My Frequently Asked Question
You don’t look like a teacher! I guess the typical image of a high school science teacher is an old man in his sixties with a monotone voice repeating “Beuler”...”Beuler”... during roll call, and then spelling out some fancy equations on a chalkboard, all while his back faces a room full of bored teenagers blowing bubbles with their chewing gum. This is the antithesis of how I operate. As a high school science teacher, I make a conscious choice to see my students as real people and inspire them to make sense of their path ahead both academically and personally. More importantly, I build a micro-community within my school where students, parents, faculty and administrators feel a sense of trust, comfort and belonging when they’re around me.
Do they listen to you? Yes, they listen to me, I say with a smirk. I actually enjoy what I do, and discipline problems don’t need to happen if you don’t allow it.
It’s a standard and scripted conversation, every. single. time. I’m fairly young with a petite frame, so most people are surprised when they learn about what I do, and can’t imagine me commanding respect and attention from a group of teenagers twice my height.
I love building and nurturing relationships. When I see my students, I set the tone by smiling and saying hello. I often ask my students questions about how they’re doing, what’s on their mind, or what they would rather be doing. Creating a space for connection allows my students to feel seen and heard. They are comfortable enough to approach me with ideas, worries or simply to say hello and I’m always happy to lend an ear or a helping hand. I work hard to create a classroom culture of dignity and respect, and I encourage students to think about their choices and make better decisions. Students feel empowered to make a positive impact in the world.
I recall one of my chemistry students who felt inspired to join the robotics team at our school and with my mentorship and support was able to win a Rensealer FIRST Robotics Scholarship to Rochester Polytechnic Institute. A girl in STEM, especially Robotics is rare, and it was my humble privilege to be part of her journey. In my biomedical science class, one of my students was inspired to create an afterschool Medical Research Club for her peers and asked me to be the faculty advisor. I agreed and adapted some of the activities we did in class to share with the group. The club is in its fourth year and thriving with sixty active participants weekly. The student who started this club graduated valedictorian of her class and is now a science research fellow at Yale University, a highly competitive program that only accepts twenty students per cohort. This, along with building rapport with students’ families and maintaining a line of communication with my colleagues and staff has made an incredible impact on the social fabric of the school community I am a part of.
People are right, I don’t look like a teacher. Not externally and not internally- I’m just wired differently. And maybe this is what is most surprising to people when they hear the answer to the question, What do you do?
