as regional astronomical and science societies, planetariums, universities, national science festivals, and notable institutions like the Smithsonian. (See a more extensive list in MISSIONS.)

Having been inspired to teach by beloved popularizers of science like Carl Sagan and James Burke, Dean brings history to life in the classroom, at museums, historic sites, festivals, conferences, camps, and other institutions with connections to both science and history. For over 25 years he has engaged in historical interpretation, first with his students, and most recently as a private enterprise under the moniker "The Natural Philosopher".

Dean resides in Arlington County in Northern Virginia.